Question:

 The Prestige. But its only a good deal with the 3 Forks package. You  can find cheaper Okumas elsewhere.   And, it’s a good "bang for the buck" reel.  But, the Prestige   included with the 3 wt. Three Forks is a bit large for this rod, IMO.  I think it’s for 5/6 wt. line.  One of the smaller Okuma’s would be a better fit on the 3 wt. Snoop

True enough Snoop…both my 3 and 5 wt Three Forks sport an Okuma Sierra 3/4 and a nice rig it is. Frank(a very tired road hog) Church …..who just completed a 3300 mile trip to El Paso, Tx. and only had 300 miles of sunshine. The rest rain/drizzle/fog/snow/hail and who watched a tornado funnel form and disappear 3 times right before my very eyes. (wait a minute, was this a TR?)

Response:

 The Prestige. But its only a good deal with the 3 Forks package. You can find cheaper Okumas elsewhere.   And, it’s a good "bang for the buck" reel.  But, the Prestige included with the 3 wt. Three Forks is a bit large for this rod, IMO.  I think it’s for 5/6 wt. line.  One of the smaller Okuma’s would be a better fit on the 3 wt.

The one I bought for my St. Croix three weight is labeled "4/5", but it’s the smallest reel I own by far.  Pretty ideal for the three weight in my estimation.  As a matter of fact, even with a 3 WF there is little room for backing.  I’m not sure I could get a double tapered line on it even without any backing. Wolfgang

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I use a Galvan 3wt reel on my P.O.S. Three Forks. It’s a lovely reel — a light anodized metallic color, just the right size, with a sensitive drag and a decent amount of backing — as though I’ll ever need it. At first I felt like an idiot because the reel (an impulse purchase) costs maybe four or five times what rod costs, even when the rod was bought as a "combo." I use a 3 wt WF Sage Performance line with that rod. The LINE costs more than the rod, even when bought as a "combo." It matches the rod "perfectly" to my satisfaction. BTW, I recently got my repaired workhorse 5wt Sage SP back from the factory, after breaking it horribly and sickeningly at the HF Clave. I took it out to the Big Wood River a few days ago, getting about two hours of fishing in during a day of frantic errand running in Ketchum and Hailey. It was a good outing, catching a few nice rainbows on dries during the tail end of a baetis hatch. The rod, however, felt like a surf rod compared to the Three Forks I’ve been using in its absence.

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Proceed with caution.  Your four weight and 3 weight might breed, producing a 3.5 weight.  If this happens, there would be no hope of ever avoiding a gear-whore label.

It’s not so much the lable itself that I mind, but at these prices I find (at this late and rather sensitive stage of life) that I am a CHEAP whore. Scott (recovering this morning from a second lab flood  )

Core coolant leaking again? Wolfgang ever grateful for predominant westerly winds.

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@wiscnews.wiscnet.net: Scott (recovering this morning from a second lab flood  ) Core coolant leaking again?

No, just an idiot one floor up who should need a license to operate a sink Did you know that Universities have employees that do nothing but serve as liasions to their own insurance companies? — Scott Reverse first field of address to reply

Response:

Thanks for the report, Bill.  I really had intended to fish with my Three Forks combo in NC last week but found it impossible to tear myself away from the rod Joel built for me on a St. Croix Legend Ultra blank back in the spring.

I can fully understand that! Since I bought the Three Forks back in July (for my daughter, I swear!), I haven’t used my 5 weight rig much.  Opportunities will be limited for me for the next few months, but maybe I’ll get lucky and manage at least a bluegilling trip before the ice sets in.

And here I was hoping for Thanksgiving at the cabin up on the Ontonogan! Shall I pack my skis? Bill

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wolfgang, you missed one fine $10 reel.  I looked at the Okuma version at a fly shop today, and it’s the exact same reel.  The salesman was trying to convince me that 30% off a $435 Ross reel was a bargain, but being the bottom feeder that I am… Which of Cabelas reels is the Okuma? I just looked at their site again……thinking of getting a four weight to keep the three company.    :) I believe the reel in question is the "Prestige". http://shorterlink.com/?VW9JA3 Wolfgang

Proceed with caution.  Your four weight and 3 weight might breed, producing a 3.5 weight.  If this happens, there would be no hope of ever avoiding a gear-whore label. — Scott (recovering this morning from a second lab flood  ) Reverse first field of address to reply

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for the report, Bill.  I really had intended to fish with my Three Forks combo in NC last week but found it impossible to tear myself away from the rod Joel built for me on a St. Croix Legend Ultra blank back in the spring. I can fully understand that! Since I bought the Three Forks back in July (for my daughter, I swear!), I haven’t used my 5 weight rig much.  Opportunities will be limited for me for the next few months, but maybe I’ll get lucky and manage at least a bluegilling trip before the ice sets in. And here I was hoping for Thanksgiving at the cabin up on the Ontonogan! Shall I pack my skis?

The place is full of deer hunters then…..nasty, smelly bunch, decidedly short on refinement…….hm……now I think about it, sounds a lot like a clave.  What time can you be there? Wolfgang if you bring liquid refreshments, stay close…..and stay awake!

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 The Prestige. But its only a good deal with the 3 Forks package. You can find cheaper Okumas elsewhere.

  And, it’s a good "bang for the buck" reel.  But, the Prestige included with the 3 wt. Three Forks is a bit large for this rod, IMO.  I think it’s for 5/6 wt. line.  One of the smaller Okuma’s would be a better fit on the 3 wt. Snoop — —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Wolfgang, you missed one fine $10 reel.  I looked at the Okuma version at a fly shop today, and it’s the exact same reel.  The salesman was trying to convince me that 30% off a $435 Ross reel was a bargain, but being the bottom feeder that I am… Which of Cabelas reels is the Okuma?

 The Prestige. But its only a good deal with the 3 Forks package. You can find cheaper Okumas elsewhere. G.C.

Response:

Wolfgang, you missed one fine $10 reel.  I looked at the Okuma version at a fly shop today, and it’s the exact same reel.  The salesman was trying to convince me that 30% off a $435 Ross reel was a bargain, but being the bottom feeder that I am… Which of Cabelas reels is the Okuma?

I just looked at their site again……thinking of getting a four weight to keep the three company.    :) I believe the reel in question is the "Prestige". http://shorterlink.com/?VW9JA3 Wolfgang

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I had the 3-3-3 (Three Forks, three piece, three weight) with me in Colorado this past weekend, and really enjoyed fishing with it.  I’ll try to stave off hyperbole this time, though. Wolfgang, you missed one fine $10 reel.  I looked at the Okuma version at a fly shop today, and it’s the exact same reel.  The salesman was trying to convince me that 30% off a $435 Ross reel was a bargain, but being the bottom feeder that I am… One interesting data point: I fished with my friend Dennis on Monday.  He had a Cortland package set up and was doing miserably with it.  He just couldn’t seem to get a cast out right.  Handed him the 3-3-3 and he did much better.  Of course, Willi’d given him some pointers in the meantime, so maybe my data is skewed.  Just seems like a nice rod to cast, beginner or otherwise.

Thanks for the report, Bill.  I really had intended to fish with my Three Forks combo in NC last week but found it impossible to tear myself away from the rod Joel built for me on a St. Croix Legend Ultra blank back in the spring.  Opportunities will be limited for me for the next few months, but maybe I’ll get lucky and manage at least a bluegilling trip before the ice sets in. Wolfgang

Response:

Wolfgang, you missed one fine $10 reel.  I looked at the Okuma version at a fly shop today, and it’s the exact same reel.  The salesman was trying to convince me that 30% off a $435 Ross reel was a bargain, but being the bottom feeder that I am…

Which of Cabelas reels is the Okuma?

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So, did you have fun?

Yes. Was it purty?

Yes. Did they make you eat "grits"?

Weren’t enough of ‘em.  I made ‘em eat olives! Geo.C. Who got skunked on the Brule Friday, but who was more in need of the water, trees and silence than fish anyway.

And you could have picked a worse spot.  On the other hand, there’s some mighty nice spots in NC too!      :) Wolfgang meantime, don’t believe the lyin’ bastids!    

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So Wolfie did ya like the rod ??? Nice gear whore report makes me wanta send for one right now.                    Handyman Mike           Standing in a river waving a stick

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So Wolfie did ya like the rod ??? Nice gear whore report makes me wanta send for one right now.

fished with it yet, did I?      :) Wolfgang and thus, the perfect rod!

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So Wolfie did ya like the rod ??? Nice gear whore report makes me wanta send for one right now. fished with it yet, did I?      :)

For what it’s worth, Mike, I did actually test cast the rod on my lawn and found that it works as well as any other.  Bearing in mind that the reel seat will probably have to be replaced, as has so often been noted, I still think that the package is a steal for 60 bucks.  I only wish that I had investigated Cabelas site a little more carefully and gotten the Okuma reel for an additional ten dollars rather than the cheap graphite one. Wolfgang

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Wolfie, Bass Pro Shops Have some nice little reels real cheap that look really good on the 3, they balance the rod well and are disk drag. I use the graphite reel to run the line off the other reel (4 hose clamps on a piece of broom stick.) — John Popp in Sanford Fl.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So Wolfie did ya like the rod ??? Nice gear whore report makes me wanta send for one right now. fished with it yet, did I?      :) For what it’s worth, Mike, I did actually test cast the rod on my lawn and found that it works as well as any other.  Bearing in mind that the reel seat will probably have to be replaced, as has so often been noted, I still think that the package is a steal for 60 bucks.  I only wish that I had investigated Cabelas site a little more carefully and gotten the Okuma reel for an additional ten dollars rather than the cheap graphite one. Wolfgang

Response:

I use the graphite reel to run the line off the other reel (4 hose clamps on a piece of broom stick.)

I gave mine to a local boy who loves to flyfish but doesn’t have much tackle — not even something as cheesy as the Cabela’s graphite reel.

Response:

Wolfie, Bass Pro Shops Have some nice little reels real cheap that look really good on the 3, they balance the rod well and are disk drag. I use the graphite reel to run the line off the other reel (4 hose clamps on a piece of broom stick.) — John Popp in Sanford Fl.

Thanks, John. Wolfgang

Response:

I had the 3-3-3 (Three Forks, three piece, three weight) with me in Colorado this past weekend, and really enjoyed fishing with it.  I’ll try to stave off hyperbole this time, though. Wolfgang, you missed one fine $10 reel.  I looked at the Okuma version at a fly shop today, and it’s the exact same reel.  The salesman was trying to convince me that 30% off a $435 Ross reel was a bargain, but being the bottom feeder that I am… One interesting data point: I fished with my friend Dennis on Monday.  He had a Cortland package set up and was doing miserably with it.  He just couldn’t seem to get a cast out right.  Handed him the 3-3-3 and he did much better.  Of course, Willi’d given him some pointers in the meantime, so maybe my data is skewed.  Just seems like a nice rod to cast, beginner or otherwise. Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So Wolfie did ya like the rod ??? Nice gear whore report makes me wanta send for one right now. fished with it yet, did I?      :) For what it’s worth, Mike, I did actually test cast the rod on my lawn and found that it works as well as any other.  Bearing in mind that the reel seat will probably have to be replaced, as has so often been noted, I still think that the package is a steal for 60 bucks.  I only wish that I had investigated Cabelas site a little more carefully and gotten the Okuma reel for an additional ten dollars rather than the cheap graphite one. Wolfgang

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God bless Cabela’s for the less afluent among us. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

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* combo TR and Gear Review snipped* Wolfgang

So, did you have fun? Was it purty? Did they make you eat "grits"? Geo.C. Who got skunked on the Brule Friday, but who was more in need of the water, trees and silence than fish anyway.

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God bless Cabela’s for the less afluent among us. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

And God bless the builders of superior rods who make a backup something of a cheap luxury rather than an absolute necessity!       Wolfgang ya should’a been there!

Response:

As some of you will recall, I recently purchased a Cabelas Three Forks Combo which included a seven and a half foot 3 piece 3 weight rod, a cheap graphite click drag reel, a weight forward 3 wt. floating line of unknown manufacture, backing of unknown manufacture, material, and weight (it’s white), rod sock, a knotless tapered leader, and a getting started in fly fishing video, for the price of about 60 bucks (US) including shipping. The purchase was prompted by a perceived need to have a backup in the event of a catastrophic failure of my primary three weight rig during the recently concluded first ever ROFFian Appalachian backpacking anti-subclave, and the selection was based on several years worth of recommendations from a wide range of ROFFians (most of whom I have never met but have nevertheless inexplicably learned to trust……don’t ask me, maybe it’s the aneurysm) who have, for the most part, spoken glowingly of it.  I have not yet viewed the video and will thus refrain from further comment on it. After a week in the Smoky Mountains of extreme western North Carolina, fishing in very demanding circumstances (those familiar with the region are all too well aware of the rigorous demands made on both fly fisher and gear) I am prepared to say that despite some initial misgivings engendered by the rather shoddy appearance of the rod’s components (the entire reel seat assembly fails to inspire confidence), I am pleased to say without qualification that the entire outfit performed every task I demanded of it flawlessly. ….even perfectly.  True, I did not catch a single fish with it, but anyone who has been about this sort of thing for very long can attest that such failure can hardly be laid at the feet of the equipment……I can honestly say that coming home empty handed, as it were, had absolutely nothing to do with any deficiency in the design, components, or manufacture of the this rod, reel, or any other of the components of the system.  But then, having done some test casting on the lawn prior to packing for the trip, I already knew that this would be the case.  As is almost always the case, barring a mechanical failure (which, in this case at least, did not occur), the responsibility for the success (or lack of thereof) of the endeavor must rest squarely in the hands of the user. Fortunately, the perceived potential disaster which demanded the purchase of this system never happened, but as such an occurrence remains an all too real possibility I remain convinced of the wisdom of foresight and preparation for the worst eventuality and I will continue to carry this particular backup system secure in the expectation that it will continue to perform exactly as it did on this occasion. Wolfgang

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Question:

Its been a very wet, cold spring so far, here in Wisconsin. But I finally got a chance to fish some moving water. With the river in town still running high I decided to check out some smaller water about 45 minutes from Merrill. The forecast called for rain and thunderstorms in the late afternoon so I left home about 10 am. Ended up on the little stream I have nicknamed the "Mayfly", due its very strong and dependable hatches. It too was running high but not as bad as the Prairie.  Got suited up, set up the rod and waded in. The water felt cold through my waders and checking the temp I found that it was 50deg.. There was a strong south wind which was mitigated somewhat by the surrounding streamside brush. After watching the surface for risers and seeing none I tied on a #12 Gold Ribbed H.E. nymph. The fishing was very slow. Only one very small brookie took,in what usually is a sure fire stretch of riffles and glides.  Working my way upstream I noticed a few #18 BWOs coming off but no rises. Checked the temp again and found it was up to 52deg. (Aren’t new toys fun?)Tried a #18 Adams and didn’t get a look from the trout. Being too lazy to rerig for nymphs again I tied on a #14 Royal Trude and promptly caught two fish, the biggest being 9", about average for this water. Thought I had hit paydirt but then didn’t get another fish to even splash at the fly for several hundred more yards upstream.  As I approached a deep fast run that has given up large fish for me in the past I rigged up with a green yarn indicator supporting a GRHE nymph with a Copper John nymph for a dropper. Promptly found out that casting a leader with three attachments of different densities was a major challenge. For every two or three casts that I got off successfully there was one that tangled the flies and indicator together. No fish came from the run but just upstream I noticed a few Hendrickson mayflies struggling at the surface and then taking flight. Even better I began to pick up fish. Two 9" brookies in fine color came to hand on the GRHE. The Copper John was ignored.  The first splashy rises brought a change in terminal tackle again. A #14 Hendrickson was bent on but ignored by the fish. A brown emerger was tried but no luck. And it began to rain. There were still a few flies on the water but the rises had quit. Struggled into my rain gear (i.e. an emergency rain poncho aka glorified garbage bag with a hood).  Made the decision to head downstream for the car. Cinched on a #12 Hares Ear soft hackle. A few bumps and one small brookie later found me at the head of a small pool. Went to a Royal Coachman streamer. After a few casts I noticed a couple of quiet rises behind an alder branch across the stream from me. As I was lifting the streamer from the water there was a strong swirl and the biggest fish of the trip came to my net, an 11" brookie. The rises behind the alder had stopped but a couple of pools down saw another fish feeding. Tied on the Hendrickson again and a few casts later a brook trout responded to the float. At the tail of the pool there was a pod of fish feeding on the still sporadically hatching Hendricksons. Reached into my pocket to check the water temp and….came up empty. In my contortions to get into the cheap rain poncho I had knocked my new thermometer loose and it was lying somewhere upstream amongst the rocks and trout. Oh well, there were still fish to cast to. The Hendrickson took three more brookies on downstream drifts until another, harder rain shower put the fish down again. Almost back to the car, I tied on a Partridge and Green soft hackle (with flourescent green floss for the abdomen) and immediately hooked the hottest fish of the trip, a fast, jumping 10" brown. A few yards farther down brought its twin to hand. With the rain coming even harder, thunder in the distance and a deadline in town I decided to call it a day. Other than the lost thermometer it was a most successful first day on the water. No big fish but enough action to keep me satisfied with my efforts.  And, as usual, the "Mayfly" lived up to its nickname. G.Cleveland

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Its been a very wet, cold spring so far, here in Wisconsin. But I

<SNIP Very nice report, of what sounds like a very nice trip. Most enjoyable. TL MV

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Question:

I have been swimming in these Florida waters from the beach and off of boats, also diving into inlet from bridges, surfed up and down the coast, also off of rope swings as a kid into the murky intracoastal, dived a lot of reefs. Seen a few in my time and they all went the other way. Beleive it or not a most sharks see us as too big to try to tackle and if they do bite usually let go and turn tail and run. Of course there are acceptions tigers and bull sharks are aggressive. Florida bathers swim with sharks every day but don’t know it because they can’t see them. All you have to do is ask any pilot that flys over these beaches and he’ll tell you he sees sharks every day. Yet the sharks don’t go near them. Its too dangerous for the shark. Its a good idea to read up on sharks know their habits and avoid situations that could increase your chances of being bitten. I’ll bet ninety nine percent of shark bites are mistakin’ identity. Do you surf? I assume not. Its usually surfers that are mistaken for prey. If you know the facts and the astronomical odds of being bitten you wouldn’t worry. C’mon in the water is fine, you have a much better chance of getting killed on the drive down.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

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Either way dem’s good eatin’

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I much prefer the term Dorado.  Mahimahi is just to politically correct.

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Sharon,     Check out these web sites for shark info. http://www.shark.ch/Sharkdb/sharkdb.shtml & http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/ISAF/ISAF.htm Paul

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

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Caught the last half of a Fox special on TV lastnight.  The "shark expert" they had said several things and I have listed what I remember below.  Most of them are things that most probably already know. -Sharks like invertabrates….  humans are too bony. -If a shark takes a "taste" of a human, they will generally spit it out and not return for a full course meal. -There are an average of 58 UNPROVOKED shark attacks worldwide each year. -Several hundered thousand sharks are harvested each year mostly for the fins only, (shark fin soup, and cartilidge) -More people are eating shark meat than ever -Last year, 7200 people were brought into the hospital having been injured at amusement parks (amusing fact eh?) -California has the highest rate of unprovoked shark attacks in the US (according to this guy) -There is a guy in the the Fl. Keys (Mannie??) they call Mannie the Shark Man, they showed him swiming with (holding onto the dorsal fin) and then holding the face (face to face) of an approximately 8′ Hammerhead.  This guy was swimming with what looked like Bull Sharks??? (I’m not sure) and Hamerheads.  They showed him touching several different species of sharks, basically he was petting them!  He was definitely with in biting distance and there was no aggression.  He has been bitten 3 times, not sure if any were very serious, he had all of limbs and was still smiling! -An average of 12 people are killed each year by shark attacks. -Sharks have excellent eyes, and thier corneas are aften used in human cornea transplants. -A whale shark can grow to 45′ -Average shark swims at 5mph, but some can swim for short distances at up to 23mph -There are 350 species of shark of which 20% are dangerous to humans. -The Great White shark is an endangered species, but I don’t know if this means it is illegal to feed them.  I suppose you could get a ticket or fine you if they identified you as having fed one… -The guy said that the Muesem of Natural History has even more interesting facts. -Side note, I have read that the Bull Shark is considered by many experts to the most dangerous shark, due to the fact (like the Tiger Shark) they are considered to be Trash Eaters, ie. they eat almost anything. -Also have read that Bull Sharks are one of the main reasons they erected the "shark fence" in Australia.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A bad meal. Humans taste like shit, I’m told. ( I wonder who made the taste test). Probably because of meat in our diet? But if that’s true, wouldn’t vegetarians be preferred by sharks? Then again, maybe they are and that’s why so many divers and swimmers are ‘tasted’ but so few eaten. pm Florida bathers swim with sharks every day but don’t know it because they can’t see them. All you have to do is ask any pilot that flys over these beaches and he’ll tell you he sees sharks every day. Yet the sharks don’t go near them. Its too dangerous for the shark. What are these sharks afraid of, Brian??

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A bad meal. Humans taste like shit, I’m told. ( I wonder who made the taste test). Probably because of meat in our diet? But if that’s true, wouldn’t vegetarians be preferred by sharks? Then again, maybe they are and that’s why so many divers and swimmers are ‘tasted’ but so few eaten. pm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Florida bathers swim with sharks every day but don’t know it because they can’t see them. All you have to do is ask any pilot that flys over these beaches and he’ll tell you he sees sharks every day. Yet the sharks don’t go near them. Its too dangerous for the shark. What are these sharks afraid of, Brian??

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Florida bathers swim with sharks every day but don’t know it because they can’t see them. All you have to do is ask any pilot that flys over these beaches and he’ll tell you he sees sharks every day. Yet the sharks don’t go near them. Its too dangerous for the shark.

What are these sharks afraid of, Brian?? — edgar (remove nospam from return address for e-mail reply)

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The term "shark-thirty" is sometimes used in the Caribbean to express a time of day (dusk)when sharks are starting to feed. pm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Swimming at dusk, in water known to have baitfish in it, is a VERY poor idea. I feel for the kid.  The parents, on the other hand, should be strung up by their toenails for allowing him to swim at that time of the evening. That is a manifestly unsafe practice around here. —

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Potomac down where we are isn’t that dirty.  I’ve heard that the jellyfish are good because they eat the ones that eat crab larvae. Using your logic, aren’t sharks that kill people also good? After all they eat the ones that eat crab! <G But they are so terribly inefficient at it! <g Actually crabs are really good – not just because we like to eat them, but because they are underwater scavengers. You have something against "out-of-the-water" scavengers? <G

No – but all scavengers are kind of shunned – from vultures to crabs to dung beetles.  We need them all. grandma Rosalie

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You may have me there Bill.  I saw a TV documentary and can’t remember for sure. Most people use the term "dolphin" to mean porpoise but a dolphin can be either a fish or a mammal. <G

That’s true, but the ones that go after sharks are the mammal.  That’s also why in restaurants the fish-dolphin is often called mahi mahi (Hawaiian term) because they don’t want people to think they are eating Flipper. Actually dolphins have been known to gang up on and attempt to kill a shark. The dolphins usually go for the tender undersides of sharks.

grandma Rosalie

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The Potomac down where we are isn’t that dirty.  I’ve heard that the jellyfish are good because they eat the ones that eat crab larvae. Using your logic, aren’t sharks that kill people also good? After all they eat the ones that eat crab! <G

But they are so terribly inefficient at it! <g   Actually crabs are really good – not just because we like to eat them, but because they are underwater scavengers. grandma Rosalie

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The Potomac down where we are isn’t that dirty.  I’ve heard that the jellyfish are good because they eat the ones that eat crab larvae. Using your logic, aren’t sharks that kill people also good? After all they eat the ones that eat crab! <G But they are so terribly inefficient at it! <g Actually crabs are really good – not just because we like to eat them, but because they are underwater scavengers.

You have something against "out-of-the-water" scavengers? <G Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – grandma Rosalie

Response:

I didn’t mean the sport fish forgot about that one. — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You may have me there Bill.  I saw a TV documentary and can’t remember for sure. Most people use the term "dolphin" to mean porpoise but a dolphin can be either a fish or a mammal. <G Bill 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100 Actually dolphins have been known to gang up on and attempt to kill a shark. The dolphins usually go for the tender undersides of sharks. Dolphin or Porpoise? Bill — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100 The latest attack was by a Bull Shark…  They can live in fresh water for some time, including the Potomac.  It appears that one of the greatest dangers of this shark is that it often feeds in dark/discolored and even shallow water (where it can get churned up) so that it doesn’t always see its prey, ie. it might think that a splashing arm is a fish, and attacks it before it really nows what it is up against.  Sharks are a realistic fear. So is driving a car.  If the same number of people that are afraid of sharks, were even more realistically afraid of cars, the roads would be a much safer place.  Like they say (whoever they are), be aware of your sorroundings, and don’t take unnecesarry risks, just like you walking or driving to the store, use caution.  There are dangers everywhere. I don’t have the statistics, but the same people say that you are 100x more likely to get struck by lightning than to get bitten by a shark.  I wonder if that statistic is for swimmers or all of us.  If it is for all of us, then the statistics go way up for us salt water swimmers, doesn’t it?  The reasoning here is that if you never swim, or only swim in landlocked water, the chance of getting bitten by a shark is approaching 0.  Any experts out there? I am just curious if there are any "good" statistics avaliable.  What percentage of the population are salt water or brine swimmers and what effect does that have on the statistic?  Also, there are electronic "shark repellants" available.  They are supposed to work on all sharks.  I wonder if they repell all fish?  Swim with dolphins, sharks don’t like dolphins, or is this just an old wives tale?  Bull sharks also eat dolphins, but maybe just small ones.       The Bull Shark – Carcharhinus leucas       Size – Grow from 7 to 11 feet weighing 200 to 500 pounds.       Diet – Fish, (including other sharks and rays), turtles, birds, mollusks and dolphins. It will eat almost anything.       Habitat – The Bull shark is found close to to shore and can live for a while in fresh water, frequenting estuaries, river and lakes. Bull Sharks have been found up to 1,750 miles up the Mississippi River in the USA and 2,500 miles up the Amazon River in Peru.       Reproduction – Bull sharks are viviparous. Litters of up to 13 pups are common after a gestation period of about 1 year. Pups are about 28 inches long at birth. Very young Bull sharks are frequently found in protected bays near the mouths of rivers in briny waters. My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your a rm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks? Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

I much prefer the term Dorado.  Mahimahi is just to politically correct.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You may have me there Bill.  I saw a TV documentary and can’t remember for sure. Most people use the term "dolphin" to mean porpoise but a dolphin can be either a fish or a mammal. <G That’s true, but the ones that go after sharks are the mammal.  That’s also why in restaurants the fish-dolphin is often called mahi mahi (Hawaiian term) because they don’t want people to think they are eating Flipper. Actually dolphins have been known to gang up on and attempt to kill a shark. The dolphins usually go for the tender undersides of sharks. grandma Rosalie

Response:

You may have me there Bill.  I saw a TV documentary and can’t remember for sure. — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Actually dolphins have been known to gang up on and attempt to kill a shark. The dolphins usually go for the tender undersides of sharks. Dolphin or Porpoise? Bill — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100 The latest attack was by a Bull Shark…  They can live in fresh water for some time, including the Potomac.  It appears that one of the greatest dangers of this shark is that it often feeds in dark/discolored and even shallow water (where it can get churned up) so that it doesn’t always see its prey, ie. it might think that a splashing arm is a fish, and attacks it before it really nows what it is up against.  Sharks are a realistic fear. So is driving a car.  If the same number of people that are afraid of sharks, were even more realistically afraid of cars, the roads would be a much safer place.  Like they say (whoever they are), be aware of your sorroundings, and don’t take unnecesarry risks, just like you walking or driving to the store, use caution.  There are dangers everywhere.  I don’t have the statistics, but the same people say that you are 100x more likely to get struck by lightning than to get bitten by a shark.  I wonder if that statistic is for swimmers or all of us.  If it is for all of us, then the statistics go way up for us salt water swimmers, doesn’t it?  The reasoning here is that if you never swim, or only swim in landlocked water, the chance of getting bitten by a shark is approaching 0.  Any experts out there? I am just curious if there are any "good" statistics avaliable.  What percentage of the population are salt water or brine swimmers and what effect does that have on the statistic?  Also, there are electronic "shark repellants" available.  They are supposed to work on all sharks.  I wonder if they repell all fish?  Swim with dolphins, sharks don’t like dolphins, or is this just an old wives tale?  Bull sharks also eat dolphins, but maybe just small ones.       The Bull Shark – Carcharhinus leucas       Size – Grow from 7 to 11 feet weighing 200 to 500 pounds.       Diet – Fish, (including other sharks and rays), turtles, birds, mollusks and dolphins. It will eat almost anything.       Habitat – The Bull shark is found close to to shore and can live for a while in fresh water, frequenting estuaries, river and lakes. Bull Sharks have been found up to 1,750 miles up the Mississippi River in the USA and 2,500 miles up the Amazon River in Peru.       Reproduction – Bull sharks are viviparous. Litters of up to 13 pups are common after a gestation period of about 1 year. Pups are about 28 inches long at birth. Very young Bull sharks are frequently found in protected bays near the mouths of rivers in briny waters. My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks? Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

The Potomac down where we are isn’t that dirty.  I’ve heard that the jellyfish are good because they eat the ones that eat crab larvae.

Using your logic, aren’t sharks that kill people also good? After all they eat the ones that eat crab! <G Bill

Response:

You may have me there Bill.  I saw a TV documentary and can’t remember for sure.

Most people use the term "dolphin" to mean porpoise but a dolphin can be either a fish or a mammal. <G Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100 Actually dolphins have been known to gang up on and attempt to kill a shark. The dolphins usually go for the tender undersides of sharks. Dolphin or Porpoise? Bill — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100 The latest attack was by a Bull Shark…  They can live in fresh water for some time, including the Potomac.  It appears that one of the greatest dangers of this shark is that it often feeds in dark/discolored and even shallow water (where it can get churned up) so that it doesn’t always see its prey, ie. it might think that a splashing arm is a fish, and attacks it before it really nows what it is up against.  Sharks are a realistic fear. So is driving a car.  If the same number of people that are afraid of sharks, were even more realistically afraid of cars, the roads would be a much safer place.  Like they say (whoever they are), be aware of your sorroundings, and don’t take unnecesarry risks, just like you walking or driving to the store, use caution.  There are dangers everywhere.  I don’t have the statistics, but the same people say that you are 100x more likely to get struck by lightning than to get bitten by a shark.  I wonder if that statistic is for swimmers or all of us.  If it is for all of us, then the statistics go way up for us salt water swimmers, doesn’t it?  The reasoning here is that if you never swim, or only swim in landlocked water, the chance of getting bitten by a shark is approaching 0.  Any experts out there? I am just curious if there are any "good" statistics avaliable.  What percentage of the population are salt water or brine swimmers and what effect does that have on the statistic?  Also, there are electronic "shark repellants" available.  They are supposed to work on all sharks.  I wonder if they repell all fish?  Swim with dolphins, sharks don’t like dolphins, or is this just an old wives tale?  Bull sharks also eat dolphins, but maybe just small ones.       The Bull Shark – Carcharhinus leucas       Size – Grow from 7 to 11 feet weighing 200 to 500 pounds.       Diet – Fish, (including other sharks and rays), turtles, birds, mollusks and dolphins. It will eat almost anything.       Habitat – The Bull shark is found close to to shore and can live for a while in fresh water, frequenting estuaries, river and lakes. Bull Sharks have been found up to 1,750 miles up the Mississippi River in the USA and 2,500 miles up the Amazon River in Peru.       Reproduction – Bull sharks are viviparous. Litters of up to 13 pups are common after a gestation period of about 1 year. Pups are about 28 inches long at birth. Very young Bull sharks are frequently found in protected bays near the mouths of rivers in briny waters. My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks? Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

Millions of folks swim in Fla. waters every year. Last year 65 people were bitten by sharks in the US most in Fla. If you are worried stay onboard or in your living room. Regards Bill

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

Honey, don’t sweat it. You picked a good area to retire and the waters are safe to swim in. And if you want statistics, I’ve been swimming in Florida (both coasts) since 1962 and have never been bitt, attacked, mauled or stung by anything but mosquitoes. Nor has anyone I know personally. On the other hand I have had several friends killed in auto accidents, bitten by dogs, cats, squirrels and attacked by a duck. And there are no reports ever of anyone in Florida freezing to death. Come on down! pm 147.iap.bryant.webtv.net: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with

There’s always something.  I haven’t been to the Gulf coast in some time, but yes we do swim off the boat as long as we are not chumming.  Look first.  If the water is clear (and most of the time out in a boat it is – otherwise you wouldn’t be out there -it would be a storm) you could see a shark.  The boy was right on the beach – the waves stir the water up and you can’t see. the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda.

My SIL doesn’t care for swimming with barracuda, but unless they turn black they are just curious and ugly and no danger.  My SIL makes me wear gloves or take off my (shiny) rings.  Most sharks also just want to be left alone. Several times we saw a Bull Shark (the one that did this attack) cruising in the marina, so they are by no means limited to FL. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where

The Potomac down where we are isn’t that dirty.  I’ve heard that the jellyfish are good because they eat the ones that eat crab larvae.  In any case, you can swim longer if you go farther up the Chesapeake. can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

THere is no such place.  There’s always something.  If not something in the water, the water itself, or the weather. grandma Rosalie

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Arizona?                             Capt. Bill

Response:

Actually dolphins have been known to gang up on and attempt to kill a shark. The dolphins usually go for the tender undersides of sharks.

Dolphin or Porpoise? Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100 The latest attack was by a Bull Shark…  They can live in fresh water for some time, including the Potomac.  It appears that one of the greatest dangers of this shark is that it often feeds in dark/discolored and even shallow water (where it can get churned up) so that it doesn’t always see its prey, ie. it might think that a splashing arm is a fish, and attacks it before it really nows what it is up against.  Sharks are a realistic fear. So is driving a car.  If the same number of people that are afraid of sharks, were even more realistically afraid of cars, the roads would be a much safer place.  Like they say (whoever they are), be aware of your sorroundings, and don’t take unnecesarry risks, just like you walking or driving to the store, use caution.  There are dangers everywhere.  I don’t have the statistics, but the same people say that you are 100x more likely to get struck by lightning than to get bitten by a shark.  I wonder if that statistic is for swimmers or all of us.  If it is for all of us, then the statistics go way up for us salt water swimmers, doesn’t it?  The reasoning here is that if you never swim, or only swim in landlocked water, the chance of getting bitten by a shark is approaching 0.  Any experts out there? I am just curious if there are any "good" statistics avaliable.  What percentage of the population are salt water or brine swimmers and what effect does that have on the statistic?  Also, there are electronic "shark repellants" available.  They are supposed to work on all sharks.  I wonder if they repell all fish?  Swim with dolphins, sharks don’t like dolphins, or is this just an old wives tale?  Bull sharks also eat dolphins, but maybe just small ones.       The Bull Shark – Carcharhinus leucas       Size – Grow from 7 to 11 feet weighing 200 to 500 pounds.       Diet – Fish, (including other sharks and rays), turtles, birds, mollusks and dolphins. It will eat almost anything.       Habitat – The Bull shark is found close to to shore and can live for a while in fresh water, frequenting estuaries, river and lakes. Bull Sharks have been found up to 1,750 miles up the Mississippi River in the USA and 2,500 miles up the Amazon River in Peru.       Reproduction – Bull sharks are viviparous. Litters of up to 13 pups are common after a gestation period of about 1 year. Pups are about 28 inches long at birth. Very young Bull sharks are frequently found in protected bays near the mouths of rivers in briny waters. My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

Actually dolphins have been known to gang up on and attempt to kill a shark. The dolphins usually go for the tender undersides of sharks. — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The latest attack was by a Bull Shark…  They can live in fresh water for some time, including the Potomac.  It appears that one of the greatest dangers of this shark is that it often feeds in dark/discolored and even shallow water (where it can get churned up) so that it doesn’t always see its prey, ie. it might think that a splashing arm is a fish, and attacks it before it really nows what it is up against.  Sharks are a realistic fear. So is driving a car.  If the same number of people that are afraid of sharks, were even more realistically afraid of cars, the roads would be a much safer place.  Like they say (whoever they are), be aware of your sorroundings, and don’t take unnecesarry risks, just like you walking or driving to the store, use caution.  There are dangers everywhere.  I don’t have the statistics, but the same people say that you are 100x more likely to get struck by lightning than to get bitten by a shark.  I wonder if that statistic is for swimmers or all of us.  If it is for all of us, then the statistics go way up for us salt water swimmers, doesn’t it?  The reasoning here is that if you never swim, or only swim in landlocked water, the chance of getting bitten by a shark is approaching 0.  Any experts out there?  I am just curious if there are any "good" statistics avaliable.  What percentage of the population are salt water or brine swimmers and what effect does that have on the statistic?  Also, there are electronic "shark repellants" available.  They are supposed to work on all sharks.  I wonder if they repell all fish?  Swim with dolphins, sharks don’t like dolphins, or is this just an old wives tale?  Bull sharks also eat dolphins, but maybe just small ones.       The Bull Shark – Carcharhinus leucas       Size – Grow from 7 to 11 feet weighing 200 to 500 pounds.       Diet – Fish, (including other sharks and rays), turtles, birds, mollusks and dolphins. It will eat almost anything.       Habitat – The Bull shark is found close to to shore and can live for a while in fresh water, frequenting estuaries, river and lakes. Bull Sharks have been found up to 1,750 miles up the Mississippi River in the USA and 2,500 miles up the Amazon River in Peru.       Reproduction – Bull sharks are viviparous. Litters of up to 13 pups are common after a gestation period of about 1 year. Pups are about 28 inches long at birth. Very young Bull sharks are frequently found in protected bays near the mouths of rivers in briny waters. My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

I know this sounds cold hearted but it is really not intended that way. If you have salt water you have sharks.   Here in Florida if you have fresh water you have gators (keep your poodles away from the canals).   It makes no difference if it is here in Florida or anywhere else salt water & sharks go hand in hand. The kid was playing in water late in the evening when sharks are usually feeding  early morning the same situation.  This particular area is a big fishing area.   Lots of fish attract lots of sharks. There have been several shark attacks on the Florida Gulf Coast.   Most make local news rarely national news.  The news media has gone crazy over this story because it was a kid and the circumstances.   Don’t misunderstand I have kids too and feel for the family. Now in addition to all the tourists the media have descended and all kinds of SO CALLED "Shark Experts" are roaming around spouting off all kinds of advise and not saying anything at all. I bet you didn’t hear a peep out of the national news media a few years back when a kid got mauled a bit by a gator in Mobile Alabama a few years back. Of course he didn’t loose his arm just a few teeth bites.    Or the long distance runner that lost a leg several years ago in a shark attack. Last several years he has become somewhat of a celebrity because he is running & competing on his good leg & the false one so we usually see him on TV during all the big Mobile Alabama marathons. From May through October I’m sure we can find a few jelly fish for you to play with so you don’t get homesick. For real fun we have hurricane parties. From usually July thru October. Romantic candle light (no power) dinners.  Sounds of rain drops on the roof (at 80 miles per hour).  Wind moaning (if your hearing aid is turned down) in the trees.  All the swimming you could ever want because the streets are flooded.   Kids don’t have to go to school (cooped up in the house or a hurricane shelter)  And, the most exciting part of all you usually don’t have to go to work.   During the last several years some of our Pensacola residents took the hurricane party to a higher level  they spent the time stranded in bumper to bumper traffic on I10.  You don’t wait until the day of the hurricane to decide to bug out.  You leave 24 hours in advance. July thru September boating is lots of fun  90 degrees with a 100 degree + heat index.    Water temperature is 80 + degrees.  Humidity if your lucky around 80%  Summer winds for sailing are light & fluky.   Although I must admit the thunderstorms that come ashore late in the afternoon make boating real exciting,  If you are lucky to get caught in the downdraft zone the cool air washing over you is most defiantly refreshing.   The real joy of Florida living comes October thru April when all your northern buddies are still snow bound.   2000 December 27 I was out sailing. Yup paradise if I ever heard of it.    And, yes I am joining all the other stupid boaters going out tomorrow (Saturday) to watch the Navy Blue Angels fly.  It will be a zoo out there, it will be hot, it will be fun. By the way,  have you purchased your flood insurance yet?   Does the name FWUA mean anything to you? Welcome to Florida.   I wasn’t joking about the poodle thing! ;0) Red tide in September is so exciting it will bring tears to your eyes. — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

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My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

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The latest attack was by a Bull Shark…  They can live in fresh water for some time, including the Potomac.  It appears that one of the greatest dangers of this shark is that it often feeds in dark/discolored and even shallow water (where it can get churned up) so that it doesn’t always see its prey, ie. it might think that a splashing arm is a fish, and attacks it before it really nows what it is up against.  Sharks are a realistic fear. So is driving a car.  If the same number of people that are afraid of sharks, were even more realistically afraid of cars, the roads would be a much safer place.  Like they say (whoever they are), be aware of your sorroundings, and don’t take unnecesarry risks, just like you walking or driving to the store, use caution.  There are dangers everywhere.  I don’t have the statistics, but the same people say that you are 100x more likely to get struck by lightning than to get bitten by a shark.  I wonder if that statistic is for swimmers or all of us.  If it is for all of us, then the statistics go way up for us salt water swimmers, doesn’t it?  The reasoning here is that if you never swim, or only swim in landlocked water, the chance of getting bitten by a shark is approaching 0.  Any experts out there?  I am just curious if there are any "good" statistics avaliable.  What percentage of the population are salt water or brine swimmers and what effect does that have on the statistic?  Also, there are electronic "shark repellants" available.  They are supposed to work on all sharks.  I wonder if they repell all fish?  Swim with dolphins, sharks don’t like dolphins, or is this just an old wives tale?  Bull sharks also eat dolphins, but maybe just small ones.       The Bull Shark – Carcharhinus leucas       Size – Grow from 7 to 11 feet weighing 200 to 500 pounds.       Diet – Fish, (including other sharks and rays), turtles, birds, mollusks and dolphins. It will eat almost anything.       Habitat – The Bull shark is found close to to shore and can live for a while in fresh water, frequenting estuaries, river and lakes. Bull Sharks have been found up to 1,750 miles up the Mississippi River in the USA and 2,500 miles up the Amazon River in Peru.       Reproduction – Bull sharks are viviparous. Litters of up to 13 pups are common after a gestation period of about 1 year. Pups are about 28 inches long at birth. Very young Bull sharks are frequently found in protected bays near the mouths of rivers in briny waters.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

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Question:

Can anyone suggest a good web site for info/maps/reviews on fly fishing within a short drive of the Northern VA area? Thanks. Phil Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

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Can anyone suggest a good web site for info/maps/reviews on fly fishing within a short drive of the Northern VA area? Thanks. Phil

www.murraysflyshop.com — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

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Phil asks: Can anyone suggest a good web site for info/maps/reviews on fly

fishing within a short drive of the Northern VA area?< http://www.murraysflyshop.com/

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You should get a copy of the January issue of Virginia Wildlife, which contains a comprehensive list (and maps) of wild and stocked trout streams throughout Virginia.  Much of this information, including stocking schedules, is also available at:  http://www.dgif.state.va.us Accotink creek, near Springfield/Burke (accessible from Wakefield Park off Braddock Road–very close to the Braddock Rd S/W exit from 495) is a delayed harvest stream in the Northern Virginia area, but aside from a large pool near the south end of the park, there isn’t much action here, and the water is usually pretty low (though I’ve rarely fished this and would defer to other peoples’ experiences). Your best bet is to head west, towards Shenandoah National Park.  From the beltway, you can be in the Rose or the Hughes in a little over an hour, though this time of year the stocked sections of the stream are pretty well fished out and you’ll have to hike up into the park for the natives.  You may also want to descend from Skyline drive on the top–the Hughes river near Corbin Cabin can be a particularly fine spot.  But be warned–fishing in Virginia during the summer months can be rough going.  That’s not to say that you won’t enjoy some beautiful wilderness, and may wade miles of stream without seeing another fisherman (even on a weekend), but the water is often quite low in the summer, and although you’ll find large groups of native locked into pools at various points, you have to be at the top of your game to hook one in July or August. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone suggest a good web site for info/maps/reviews on fly fishing within a short drive of the Northern VA area? Thanks. Phil Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

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 but the water is often quite low in the summer, and although you’ll find large groups of native locked into pools at various points, you have to be at the top of your game to hook one in July or August.

Be careful fishing pools like that during low water, you can kill a lot of fish that took years to grow. Better slide on down to the South Fork (of the Shenandoah) and fish for smallmouth. Lotsa smallies and they bite good. The commute is not any longer, so it is worth a try. Just my two cents worth. John still in the Shenandoah Valley

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Question:

I may not speak for the majority, but I know I speak for many of my long-time flyfishing friends… A River Runs Thru It is not and never will be our favorite flyfishing movie!  My respects of course to Mr. Maclean and his talents.  Had he known what the effects of the film would be on many of our previously uncrowded and pristine streams and rivers, he may have had second thoughts on the film rights.

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Good book though… What is your favorite flyfishing movie?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I may not speak for the majority, but I know I speak for many of my long-time flyfishing friends… A River Runs Thru It is not and never will be our favorite flyfishing movie!  My respects of course to Mr. Maclean and his talents.  Had he known what the effects of the film would be on many of our previously uncrowded and pristine streams and rivers, he may have had second thoughts on the film rights.

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Good book though… What is your favorite flyfishing movie?

The River Wild . . . wait they used guns, not fly rods.

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My respects of course to Mr. Maclean and his talents.  Had he known what the effects of the film would be on many of our previously uncrowded and pristine streams and rivers, he may have had second thoughts on the film rights.

What?!? You don’t like it when you go fishing and somebody comes up to you and asks "I heard they filmed ‘A River Runs Through It’ around here.  Was it here?" Seriously have had people ask me that before. Too bad they didn’t set it in CA and then they could have just toured their own state.

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Hi I’m one of the owners of Reel Deals Movie Posters. We carry hundreds of movie posters and sell them all over the world. I’m certain we have movie posters for your favorite movies. Check out our web site. The prices are reasonable. Web address: http://www.reeldeals.com

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Question:

Do you know good river like Big Horn? I came from Italy to USA in August for flyfishing holiday. My trip start in Oregon for Wyoming and go-back. I know only the Umpqua and the Deschutes, the Big  Horn and Shoshone Ok for C&R. Thank you for informations Giovanni Bartolozzi  Il Martin Pescatore Mosca Club

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I live in Bend, Oregon.  I can help you with lots of questions on fly fishing in Central Oregon.  I mostly do stillwater fishing. But can get answers to any questions you might have.  chow  gjbend

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Will be in bend 1st week of April. Do you think davis Lake will be accessable and is a float tube adequate?

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I think thats what the rumor is that Davis wood be accessable April 1.  I have my doubts tho.  I fished Fall River Tues. and the parking lot still has 2 feet of snow and had to park on the hwy.  Fall River and Crooked might be an option.  Actually, Chickahomany(sp) should be thawed and  ready too.  Good luck.

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Geeez….would   not wood.  Saw that as I sent.  :(

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How was fall river, BWO’s?

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If the weathers keeps warm you might try BWO.  I used a #20 black midge with cdc wing that worked great. The fish were lightly nibbleing at the surface so just drifted fly about 2 inches below the surface.  If you have ever fished there you know what its like to watch the fish suck up your fly.

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Question:

Can anyone help me with a problem ? I want information about flyfishing(dry) in Norway(Hemsedal) streams with trout

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Can anyone help me with a problem ? I want information about flyfishing(dry) in Norway(Hemsedal) streams with trout

Check out  http://www.flyshop.no/

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Question:

Those of you who have more mobility than mere wading but without a Mako, Whaler, or Hewes: what is your preferred way of getting away from shore and why? Darren Lew NYC

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If you don’t have a boat and fish during daylight hours, consider renting a skiff.  Long Island has a number of fishing stations that do so.  The shallow-draft boats they feature would be fine for fly casting–stable with shallow-water capability.

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<<Those of you who have more mobility than mere wading but without a Mako, Whaler, or Hewes: what is your preferred way of getting away from shore and why? I am currently strictly a wading FFer, but my next toy will be a kayak. There is a whole new breed of ocean-going kayaks, some which are sort of hybridized canoes with open cockpits, some with a bit more beam for stability. I’m told that a good sized striper can give the kayaker a "Nantucket Sleighride". If anyone wishes to advance me $700 – $1,000 I will be pleased to report in more detail on the effectiveness of the craft.

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Those of you who have more mobility than mere wading but without a Mako, Whaler, or Hewes: what is your preferred way of getting away from shore and why? Darren Lew NYC

Depends. If we’re talking back bay low light. Canoe. Almost anywhere else a small (Carolina skiff ?) GLASS boat (12-14 ft) with a Honda engine. I have never tried a kayak. Perhaps it would be great in the surf ? I prefer glass to tin for less noise, better long term durabilty and more inertia for waves to overcome. "The true angler is always content to fish alone" Brian Di Carlo

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I get around Gardnier’s bay in a poke boat which is a cross ,between a Kayak and a canoe, but more to the kayak side of things. Its great becauuse its so portable, but very hard to fish from. You can’t even kneel in a  kayak and that makes it tough. If you’re using it to get from one flat to another then its good, but not too swift as a fishing platofrm itself. Ira Clair

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Question:

Where, *exactly*, should I add split-shot on a WF-5-F line, or leader.

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I like to put it right next to the fly so that it looks like a head. I, of course, have no idea if that is correct or not.

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Where, *exactly*, should I add split-shot on a WF-5-F line, or leader.

The closer to the fly usually causes less tangling problems. Another method I use is to add a short section of lead core line between my leader butt section and the tipppet section. Some people find that easier to cast. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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: I like to put it right next to the fly so that it looks like a head. I, of : course, have no idea if that is correct or not. If it catches fish, it _is_ correct! ;-   Anywhere from about 18 inches up on the tippet to down close to the fly will do the trick. Another suggestion would be to use a section of lead core line. What you do is form a loop in each end and overwrap it with thread. Use a loop to loop connection to attach it to the flyline or the tippet end of the leader. There are premade ones out there also. The advantage to this is that it removes that "clunkiness" from the casting that is associated with the use split shot. Jon Porter

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Where, *exactly*, should I add split-shot on a WF-5-F line, or leader. The closer to the fly usually causes less tangling problems. Another method I use is to add a short section of lead core line between my leader butt section and the tipppet section. Some people find that easier to cast. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Too close to the fly can ruin the swimming action.  Leave at least a couple of feet for most flies. — Richard Nelson Spokane, Wa. "Its not that life is so short, its that death is sooo long."  

Question:

I fished the N. Fork Saturday and found only Smallmouth Bass. Really good ones, too, but no trout. Water was gin clear and warm.  I fished the Yankee Jim access east of Colfax.  Got buzzed by a Timber Ratltler, saw some homeless-types panning, and generally was disappointed. Am I selling this river short?  Is there beter action upriver around Mumford Bar, and if so, how is the access? It seems like it could be a good resource and I know a portion of the river has Wild Trout status. Any info would be greatly appreciated. John Wallace

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Hi John- The N.Fork American is a neat river. As you found out, there are some nice smallies out of Colfax. In the fall and early summer you’ll find rainbows and browns up and down the system as far as Lake Clementine. As the water warms the trout move upstream, into the springs, or into the deeper waters of the lake.      To get into consistant (small but plentiful) summer trout you’ll have to hike in at one of the trails near Royal Gorge or get permission to access the river at The Cedars just south of Donner Summit (drive down the dirt rd past Serene Lakes and ask at one of the cabins.    The timber rattle snake you saw is really a north pacific rattler. They do bite but generally go out of their way to avoid you. Don’t bother ‘em, they belong here (the browns and smallmouth don’t!).    Wild waters, Ralph Cutter —

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