Question:

I was probably coming into the conversation late – what’s new?! I usually use a duncan loop to tie tippet to fly. I usually start with a fairly loose knot in the hope that the fly will move in a more natural manner (and that that will make a difference), but it usually tightens up after a few casts. If I can ever get to the point that I can tell that my choice of fly-to-tippet connection makes a difference I’ll stop being a banker and become a guide. Bob

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – bob, i think they’re talking about a loop, instead of clinch, uni, or other knot, connection of tippet to fly.  anyway, on that assumption, several experienced and knowledgeable folks in the nc mountains suggest the loop allows wets, nymphs, and streamers to move about in the water better and allow more realistic presentation.  i use the surgeon’s loop at times.  i haven’t been able to tell if there’s much difference in the fish’s appreciation of my effort though… jeff //snip// Bill, do you have any sense of whether a loop makes a difference ?  I’ve gone back and forth with loop vs non-loop connections to clousers (read: am I too tired/ cold/etc to bother) and haven’t noticed a difference. I’m going through the same debate. Nail knots are a pain in the ass to tie. I’ve been upset enough with loop connectors (they get jammed in the guides) that I swear never to use them again, but then when it’s cold and I want to get a new leader on quickly I capitulate. Have never tried leader links, but Wolfgang was using one on our Hazel trip and it seemed to be a good compact connection. — http://rwpatton.home.netcom.com/

Response:

 Try the "non-slip loop", which is the Rapala loop without the final  step.  Both are supposed to be stronger than the Duncan.

Thanks. The main need I have for strength is for pulling flies out of brush. Bob Wondering if it’s better to break the line at the tippet-to-fly connection or at the tippet-to-leader . . .

Response:

I use a no-slip loop knot whenever I want a loop in tippet. It’s easy to tie and very strong.

Like Bill says below I’ve used it as a loop knot on a fly works great and very strong. Good idea to use as a tippet connector I’ll have to try.

Response:

I’ll stop being a banker and become a guide. Bob

    liar, liar, pants on fire.  we all know you’re an accountant! yfitons wayno

Response:

Wayne Knight suggested that Leader Loops are for those people who’s fingers are too arthritic or disabled to tie a knot, otherwise one should use a damn bloodknot for a leader connection. I have been having problems tying small flies on to tippet (especially dry flies), so I now pre-snell/tie them, at my tying table with plenty of light and magnification, to about 16" – 18" of tippet and store them in a thing called a "Pip’s Box" made by Mack’s Lure of Leavenworth, Washington State US (You can hold better than a dozen flies or so with this thing without tangling the tippet, and it comes in colors with a see thru lid.  I organize my flies by the color of the box.)  My eyesight, especially at twilight or later, is not so good even with a flashlight.  I just can’t seem to get the tippet thru then I have a hell of a time tying the knot IF I get it threaded.  I am using Fluorocarbon tippet, these days, and I feel that a blood knot is not adequate for this material.  I then use a Tie-Fast Knot Tying tippet to the leader with their double splicing knot or double nail knot as some have described it, which I believe is considerably stronger than the blood knot, or at least my blood knots anyway…be curious to see if anyone else has the same experience. Just my two cents worth, anyway Padishar Creel

Response:

  we all know you’re an accountant! Always prospecting for business, huh? Bob

Response:

I think I will, Wayne. I made a leader, per Lefty Kreh’s directions, for casting big bugs. However, I used uni to uni knots. I think I will make another one with blood knots and attach it. I mastered nail knots a long time ago. Now, I am trying to expand my knot repertoire. I still maintain that the perfection loop is a myth… Bug, et al. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – cut the fly line, tie the nail and then tie the blood knot, you’ll feel much better

Response:

Hi All, Connecting the smaller tippet material to the leader we sometimes use a surgeons loop because it is stronger than a perfection loop.

it is but not by much.(perhaps 3 to 5%). Perfections should give a strength of 90 to 95% of the line vs 95% plus for a surgeon. The surgeons is a bit easier to tie though. An attribute of the perfection is that it is perfectly straight while a surgeon loop may put a bit of an angle in the line. The strongest loop you can tie is the bimini or some of the variants of this loop. It’s complicated and not usually used for a tippet loop in most applications

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, Connecting the smaller tippet material to the leader we sometimes use a surgeons loop because it is stronger than a perfection loop. it is but not by much.(perhaps 3 to 5%). Perfections should give a strength of 90 to 95% of the line vs 95% plus for a surgeon. The surgeons is a bit easier to tie though. An attribute of the perfection is that it is perfectly straight while a surgeon loop may put a bit of an angle in the line.

I use a no-slip loop knot whenever I want a loop in tippet. It’s easy to tie and very strong.

Response:

Ralph, — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, Connecting the smaller tippet material to the leader we sometimes use a surgeons loop because it is stronger than a perfection loop. it is but not by much.(perhaps 3 to 5%). Perfections should give a strength of 90 to 95% of the line vs 95% plus for a surgeon. The surgeons is a bit easier to tie though. An attribute of the perfection is that it is perfectly straight while a surgeon loop may put a bit of an angle in the line. The strongest loop you can tie is the bimini or some of the variants of this loop. It’s complicated and not usually used for a tippet loop in most applications

Response:

Steve, Lefty really promoted the non-slip loop knot and now I see most of all using it with flies we want to move freely like a Clouser minnow. Thanks. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, Connecting the smaller tippet material to the leader we sometimes use a surgeons loop because it is stronger than a perfection loop. it is but not by much.(perhaps 3 to 5%). Perfections should give a strength of 90 to 95% of the line vs 95% plus for a surgeon. The surgeons is a bit easier to tie though. An attribute of the perfection is that it is perfectly straight while a surgeon loop may put a bit of an angle in the line. I use a no-slip loop knot whenever I want a loop in tippet. It’s easy to tie and very strong.

Response:

Nice contribution. Very helpful. I hope you continue to foster goodwill in this group and for the sport of fly fishing. Bugged – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – cut the fly line, tie the nail and then tie the blood knot, you’ll feel much better Better strength-test it on your dick first, Collier.

Response:

//snip//  Bill, do you have any sense of whether a loop makes a  difference ?  I’ve gone back and forth with loop vs  non-loop connections to clousers (read: am I too tired/  cold/etc to bother) and haven’t noticed a difference.

I’m going through the same debate. Nail knots are a pain in the ass to tie. I’ve been upset enough with loop connectors (they get jammed in the guides) that I swear never to use them again, but then when it’s cold and I want to get a new leader on quickly I capitulate. Have never tried leader links, but Wolfgang was using one on our Hazel trip and it seemed to be a good compact connection. — http://rwpatton.home.netcom.com/

Response:

bob, i think they’re talking about a loop, instead of clinch, uni, or other knot, connection of tippet to fly.  anyway, on that assumption, several experienced and knowledgeable folks in the nc mountains suggest the loop allows wets, nymphs, and streamers to move about in the water better and allow more realistic presentation.  i use the surgeon’s loop at times.  i haven’t been able to tell if there’s much difference in the fish’s appreciation of my effort though… jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – //snip// Bill, do you have any sense of whether a loop makes a difference ?  I’ve gone back and forth with loop vs non-loop connections to clousers (read: am I too tired/ cold/etc to bother) and haven’t noticed a difference. I’m going through the same debate. Nail knots are a pain in the ass to tie. I’ve been upset enough with loop connectors (they get jammed in the guides) that I swear never to use them again, but then when it’s cold and I want to get a new leader on quickly I capitulate. Have never tried leader links, but Wolfgang was using one on our Hazel trip and it seemed to be a good compact connection. — http://rwpatton.home.netcom.com/

Response:

cut the fly line, tie the nail and then tie the blood knot, you’ll feel much better

Better strength-test it on your dick first, Collier.

Response:

I’ve found its hard to beat a perfection loop for most leader connections. The perfection (if tied properly) stands straight out from the standing line with no offset, and the knot strength is near 100%. I use it on all leader butts (with a whipped loop on the fly line), & on all tippet connections down to 4x.  5x & smaller I use a doubled surgeons knot.  I think its easier to tie than a surgeons loop, and, well….. it looks cool! B.J.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I personally think the perfection loop is something of a myth or some type of black magic. For leader loops, is it any better than a surgeon’s loop? Bug

Response:

Hi All, In larger diameter mono like attaching leader to a butt section we use perfection loops because they are a smaller, cleaner knot and strength is not an issue. Connecting the smaller tippet material to the leader we sometimes use a surgeons loop because it is stronger than a perfection loop. In larger diameter mono like attaching a leader to a butt section we also use a blood knot because it is a smaller, cleaner knot. Connecting the smaller tippet material to the leader we also use a triple surgeons knot because it is stronger. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I personally think the perfection loop is something of a myth or some type of black magic. For leader loops, is it any better than a surgeon’s loop? Bug

Response:

Can someone direct me to a site that will show how to tie the perfection loop and the surgeon’s loop?? Tony – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I personally think the perfection loop is something of a myth or some type of black magic. For leader loops, is it any better than a surgeon’s loop? Bug

Response:

Can someone direct me to a site that will show how to tie the perfection loop and the surgeon’s loop?? Tony

Hi Tony, Go here for any knot you’re apt to use: http://www.flyanglersonline.com/begin/knots/ Frank Sr.

Response:

I personally think the perfection loop is something of a myth or some type of black magic. For leader loops, is it any better than a surgeon’s loop? Bug

Response:

I personally think the perfection loop is something of a myth or some type of black magic. For leader loops, is it any better than a surgeon’s loop?

Leader Loops are for those people who’s fingers are too arthritic or disabled to tie a knot, otherwise one should use a damn bloodknot for a leader connection.

Response:

Leader Loops are for those people who’s fingers are too arthritic or disabled to tie a knot, otherwise one should use a damn bloodknot for a leader connection.

Actually, leader loops are used between the flyline and the butt section, where you aren’t likely to tie a blood knot. You could use a nail knot, a "nailless" nail knot, a needle knot, or a Zap-a-Gap connection, but not a blood knot, unless you’re either crazy or desperate or stupid. I’ve even heard of one person using two clinch knots, incredibly enough, but I don’t recommend it. I’d rather use a blood knot. I usually tie a new leader onto the butt section (attached to the flyline with a leader link) with a blood knot. After quite a few leader changes I eventually need a new leader link and butt section, but that takes quite awhile — maybe once a year on my workhorse rig.

Response:

I speaking only from the leader end, agree blood knot to attach a butt section to a leader.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Leader Loops are for those people who’s fingers are too arthritic or disabled to tie a knot, otherwise one should use a damn bloodknot for a leader connection. Actually, leader loops are used between the flyline and the butt section, where you aren’t likely to tie a blood knot. You could use a nail knot, a "nailless" nail knot, a needle knot, or a Zap-a-Gap connection, but not a blood knot, unless you’re either crazy or desperate or stupid. I’ve even heard of one person using two clinch knots, incredibly enough, but I don’t recommend it. I’d rather use a blood knot. I usually tie a new leader onto the butt section (attached to the flyline with a leader link) with a blood knot. After quite a few leader changes I eventually need a new leader link and butt section, but that takes quite awhile — maybe once a year on my workhorse rig.

Response:

You’re talking about a blood knot to connect the leader to the fly line?? I wanted to use a nail knot to connect the leader, but the line came with a loop, and I justed couldn’t get myself to cut the flyline. Anyway, I’m not arthritic or disabled, but I am confused and thick-headed. Are you saying a loop to loop leader to flyline is bad? Sorry. Sometimes I am profoundly obtuse Bug, et al. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I personally think the perfection loop is something of a myth or some type of black magic. For leader loops, is it any better than a surgeon’s loop? Leader Loops are for those people who’s fingers are too arthritic or disabled to tie a knot, otherwise one should use a damn bloodknot for a leader connection.

Response:

cut the fly line, tie the nail and then tie the blood knot, you’ll feel much better

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You’re talking about a blood knot to connect the leader to the fly line?? I wanted to use a nail knot to connect the leader, but the line came with a loop, and I justed couldn’t get myself to cut the flyline. Anyway, I’m not arthritic or disabled, but I am confused and thick-headed. Are you saying a loop to loop leader to flyline is bad? Sorry. Sometimes I am profoundly obtuse Bug, et al. I personally think the perfection loop is something of a myth or some type of black magic. For leader loops, is it any better than a surgeon’s loop? Leader Loops are for those people who’s fingers are too arthritic or disabled to tie a knot, otherwise one should use a damn bloodknot for a leader connection.

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Question:

Dave Whitlock offers some of his artwork free for use for non profit organisations.. have a look at www.davewhitlock.com.

Thanks, I inherited a bunch of those from the previous editor.  Now at least I know hwere they came from and can credit the source. Mu

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Dave Whitlock offers some of his artwork free for use for non profit organisations.. have a look at www.davewhitlock.com. Clark – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve taken over newsletter duties for our local fishing club and I’m looking for photos or artwork of flies, fish, anglers, equipment, etc, that I can use as filler graphics when I have some empty space at then end of an article.  If you’ve got any then let me know.  I’ll send you a copy of the newsletter if I use your image. The kind of things that would be interesting are: sunset behind the silhouette of an angler, the head of a trout as it is being released, mayfly sitting on your rod, saltwater fly stuck into a piece of flotsam, you get the idea.  Something general enough that it can basically be placed anywhere without being related to a particular piece of text. Don’t worry, it won’t be for commercial use. Mu

Response:

Mu,   I can send you a few trout and some green drake photos. How small a file size do you want them to be. Only have digitalized stuff around, however, no film.                          Tom L

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I’ve taken over newsletter duties for our local fishing club and I’m looking for photos or artwork of flies, fish, anglers, equipment, etc, that I can use as filler graphics when I have some empty space at then end of an article.  If you’ve got any then let me know.  I’ll send you a copy of the newsletter if I use your image. The kind of things that would be interesting are: sunset behind the silhouette of an angler, the head of a trout as it is being released, mayfly sitting on your rod, saltwater fly stuck into a piece of flotsam, you get the idea.  Something general enough that it can basically be placed anywhere without being related to a particular piece of text. Don’t worry, it won’t be for commercial use. Mu

Response:

Question:

I am a beginning fly fisher and am leaving soon for 2 weeks in Glacier NP.  I’ll be leaving So. Calif. and staying on I-15 until I hit Butte and then will be taking I-90 and then state 93 to Flathead Lake. Can anyone suggest a few places not too far from I-15 or I-90 or highway 93 that might offer me a taste of Montana stream fishing?  I have waders but no float tube. Bill W. in SoCal

Response:

Can anyone suggest a few places not too far from I-15 or I-90 or highway 93 that might offer me a taste of Montana stream fishing?  I have waders but no float tube.

Try the Big Hole (off of I-15 south of Butte).

Response:

Yes, at the town of Melrose. Try to stay below Divide as the water is really low and actually the upper river is closed due to low flow. See http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/drought/closures.asp . Also, from I-90, consider the upper Clark Fork near Warm Springs (refer to your fishing regs once you get here, there are some ponds and some river) and the Little Blackfoot near Garrison. Of course, there is always the Big Blackfoot and Rock Creek. — Tight Lines! Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters Missoula, Montana www.diamondnoutfitters.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone suggest a few places not too far from I-15 or I-90 or highway 93 that might offer me a taste of Montana stream fishing?  I have waders but no float tube. Try the Big Hole (off of I-15 south of Butte).

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Question:

Use a Griffitt’s Gnat The best advise I have is do not try to fish a midge hatch with a match in size. It is generally futile. The hook size is impractical for decent hookups and, think about it, the trout are going to pick out your tiny fly from all the mass that have hatched? Good lucK. I suggest you fish a Griffitt’s Gnat instead. Unlike most aquatic insects, the midges are hatching from CLUSTERS of eggs in the meniscus . . . little gooy egg masses. The Griffitts imitates the egg clusters. Thats what the fish are going for because it gives them more food per gulp. The Griffitts is also big enough to carry a decent hook, and to tie on with normal vision. End of advice Dave

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I’m in Colorado and been fly fishing for 15 yrs. Let me say this, we tend to fish the same nymph and vary the color and size…different colored rib and collar. My tip, when fishing in the early A.M. start very small (22-24) on your dropper and swim it just off the bottom. Add only enough weight to keep it low and clean. The colder it is on the river the more slight the touch. Success is tight line to the hook and set on the tiny movement of your indicator.

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: Hello: : This message is pretty similar to one I posted a while ago, but if anyone : has any new or additional comments they’d like to post, I would be most : interested. : Trying to learn a bit more (still) about fishing Midges. Aren’t we all? : Would be interested in opinions relative to to whether : midges are most productive in; : -very early spring : -heat of the summer : -fall Midges are an all year round possibility in Aus. especially in lakes. : Also, large or small flies [generally] best for each of these three seasons? Rarely less than size 18, things like black spiders, griffiths gnat, work for me.  I’d also use some more imitative pupa but prefer the simpler flies (the fish seem to as well).   Tied on a light hook the spiders (also do well as ants ) will float low in the film, a heavier hook gets them down an inch or two.     The Gnat I use mainly, when there are  mating swarms over the water, although it fishes well as a single bug too. : Thanks, : Bob Good Luck. Steve

Response:

We have some really good midge fishing in Nevada on the East Walker River near Bridgeport, which can be fished year round.  Some of our other rivers could have good midge fishiing, but they are closed during the winter. My opinion is that midge fishing is good only when ther are not many large flies around.  Therefore midge fishiing  is usually good in the winter when the mayflies and caddis’s have disappeared, and before the stoneflies and BWO’s come out.  However, if they are the dominant fly at other times, fish will feed on them.  I carry my midge box year round, but don’t use it much in the warmer months. In regards to size, match the natural as closely as possible.  You will probably be to large!  Dry flies should be tried during the warmest part of the day.  My favorite rig is a size18-22 parachute adams as a point fly and a black midge emerger or brassie as a dropper. Good luck

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello: This message is pretty similar to one I posted a while ago, but if anyone has any new or additional comments they’d like to post, I would be most interested. Trying to learn a bit more (still) about fishing Midges. Would be interested in opinions relative to to whether midges are most productive in; -very early spring -heat of the summer -fall Also, large or small flies [generally] best for each of these three seasons? Thanks, Bob

Response:

Hello: This message is pretty similar to one I posted a while ago, but if anyone has any new or additional comments they’d like to post, I would be most interested. Trying to learn a bit more (still) about fishing Midges. Would be interested in opinions relative to to whether midges are most productive in; -very early spring -heat of the summer -fall Also, large or small flies [generally] best for each of these three seasons? Thanks, Bob

Response:

midges are most productive in; -very early spring -heat of the summer -fall

Actually Bob, I have had some of my best days with midges during warm spells in January and February.  The best times will naturally correspond to the hatching regimes if the midges in the streams that you fish. Once the mayfly and caddis hatches are done in the summer, fish will turn there attention to terrestrials and midges, so for a general answer, late summer, fall, winter, and early spring would probably be the best times. The size of flies you use will be keyed to the insect activity in the area that you fish. You really need to put your time in on the streams, and ask questions of the local anglers. You will be surprised how quickly you will learn, and how your successes will increase. Best of luck. George Adams

Response:

Trying to learn a bit more (still) about fishing Midges.

I hate it when I’m put on a hook and thrown in a river.  This midge’ is staying on dry ground.  :) Vern

Response:

Trying to learn a bit more (still) about fishing Midges. Would be interested in opinions relative to to whether midges are most productive in; -very early spring -heat of the summer -fall

There is no straight forward answer to that. On many tailwaters the fish feed heavily on midges year round. In the free stone streams here in Colorado and much of the West, the only hatches still occurring in late Fall, Winter, and early Spring are midges. The surface feeding fish are generally feeding on the emerging insect and sparse flies that float in the film are usually best. Many midges are extremely tiny and although it’s best to match the size, I find that when going below a size 22 hook, hookups are a problem.  If your presentation is good enough, you can get away with using a larger fly. A dead drift presentation is a must. A long light tippet and a downstream presentation helps. When the midges are hatching heavily enough to bring the fish to the surface, you have alot of natural flies to compete with and your presentation must be right on the money because the fish won’t move for your fly.   Midge fishing can be fun but it is very fussy fishing. You are usually targeting a single fish trying to get the perfect presentation and take. Sometimes you’ll get a fish on your first cast but often MANY casts must be made before you have success. Midges will bring up good fish to the surface especially in the Winter when there is no other insect activity. I’ve caught some of my better fish on midges. Also, large or small flies [generally] best for each of these three seasons?

There are lots of exceptions to this but as a general rule, Spring has the hatches of the bigger insects.  As the seasons progress, the insects get smaller in size. Willi

Response:

I have seen midges mostly in early spring and this time of year. Looking in my notebook they seem to like waters around 55*. The lake I fish in the spring has some very large midges (#14) that the trout go bonkers for. When the Mayflies and Caddis start hatching they aren’t as common. Then again after the water temps drop I start to see them again albeit a bit smaller (#18). sf

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello: This message is pretty similar to one I posted a while ago, but if anyone has any new or additional comments they’d like to post, I would be most interested. Trying to learn a bit more (still) about fishing Midges. Would be interested in opinions relative to to whether midges are most productive in; -very early spring -heat of the summer -fall Also, large or small flies [generally] best for each of these three seasons? Thanks, Bob

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello: This message is pretty similar to one I posted a while ago, but if anyone has any new or additional comments they’d like to post, I would be most interested. Trying to learn a bit more (still) about fishing Midges. Would be interested in opinions relative to to whether midges are most productive in; -very early spring -heat of the summer -fall Also, large or small flies [generally] best for each of these three seasons? Thanks, Bob

All others posting a reply assume you are interested in fishing rivers.   On many lakes and reservoirs midge fishing is the best game going from Nov-April, assuming you can find open water.  The lake midges can be very large by river standards, sizes 12-16.  4x tippets will work with the jumbo imitations and are probably necessary since the lakes will give up a lot of 20+ inch fish.  This will be a very lazy style of fishing, seldom to visible fish.  I look for a shoal area in which fish are occasionally seen taking midges on the surface, and just fish the water with a floating line and a very SLOW hand-twist retrieve.

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Question:

Actually, it sounds like it might flow into the esopus.  Excerpt from AWA site: Beaverkill Reach: Turnwood to mouth County: Sullivan/Delaware Length: 32 Class: II-III Reach: Route 212 bridge below Willow to bridge over Esopus Creek near Mt. Tremper County: Ulster Length: 4.5 Class: III-V Notes: Local expert, Daniel Scher, 249 Munsee Way, Westfield, N.J. 07090 (908-232-3129) Tried contacting this guy with no luck. bob

Response:

        There may be some confusion here…..  The BeaverKill is a tributary of the East Branch of the Delaware River.  From Roscoe, NY to its mouth it is at best a class I,  and one of the best known flyfishing streams in NY.  Up above, it might get a little higher, and the Willowemoc, which flows into it, can also.         There is a Beaver Creek which flows in the Esopus at Mt. Tremper.  That is usually a very bony run even if the Esopus is high.  Denis McLaine has run it, but probably not often nor recently.  If there’s any water up there, head for the Esopus.             There are two gages for the Esopus up there, the Cold Brook one being the more useful.. It should be 4.8 ft or higher to run.   I think the reading you got was for the Beaverkill near Roscoe. JP – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Actually, it sounds like it might flow into the esopus.  Excerpt from AWA site: Beaverkill Reach: Turnwood to mouth County: Sullivan/Delaware Reach: Route 212 bridge below Willow to bridge over Esopus Creek near Mt. Tremper County: Ulster Length: 4.5 Class: III-V

Response:

Does anyone know anything about this creek?  It flows into the delaware and the AWA site lists a class II-III section and a III-V section.  It shot up to over 800 cfs last week and caught my attention, but i have no idea what the quality of the river is or what the minimum runnable level is.   thanks, bob

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Question:

Peter: I have the same rod and use TT 6/7. 80 feet overhead cast and 50 feet roll cast are easily made with this combination. Because of the continuous taper of TT, delicate presentation is also easily done. If you need a floating line, I would recommend TT 6/7. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am new to fly-fishing.  I own a St. Croix Imperial 9′ 5/6 weight travel rod with a Colorado #2 Ross reel.  I wonder if my rod will work well with a 6WF line.  I am thinking about ordering the Cabela’s Prestige 6WF F/S VI (IPS = 6.5-7, with 10′ sinking tip) for shad fishing in California rivers.  I like to hear your opinion on this selection.  Please let me know if you would suggest another line or another setup for this purpose. I also wonder if I should begin learning fly-fishing with a 5 WF line or a 5 DT line.  I have seen a few postings here recommending novice caster learning on a DT line.  I wonder what the reasoning is behind it. BTW, I plan to do most of my fishing in Yosemite National Park. Thanks for all your help. Peter

– Shinji Unno                     Karaoke Party in Seattle, WA, USA? Also a steelhead fly fisher               http://www.sbkaraoke.com

Response:

Hi, I am new to fly-fishing.  I own a St. Croix Imperial 9′ 5/6 weight travel rod with a Colorado #2 Ross reel.  I wonder if my rod will work well with a 6WF line.  I am thinking about ordering the Cabela’s Prestige 6WF F/S VI (IPS = 6.5-7, with 10′ sinking tip) for shad fishing in California rivers.  I like to hear your opinion on this selection.  Please let me know if you would suggest another line or another setup for this purpose. I also wonder if I should begin learning fly-fishing with a 5 WF line or a 5 DT line.  I have seen a few postings here recommending novice caster learning on a DT line.  I wonder what the reasoning is behind it.   BTW, I plan to do most of my fishing in Yosemite National Park. Thanks for all your help. Peter

Response:

Question:

Hello, I’m going to Toronto next summer, and I would like to know where I can fish trout with my fly rod     Thanks, Mark

Response:

Hello, I’m going to Toronto next summer, and I would like to know where I can fish trout with my fly rod    Thanks, Mark

Can I recommend some provincial politictians that will gobble a fly if it resembles a dollar bill?  Try the front lawn of Queens Park. Seriously, to the east, Duffins Creek and the Ganaraska, to the north west, the Credit River and the Forks of the Credit. to the west, the Grand River and its tribs.  To the way north, brookie streams north of Sudbury, to the way west, ‘bows and steelhead on the Maitland and the Saugeen and their tribs.  Call John Valk at Grindstone Angling (905) 689-0880 if you need more info or a guide. Peter

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I’m going to Toronto next summer, and I would like to know where I can fish trout with my fly rod    Thanks, Mark Can I recommend some provincial politictians that will gobble a fly if it resembles a dollar bill?  Try the front lawn of Queens Park. Seriously, to the east, Duffins Creek and the Ganaraska, to the north west, the Credit River and the Forks of the Credit. to the west, the Grand River and its tribs.  To the way north, brookie streams north of Sudbury, to the way west, ‘bows and steelhead on the Maitland and the Saugeen and their tribs.  Call John Valk at Grindstone Angling (905) 689-0880 if you need more info or a guide. Peter

  I lived on the bank of the Ganaraska for 25 years.  If you come in the spring it’s packed with steelheaders.  But if your in to natives then it’s really good from mid may to mid june in the upper reaches of the Ganny.  The part of the river in Port Hope is good for steelhead but not so good for native trout because of the reconstruction after the flood.  Anything north of Highway 16 is good for natives. I find this the best time for brown.  BTW the Ganaraska is located in Port Hope.  One hour east of Toronto on the 401.  If you ask some of the land owners in Welcome (village name) or Canton  nicely they will let you fish on their land.  I have family that owns land on the Ganny.   If you like Fly Fishing and would like to go about thirty minutes further east then I’d recommend Cold Creek north of Brighton.  I’m just learning flyfishing and have just started exploring this stream so I can’t really give you much advice about it. Tight Lines Scott

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T, Thanks for your thoughts regarding Mr. W. As I didn’t feel the need to expound on all of the details regarding this (minor) incident, I did mull over those issues that you mentioned.  It turns out that he was there when his talk was scheduled and our group did see him about an hour before his casting demo.  The floor manager is the person to pass along the info about his leaving and he was none to pleased.   Let’s just let put this one to bed and get back to fishing, which is the real reason for all of this drivel, Mad Dog

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I just got back from the San Francisco International Fly-Fishing Expo.  It was a great show with one notable exception.  Jose Wejebe chose to stand up the audience at a talk on salt water flyfishing and then to add insult to injury he left for Florida before his casting demo, again shortchanging showgoers who wanted to see him. A Sage rep filled in for him at the last moment and I credit the rep for doing the right thing. So much for Jose, just another big ego with no real knowledge of who makes celebrities exist at all… Mad Dog

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I just got back from the San Francisco International Fly-Fishing Expo.  It was a great show with one notable exception.  Jose Wejebe chose to stand up the audience at a talk on salt water flyfishing and then to add insult to injury he left for Florida before his casting demo, again shortchanging showgoers who wanted to see him. A Sage rep filled in for him at the last moment and I credit the rep for doing the right thing. So much for Jose, just another big ego with no real knowledge of who makes celebrities exist at all.

Don: I hold no brief for big ego celebrities, and think that the whole popularity of celebrity sportsman or celebrity whatevers is a one of the more distasteful aspects of our society (that is, for those who seek out such celebritydom) but don’t you think you might be jumping to conclusions based on one incident? I suspect Jose has family, friends, a life, etc., and for all that isn’t it possible a family member was ill, his house caught fire, his daughter was hit by a car, etc.? You might be right implying that it was no such thing, on the other hand, you might be wrong, and really smearing a decent fellow. Saw a quote once: "An intellectual is someone who’s mind watches itself." Seems to me in this case such watching might lead to using  a little imagination about what might have called Jose away before slamming the guy. At any rate…. T.

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Question:

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

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

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

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

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

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Question:

I am a commercial fisherman. I fish 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial fishing. KAILUME LIGHTSTICKS (http://www.lightsticks.com) has developed a product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch lightsticks. Check out the site and see for yourself…YOU WILL NEVER FISH THE SAME AGAIN!! Happy fishin’ fellas!! Brian Isn’t fishing with lights illegal in most states? Dan

Isn’t fishing for customers inappropriate in most news groups? Jim

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I am a commercial fisherman. I fish 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial fishing. KAILUME LIGHTSTICKS (http://www.lightsticks.com) has developed a product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch lightsticks. Check out the site and see for yourself…YOU WILL NEVER FISH THE SAME AGAIN!! Happy fishin’ fellas!! Brian

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am a commercial spamerman. I spam 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial spaming. KAILUME SPAM (http://www.spam.com) has developed a product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch spamsticks. Check out the site and see for yourself…YOU WILL NEVER SPAM THE SAME AGAIN!! Happy spamin’ fellas!! Brian

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: I am a commercial fisherman. I fish 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. : Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial fishing. : KAILUME LIGHTSTICKS (http://www.lightsticks.com) has developed a : product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since : I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch lightsticks. Check out the site : and see for yourself…YOU WILL NEVER FISH THE SAME AGAIN!! Okay, genius, tell me a good fly that uses a 6" Cyalume stick…

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I am a commercial fisherman. I fish 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial fishing. KAILUME LIGHTSTICKS (http://www.lightsticks.com) has developed a product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch lightsticks. Check out the site and see for yourself…YOU WILL NEVER FISH THE SAME AGAIN!! Happy fishin’ fellas!! Brian

Isn’t fishing with lights illegal in most states? Dan

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: : Isn’t fishing for customers inappropriate in most news groups? : : Jim : Not if you use a LIGHTSTICK, and a little spam.   just kidding  :) : : : : : : : : : : — — Bruce Barnard

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…YOU WILL NEVER FISH THE SAME AGAIN!! Okay, genius, tell me a good fly that uses a 6" Cyalume stick…

See above. . . Jim Boise

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a commercial fisherman. I fish 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial fishing. KAILUME LIGHTSTICKS (http://www.lightsticks.com) has developed a product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch lightsticks. Check out the site and see for yourself…YOU WILL NEVER FISH THE SAME AGAIN!! Happy fishin’ fellas!! Brian Isn’t fishing with lights illegal in most states? Dan

How does one fish with a lightstick? (assuming it is legal in your state) In the water, on your person, boat, etc??

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Dan How does one fish with a lightstick? (assuming it is legal in your state) In the water, on your person, boat, etc??

I find lightsticks real handy when doing an all nighter going after threshers. Just take one and stuff it up a mackeral’s ass and let him swim around. mmmmm   mmmmmm  goood!! University Computing Services                           71533,1011 University of Southern California I love the smell of Netware in the morning.  Smells like…victory!!

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  How does one fish with a lightstick? (assuming it is legal in your   state) In the water, on your person, boat, etc?? Well Frank, just in case you’re not trolling, I’ll mention a couple of ways. Here in the Northwest we get to go after steelhead in the Snake River every fall. The impoundments behind the dams hold a lot of slack water and a lot of people fish from shore with sliding bobbers. At night it’s pretty common for people to rubber band a 1" light stick to their bobbers so they can see them. If the light disappears, set the hook! It beats going to bed… Also, I’ve used commercial jigs that had a short piece of surgical tubing tied onto the hook shaft. Insert a lightstick and jig away… I’ve never caught a steelhead with that setup, but it looked interesting. On a side note, I put a used light stick back into it’s foil wrapper and store till the next night in my camper’s freezer because I’m a cheap sob and can get several hours of night fishing for two nights using one lightstick.

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: :   How does one fish with a lightstick? (assuming it is legal in your :   state) In the water, on your person, boat, etc?? A story I often repeat that is relevant with the above topic. Seems I was pier fishing for salmon some years back. A bunch of us were out an hour or so before dawn. Everyone was using glow-in-dark type lures. Charging them up next to a lantern and then throwing them out for the salmon to bite. I asked in a rather loud voice "Hey does it make any of you guys nervous to eat a fish that likes to eat things that glow in the dark?" It got very quiet on the pier that morning. Good fishing, All About Computers      | (810) 456-3894 (work) 2887 Pontiac Ct.         | (810) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   | Single and not taking applications. 48326                    | Interviews maybe.

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Brian, you need to tell us the technique. Do you put a hook on the lightstick? or a reel?  Or…just hang it over the side of the boat to attract minnows/smaller fish??? Sam – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a commercial fisherman. I fish 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial fishing. KAILUME LIGHTSTICKS (http://www.lightsticks.com) has developed a product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch lightsticks. Check out the site

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: :   How does one fish with a lightstick? (assuming it is legal in your :   state) In the water, on your person, boat, etc??

Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure fish…you are a crappy fisherman. I asked in a rather loud voice "Hey does it make any of you guys nervous to eat a fish that likes to eat things that glow in the dark?"

Ooh…that’s nasty. S.

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: :   How does one fish with a lightstick? (assuming it is legal in your :   state) In the water, on your person, boat, etc?? Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure fish…you are a crappy fisherman.

That’s spelled crappie  ;-) . You don’t have to use bait or a fly either; in both cases, you just might catch more fish if you do! — Richard W. (Dick) Lander; sportsman, Macintosh devotee, proponent of personal liberty. *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * *  *

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Brian, you need to tell us the technique. Do you put a hook on the lightstick? or a reel?  Or…just hang it over the side of the boat to attract minnows/smaller fish??? Sam I am a commercial fisherman. I fish 8 hours a day in Naples, Florida. Recently, I found a product that has helped my commercial fishing. KAILUME LIGHTSTICKS (http://www.lightsticks.com) has developed a product that will blow your mind away. My daily catch has tripled since I’ve used Kailume’ 1 inch and 6 inch lightsticks. Check out the site

Do these light sticks have a fuse?

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : :   How does one fish with a lightstick? (assuming it is legal in your :   state) In the water, on your person, boat, etc?? Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure fish…you are a crappy fisherman. That’s spelled crappie  ;-) . You don’t have to use bait or a fly either; in both cases, you just might catch more fish if you do! —

Don’t know ’bout that, but I’d recommend ultra-light sticks for crappie.

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Don’t know ’bout that, but I’d recommend ultra-light sticks for crappie.

Or maybe put a dimmer on it.

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: : Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure : fish…you are a crappy fisherman. : : Or you could be a crappie fisherman.  Or a crappy crappie fisherman. Or a crappy crappie fisherman that couldn’t catch crap. —      Mario de Sales               |      Pro patria mori".   Wilfred Owen

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Hi All, I read these groups all the time but, this is my first post and I am hoping to get some guidence from all you pros. Last year I purchased a 12′ Sears alum. fishing boat and a 3.5hp Seaking motor from the guy nextdoor due to a split between him and his wife. I got he package for $200.00 and I thought this was an Ok deal… The 3.5 aircooled motor is a little scetchy but, I figure and expansion chamber and some 108 Octaine fuel and maybe I could get a wake…. :*) Well yesterday the wife who still lives nextdoor told me she has a Yamaha 4hp motor and a Humming Bird LCD fish finder. When I asked how much she told me figure it out. Any ideas what would be fair for the package?? Also, before he ended up, lets say, incapacitated for at least the next 10 years (the only fishing this guy will be doing will be at Pellican Bay and yes, he deserves it) he used to take the 12′ boat and this 4hp motor out in Halfmoon Bay (I am in San Jose CA by the way) and fish for Salmon and such…. I have never been in the bay in anything less then 26′, is it safe to take a 12′ alum. in the bay fishing??? Any suggestions for safety or words of wisdom like "don’t do it"……. Positive feed back would also be a good thing :*). Best regards, Len Ball

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Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure fish…you are a crappy fisherman.

I use them, but not to lure fish. I use small ones (Lunker Lite brand) that come with a small piece of clear plastic tubing. I put the light stick on the end of a pencil bobber, and use that so I can see my bobber at nite. I know in Washington it’s illegal to use light as an attractant. I guess I’m not sure how a game warden would view what I do, but it’s not my intent to use the light as an attractant. It’s a very small stick, only an inch or so long. It’s on the top of the bobber, sticking out of the water. I usually run several feet of line down to my hook, sometimes to where my bait is on the bottom, so I really doubt the fish are taking my bait because of the light stick. I don’t see any increase of my catch when I use the light sticks, it’s just a hell of a lot easier than using lanterns, flashlights, etc. to see the bobber. You get that same little thrill of seeing your bobber go down, except this way you just watch the light stick, and when it dissappears under the surface, you know it’s time to set the hook! Try it, you’ll like it! Pete               "Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time."                                 Monty Python     Pete LaPlant                     *       http://nwlink.com/~pete/             *

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Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure fish…you are a crappy fisherman.

Is that crappy or crappie?

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about,  Re: Fishing With LIGHTSTICKS!!: Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure fish…you are a crappy fisherman. Is that crappy or crappie?

A white perch by any other name. — R. E. Harmon National Rifle Association Life Member Texas State Rifle Association Life Member

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – about,  Re: Fishing With LIGHTSTICKS!!: Frankly, if you need to use light sticks or a lantern to lure fish…you are a crappy fisherman. Is that crappy or crappie? A white perch by any other name. — R. E. Harmon National Rifle Association Life Member Texas State Rifle Association Life Member

Fishing at night with lightsticks is the accepted way of catching broadbills off the South African coast.  In fact, it is only since the discovery of this form of fishing that the area has been identified as one of the worlds prime broadbill terratories.

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