Question:

Walked back to my car, drove to a stop-n-rob in town. I went in to get

a coke and got a few looks for free. < Uhhh, I believe that’s phrased "some coke."  Or aren’t you a Bush fan?  <g

Response:

One trip does seem memorable.

        indeed it was, poh-leece.  thanks for sharing. wayno

Response:

Walked back to my car, drove to a stop-n-rob in town. I went in to get a coke and got a few looks for free. < Uhhh, I believe that’s phrased "some coke."  Or aren’t you a Bush fan?  <g

I’ve long since learned that putting the daily caffeine up one’s nose is easily misunderstood. Once you start down that dark path, forever will people think you’re into disco or something like that. Put down the chainsaw and listen to me. It’s time for us to join in the fight.

Response:

Well, I did end up sneaking off for an hour or so this past week. The sun was out and the temperature got above freezing for a little while, but no go. There was a lot of ice and not a lot of moving water, and my #20 Adams didn’t seem to garner much attention from the fish. I guess I’m going to call this season closed and see what turns up in the spring. For now, it’s time to take the line off my reel and dress it, oil my reel (any reason not to use BreakFree CLP for that?), and worry about hunting for a few months. The final score for this season: Mike: A few trout, a few bass, a passel of bluegills, a few good days out on the water, a few good trips. If that’s not happiness, it’s a pretty good approximation. One trip does seem memorable. I went up to one reservoir near one town commonly referred to as a "People’s Republic." Stopped at the Mustard’s Last Stand for probably the most overpriced Chicago-Style hot dog I’ve ever had outside of an airport in my life. The guy behind the counter actually put ketchup on my dog. Ketchup! That, more than anything, proves that Boulder is a den of communists and so forth. Ended up on the water at about midmorning. Alas, I ended up on the wrong side of the water. About a quarter mile away I heard bass jumping. I decided to see what I could do where I was, and tied on a #10 yellow Wooly Bugger. Got a few sunfish on that, even though my casting sucked, my retrieves were clumsy, I don’t know much about streamer fishing, and I was FISHING STREAMERS IN A LAKE WITH A FREAKING FLOATING LINE! I don’t own anything but a floating line! It’s nice to know that hungry sunfish do exist. I got tempted to bonk them and call it a shore lunch, but they had a no-fires rule and some of the rangers were friends of mine and that could have been embarassing. I guess that’s why I had a couple of granola bars with me too. After lunch I moved over to where I heard the bass. Because of where the brush was, I had to wade to them. Oops, forgot my waders, but the water was warm enough so I just charged in. Oops again, soaked my billfold. Luckily, nothing with a magnetic stripe got wet. Tied on a #4 Muddler and started working it around the half-sunken trees. WHAM!!! My lure got positively hammered by a bass. And let me tell you, my friends, Mr. Micropterus Salmoides on a 5wt and 2x tippet is a kick in the ass. Spent a couple of minutes playing him, enough to temporarily scare the crap off of every other fish nearby, and then executed a skillful long-distance release. No, I don’t know how big he was. A chunky foot long, if I had to guess, and more energetic than my parents’ Golden Retriever after a triple espresso.  One moment I thought my rod was gonna break, and the next instant, "Hmmm,  the rod’s not bending any more." After a fight like that, it was time to rest the water. Never mind that my fly box was up on shore. I wandered out of the water, sat back, lit up, opened a warm MGD that made up the other half of my lunch, and got busy tying on another fly. Except for one tiny problem: Only one #4 Muddler and I just LDR’ed it. I decided to try my one other reasonably-large streamer, a heavily-weighted #4 Gray Ghost. Actually, aside from a really-chewed Bugger and a big-ass black Dahlberg Diver that I didn’t think I could cast, it was the only streamer, period. Then I noticed yet another oops. I had a knife, past tense. Must have slipped out of my pocket while I was fighting that bass. If any of you are wading in the Boulder Reservoir and find a half-serrated stainless Smith and Wesson folding knife, it’s probably mine. Eventually, I got the Gray Ghost tied on and went forth to do battle. I decided to try something different: casting into open water, letting it sink for several minutes, and a really slow retrieve. After about 30 casts, I thought I felt something. I lifted the rod and yanked on the line, and got another WHAM! Whatever I hooked into, well, it definitely was a fish. It never came near the surface and didn’t swim all that fast, but it seemed pretty big. I’m guessing a catfish-I’ve heard there are a few of them in that water. Alas, I only had maybe a minute, maybe less, and then got my fly back. I’m still to this day not sure what I had. Then I saw that the sun had moved over-time must have moved a little faster than I thought it had. Maybe my time resting the water went a little long, I don’t know. I edged up on shore and saw a City of Boulder Open Space Ranger standing there. A very pretty one. Now, the odds of my having an affair are pretty much zero, but this lady was one of the reasons that I am grateful every day that whatever gods may exist took the time to create the female of the species. "Let me guess, my license." "Yeah, if you don’t mind." Gave her the license, made some small talk. We knew a couple of people in common and caught up on gossip. I keep thinking, I’ve got my certificate, I’ve got a bachelor’s in biology, I should put in with some parks or wildlife department. They look like they have so much fun. Walked back to my car, drove to a stop-n-rob in town. I went in to get a coke and got a few looks for free. I guess they don’t have too many soaking-wet patrons in good weather. Drove 30 or so miles home, walked in the door, "Honey, you’re soaked. And you’re as red as a lobster." Put down the chainsaw and listen to me. It’s time for us to join in the fight.

Response:

Question:

snip Garry, how’s this????

snip I knew it was Spam, I just wanted Walt to have real chance at using his magic decoder ring.  Besides ER was kind of slow yesterday and I felt like playing. Cheers, Garry

Response:

Vision genesis Inc. runs an online article syndication service and is looking to add articles on the Fishing. If you’re an author and would like to submit articles for syndication please send samples to:

Oh Walt, go out to your yard and hook up the Meatloaf’s trailer to the truck and point her bow into the wind. Climb on board, and take a deep sniff and you will smellath Spamath. Here’s your first real change to use your magic anti-Spam tools. Garry

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Vision genesis Inc. runs an online article syndication service and is looking to add articles on the Fishing. If you’re an author and would like to submit articles for syndication please send samples to: Oh Walt, go out to your yard and hook up the Meatloaf’s trailer to the truck and point her bow into the wind. Climb on board, and take a deep sniff and you will smellath Spamath. Here’s your first real change to use your magic anti-Spam tools. Garry

Garry, how’s this???? Path: rQdQ!sn-xit-03!supernews.com!hermes.visi.com!news-out.visi.com!feed1.news.r cn.net!rcn!not-for-mail Newsgroups: alt.fishing.catfish,alt.fishing.minnesota,alt.fishing.walleye,rec.outdoors. fishing,rec.outdoors.fishing.bass,rec.outdoors.fishing.fly,rec.outdoors.fis hing.fly.tying,rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater Lines: 44 X-Trace: 2fnoBQBBEvqdDOwQBQnzwY9+ljYYIRzFizA0S2oVh+c= X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2615.200 X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2615.200 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Priority: 3 Xref: rQdQ alt.fishing.catfish:6695 alt.fishing.minnesota:3273 rec.outdoors.fishing:82746 rec.outdoors.fishing.bass:68286 rec.outdoors.fishing.fly:203039 rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying:23727 rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater:58847 — All fishermen are liars ‘cept you n me, and I’m starting to have doubts about you! www.fishticker.com

Response:

Vision genesis Inc. runs an online article syndication service and is looking to add articles on the Fishing. If you’re an author and would like to submit articles for syndication please send samples to: Benefits This is a great way to drive traffic to your website, or increase subscriptions to your newsletters. With each article we include your author bylines and any links to your website, email addresses or newsletter links. Webmasters are adding our articles to their sites…your article could be syndicated to hundreds of websites. This is true viral marketing. This service is absolutely free. If you would like to see a few samples, visit: http://www.shoppinghagerstown.com/html/biz_art12.asp http://www.shoppinghagerstown.com/html/biz_art13.asp http://www.shoppinghagerstown.com/html/biz_art11.asp http://www.shoppinghagerstown.com/html/biz_art15.asp http://www.shoppinghagerstown.com/html/biz_art14.asp http://www.shoppinghagerstown.com/html/Dating.asp http://www.shoppinghagerstown.com/poetry/default.asp PLEASE NOTE that the banner advertising seen on these sample pages are not part of the uploaded articles – all that is uploaded is the article and bylines. Webmasters place the articles on in their page and format advertising around the articles. If you have articles consider contributing them now. Enjoy the benefits of having your articles seen all over the internet on fishing websites. Webmasters are eagerly waiting for new article categories to come online. Being auto-syndicated means that webmasters only have to embed a small snippet of code in their pages and the articles automatically update when we change them – usually on a weekly basis. This appeals to site owners because it’s cuts their maintenance time. You retain all rights to your articles, we only need permission to syndicate them. If you own a site check out our service – it’s absolutely free. We are adding new categories weekly. See: http://www.shoppinghagerstown.com/eContent/VisGenSynTerms.asp Thanks and regards Vision Genesis Inc. Syndication Services

Response:

Question:

Hi folks, I haven’t been flyfishing all that long but I have been pretty successful. I don’t have a problem with low backcasts on my 4wt, but when I am casting #4 or #6 bass poppers on my 6wt as I lengthen the cast the backcast drops, often into the water -or even worse, getting caught up in the bushes.  I’m sure there is a pointer or two that you might know to help me out.  Thanks in advance. Padre

You’re probably just taking the rod back too far on the backcast. Pretend that you’re throwing the line straight up into the air. A double haul should help, too. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Hi folks, I haven’t been flyfishing all that long but I have been pretty successful. I don’t have a problem with low backcasts on my 4wt, but when I am casting #4 or #6 bass poppers on my 6wt as I lengthen the cast the backcast drops, often into the water -or even worse, getting caught up in the bushes.  I’m sure there is a pointer or two that you might know to help me out.  Thanks in advance. Padre

Response:

Padre, Quite often an individual in his/her quest for a cast which does not drop/slap on either the forward or backcast actually excertes way too much effort.  This causes one to lose technique (by which I refer to the motion-with-a-stop basic casting stroke) thereby exacerbating the condition. I would suggest that when this first occurs that you relax and focus on stopping your backcast with the thumb of your casting hand pointing straight up.  This is of course a bit extreme but the result would be a backcast which has a higher trajectory (gives your cast more time to complete), a tighter loop (enables the line to better move that wind-resistant popper!) and restores control of this situation back to you. Remember that casting heavy (chuck-and-duck) or wind-resistant fly’s that the casting motion becomes deliberately slower and longer.  Try to cast one too fast and you would be more likely to butt end load the flyrod causing a larger loop, tired arm and quite possible the fly would ‘tic’ the flyrod causing it to break. Regards, Roger Mihara – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi folks, I haven’t been flyfishing all that long but I have been pretty successful. I don’t have a problem with low backcasts on my 4wt, but when I am casting #4 or #6 bass poppers on my 6wt as I lengthen the cast the backcast drops, often into the water -or even worse, getting caught up in the bushes.  I’m sure there is a pointer or two that you might know to help me out.  Thanks in advance. Padre

Response:

Question:

Wolfgang wrote Wolfie The only difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys. Hm, so what does this tell us about all the folks who have purchased a certain unnamed and oh so affordable knot tying tool?    :)

Boys will be boys will Be boys will be boys will be Men, and men will die.                               …Jay Jenks, boyhood pal now beyond the pale —                                                       -dnc-

Response:

I had a subscription to WarmWater Flyfishing and after the first year I decided not to renew.Why?I found that the magazine was starting to get into the pattern of typical "bassin’" magazines.You know;slow and deep for winter bass,deadly patterns for early spring bluegills etc.The first few issues had my attention with articles on catching gar or peacock bass.After that there was too much redundancy.Other flyfishing magazines include enough articles on warm water flyfishing to fill the void.I like flyfishing magazines better than spinfisherman magazines because most of the time they don’t have that gonzo bass-pro attitude.W.W.Flyfishing seemed to me to be developing an identity crisis.Were all us flyfishing bass chasers really bassboat plug chuckers who had a desperate need to tie flies that looked and worked just as good as a spinnerbait and a plastic worm?I don’t think so. Tight Lines,Shawn

Response:

Wolfie The only difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys.

Hm, so what does this tell us about all the folks who have purchased a certain unnamed and oh so affordable knot tying tool?    :)

Response:

Wolfie The only difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys. Hm, so what does this tell us about all the folks who have purchased a certain unnamed and oh so affordable knot tying tool?    :)

I guess I will have to raise the price to seperate the men from the boys. Ernie

Response:

In my not so humble opinion your estwing hammer isn’t the proper tool to try hitting nails with. — Don Thompson well, speaking from long experience, I’d say your nsho is wrong.

Yep, gotta agree with this one.  Bought my Estwing straight claw nearly twenty years ago and have pounded more nails, recalcitrant boards, various impedimenta, and thumbs with it than I care to remember.  If all tools were made this well a whole lot of manufacturers would soon go out of business. Wolfgang who, after all the rhapsodies in praise of cordless screwdrivers here in the past couple of weeks and after becoming hopelessly snarled in electrical cords while constructing a grape arbor this weekend, spent a full hour yesterday ogling the latest offerings from DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, et al.

Response:

Wolfie The only difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys. Ernie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wolfgang who, after all the rhapsodies in praise of cordless screwdrivers here in the past couple of weeks and after becoming hopelessly snarled in electrical cords while constructing a grape arbor this weekend, spent a full hour yesterday ogling the latest offerings from DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, et al.

Response:

Geez! What the hell is wrong with you people? One guy expresses his opinion and he’s jumped on. Amazing.

Nothing wrong with the people here, John. Suffice it to say that nobody on this list (with the exception of me and one or two other folks who lurk but don’t post) knows what the real deal was with the closure of Warmwater.

Mr. Smith firmly stated that he did know "the real deal" and he was even willing to bet his hammer on it. Thank you for setting the record straight. Now, back to the newsgroup.

Been here all along. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

I don’t understand what is going on with this thread. I enjoyed the magazine,and thought it was well done. I appreciate the efforts of John and his staff in promoting Warmwater fly fishing and I miss the magazine.

Never read the magazine. I did receive an unsolicited copy of 8 wt Journal in the mail one time. It was OK, but I was never tempted to subscribe. What I objected to was the slurs against the new CEO at Abenaki. Most distasteful and uncalled for in my opinion. You can miss the magazine without bad mouthing someone, especially when that person is in no position to defend himself here on ROFF. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Most distasteful and uncalled for in my opinion. You can miss the magazine without bad mouthing someone, especially when that person is in no position to defend himself here on ROFF.

I sure agree with that. Big Dale

Response:

Geez! What the hell is wrong with you people? One guy expresses his opinion and he’s jumped on. Amazing. Suffice it to say that nobody on this list (with the exception of me and one or two other folks who lurk but don’t post) knows what the real deal was with the closure of Warmwater. To those who liked and supported the magazine, my thanks. Now, back to the newsgroup. John Likakis

Response:

Never read the magazine. I did receive an unsolicited copy of 8 wt Journal in the mail one time. It was OK, but I was never tempted to subscribe. What I objected to was the slurs against the new CEO at Abenaki. Most distasteful and uncalled for in my opinion. You can miss the magazine without bad mouthing someone, especially when that person is in no position to defend himself here on ROFF.

Your right. Perhaps I shouldn’t have directed my dissapointment so strongly at the publisher.  It is just that I am Interested in people with vision.  People who understand that the only differance between dreams and reality, is the making the dream, a reality. Still, I believe the decision to end Warm Water was premature.  At this point in history, the average person thinks that flyfishing is for trout only.  Warm Water Flyfishing magazine challenged that assumption directly.  Great ideas take time to bring into reality sometimes. I enjoy watching fishing shows when I get a chance.  A few years ago, you didn’t see that many flyfishing episodes let alone flyfishing for warm water species.  Since the advent of Warm Water Flyfishing magazine, I have been able to enjoy several episodes including warm water species. Fly fishing for carp?  Why not to long ago I watched an entire episode of Flip Pallot and Lefty Kreh fly fishing for carp! They were calling it the *fresh water bonefish*.  Wow!  I credit people like John Likakis and his magazine, with stimulating the interest. Another reason I feel thet the decision was premature, is because the flyfishing industry, itself, was just beginning to wake up to the possibilities ( this was the point I was driving home in a previous post).  Warm water flyfishing has different tackle needs.  A magazine that broadened the market can only strengthen the industry. It’s too bad they didn’t wake up sooner.                                     Mike Smith

Response:

Mr. Fortenberry:    My complement and support for John Likakis, was both genuine and heartfelt.  I meant it as nothing more than that.

Well, with friends like you and your Winston, Mr. Likakis sure as hell doesn’t need any enemies. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

 In my not so humble opinion your estwing hammer isn’t the proper tool to try hitting nails with. —  Don Thompson  Zoomie(BushBug)  ACA#3460  TLCB#335  Any Time, Any Place  Pull the chocks, lets get this kite in the air.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – And I’m willing to bet the Estwing hammer that I swing for a living, that I’ve hit the nail on the head.

Response:

In my not so humble opinion your estwing hammer isn’t the proper tool to try hitting nails with. — Don Thompson

well, speaking from long experience, I’d say your nsho is wrong.       Jim Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

aren’t big enough for bass and pike flys, maybe I should look for suppliers.  Ooops! Where do I look?

For feathers more suitable for bass and pike flies you should check out the feathers from Ewing Featherbirds inc. of Waterville,Ia.The last catalog I have MWflytying.com as another source for materials for tying bass flys. I don’t understand what is going on with this thread. I enjoyed the magazine,and thought it was well done. I appreciate the efforts of John and his staff in promoting Warmwater fly fishing and I miss the magazine. Big Dale                                                                      

Response:

I don’t know anything about the gripe you & John have against the new CEO at Abenaki but your rabble rousing in ROFF is transparent, distasteful and as phony as a three dollar bill.

I’m with you, Ken… In the immortal words of Mr. Class-Act himself… DON’T FEED THE TROLL!! –Steve

Response:

While I have long gray hair, I can assure you that I am no relation to John, … I don’t know anything about the gripe you & John have against the new CEO at Abenaki but your rabble rousing in ROFF is transparent, distasteful and as phony as a three dollar bill.

Mr. Fortenberry:    My complement and support for John Likakis, was both genuine and heartfelt.  I meant it as nothing more than that.  I have been lurking here for quite some time, but it was not until I found that he was reading on the usenet that I have ever felt compelled to post anything on the usenet before.  This was my first time.      Yes, I do resent Abenaki’s (or perhaps more accuratly Rodale Press’s) decision to end publication of Warm Water Flyfishing magazine.  I love my sport deeply, and I have many thanks for people, like Mr. Likakis, who have been spreading the news that flyfishing is an all around sport.    My Winston 5wt and I have enjoyed many great experiances together on these wonderful Green Mountain streams.  But thanks to Mr. Likakis and Warm Water Flyfishing, my Sage 7wt and I am getting very well aquianted with these Green Mountain lakes and rivers.  And guess what?  I can’t wait for my first opportunity to lock into a carp on my fly rod.    Perhaps my 7wt won’t be enough. Maybe I should look into an 8wt.  It might be a good idea because I can use it for Pike also.  It could be that a 6wt would be just the thing for the White river.    It’s my suspicion, Mr. Fortenberry, that the decision to end this fine magazines publication, had less to do with lack of interest on the part of the public, and more to do with piss poor sales support by management.  It’s just another case of city bound account executives inability to see the green through the skyscrapers.  And I’m willing to bet the Estwing hammer that I swing for a living, that I’ve hit the nail on the head.    In the meantime, I think I will look into a Bauer reel to go along with that 8wt.  Also these feathers that I use for tying trout flys aren’t big enough for bass and pike flys, maybe I should look for suppliers.  Ooops! Where do I look?                                  Mike Smith

Response:

While I have long gray hair, I can assure you that I am no relation to John, …

I don’t know anything about the gripe you & John have against the new CEO at Abenaki but your rabble rousing in ROFF is transparent, distasteful and as phony as a three dollar bill. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

… Indeed the flyfishing industry deserves some level of critisism for their lack of vision as well. A publication that both broadened and deepened their market deserved far more support than was given.

If it had been profitable to publish it, it would still be published. The warm water species of choice in the US is the largemouth bass and a flyrod is neither the popular nor the best way to catch a largemouth bass. The flyfishing industry, like all capitalist industry, exists to make a profit, and that can sometimes be cruel, especially to visionaries. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … Indeed the flyfishing industry deserves some level of critisism for their lack of vision as well. A publication that both broadened and deepened their market deserved far more support than was given. If it had been profitable to publish it, it would still be published. The warm water species of choice in the US is the largemouth bass and a flyrod is neither the popular nor the best way to catch a largemouth bass. The flyfishing industry, like all capitalist industry, exists to make a profit, and that can sometimes be cruel, especially to visionaries.

While I have long gray hair, I can assure you that I am no relation to John, nor do I have any resemblence to any mom you ever met.                                  Mike Smith

Response:

Many thanks for the kind thoughts. Perhaps some other visionary publishing company might like to hire me! (Doesn’t seem real likely.) John Likakis – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – John:  I want to take this opportunity to express my deep regrets and disappointment with the present management of Abenaki Publishing’s decision to cancel publication of Warm Water Flyfishing Magazine. I believe it to be a very grave error in judgment on their part.  While fly fishing for warm water species has been a sporting activity for quite some time, your dedication and enthusiasm to popularizing this sport, beginning with your publication of the 8 WT. Journal, should, no less than leave you a chapter in the history of the great sport of flyfishing. It is a crying shame that the prophetic vision of your creative spirit, combined with shared vision and support of the previous CEO of Abenaki publishing, should be relaced by such ineptitude and lack of vision. Indeed the flyfishing industry deserves some level of critisism for their lack of vision as well. A publication that both broadened and deepened their market deserved far more support than was given. I hope that your chapter in history is not closed!!!

Response:

John:  I want to take this opportunity to express my deep regrets and disappointment with the present management of Abenaki Publishing’s decision to cancel publication of Warm Water Flyfishing Magazine. I believe it to be a very grave error in judgment on their part.  While fly fishing for warm water species has been a sporting activity for quite some time, your dedication and enthusiasm to popularizing this sport, beginning with your publication of the 8 WT. Journal, should, no less than leave you a chapter in the history of the great sport of flyfishing. It is a crying shame that the prophetic vision of your creative spirit, combined with shared vision and support of the previous CEO of Abenaki publishing, should be relaced by such ineptitude and lack of vision. Indeed the flyfishing industry deserves some level of critisism for their lack of vision as well. A publication that both broadened and deepened their market deserved far more support than was given. I hope that your chapter in history is not closed!!!

Response:

Question:

I am looking for a web site that has salt water fly tying. I am going to Key West in June and I would like to tie some flies before I go. Any ideas?

Response:

Try http://www.mindspring.com jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for a web site that has salt water fly tying. I am going to Key West in June and I would like to tie some flies before I go. Any ideas?

Response:

I apologize my previous post was a bum address try  http://www.mindspring.com/~joeb3   Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for a web site that has salt water fly tying. I am going to Key West in June and I would like to tie some flies before I go. Any ideas?

Response:

Thanks! This is exactly what I was looking for. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I apologize my previous post was a bum address try  http://www.mindspring.com/~joeb3  Jim I am looking for a web site that has salt water fly tying. I am going to Key West in June and I would like to tie some flies before I go. Any ideas?

Response:

Try http://www.reel-time.com/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for a web site that has salt water fly tying. I am going to Key West in June and I would like to tie some flies before I go. Any ideas?

Response:

Try Joe Branham’s page www.mindspring.com/~joeb3

Response:

I am looking for a web site that has salt water fly tying. I am going to Key West in June and I would like to tie some flies before I go. Any ideas?

Hi JG, I try to get some sample patterns from someone who fishes the area. I would order some samples of the patterns for the fish that you are after. There are lots of things going on in FL in April/May/June. Example: If you are not renting a boat or going with a guide, you won’t need any tarpon flies, so why tie any? On foot, the most popular thing to fly fish for are bonefish. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop www.kiene.com

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey all you other outdoorsy women adventurers: Women’s Wire is currently featuring a section called "New You". On it you can check out 20 great getaways for the following activities (these places are for beginners also – you don’t have to be a pro): fly-fishing,  backpacking, boardsailing, bouldering, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, road biking, rock climbing, scuba diving and sea kayaking If you are interested, check it out: http://www.women.com/body/newyou/

Response:

Hey all you other outdoorsy women adventurers: Women’s Wire is currently featuring a section called "New You". On it you can check out 20 great getaways for the following activities (these places are for beginners also – you don’t have to be a pro): fly-fishing,  backpacking, boardsailing, bouldering, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, road biking, rock climbing, scuba diving and sea kayaking If you are interested, check it out: http://www.women.com/body/newyou/

Response:

Question:

I have recently moved from Utah to Georgia.  Can anyone help with some good places to fish?

Hi Brett, Welcome to Georgia. Let me know what part of the state you’re in and the type of fishing that interests you, and I’m sure I can give you some suggestions. Dave — Visit Dave Teffeteller’s Fly Fishing Guides Home Page http://www.olfart.com

Response:

I have recently moved from Utah to Georgia.  Can anyone help with some good places to fish?

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I have recently moved from Utah to Georgia.  Can anyone help with some good places to fish?

There are a number of places to FF for trout. Not the wide open streams and rivers of the West, but plenty of fishing. Try North Georgia Trout On-line at http://www.efh.com/~ngtrout That should put you on the trail….. -John Carney

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Hi everybody Unfortunately I broke the tip of my (about 12 to 15 year old) Shakespeare fly fishing rod (a President carbon rod, 9 foot). Does anybody know the adress of Shakespeare so I can ask them for a replacement tip? Any hints are welcome!!! Chris

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Hi everybody Unfortunately I broke the tip of my (about 12 to 15 year old) Shakespeare fly fishing rod (a President carbon rod, 9 foot). Does anybody know the adress of Shakespeare so I can ask them for a replacement tip? Any hints are welcome!!! Chris

Chris, Here is the u.k. address of Shakespeare Shakespeare Company Ltd P.O. Box 1 Broad Ground Road Lakeside Reddich Worcs  B98 8NQ England Hope this helps — john buchanan

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I’ve been looking at the drift boats kits online from Greg Boats and Ray’s Dories. Has anybody built one of these boats for fly fishing? How did the building go, any tips? Also, who did you buy the kit from? Any info would be appreciated.

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Check out Greg Tatman’s kits.  I built the 12′ river pram.  After all said and done it cost a little over a grand to build and fully outfit. While a 2 person boat, it fishes best as one person rig.  Stable as well as maneuverable.  It fishes the steelhead rivers here on the Olympic Peninsula and Snake River drainages just fine. I would select it again in a heartbeat.  It came with a good set of instructions and when I got stumped, Greg was glad to answer questions.  It took about 4 months of week ends, maybe 80 hours. I do not have the number at hand, but call information and ask for Tatman Boats in Springfield Oregon. Bart Phillips

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’ve been looking at the drift boats kits online from Greg Boats and Ray’s Dories. Has anybody built one of these boats for fly fishing? How did the building go, any tips? Also, who did you buy the kit from? Any info would be appreciated.

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I built a Don Hill Drift Boat a 16 ft. Guide Boat, it is a great kit comes complete with video and instructions. The boat took about 120 hrs to build and Don has a 1- 800 Number if you have any questions. He and his staff aim to please the customer and if I was going to build another boat it would be his. Also Greg Tatman used to work for Don before going into business. Call Don Hill @ 1- 800878 – 5488 and tell him you heard about him from Kent Anderson in Nashville Tn. fly fishing

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I built a Don Hill Drift Boat a 16 ft. Guide Boat, it is a great kit comes complete with video and instructions.

Whadja pay ? — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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Thanks for the info. I’ll give him a call. Where do you use your boat in Nashville. I’m in KY.

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I am interested in building a drift boat.  If anybody has any information or experiences with drift boat kits I would appreciate any input.

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be careful. i had a drift boat, and i sold it.  it was very hard to do.  i actually cried as it left the driveway and turned the corner into someone else’s flyfishing reality. the problem was..the driftboat haunted me.  i would be leaving for work and it would be in the driveway saying "tim..how can you go off to work and leave me all alone in the driveway…". or, i’d be heading off on a wading adventure or with the belly boat and it would cry…"tim…how could you ?". and then, of course i’d feel guilty and this in turn would lead to a fishless day (happened a lot, actually). approach this driftboat thing with care my friend… Tim Walker

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Strongly suggest that anyone thinking about building a drift boat contact the Wooden Boat Shop in Seattle, and purchase a set of Tracy O’brien’s plans.  This plan set tells how to build a stitch and glue hull, which has no frames to trip over or take up space, is far stronger, and has fiberglass/epoxy chines, which is where the damage gets done.  I have built both a Don Hill (which is a lovely boat, BTW) and an O’Brien, and the O’brien is much sweeter.   Stitch and glue is a technique where you sew the plywood panels together with iron wire, brace the panels into shape, and then treat the seams with first a fillet of epoxy soaked sawdust and then epoxy soaked fiberglass tape.  This creates an extremely strong hull, and uses no ribs.  This gives you an open floor, which means nothing to trip over, and no floorboards to catch your fly line.  BIG advantage. You can buy a finished boat of this style by contacting Creekside Outfitters in Issaquah, WA.  They have somebody selling the hulls for about $1700.  Better to build yourself and have the pleasure.  Also, much as in rod building, by doing it yourself, you can use neat woods and get the extra cosmetic pleasure for minimal costs. Take care with the woods that you use.  Suggest that you get Hoadley’s book on hardwoods and use that to drive your materials selection

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: be careful. : the problem was..the driftboat haunted me.  i would be leaving for : work and it would be in the driveway saying "tim..how can you go : off to work and leave me all alone in the driveway…". I guess Tim hears a lot of voices.  I think we are the ones who should be careful. Ignore the voices, Tim.  They are only in your head.  Really. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Assistant professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    |  These University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    |  opinions Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. |  are mine.

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: Strongly suggest that anyone thinking about building a drift boat contact : the Wooden Boat Shop in Seattle, and purchase a set of Tracy O’brien’s : plans.  This plan set tells how to build a stitch and glue hull, which : has no frames to trip over or take up space, is far stronger, and has : fiberglass/epoxy chines, which is where the damage gets done.  I have : built both a Don Hill (which is a lovely boat, BTW) and an O’Brien, and : the O’brien is much sweeter.   Andrew, just how difficult are the techniques and effort required to do a good job?  Special tools, techniques, etc…? Thanks. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Assistant professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    |  These University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    |  opinions Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. |  are mine.

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My fly fishing buddy just bought a new drift boat for fishing the Green River. Unfortunately we have not been able to find any information on how to navigate the river well.  We don’t have much trouble when rowing backwards but when the boat is turned around to go through the rapids it is difficult to steer. We haven’t been able to find books, instruction, or anything else to make this any easier.  Has anyone had experience doing this?  Can you suggest any publications to assist us. Thanks! Jeff Dinsdale

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Call 1-800-541-9498 (Frank Amato Publications) Ask for "Floating Whitewater Rivers". This book should get you on the right track.

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I have a rule which has served me well. Never go down a river unless:     a) you have gone down it with someone who knows the river         and     b) you specifically intended to learn the river from that person. Rule number 2:  Always put the plug in before launching. Have fun!

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Hi – I’ll be going to visit folks in Sarasota area in late Feb.  Thought I’d take 3 days or so to go to the Keys for FF’g.  Any info would be appreciated, re:    guides?    gear?    fish?    patterns? I have a 9′ #8 rod , & a #8 line w/ sink tip.  Adequate? As I don’t have any set destination in mind, I’m open to any suggestions, heading out of Sarasota.  Thanks, Adam

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Hi – I’ll be going to visit folks in Sarasota area in late Feb.  Thought I’d take 3 days or so to go to the Keys for FF’g.  Any info would be appreciated, re:

Here is some old posts that I sent to another fellow planning a trip to the Keys in Feb. I probably need to work up a bonefish/keys FAQ… Have fun, and mail me if you have further questions…  Alan Barrow  km4ba         | If a little knowledge….. As if Santa wasn’t good enough to me, I found out that I have business in Ft. Lauderdale in January. It looks like a two hour drive down to the end of the Florida peninsula according to my atlas, and I plan on scamming a couple of extra days to cast for bonefish.

I would allow a little extra time, it can take longer depending on traffic. The only way in or out of the keys is US-1, and it is mostly 2 lane for miles. (You can take card sound road for a nice alternate route coming back. About the same time, and you see a different part of N Key Largo.) I am a steelheader from Seattle who knows NOTHING< about bonefish except that my 8wt rpl will work, and the flies under the heading "bonefish" are small shrimpy weighted flies.

You ought to be ok, use as much of a WF line as you have. Make sure you have as much backing as your reel will hold. Nevertheless, the thought of ‘wading the flats’ wearing shorts in January is too much to resist for someone from latitude 47.

And you can do it, you just have to be a bit trickier during winter time. The bonefish are still there, they just will not come onto the flats until the water warms up. I would plan on fishing mid-day if the night time temp is below 70. The flats will be too cold in the AM, but will warm up. I am groveling for information! (fishing dates: Jan 14th – 16th)

Here are some posts I have made earlier. Not all will be relevant, but most info should be useful. I grew up down there, and spend 2-3 weeks a year flats fishing in the upper Keys. My brother works in Key Largo and Key West about half of the time, and he gets me current fishing reports. Both he and I have flats boats, and are into flyfishing for bonefish and tarpon. Have fun! Call me if you have questions… 404/850-2644  Alan Barrow  km4ba         | If a little knowledge….. Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing Some friends and I, serious fly fisherman all, are thinking about going to the Florida Keys to do some bonefishing (and maybe tarpon, permit, etc.)  this winter.  Never having done this before, I have scads of questions: * Is end of December/beginning of January a good time?

Bones are there year round. They will not come up onto the flats if the water temp is too cold. Also wind is more likely, and impacts the number of "fishable" (sight fishing) days. However, the largest bonefish are usually caught in winter. I have hooked (not landed) very big bonefish during XMAS trips last year. Tarpon migrate, and are not in the Keys in large quantities until May/June. There are year round Tarpon spots in the Keys ( and Miami) but it is usually deep water. (Bridges/channels, etc) I consider June/July the best time all around for fishing in the Keys. I still fish year all seasons, because even "off season" the fishing is better than most places I know. But for fly fisherman, winter may be less desirable. Redfish are available year round, as are sharks and barracudas. Many fly types are sight fishing for big ‘Cudas during winter when it the flats are too cold for bonefish. * Where are the good spots in the keys?  Should we try Grand Bahama or  Belize instead?

My conclusion is that if you want numbers and lot’s of action, hit the bahamas, Christmas Island (near Hawaii), or costa rica. However, If you want big fish on a regular basis, Miami down to Marathon for bonefish is hard to beat. For Tarpon, Boca Grande pass in June is fantastic. Not the same as sight fishing the flats edges for tarpon in the Keys, but killer in a different fashion. Tarpon are all around florida mid year, so there are many good places for them. The keys are ideal due to: Big Bonefish, good tarpon, great Permit, OK redfish, great trout, great dolphin close in (the fish). The water is great for sight fishing in the Keys. Other parts of Fla are less "clear". The Bahamas are tough to beat in water clarity. * Know any good guides/outfitters?

I have not used a guide for 3 years, but recommend using one until you become proficient in finding fish yourself. Even then, guides will put you onto more fish. * Will I need my own equipment or can I rent?

I have not seen much rental equipment. If you have a guide, he will provide top notch equipment. I hope you have a good time! Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing I will be on Islamorada from February 10-17 of this year.  I plan to do some inshore fishing, and am wondering if this is a particularly "hot" time for specific fish. Can anyone give me some help? I’ll be

Entirely dependant on water temperature. (Wind may also be an issue) Some of the largest bonefish are caught in "winter" (dec-feb). You may also go all day without seeing a fish on a flat. A guide is a big win here. They may know when/where fish may make an appearence. We have found that "normal" behavior does not apply. (normal for bonefish is: fish move on flat with low incoming tide.) Problem is that with colder water temp, at may be midday before the water warms up enough. Thus traditional early morning/late evening "best times" may not apply. Barracuda are found (and fished for) on the flats in the winter. Any other time, these guys are almost impossible to catch. (Except when a big bonefish is about to nail your shrimp/lure) Also sharks on the flats can be fun. Tarpon are pretty much somewhere else, except for a few "bridge" types that hang around year round. Redfish and trout in the backcountry (Fla Bay, as opposed to the Atlantic) should also be a good option. (Not as exciting as bonefish, but still pretty good) I believe offshore is pretty good this time of year. (Sailfish, grouper, Kings, snapper, etc) out for a full day, and would like to spend about half the day fishing purely for sport (i.e. tarpon, bonefish, maybe permit) and half the day fishing for something I can cook up afterwards. Is this possible?

Bonefish or permit then hit backcountry for redfish or trout. I have limited out on big trout within 30 min skiff ride from Islamorada. (By the way, you will be "in" Islamorada, the city. You will be "on" upper or lower matacumbe. Just a "nit" :- ) Any suggestions would be appreciated. I’d like to call up and reserve a guide ahead of time.

We had good luck with Jamie Brodie, who booked out of Holiday Isle. I could get other names from Fla Sportsman if needed. Secondly, since I can’t afford a guide every day I’m there, but would like to do some fishing most of the days I’m there, I’m wondering if anyone can give me advice about wading/shore fishing. I’ll cast for

This is how we got started. Harry Harris park up in key largo (20 min N of Islamorada) is a good flat to wade for bonefish. Also flats off the bridges at shell and indian key ( Just S of Islamorada. ) are good. If you see brown bottom that you can get too from your hotel, etc. I would give it a try. Wear tennis shoes, or booties. (I use "aquasox" as well) Be aware of stingrays. (Some say to shuffle. I do if I cannot see the bottom very clearly. I have found if the bottom is hard enough to wade, the stingrays do not bury themselves. They are also very spooky, and will avoid you.) Also bridge fishing all along that area is good. You can also rent a boat. (not cheap, but cheaper than a guide.) Plan on using it mainly to get too flats. Do not try to take it on the flats, as you will get stuck unless it is very high tide. You will not have a pole anyway. Even with our flat’s boats, we wade alot. (during low tide) anything, I just don’t know what’s there to cast to, or what to cast to whatever is there (to state a simple point in a fairly unruly way).

On the flats you will see:         stingrays- do not try to catch them. Look for bonefish/jack         following them. try to cast on the back of any stingray you see.         Many times you will not see the fish following them. Best sign         that bonefish are on the flats. Stingrays are your friend.         Bonefish- swim most in straight lines. best case is to find them         tailing in low water. (why wading is good). You may see one or a         dozen. Very spooky. Cast in front of them, let them swim up on         your lure/bait.         Permit- The most spooky. look for "sickle" fin sticking out of         water.         Baracuda- usually loitering around. Moving very slowly, then         disappears faster than your eye can follow. If you see a fish,         and it does not move 5-10 feet in a few seconds, then it is probably         a barracuda. cast past it 10 feet in front of it. reel as fast         as you can. They strike instinctively.         Jack- Usually you do not see them, but catch them by accident.         can get pretty big, fights almost as good as a bonefish. (Just         missing the

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