Question:

Wolfgang writes:  Evidently, there is more than one way to tie a "surgeon’s" knot.

and yours is better, my man. Had real pretty knots fishing on Thursday. You should be proud!                    your grateful Clavemeister

Response:

By now, the second annual Penn’s creek clave is mostly history and well chronicled at that.  However, there remain a few items worthy of note. Snapshot:  Half a dozen or so guys stand on a bridge, munching hot dogs thoughtfully provided and cooked by Mike Shaw, and watching one of their brothers kneeling on the bank, casting repeatedly to a sporadically rising fish.  Many suggestions about where to put the fly are offered, as well as commentary on casting technique.  No one says anything but one thought looms in all minds……lean forward just a bit more, Frank….just a wee bit more!      :)

and you didn’t push – you’re all slipping. I sat on the bank of Pine creek next to Tom Littleton one evening while waiting for a hatch to come off and watched him make a couple of desultory casts to pass the time.  After a few moments I politely inquired, "What the fuck did you do to that leader?"  Evidently, there is more than one way to tie a "surgeon’s" knot. I want to talk to the Pennsylvania Guy Who Names Things.  A "creek" might be adequate to render a Suburban invisible but should not be large enough to hide a suburb in. Ya’ll got too many Pine creeks!

So they ran outta names – not an erudite lot, eh? Had this event been held the third week in June, with it’s longer days, me and Asadi might have had just about enough daylight to discover New York and plant the ROFFian flag, thus claiming it as our own for all time…..maybe next year.

Can we give it back after? (hate to be stuck with a noow yawk) I caught a brookie on an orange caddis provided by George Cleveland.  I win!  Thanks, George. Snapshot:  Wayno wears running bras.  Boy needs a lesson in anatomy, though.  Nuff said.

He’s had too many lessons, that’s the problem. The typical coloration of a whitetail deer faun provides excellent camouflage and it’s practice of sitting motionless is a time tested survival strategy……in its native habitat…..sucks on a gray gravel road though.  Photos available soon.

any blood splats? For those who have not yet heard:  I misplaced my Gerber (not to be confused with gerbil) multitool….one of those collapsible combination pliers, bottle opener, knife, etc., etc., thingies.  If it turns up anywhere, I will consider any reasonable ransom demand.

sorry, no gerbil here – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I fished my new fly rod for the first time….seven and a half foot, three weight, built on a St. Croix Legend Ultra blank by our own Joel Axelrad…..sweet, VERY sweet!  Thank you Joel (who will not see this for some time as he is presumably somewhere in Minnesota, en route to the Prairie Pike Clave). Everybody who attends a ROFFian clave brings (and/or purchases on site) more beer and/or distilled spirits than he himself consumes.  This is the best evidence to date of some sort of cross dimensional transport. Hail does NOT improve the fishing! Pennsylvania blackflies suck just like our version up here in the Great Lakes region.    :( Don’t bother fishing Lyman lake.   No fish.  Not all that surprising, come to think of it….. no water. Frog’s Fanny works. Having just completed the calculations, I am pleased to announce that Frank Reid’s fly box has a surface area of about 3.63 acres. Just prior to my departure for home yesterday, I returned to Mike Makela the bulk of the half cord of toilet paper with which he supplied the clavesters…..evidently we all went home as full of shit as when we arrived.

from what I heard, a lot got shot as well However they may state it, most ROFFians believe that their chosen avocation is a means of getting closer to God, or some such metaphysical rumination.  I got real close the other day.  He yelled at me….said, "GET THE HELL OUT OF MY CREEK!", or something to that effect.  I listened……FAST!      :(

wazzat you? I enjoyed the week immensely.  It was great to catch up with friends and make new ones.  Shit, even Willi isn’t near as mean in person as he looks on ROFF! Wolfgang and pj really IS a sweetheart!

Louie has a real dumbfuck picture of you.  better pay him off real quick. Cheers Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

Wolfgang writes:  Evidently, there is more than one way to tie a "surgeon’s" knot. and yours is better, my man. Had real pretty knots fishing on Thursday. You should be proud!                    your grateful Clavemeister

Delighted to be of service!  It DOES sort of highlight the difficulties inherent in this medium though, don’t it?       Wolfgang o.k., so, would someone please explai……ah shit, never mind.    

Response:

Great report, Wolfie. I look forward to my first opportunity to attend a clave. -Jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – By now, the second annual Penn’s creek clave is mostly history and well chronicled at that.  However, there remain a few items worthy of note. Snapshot:  Half a dozen or so guys stand on a bridge, munching hot dogs thoughtfully provided and cooked by Mike Shaw, and watching one of their brothers kneeling on the bank, casting repeatedly to a sporadically rising fish.  Many suggestions about where to put the fly are offered, as well as commentary on casting technique.  No one says anything but one thought looms in all minds……lean forward just a bit more, Frank….just a wee bit more!      :) I sat on the bank of Pine creek next to Tom Littleton one evening while waiting for a hatch to come off and watched him make a couple of desultory casts to pass the time.  After a few moments I politely inquired, "What the fuck did you do to that leader?"  Evidently, there is more than one way to tie a "surgeon’s" knot. I want to talk to the Pennsylvania Guy Who Names Things.  A "creek" might be adequate to render a Suburban invisible but should not be large enough to hide a suburb in. Ya’ll got too many Pine creeks! Had this event been held the third week in June, with it’s longer days, me and Asadi might have had just about enough daylight to discover New York and plant the ROFFian flag, thus claiming it as our own for all time…..maybe next year. I caught a brookie on an orange caddis provided by George Cleveland.  I win!  Thanks, George. Snapshot:  Wayno wears running bras.  Boy needs a lesson in anatomy, though.  Nuff said. The typical coloration of a whitetail deer faun provides excellent camouflage and it’s practice of sitting motionless is a time tested survival strategy……in its native habitat…..sucks on a gray gravel road though.  Photos available soon. For those who have not yet heard:  I misplaced my Gerber (not to be confused with gerbil) multitool….one of those collapsible combination pliers, bottle opener, knife, etc., etc., thingies.  If it turns up anywhere, I will consider any reasonable ransom demand. I fished my new fly rod for the first time….seven and a half foot, three weight, built on a St. Croix Legend Ultra blank by our own Joel Axelrad…..sweet, VERY sweet!  Thank you Joel (who will not see this for some time as he is presumably somewhere in Minnesota, en route to the Prairie Pike Clave). Everybody who attends a ROFFian clave brings (and/or purchases on site) more beer and/or distilled spirits than he himself consumes.  This is the best evidence to date of some sort of cross dimensional transport. Hail does NOT improve the fishing! Pennsylvania blackflies suck just like our version up here in the Great Lakes region.    :( Don’t bother fishing Lyman lake.   No fish.  Not all that surprising, come to think of it….. no water. Frog’s Fanny works. Having just completed the calculations, I am pleased to announce that Frank Reid’s fly box has a surface area of about 3.63 acres. Just prior to my departure for home yesterday, I returned to Mike Makela the bulk of the half cord of toilet paper with which he supplied the clavesters…..evidently we all went home as full of shit as when we arrived. However they may state it, most ROFFians believe that their chosen avocation is a means of getting closer to God, or some such metaphysical rumination.  I got real close the other day.  He yelled at me….said, "GET THE HELL OUT OF MY CREEK!", or something to that effect.  I listened……FAST!      :( I enjoyed the week immensely.  It was great to catch up with friends and make new ones.  Shit, even Willi isn’t near as mean in person as he looks on ROFF! Wolfgang and pj really IS a sweetheart!

Response:

By now, the second annual Penn’s creek clave is mostly history and well chronicled at that.  However, there remain a few items worthy of note. Snapshot:  Half a dozen or so guys stand on a bridge, munching hot dogs thoughtfully provided and cooked by Mike Shaw, and watching one of their brothers kneeling on the bank, casting repeatedly to a sporadically rising fish.  Many suggestions about where to put the fly are offered, as well as commentary on casting technique.  No one says anything but one thought looms in all minds……lean forward just a bit more, Frank….just a wee bit more!      :) I sat on the bank of Pine creek next to Tom Littleton one evening while waiting for a hatch to come off and watched him make a couple of desultory casts to pass the time.  After a few moments I politely inquired, "What the fuck did you do to that leader?"  Evidently, there is more than one way to tie a "surgeon’s" knot. I want to talk to the Pennsylvania Guy Who Names Things.  A "creek" might be adequate to render a Suburban invisible but should not be large enough to hide a suburb in. Ya’ll got too many Pine creeks! Had this event been held the third week in June, with it’s longer days, me and Asadi might have had just about enough daylight to discover New York and plant the ROFFian flag, thus claiming it as our own for all time…..maybe next year. I caught a brookie on an orange caddis provided by George Cleveland.  I win!  Thanks, George. Snapshot:  Wayno wears running bras.  Boy needs a lesson in anatomy, though.  Nuff said. The typical coloration of a whitetail deer faun provides excellent camouflage and it’s practice of sitting motionless is a time tested survival strategy……in its native habitat…..sucks on a gray gravel road though.  Photos available soon. For those who have not yet heard:  I misplaced my Gerber (not to be confused with gerbil) multitool….one of those collapsible combination pliers, bottle opener, knife, etc., etc., thingies.  If it turns up anywhere, I will consider any reasonable ransom demand. I fished my new fly rod for the first time….seven and a half foot, three weight, built on a St. Croix Legend Ultra blank by our own Joel Axelrad…..sweet, VERY sweet!  Thank you Joel (who will not see this for some time as he is presumably somewhere in Minnesota, en route to the Prairie Pike Clave). Everybody who attends a ROFFian clave brings (and/or purchases on site) more beer and/or distilled spirits than he himself consumes.  This is the best evidence to date of some sort of cross dimensional transport. Hail does NOT improve the fishing! Pennsylvania blackflies suck just like our version up here in the Great Lakes region.    :( Don’t bother fishing Lyman lake.   No fish.  Not all that surprising, come to think of it….. no water. Frog’s Fanny works. Having just completed the calculations, I am pleased to announce that Frank Reid’s fly box has a surface area of about 3.63 acres. Just prior to my departure for home yesterday, I returned to Mike Makela the bulk of the half cord of toilet paper with which he supplied the clavesters…..evidently we all went home as full of shit as when we arrived. However they may state it, most ROFFians believe that their chosen avocation is a means of getting closer to God, or some such metaphysical rumination.  I got real close the other day.  He yelled at me….said, "GET THE HELL OUT OF MY CREEK!", or something to that effect.  I listened……FAST!      :( I enjoyed the week immensely.  It was great to catch up with friends and make new ones.  Shit, even Willi isn’t near as mean in person as he looks on ROFF! Wolfgang and pj really IS a sweetheart!

Response:

Question:

Thailand seems to treat Americans well.  I recall being stopped while sitting in a Thai cab by the police at what appears to be regular police check points for cabs. The Thai policemen noticed that I was American and had instructed the cab drive to treat me well and to get me to where I was going without delay responding in English that I enjoy my visit to Thailand. I have a fond memory of Bankok and enjoyed my stay there.

This sound like the reception Americans now receive in Phnom Penh, where it has recently been discovered that tourism is a huge money earner for everyone from coconut sellers in the streets to top dog Cambodiana Hotel owners. In Siem Reap, tourists coming from Bangkok are so popular, the guest house owners welcome them with extra security! See the latest news from Siem Reap from Gordon Sharpless on http://talesofasia.com/Cambodia/Updates/index.htm The Lao guys don’t seem to care much where anyone comes from, but in Vietnam, Americans are today even more popular than ever! Watch out when those Honda om drivers proposed to visit a bia om!! They dream only of dollars!! Cheers,

Response:

Thailand seems to treat Americans well.  I recall being stopped while sitting in a Thai cab by the police at what appears to be regular police check points for cabs. The Thai policemen noticed that I was American and had instructed the cab drive to treat me well and to get me to where I was going without delay responding in English that I enjoy my visit to Thailand. I have a fond memory of Bankok and enjoyed my stay there.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I remember distinctly that the admission to go up the 1000 steps to the top of Marble Mountain in Da Nang was US$10 for foreign tourists, which all 40 people in my tour thought excessive, and none would take the tour!  The admission for Vietnamese natives was $1. There were 4 policemen seating glumly under a shade at the entrance to go up the mountain and probably many more further up. A Swedish national, the nicest guy in the tour, who bought a lot of souvenirs along the way and gave money to begging children, got very upset and put up a noisy fight when he was shortchanged by a shop selling marble figurines!  He was again shortchanged in Hue by a girl selling brass gifts on a tour boat! The government’s 2-tier pricing scheme in most government services like airlines, trains etc…just make tourists feel cheated. The feelings among the tourists are that the Vietnamese government does not understand or care what service is.  They are obviously still waging a guerrilla warfare against the world. Merchants inflate their prices with tourists and look for every chance to short change them! It wasn’t long into this tour when some of the nicest and well-meaning people in the tour became very angry and leery of the Vietnamese government and its officials. In other tour groups in non-communist countries in Asia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia etc…I had observed much more relaxed, happier and fun interaction between tourists and local people! There is Vietnamese official statitics that only 10% tourists return to Vietnam for a second visit, compared to 50% in Thailand.  Vietnam government and people  have to clean up their acts a great deal to make tourists feel welcomed.  The first thing that should go is that guerrilla warfare mentality among government officials, us against all those foreign devils, before Vietnam can be a friend with the world! VIET THIET

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – At many other tourists’ attractions in Vietnam where foreign tourists are charged 10 times Vietnamese for admission, in the range of US$5 to US$10, . . . . . . On the outside chance you were telling the truth about not knowing the value of the US dollar over there (boy, they must have loved you!), the range of entrance fees for foreigners is about $.75 to $4.00, with most falling in the $1.00 category. The few up near $4.00 are the former presidential palace in Saigon, and the three king’s tombs and the Forbidden City in Hue. And yes, Vietnamese nationals pay less. So what? Doug

Response:

Fully concur.  I saw some statistic whereby the Vietnamese communists have arrested some 25,000 people since the close of the conflict most of whom remain in jail or have disappeared off the face of the earth.   The statistics on health problems in Vietnam seem to be accurate to some degree since they tend to mirror WHO related data. Does anyone know the reason for the HIV problem in Vietnam and whether it is related to the "Green Monkey" virus in Vietnam – cousin of the African Green monkey of being spread by heroin – needle  related issues as to spread of the infection. The situation does not look good at all and since HIV can cause severe immune problems that leaves one open for other infections it would be wise to stay clear locations where such problems exist. Of course there is TB and other endemic diseases on the rise in Vietnam.  Thus, a degree of caution is warranted regardless of where you travel in Southeast Asia. While I have long taken a like to Vietnamese food and music having served in country during the war years I will stick to my favorite Vietnamese Restaurant here in the NY metro area (Flushing, Queens County).

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Mr. Hakpheng, Laotian people are indeed gentle. It’s the communists, Lao, Cambodian, Chinese or Vietnamese, who are the lowliest, crudest trash who have no respect for anyone or anything!   They are just a bunch of animals, given to satisfy their animalistic desires.  Nothing is sacred to them! Khmer Rouge and Pathet Laos were well known for raping, torturing, murdering women and children. I had posted in this group a true story by a then 14 year-old girl under Pol Pot’ horrible Khmer Rouge regime, who witnessed her close friends raped, sodomized, tortured then buried live in concentration camp by a bunch of Pol Pot’s soldier not much older then she. She now lives and works for the County of Los Angeles! These Communist savages should be driven from all countries on earth! VIET THIET Sabaydi THanouxay, I am so shock by this language you use. We have many of the young and innocent one here in SCL. We can not use this kind of the language to give them the bad idea. If you  have the bad word, you have to use the and this kind of the thing. It is the civilize way in America call as Etiquette language. Hakpheng

Response:

I remember distinctly that the admission to go up the 1000 steps to the top of Marble Mountain in Da Nang was US$10 for foreign tourists, which all 40 people in my tour thought excessive, and none would take the tour!  The admission for Vietnamese natives was $1.

Wrong again, Bucko! It is NOT, I repeat NOT $10!!!!! I’ve been up there more times than I can remember – the most recent about May 28. I’ve had hundreds of clients go there. I’ll find out the exact entrance fee, but it’s something like $1 for foreigners – less for Vietnamese. Doug PS. It may seem like 1,000 steps, escpecially as you near the top, but it’s really about 300.

Response:

I remember distinctly that the admission to go up the 1000 steps to the top of Marble Mountain in Da Nang was US$10 for foreign tourists, which all 40 people in my tour thought excessive, and none would take the tour!  The admission for Vietnamese natives was $1. There were 4 policemen seating glumly under a shade at the entrance to go up the mountain and probably many more further up. A Swedish national, the nicest guy in the tour, who bought a lot of souvenirs along the way and gave money to begging children, got very upset and put up a noisy fight when he was shortchanged by a shop selling marble figurines!  He was again shortchanged in Hue by a girl selling brass gifts on a tour boat! The government’s 2-tier pricing scheme in most government services like airlines, trains etc…just make tourists feel cheated. The feelings among the tourists are that the Vietnamese government does not understand or care what service is.  They are obviously still waging a guerrilla warfare against the world. Merchants inflate their prices with tourists and look for every chance to short change them! It wasn’t long into this tour when some of the nicest and well-meaning people in the tour became very angry and leery of the Vietnamese government and its officials. In other tour groups in non-communist countries in Asia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia etc…I had observed much more relaxed, happier and fun interaction between tourists and local people! There is Vietnamese official statitics that only 10% tourists return to Vietnam for a second visit, compared to 50% in Thailand.  Vietnam government and people  have to clean up their acts a great deal to make tourists feel welcomed.  The first thing that should go is that guerrilla warfare mentality among government officials, us against all those foreign devils, before Vietnam can be a friend with the world! VIET THIET – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – At many other tourists’ attractions in Vietnam where foreign tourists are charged 10 times Vietnamese for admission, in the range of US$5 to US$10, . . . . . . On the outside chance you were telling the truth about not knowing the value of the US dollar over there (boy, they must have loved you!), the range of entrance fees for foreigners is about $.75 to $4.00, with most falling in the $1.00 category. The few up near $4.00 are the former presidential palace in Saigon, and the three king’s tombs and the Forbidden City in Hue. And yes, Vietnamese nationals pay less. So what? Doug

Response:

The $5 toll was what I remember mentioned by the cab driver.  However, I was and still am unfamiliar with Vietnamese currencies, so I was unsure of how much changed hands at both stages.

Let me see if I understand you correctly – - You are Vietnamese. You speak Vietnamese. You have many Vietnamese friends & relatives who have taken trips back to Vietnam. You took a trip back yourself and spent at least 2-3 weeks there. You hung out a bit with VCP types. You used a fake accent to make people think you were undercover police. Finally – you don’t know the difference between $5.00 and $.85? At many other tourists’ attractions in Vietnam where foreign tourists are charged 10 times Vietnamese for admission, in the range of US$5 to US$10, . . . . . .

On the outside chance you were telling the truth about not knowing the value of the US dollar over there (boy, they must have loved you!), the range of entrance fees for foreigners is about $.75 to $4.00, with most falling in the $1.00 category. The few up near $4.00 are the former presidential palace in Saigon, and the three king’s tombs and the Forbidden City in Hue. And yes, Vietnamese nationals pay less. So what? Doug – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Between Noi Bai and Ha Noi, there is a new bridge whose toll costs all vehicles about $5 each way . . . . . . At about 14,000 VND per US dollar, that would be about 70,000 VND if you were correct. You aren’t, of course, but that should surprise no one. The tolls on that bridge and the specially built airport highway (the toll is for both) are as follows: Car   –            12,000 VND Bus (9-30 seats) – 20,000 VND Bus (31-50 seats – 30,000 VND Doug

Response:

Dear Mr. Hakpheng, Laotian people are indeed gentle. It’s the communists, Lao, Cambodian, Chinese or Vietnamese, who are the lowliest, crudest trash who have no respect for anyone or anything!   They are just a bunch of animals, given to satisfy their animalistic desires.  Nothing is sacred to them! Khmer Rouge and Pathet Laos were well known for raping, torturing, murdering women and children. I had posted in this group a true story by a then 14 year-old girl under Pol Pot’ horrible Khmer Rouge regime, who witnessed her close friends raped, sodomized, tortured then buried live in concentration camp by a bunch of Pol Pot’s soldier not much older then she. She now lives and works for the County of Los Angeles! These Communist savages should be driven from all countries on earth! VIET THIET – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sabaydi THanouxay, I am so shock by this language you use. We have many of the young and innocent one here in SCL. We can not use this kind of the language to give them the bad idea. If you  have the bad word, you have to use the and this kind of the thing. It is the civilize way in America call as Etiquette language. Hakpheng

Response:

The $5 toll was what I remember mentioned by the cab driver.  However, I was and still am unfamiliar with Vietnamese currencies, so I was unsure of how much changed hands at both stages. While the specific toll amount may been different, or may have been changed, the bribing and cheating scheme was true.  In fact, bribing and cheating are the norm is everything in Vietnam. Everyone in Vietnam engage in full time  creative career of screwing the Vietnamese government (Laos and Cambodian too I assume) out of its high taxes! At many other tourists’ attractions in Vietnam where foreign tourists are charged 10 times Vietnamese for admission, in the range of US$5 to US$10, I was able to use my thick Hanoi-accented Vietnamese to impress upon the gate keepers that I was an undercover security police on inspection mission.  Of course I was allowed free admission and granted a lot of other privileges and perks! I will ask for a thorough, personal inspection of your passionate wife and daughters on the spot next time, dear comrade Thanouxay. Capitalists’ tools work wonder in Communist countries! VIET THIET – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dough, Thank you for updating us with nominal rate for the toll from Hanoi to Noi Bai. I have been travelling tens of times on this route and had never encountered such so-called US$ 5 extorsion as fabricated by this "respectable" Viet Thiet. If my calculation is right, Viet Thiet is a shameless liar and a real trouble maker. On top of it, he was "intelligent" enough to reveal the real purpose of his visit to Mexico and that is to find out some "cheap fuck"… With regard of this kind of traveller, I do strongly think that Laos and its neighbour Viet Nam, better kick out of their respective country as soon as this garbage landed at our airport. sok dee Thanouxay Between Noi Bai and Ha Noi, there is a new bridge whose toll costs all vehicles about $5 each way . . . . . . At about 14,000 VND per US dollar, that would be about 70,000 VND if you were correct. You aren’t, of course, but that should surprise no one. The tolls on that bridge and the specially built airport highway (the toll is for both) are as follows: Car   –            12,000 VND Bus (9-30 seats) – 20,000 VND Bus (31-50 seats – 30,000 VND Doug

Response:

It’s true that the VCP keeps their officals’ salaries very low compared to the cost of living, that it’s well known that people cannot live on government wages. They take on government jobs only to use the power and authority to make money on the side. Therefore, everywhere one goes, one has to grease palms.  Even government agencies have to bribe one another to conduct business!  That’s how corruption are widely accepted in Vietnam! Their poverty and hopelessness among the Hanoi government officials is sometimes heart rending! During my visit to Hanoi a year ago as a tourist, one of the middle-level managers of a state-owned company took the time during his normal work days to show me around Hanoi, introducing me to his family and friends. I was grateful for his friendship and the chance to learn first hand how they suffered during the war, the extremely limited means they presently have to contend with, and how well they manage to care for one another etc… At the end when I had to leave Hanoi, the official made it clear that he expected me to compensate him for his time taken from work, loudly complaining about his expenses while touring Hanoi with me, which made me reduce my level of regards I had for him, his ethics and his family!  While I complied with his request for payment, he could have had far more lucrative offers from me as a friend before he made his demand! This was a man who had travelled to many civilized countries to learn business practices, but when one is hungry, one is less likely to have very high regards for ethics! The "BIA OM" (literally translated – hugging beers), that George Moore mentioned, are protitution dens which proliferate everywhere in Vietnam. There is a very serious unemployment problem for women in Vietnam. A government officials even puts it at 90%! The women who do not want to do the hard labor and poor return of growing rice on the ever increasingly scarce farm land, have very few choices.  Most of them migrate to the city looking for better life styles, eventually have to resort to prostitution, or the hard work of cleaning hotels, to stay alive. The surplus supply of women turns just about every activity in Vietnam into "om," beer om, coffee om, hair cut om, massage om, facial om, fishing om, beaching om, bath om…as fronts for the prostitutes to ply their trade! These prostitutes and their touts are well known to be not so discreet, fighting noisily among themselves, pulling tourists off motorcycles into their stores… (this actually happened to me and my respectable old highschool teacher in saigon!) Considering that these prostitution dens are just about everywhere in Vietnam, from Hanoi to Saigon, the chance to catch some mysterious diseases via third, fourth, fifth…parties are very high! Official VN government statistics in 2000 puts the known number of prostitutes in the 200,000’s, with 1 out of 5 carrying HIV.  The true figures are most likely much higher! Extra medical precautions while visiting Vietnam are highly advised! VIET THIET – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would not even think about trying to change their system. Only the Vietnamese can do that.  However, the Vietnamese who have taken up residence in the U.S. and/or who have become citizens seem to adhere to a higher level of ethics than those who reside in Vietnam under the communists.  What I find disturbing is that if the corruption has become moreso rampart in Vietnam one might be concerned about the flow of narcotics which has the tendency not only to corrupt the system — it is indicative of just how serious the nature of the corruption can have its impact on the spread of addiction and disease resulting from same. There has to be some reasoning for the massive growth of HIV cases in Vietnam.  One might say if they stay clear of the bars and prostitutes one does not have to worry. Such is not the case — people who developed HIV or full blown Aides tend to have no immune system response and therefore they are prone to a wide of disease including TB known to be capable of spreading among humans in Vietnam and to visitors as well.  Some people including myself refuse to travel to SF, CA where the issue of public health is so serious one may merely develop a wide range of infections just by talking and/or handling a telephone receiver. When traveling to Vietnam carrying a bottle of antibiotic soap(liquid or soap bars), or wipes just to keep your hands clean.  I know some people who have returned from Vietnam who have developed fevers of unknown origin. Reminds me of the days following the return of large numbers of troops in late 1966 with the same problem. One of the problems with most U.S. medical facilities is that there are very few people with backgrounds in tropical medicine which can spell problems for returning tourists seeking medical care. Restaurants in Vietnam do not meet the same health standards of restaurants in the U.S. which must meet health codes and inspections.  Carry band aids and tube of triple antibiotic ointment for cuts and abrasions. Of course you can listen to your tourist agent who will tell you everything is just fine in Vietnam and you will dam well know he or she is full of crap. I have traveled extensive in third world countries and have found the following to be true.  Please don’t associate understanding the system

Response:

Sleazy sex tour operators like Dog Grease are therefore given the red carpet treatment personally by the VCP politburo!

For those few of you who aren’t already aware – Viet Thiet is a liar. Put up or shut up, liar. Prove what you say or shut up. $1,000 says you can’t. How much are you willing to put up? For once, stop running your foul mouth, surprise me, and show a little backbone. Prove it or shut up. Doug Who is now waiting for the usual obscenity-filled reply which totally avoids addressing my request.

Response:

On top of it, he was "intelligent" enough to reveal the real purpose of his visit to Mexico and that is to find out some "cheap fuck"… sok dee Thanouxay

Sabaydi THanouxay, I am so shock by this language you use. We have many of the young and innocent one here in SCL. We can not use this kind of the language to give them the bad idea. If you  have the bad word, you have to use the and this kind of the thing. It is the civilize way in America call as Etiquette language. Hakpheng

Response:

The bribes and extortion money are finely divided up the chain of command of the Vietnamese Commnist Party and government, just like the MAFIA! All the lucrative jobs where the officials can extort / blackmail for money are sold to the highest bidders.  Custom jobs at major airports are reported to go for 50 ounces of gold, whereas street/highway patrol jobs for policemen in major cities, where they usually take cash from violators rather than writing tickets, go for 20 to 30 ounces! Flight attendant jobs for Vietnam Air cost 12 ounces….regardless whether they can read or write! My relatives have gone through all these job buying schemes with just about every government agencies in Vietnam! In Vietnam all competitions for jobs and privileges are based on how "red" one is. All college and advanced degrees can be easily purchased from corrupt educators and school administrators. To get jobs, one has to have impecable proletariat and revolutionary family backgrounds, lots of party connections, or one has to pay a lot of money.  Vietnam ends up being tp loaded with the most corrupt, the least competent people. This is why Vietnam under the corrupt Communist system will forever be the poorest, most oppressed, most corrupt, sleaziest country on earth! This is the main reason a large percentage of the people fo Vietnam must engage and benefit directly or indirectly from prostitution, drug traffiking and other vices, in discreet ways so as to save face for the Communist Party leadership! The VCP leaders know full well that their meal tickets come from income derived from foreign tourists, who mostly seek the only commodity readily available very cheaply in vietnam: PROSTITUTES! Who ever come to stone-age Communist Vietnam for any other recreation? None is available anyway! Sleazy sex tour operators like Dog Grease are therefore given the red carpet treatment personally by the VCP politburo! VIET THIET – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Don’t you mean to say that the money goes right into the pockets of those "bia om" workers? In fact, the next time you are there, why not ask the border guards directly about where the money goes? The question usually results in huge smiles!! And if you are really good, you can sometimes find the "bia om" just behind the border station! Those border guards are a riot! I wonder if their bosses know what goes on locally? Probably not… Cheers,

Response:

Dough, Thank you for updating us with nominal rate for the toll from Hanoi to Noi Bai. I have been travelling tens of times on this route and had never encountered such so-called US$ 5 extorsion as fabricated by this "respectable" Viet Thiet. If my calculation is right, Viet Thiet is a shameless liar and a real trouble maker. On top of it, he was "intelligent" enough to reveal the real purpose of his visit to Mexico and that is to find out some "cheap fuck"… With regard of this kind of traveller, I do strongly think that Laos and its neighbour Viet Nam, better kick out of their respective country as soon as this garbage landed at our airport. sok dee Thanouxay – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Between Noi Bai and Ha Noi, there is a new bridge whose toll costs all vehicles about $5 each way . . . . . . At about 14,000 VND per US dollar, that would be about 70,000 VND if you were correct. You aren’t, of course, but that should surprise no one. The tolls on that bridge and the specially built airport highway (the toll is for both) are as follows: Car   –            12,000 VND Bus (9-30 seats) – 20,000 VND Bus (31-50 seats – 30,000 VND Doug

Response:

As this stupid, ignorant, pitiful trash of a man below, who uses a dead man’s name as his screen name, and who cannot read or write English, or Vietnamese for that matter, pretends that he can find faults with Viet Thiet’s writing, he just shows the world the stupid, deceitful nature of the Communists! This desparate man, who woud stoop so low, try so hard, use any sort of trickeries to gain the notoriety and credibility with the people in SCV, just lost it all! This is how a small bunch of of stupid, ignorant, violent savages, calling themselves Communists, headed by Ho Chi Minh, lied, cheated, terrorized, murdered their ways to seize power of Vietnam, then brought the country into isolation, and forced the people to their knees, begging and prostituting to foreigners just for a few cups of rice at the end of the day! EL CHIMPO and his commie cohorts are dumber than dogs!  They are also shameless and brazen-faced like a bunch of monkeys. They deserve to be despised by everyone. VIET THIET – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – La.i the^m mo^.t tie^?u tu+? so^`n so^`n cu?a Viet [gian?]cong hoa [hoac cua ngo dinh diem hoac cua nguyen van thieu deu giong nhau]. Tie^?u tu+? na`y cu~ng dda(.t ba`y american-english [ddie^`u na`y kho^ng he^` gi`] nhu+ng muo^’n xua^’t co+` thi` i’t ra cu~ng bie^’t lu+o+.ng su+’c mi`nh cho+, vie^’t dda.i thi` vu+`a xa^’u ho^? cho ca’ nha^n chu’ vu+`a ho^? the.n cho ho^`n ma ngo dinh va nguyen van thieu co’ nhu+~ng thu+’ dde^. tu+? do^’t ma` la.i o^`n a`o the^’ na`y; thie^.t dda’m vgch na`y no’ thua co^.ng sa?n mie^`n Ba(‘c la` mo^.t ddie^`u dda.i phu+o+’c cho da^n ta. Ta va.ch nhu+~ng cho^~ sai tu`m lum ve^` american-english cu?a chu’ cho ma` xem na`y [ta khong correct da^u, ve^` ho?i ma^'y tha^`y o+? lo+'p esl o+? adult school ddo' [tie^?u tu+? ma` so vo+'i Le chino thi` gio^'ng nhu+ con chuo^.t chu` be^n ca.nh con su+ tu+? ddo'. Sau la^`n na`y thi` la(.n ddi chu' ma`y!]: Dda^y nhu+~ng cho^~ sai ta bo trong bracket do: EL CHIMPO repeated [ sai thu nhat --- use of extreme obscenity ](D. M.)in SCV shows him to be a sick, old, twisted little pervert, who would not stop [sai thu hai--- at raping] his own mother! [ sai thu ba: khong biet dung English phrase va` cu' pha'p---- EL must have been severely abused as a child, perhaps sodomized daily by his own stupid, ignorant commie dad, and his despicable, animalistic relatives in Hanoi, such that he continually let his [sai thu ba, chua biet gi ve Freud ma dam viet au, viet sai Psychoanalysis Terminology ------ oedipal complex show! El must be sitting around fantasizing about murdering his dad and raping his mom everyday!] [ chua biet cach su dung tu, dat cau, chuyen y [noi chung trinh do rat so dang ---- With his obscenity-filled posts in SCV, El only acts out his frustration [ chua biet cach dung gioi tu 'preposition' --- at the fact that noone takes him seriously for his shameless commies' boot licking act, hoping to make a few quick dollars off the communists for himself! Of course El will take the short cuts and engage in the oldest profession to get what he wants! EL is just a little common, uneducated, unprincipled trash, despised by both communists and anti-communists alike! VIET THIET [Tom tat: khong du trinh do English composition, ma` da'm vie^'t tie^'ng Anh, chu+a ddu? tri`nh do^. die^~n dda.t tu+ tu+o+?ng Viet ngu, thi` la`m sao da'm ca? gan di 'debate' hay 'chu+?i ' ngu+o+`i kha'c. Chu' ma^`y ne^n la(.n ddi dde^? kho?i xa^'u ca? nha` Vie^.t gian.  QUANG TRUNG DAI CO VIET Why I disagreed with Mr World Justice in practically all of his posts, I at least recognize that He tried to be truthfull at least in the

Response:

La.i the^m mo^.t tie^?u tu+? so^`n so^`n cu?a Viet [gian?]cong hoa [hoac cua ngo dinh diem hoac cua nguyen van thieu deu giong nhau]. Tie^?u tu+? na`y cu~ng dda(.t ba`y american-english [ddie^`u na`y kho^ng he^` gi`] nhu+ng muo^’n xua^’t co+` thi` i’t ra cu~ng bie^’t lu+o+.ng su+’c mi`nh cho+, vie^’t dda.i thi` vu+`a xa^’u ho^? cho ca’ nha^n chu’ vu+`a ho^? the.n cho ho^`n ma ngo dinh va nguyen van thieu co’ nhu+~ng thu+’ dde^. tu+? do^’t ma` la.i o^`n a`o the^’ na`y; thie^.t dda’m vgch na`y no’ thua co^.ng sa?n mie^`n Ba(‘c la` mo^.t ddie^`u dda.i phu+o+’c cho da^n ta. Ta va.ch nhu+~ng cho^~ sai tu`m lum ve^` american-english cu?a chu’ cho ma` xem na`y [ta khong correct da^u, ve^` ho?i ma^'y tha^`y o+? lo+'p esl o+? adult school ddo' [tie^?u tu+? ma` so vo+'i Le chino thi` gio^'ng nhu+ con chuo^.t chu` be^n ca.nh con su+ tu+? ddo'. Sau la^`n na`y thi` la(.n ddi chu' ma`y!]: Dda^y nhu+~ng cho^~ sai ta bo trong bracket do: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – EL CHIMPO repeated [ sai thu nhat --- use of extreme obscenity ](D. M.)in SCV shows him to be a sick, old, twisted little pervert, who would not stop [sai thu hai--- at raping] his own mother! [ sai thu ba: khong biet dung English phrase va` cu' pha'p---- EL must have been severely abused as a child, perhaps sodomized daily by his own stupid, ignorant commie dad, and his despicable, animalistic relatives in Hanoi, such that he continually let his [sai thu ba, chua biet gi ve Freud ma dam viet au, viet sai Psychoanalysis Terminology ------ oedipal complex show! El must be sitting around fantasizing about murdering his dad and raping his mom everyday!] [ chua biet cach su dung tu, dat cau, chuyen y [noi chung trinh do rat so dang —- With his obscenity-filled posts in SCV, El only acts out his frustration [ chua biet cach dung gioi tu ‘preposition’ — at the fact that noone takes him seriously for his shameless commies’ boot licking act, hoping to make a few quick dollars off the communists for himself! Of course El will take the short cuts and engage in the oldest profession to get what he wants! EL is just a little common, uneducated, unprincipled trash, despised by both communists and anti-communists alike! VIET THIET [Tom tat: khong du trinh do English composition, ma` da’m vie^’t tie^’ng Anh, chu+a ddu? tri`nh do^. die^~n dda.t tu+ tu+o+?ng Viet ngu, thi` la`m sao da’m ca? gan di ‘debate’ hay ‘chu+?i ‘ ngu+o+`i kha’c. Chu’ ma^`y ne^n la(.n ddi dde^? kho?i xa^’u ca? nha` Vie^.t gian.

QUANG TRUNG DAI CO VIET – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Why I disagreed with Mr World Justice in practically all of his posts, I at least recognize that He tried to be truthfull at least in the

Response:

Between Noi Bai and Ha Noi, there is a new bridge whose toll costs all vehicles about $5 each way . . . . . .

At about 14,000 VND per US dollar, that would be about 70,000 VND if you were correct. You aren’t, of course, but that should surprise no one. The tolls on that bridge and the specially built airport highway (the toll is for both) are as follows: Car   –            12,000 VND Bus (9-30 seats) – 20,000 VND Bus (31-50 seats – 30,000 VND Doug

Response:

EL CHIMPO repeated use of extreme obscenity (D. M.)in SCV shows him to be a sick, old, twisted little pervert, who would not stop at raping his own mother! EL must have been severely abused as a child, perhaps sodomized daily by his own stupid, ignorant commie dad, and his despicable, animalistic relatives in Hanoi, such that he continually let his oedipal complex show! El must be sitting around fantasizing about murdering his dad and raping his mom everyday! With his obscenity-filled posts in SCV, El only acts out his frustration at the fact that noone takes him seriously for his shameless commies’ boot licking act, hoping to make a few quick dollars off the communists for himself! Of course El will take the short cuts and engage in the oldest profession to get what he wants! EL is just a little common, uneducated, unprincipled trash, despised by both communists and anti-communists alike! VIET THIET – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Why I disagreed with Mr World Justice in practically all of his posts, I at least recognize that He tried to be truthfull at least in the

Response:

Why I disagreed with Mr World Justice in practically all of his posts, I at least recognize that He tried to be truthfull at least in the details (the Devils are in the details!) in his posts so He might preserve some credibility with his Anti Communist followers. Mr Vietthiet is a schizophrenic psychopath.  On one hand he used sexual innuendos to accuse people he know nothing about of which Mr Reese of conducting sex tours, Mr Justice of various sexual offenses for money or not and El Chino his Bete noire, his Jesus Christ he prayed to everyday of kissing VC asses,  are examples! (In a previous post I analysed Mr Vietthiet’s psychpathology as being sexually frustrated.  His obsession with Asses pointed to a latent or overt Homosexuality) On the other hand, He claimed to be advisor to the Politburo members of the VCP, travel up-and-down Vietnam insulting the VC or collecting information where to find sex.  Now He did it in Mexico as well ! All this pointed to a grave state of self delusion or frustrated Megalomania unsuccessfully controlled by visiting whorehouses! We should put VIETTHOT in the same Category as Veekhung, i.e., sexually repressed old men who use SCV as a Group Therapy medium. Elchino Boat People’s conscience had castrated him so thoroughly that he is now incapable of producing a coherent thought. The poor quality of his posts brought to nought his credibility forcing him to make outlandish claims such as this "advisory" role for the VCP Politburo. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have spent a lot of time in Vietnam on business and have mingled with the top party and government officials. Vietnam is a country corrupt from top to bottom. Corruption, cheating and gouging are everywhere. VIETTHIET has been calling everyone else who even suggested the idea of talking to Hanoi’s officials as pimps and whores, yet VIETTHIET admitted that he did businesses and spent a lot of time in Vietnam with party officials.  What a hypocrite! You can guess where I spend all my vacations! VIET THIET PS: Mexican customs (won’t tell you where) even allowed me to fly a beautiful girl, with no passport or any ID, to Cabo San Lucas for a great vacation…That’s how friendly the Mexican law can be if you genuinely try to speak Spanish to them…. What is this? VIETTHIET has been on illegal sex tour in Mexico yet he charged that the entire population of women in Vietnam are either sexually abused or sold as prostitutes by Hanoi. Go to soc.culture.vietnamese and search for all of VIETTHIET’s posts. Everyone can see that VIETTHIET is a double-standard double-face and a sick man. He acted as an anti-communist calling Hanoi as the place where prostitutes are sold by officials.  Now he showed the world that he is on illegal (bringing a beautiful girl with no passport and no ID through the border etc.) sex tour in Mexico. Now we all know why he is so familiar with sex tours.  He is a big client. World Justice

Response:

Shame on you. . . . again. Doug – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The only SEX in this tour was what was burning inside Dog Grease’s old, ugly and horny mother as she cleans the sheets and vacumm the floor of the Mexican resort… VIET THIET PS: Mexican customs (won’t tell you where) even allowed me to fly a beautiful girl, with no passport or any ID, to Cabo San Lucas for a great vacation…That’s how friendly the Mexican law can be if you genuinely try to speak Spanish to them…. What is this? Sounds like some sort of sex tour to me. Shame on you! Doug

Response:

VIETTHIET has been calling everyone else who even suggested the idea of talking to Hanoi’s officials as pimps and whores, yet VIETTHIET admitted that he did businesses and spent a lot of time in Vietnam with party officials.  What a hypocrite!

Feeding monkeys does not make one a monkey! PS: Mexican customs (won’t tell you where) even allowed me to fly a beautiful girl, with no passport or any ID, to Cabo San Lucas for a great vacation…That’s how friendly the Mexican law can be if you genuinely try to speak Spanish to them…. What is this? VIETTHIET has been on illegal sex tour in Mexico yet he charged that the entire population of women in Vietnam are either sexually abused or sold as prostitutes by Hanoi.

Ms. Just Tits is still trying to deny that prostitution is the biggest industry in Vietnam! That a very large percentage of businesses and people in Vietnam derive their living directly and indirectly from prostitution! Everywhere one goes, men, women, children, cab drivers, cyclos are all out selling prostitutes! There have been many reports in the party-controlled press about rampant prostitutes performing sex acts on streets and parks in Saigon and Hanoi, even in the Hoa Lo Hilton Museum, sometimes in broad day light! Only Hanoi has the notoriety of an old college professor, Son Do, who would beat, rape and black mail dozens of his young students into prostitution for the wealthy Communist party apparachiks! How many more Son Do have not been caught? Commercial sex aspracticed by Ms. Just Tits is completely different from flying your girl friend to Cabo for a vacation!  If Ms. Justtits jumps into bed with her syphyllis-ridden boyfriends, is she taking sex tours? Like street girls in Vietnam,  Ms. Just Tits pretends she doesn’t know what sex is, but if someone flashes a few dolar bills, then she is all business….  What a flaming hypocrite she is! Ms. Justtits could not argue on issues so she must attack VIETTHIET with her trashy smear campaign!  And she uses a screen name that laugh! Is the ugly, smelly and therefore sexless Ms. Just Tits getting jealous? VIETTHIET

Response:

The only SEX in this tour was what was burning inside Dog Grease’s old, ugly and horny mother as she cleans the sheets and vacumm the floor of the Mexican resort… VIET THIET – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – PS: Mexican customs (won’t tell you where) even allowed me to fly a beautiful girl, with no passport or any ID, to Cabo San Lucas for a great vacation…That’s how friendly the Mexican law can be if you genuinely try to speak Spanish to them…. What is this? Sounds like some sort of sex tour to me. Shame on you! Doug

Response:

I have spent a lot of time in Vietnam on business and have mingled with the top party and government officials. Vietnam is a country corrupt from top to bottom. Corruption, cheating and gouging are everywhere.

VIETTHIET has been calling everyone else who even suggested the idea of talking to Hanoi’s officials as pimps and whores, yet VIETTHIET admitted that he did businesses and spent a lot of time in Vietnam with party officials.  What a hypocrite! You can guess where I spend all my vacations! VIET THIET PS: Mexican customs (won’t tell you where) even allowed me to fly a beautiful girl, with no passport or any ID, to Cabo San Lucas for a great vacation…That’s how friendly the Mexican law can be if you genuinely try to speak Spanish to them….

What is this? VIETTHIET has been on illegal sex tour in Mexico yet he charged that the entire population of women in Vietnam are either sexually abused or sold as prostitutes by Hanoi. Go to soc.culture.vietnamese and search for all of VIETTHIET’s posts. Everyone can see that VIETTHIET is a double-standard double-face and a sick man. He acted as an anti-communist calling Hanoi as the place where prostitutes are sold by officials.  Now he showed the world that he is on illegal (bringing a beautiful girl with no passport and no ID through the border etc.) sex tour in Mexico. Now we all know why he is so familiar with sex tours.  He is a big client. World Justice

Response:

PS: Mexican customs (won’t tell you where) even allowed me to fly a beautiful girl, with no passport or any ID, to Cabo San Lucas for a great vacation…That’s how friendly the Mexican law can be if you genuinely try to speak Spanish to them….

What is this? Sounds like some sort of sex tour to me. Shame on you! Doug

Response:

Since one could also be nailed for bribing, I had to tough it out, demanding, in very loud voice, that the officials in charge check out my visa and resolve the problems!   They let me go through with sly smiles…

So you didn’t actually have to pay any bribes then, did you! Between Noi Bai and Ha Noi, there is a new bridge whose toll costs all

I don’t think its new – its been there 5 years or so… The variety of taxis I’ve used have never used second hand tickets. (A counterfoil is retained as the ticket is torn.) Not saying it never happens though…. You say: Mexico, compared to Vietnam, is cleaner, safer, less hassled, far more civilized

but then: PS: Mexican customs (won’t tell you where) even allowed me to fly a beautiful girl, with no passport or any ID, to Cabo San Lucas for a great vacation…That’s how friendly the Mexican law can be

It seems you are ranking Mexico ahead of Vietnam on the basis of your ability to corrupt local officials. I think that says more about you and Mexico than it says about Vietnam. Jim

Response:

I was blatantly hassled for bribes many times by Vietnamese Communist Custom officials arriving and departing at both Tan Son Nhut and Noi Bai airport! Since one could also be nailed for bribing, I had to tough it out, demanding, in very loud voice, that the officials in charge check out my visa and resolve the problems!   They let me go through with sly smiles… Between Noi Bai and Ha Noi, there is a new bridge whose toll costs all vehicles about $5 each way (roughly a week salary for a teacher – all public utilities are  very expensive in vietnam, relative to cost of living, as a policy to gouge tourists!). To prevent cheats, the toll is sold by a ticket booth manned by a few policemen, to be checked and collected by other policeman down the road.  The cab drivers, however had worked out arrangements with both the ticket sellers and ticket checkers, to pay $1 at each stage to be able to use an old ticket, saving himself $3 for each passage. I have spent a lot of time in Vietnam on business and have mingled with the top party and government officials. Vietnam is a country corrupt from top to bottom. Corruption, cheating and gouging are everywhere. Eventhough Vietnam was my country of birth, it’s very sad to admit that presently the psychology of cheating, extorting, gouging, stealing and aggression seem to be ingrained in a very large percentage of the population in Vietnam. People in Hanoi tend to be more traditional, even submissive, nice, sweet, helpful, less aggressive. People in South Vietnam are far ruder and more aggresive, and will blatantly try to take advantage of tourists at every turn. Since the criminal laws in Vietnam is very vague,  it is safer for tourists to assume that every local government officials can throw them in jail for long term without any legal process, and they are most likely to extort, harm and steal from the people in need! I have traveled to just about every state in Mexico, a poor third world country, doing business and spending long vacations there.  In contrast, the people of Mexico, even in poor and rural areas, are far more honest, friendly, upfront and helpful with tourists, even for someone who cannot speak the language.  They sell everything at the same prices to locals or tourists.  I never had a problem or was cheated in Mexico!  NOT EVEN ONCE in my hundreds of trips to Mexico! Unlike Vietnam whose Communist government sets higher prices for tourists and actively forces the tourist-related services to gouge and cheat tourists by imposing high taxes…. Mexico, compared to Vietnam, is cleaner, safer, less hassled, far more civilized and fun for tourists. Mexico with  clean beaches, warm water, good food, honest, fun and friendly people, low crimes, large varieties of arts, crafts, jewelry,  reasonable prices, great parties, and many water sports, great big game fishing  ( Vietnamese tunas only grow to 12 inch maximum before they are dynamited out of the water…) is much better place to do business or to vacation.  My top Mexico vacation spots :  Cancun, Isla Cozumel, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Guadalajara, Puerta Vallarta, Ixtapa, Ensenada…. You can guess where I spend all my vacations! VIET THIET PS: Mexican customs (won’t tell you where) even allowed me to fly a beautiful girl, with no passport or any ID, to Cabo San Lucas for a great vacation…That’s how friendly the Mexican law can be if you genuinely try to speak Spanish to them…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It may be old information; but, my wife and I were shaken down by customs guards at Tan Son Nyut Airport. And it was very subtle.  It turned into a very vocal argument concerning the amount of the bribe.  The price went down from $50 to $20.  Of course, the shakedown at the Hanoi Airport was far more subtle.

Response:

Question:

I’m not always sour. Just spewing up some vomit. It will pass.

I know you are not souring, and it is good to spew.  I can’t believe what you have been through. (((((Hugs)))))) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Just a big ol’ kidney stone, yeah, you’ll be rid of it. OK. I had a big dry. Geez! Thought I was done with that stuff. I spent a lot of energy being *close* to my kids – moved right within short mortar range of where their mom is living. With all that, I can not even be sure I am doing the right thing – the "confict is bad" crowd would say that since the kids’ mom and I hate each other, I should pack up my troubles, move a thousand miles away and just send a check every week. Maybe they are right, but it is not the path I have chosen, and the path I have chosen is hard, sucks and is exhausting. And I am not even sure if it is the right thing. I understand. At the time of the moving decision, I thought that the only way she could come down from her insanity was to distance myself. I under-estimated insanity. You make your choices, live with them, and live with yourself. What else are you going to do? Just know what your choices are. Make those choices informed, and get on with your life. Else you’ll end up a tired old, shrivelled up cynical fart like me. pffffoooooot!!!! Thoughts with you Roy. Give your better half a big hug, and fall asleep in each others’ arms tonight. Have you ever noticed that two people in bed only need 3 arms? Indeed, one arm is always in the way.

Here are two more arms to crowd the situation. There is only so much you can do, and the kids’ mom is the kids’ mom. She is their problem, unfortunately. They’ll survive. I can’t protect them from the world. Much as I want to. The younger one will be taught to hate me. See responses eslewhere in this thread as to why. Peace, brother. Best – Fido (Soy un perro, pero ella es una hembra!) Did you ever try "tacos de macho"?

I

Response:

 The younger one will, as usual, not want to talk to me. Been there, done that. I just kept calling at the right time, and they will talk if they want to. Later my oldest daughter would surprise me by calling on her own. You are there with them, Roy, believe it.

Yep. As far as Doc’s statements, not all are bitches, The sterile ones can be trusted, if they have a note from their doc. Otherwise, trust your own doc to take care of you. Very cynical. Ouchies. But realistic, I suppose.

Getting such things in writing strikes me as properly responsible. I am sad that you have one in your life. Actually, I have another in my life who is quite wonderful.  Whatcha kevtchin’ about, then?  Hey, a lot of folks don’t even have *that*.

Yeah, but it don’t fix the hole in the heart, does it ? Don’t go sour, have faith. I’m not always sour. Just spewing up some vomit. It will pass. Just a big ol’ kidney stone, yeah, you’ll be rid of it.

Indeed. I spent a lot of energy being *close* to my kids – moved right within short mortar range of where their mom is living. With all that, I can not even be sure I am doing the right thing – the "confict is bad" crowd would say that since the kids’ mom and I hate each other, I should pack up my troubles, move a thousand miles away and just send a check every week. Maybe they are right, but it is not the path I have chosen, and the path I have chosen is hard, sucks and is exhausting. And I am not even sure if it is the right thing.

Well, I am. It is. You are the *father* of the kids. That is important, no matter what the granola crowd bleats. It’s tough. But, you are there for your kids, and they do see that. They will understand what that means. You make your choices, live with them, and live with yourself. What else are you going to do? Just know what your choices are. Make those choices informed, and get on with your life. Else you’ll end up a tired old, shrivelled up cynical fart like me.

<g Thoughts with you Roy. Give your better half a big hug, and fall asleep in each others’ arms tonight. There is only so much you can do, and the kids’ mom is the kids’ mom. She is their problem, unfortunately.

Truth. Peace, brother. Best – Fido (Soy un perro, pero ella es una hembra!) Roy

Andre — " The noblest achievement of the imagination is to make time run some other way, and terminate in beauty and forgivness "                                          David Gelernter, " 1939 "

Response:

Let’s see. I’m sure I left something out. …. Starting Spring Break, the ex starting coaching the girl to say that I am poking her ass while wiping her bottom. I pointed out that I do not handle potty. So, by summer she wants to know why my gf is poking the daughter’s ass. Except that the girl wipes herself.

Response:

so, yeah, Dr Web can rant and rave all he friggin wants. I, for one, will not criticize him. Sometimes there is just more than a grain of truth in the rantings of the mad.

Response:

Hi Roy, so, when some woman posts and say she want ex s2bx to move. Or she plans to leave and take the kids, or, when the guy posts and says he has been asked to leave, I know exactly what is going on. Child abuse, kidnapping, extortion. "I am responsible for my own happiness." – sheesh! new age pop crap!

Not all is fair, and even in general when one speaks of being responsible for your own happiness etc. , I don’t believe they don’t mean that there aren’t very negative forces that are in play. As far as a kind word….my heart is with you and hope that you can be comfortable and proud about yourself and your attempts to be a part of your childrens life. As far as Doc’s statements, not all are bitches, I am sad that you have one in your life.  Don’t go sour, have faith. Glos

Response:

As far as a kind word….my heart is with you and hope that you can be comfortable and proud about yourself and your attempts to be a part of your childrens life.

I appreciate the kind words. Guess it’s time to make my weekly call to the kids. The younger one will, as usual, not wantto talk to me. As far as Doc’s statements, not all are bitches,

The sterile ones can be trusted, if they have a note from their doc. Otherwise, trust your own doc to take care of you. I am sad that you have one in your life.

Actually, I have another in my life who is quite wonderful. Don’t go sour, have faith.

I’m not always sour. Just spewing up some vomit. It will pass. Glos

Roy

Response:

Anytime Roy, you know that!!  ((Hugs)) Daisy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – for me to ask for a kind word. Roy

Response:

for me to ask for a kind word.

You and your kids don’t deserve what she’s doing to you, and if you’d just open up and tell us the details, like her name, city, and address, we’d send out a posse to kick her witchy little ass. —– Kathryn Litherland                 | People make their own history               Latin American Studies Program     | but they do not make it under       University of Illinois, Chicago    | circumstances of their own choosing                                    |      –Karl Marx, _The 18th Brumaire_

Response:

for me to ask for a kind word. Roy

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO I am sorry she is being a bitch about you seeing the kids.  I could make a voodoo doll with her name on it? Loev, Poopie Pants PS I hope there is a Karma Fairy and your ex gets her just reward

Response:

 The younger one will, as usual, not want to talk to me.

Been there, done that. I just kept calling at the right time, and they will talk if they want to. Later my oldest daughter would surprise me by calling on her own. You are there with them, Roy, believe it. As far as Doc’s statements, not all are bitches, The sterile ones can be trusted, if they have a note from their doc. Otherwise, trust your own doc to take care of you.

Very cynical. Ouchies. But realistic, I suppose. I am sad that you have one in your life. Actually, I have another in my life who is quite wonderful.

 Whatcha kevtchin’ about, then?  Hey, a lot of folks don’t even have *that*. Don’t go sour, have faith. I’m not always sour. Just spewing up some vomit. It will pass.

Just a big ol’ kidney stone, yeah, you’ll be rid of it. I spent a lot of energy being *close* to my kids – moved right within short mortar range of where their mom is living. With all that, I can not even be sure I am doing the right thing – the "confict is bad" crowd would say that since the kids’ mom and I hate each other, I should pack up my troubles, move a thousand miles away and just send a check every week. Maybe they are right, but it is not the path I have chosen, and the path I have chosen is hard, sucks and is exhausting. And I am not even sure if it is the right thing. You make your choices, live with them, and live with yourself. What else are you going to do? Just know what your choices are. Make those choices informed, and get on with your life. Else you’ll end up a tired old, shrivelled up cynical fart like me. Thoughts with you Roy. Give your better half a big hug, and fall asleep in each others’ arms tonight. There is only so much you can do, and the kids’ mom is the kids’ mom. She is their problem, unfortunately. Peace, brother. Best – Fido (Soy un perro, pero ella es una hembra!) Roy

Before you buy.

Response:

"may 99 – now-ex threatens to kill kids." ummm… Roy…does the court know about this??? Donna Before you buy.

Response:

I could make a voodoo doll with her name on it?

No need, Poopster. http://www.virtual-design.com/cgi-bin/Voodoo.pl Have fun! Belle

Response:

"may 99 – now-ex threatens to kill kids." ummm… Roy…does the court know about this???

Fucking court. Someone ought to mail a copy of Roy’s post to the Supreme Court Justice in Georgia or where ever that case was heard. Like they’ll do anything about it, anyway, Scumbags. What outrage I feel. Send a copy to the nitwits at the National Conference of Family Court Justices, too, those morons. No effing recourse when your family is torn apart by these weenies. They could fix it if they wanted to, *but they don’t*. Fuck ‘em. I’m going to bed. Roy, lighten up. I’ll be mad for both of us.   Donna Before you buy.

Before you buy.

Response:

"may 99 – now-ex threatens to kill kids." ummm… Roy…does the court know about this??? Donna

Yes. Didn’t matter. I moved out – four blocks away. I smoked pot. I went and got a girlfriend. The court did not give me time to say "I was in the home all day, every day. I handled 1st grade home school." Your call. What would judge Judy do?

Response:

I’m not always sour. Just spewing up some vomit. It will pass. Just a big ol’ kidney stone, yeah, you’ll be rid of it.

OK. I had a big dry. Geez! Thought I was done with that stuff. I spent a lot of energy being *close* to my kids – moved right within short mortar range of where their mom is living. With all that, I can not even be sure I am doing the right thing – the "confict is bad" crowd would say that since the kids’ mom and I hate each other, I should pack up my troubles, move a thousand miles away and just send a check every week. Maybe they are right, but it is not the path I have chosen, and the path I have chosen is hard, sucks and is exhausting. And I am not even sure if it is the right thing.

I understand. At the time of the moving decision, I thought that the only way she could come down from her insanity was to distance myself. I under-estimated insanity. You make your choices, live with them, and live with yourself. What else are you going to do? Just know what your choices are. Make those choices informed, and get on with your life. Else you’ll end up a tired old, shrivelled up cynical fart like me.

pffffoooooot!!!! Thoughts with you Roy. Give your better half a big hug, and fall asleep in each others’ arms tonight.

Have you ever noticed that two people in bed only need 3 arms? Indeed, one arm is always in the way. There is only so much you can do, and the kids’ mom is the kids’ mom. She is their problem, unfortunately.

They’ll survive. I can’t protect them from the world. Much as I want to. The younger one will be taught to hate me. See responses eslewhere in this thread as to why. Peace, brother. Best – Fido (Soy un perro, pero ella es una hembra!)

Did you ever try "tacos de macho"?

Response:

Roy, you’re a helluva guy. And I like you, too.

Yeah. I know. My step-dad even told me so just before he died. My gf from 27 years ago remembered me and gave up one hell of a lot because she also remembered that I am a nice guy. I keep forgetting.

Response:

for me to ask for a kind word. You and your kids don’t deserve what she’s doing to you, and if you’d just open up and tell us the details, like her name, city, and address, we’d send out a posse to kick her witchy little ass.

Tempting. I do believe that abusive people need to have their behavior "outed". Just can’t bring myself to send her a letter outlining her behavior in this matter – with cc to every family member.

Response:

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO I am sorry she is being a bitch about you seeing the kids.  I could make a voodoo doll with her name on it?

The current fashion is "cultural competence". So, I was thinking about something from the dungeons of Spain, circa 1520. PS I hope there is a Karma Fairy and your ex gets her just reward

Nope. No magical retribution. Well, maybe … I do know that she is angry because she lost a truly marvelous f**k and she burns every nite for that. I can see how she looks me over in our brief child-exchange encounters.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – for me to ask for a kind word. What’s troubling you ? Maybe we can help. Everyone can use a kind word. So, talk, and we’ll listen. Is that a start ? Roy Andre 2 kids now ages 4 and 11 may 98 – moved to apt 4 blocks away. may-dec – almost no contact with kids – a couple of movies with the older kid, some one-on-one soccer at the high school dec 98 – signed visitation agreement, property partition, and all other terms with now-ex xmas holidays 98 – now-ex wants to take the kids to see her parents. I say OK. She doesn’t go, but wipes out my visit time. Xmas eve 98 – now-ex tells kids I am coming over. Does not tell me. jan 99 – now-ex tears up all agreements. gets lawyer. jan-may 99 – regular visits established – ex comes up with something to interfere, so that there is no continuous 24 hour visit spring break 99 – now-ex pull same stunt as xmas holidays 98 may 99 – now-ex threatens to kill kids. memorial weekend 99 – The kid and I "break the rules" and go for a weekend of fishing at the coast. I inform the now-ex by phone. I hang up as she screams and cries. june 99 – court date. "At last .. some legal protection." Wrong! My first testimony was to ask for verification of 4 week summer visit. Judge reduces to 2 weeks. I say "but your honor …" Judge reduces to 5 days and only with older kid. End of hearing. july 99 – I move 3 states away. Take the older kid for 5 days. fly back for 3-day visits in sept and oct 99 Tgiving 99 – kids visit for 1 week. My best friend (illegal from Mexico) give me overnite place to stay and helps with pick-up and airport delivery. Later that day his wife is repeatedly called by now-ex and threatened with legal action. Xmas 99 – one week with kids. Xmas 99 – I begin asking for copies of immunization info. Mar 99 – administrative hearing to file final papers. My lawyer says my presence not needed. Now-ex appears – All rights to participate in decisions on education, medical, etc are cross out in the decree – probably because I smoked pot. Also, she can give me 30 days notice before visit and I have to be tested. Spring break 00 – one week with kids Summer 00 – after several requests to ex and school, still no immunization info. Ex demands to come here and keep kids 3 days/wk during summer visit. 8/1/00 Letter to ex. I will be in town sometime next month on business, but don’t know exact days. Can I visit for weekend without meeting 30 day notice requirements. Also, school does not get out until tues before Xmas. This reduces xmas visit to 6 days. Can they stay for entire holidays? 9/1/00 After no response, I call. She says not to tell kids that I asked to visit in the fall. Says they can stay longer at xmas but she keeps them 3-4 days/wk 9/5/00 f**k her. I make the airline reservations – no she does not come. So, andre, I’m tired. The woman needs one good royal f**king. Any guy here want to help me out?

Well, not in *that* way. I had quite enough of that with my ex, and I am aware that I got off ( relatively ) lightly, as we didn’t make any kids. I shudder when I think of having to be tied to that *itch for the next eighteen years plus, especially in the way that the courts screw fathers. Unfortunately, I have no good ideas as to what you can do. Aside from what I occasionally hear here about finding a father’s rights friendly lawyer, and doing all that one can with the help of such a lawyer to get back was was stolen. At what ages can they state that they might want to be more with you ? I do know that one is likely a decade from this. But, the other may be within a year to three. Does it help in any way that I state that her behavior is pure EVIL, both to you and to the kids ? Someone posted a good article about modern fatherhood here, in the last day or two. It was written by Cathy Young, whose book I own. God, this is surely a time when I wish that I had some power, some ability to affect matters in such a way that you and your kids could have the relationship that you are working so hard to make. No matter what, do take good and proper care of yourself, and do what you can do, in order to relieve some of the fatigue. Folks, try to tell me that a court would do that to a mom. It’s not equal out there, and some of you ladies might find that this is a good reason why some of your men won’t commit to a new relationship. What can you ladies do about that ? Organise, and lend the fathers the support that you got from all the men who marched to get women their rights. You owe them, and you owe the kids. Do it. Now. Andre — " The noblest achievement of the imagination is to make time run some other way, and terminate in beauty and forgivness "                                          David Gelernter, " 1939 "

Response:

for me to ask for a kind word.

Roy, you’re a helluva guy. And I like you, too. Best – Fido Roy

Before you buy.

Response:

so, when some woman posts and say she want ex s2bx to move. Or she plans to leave and take the kids, or, when the guy posts and says he has been asked to leave, I know exactly what is going on. Child abuse, kidnapping, extortion. "I am responsible for my own happiness." – sheesh! new age pop crap!

Response:

for me to ask for a kind word. Roy

Response:

for me to ask for a kind word. Roy

Brenda Before you buy.

Response:

for me to ask for a kind word.

What’s troubling you ? Maybe we can help. Everyone can use a kind word. So, talk, and we’ll listen. Is that a start ? Roy

Andre — " The noblest achievement of the imagination is to make time run some other way, and terminate in beauty and forgivness "                                          David Gelernter, " 1939 "

Response:

for me to ask for a kind word. What’s troubling you ? Maybe we can help. Everyone can use a kind word. So, talk, and we’ll listen. Is that a start ? Roy Andre

2 kids now ages 4 and 11 may 98 – moved to apt 4 blocks away. may-dec – almost no contact with kids – a couple of movies with the older kid, some one-on-one soccer at the high school dec 98 – signed visitation agreement, property partition, and all other terms with now-ex xmas holidays 98 – now-ex wants to take the kids to see her parents. I say OK. She doesn’t go, but wipes out my visit time. Xmas eve 98 – now-ex tells kids I am coming over. Does not tell me. jan 99 – now-ex tears up all agreements. gets lawyer. jan-may 99 – regular visits established – ex comes up with something to interfere, so that there is no continuous 24 hour visit spring break 99 – now-ex pull same stunt as xmas holidays 98 may 99 – now-ex threatens to kill kids. memorial weekend 99 – The kid and I "break the rules" and go for a weekend of fishing at the coast. I inform the now-ex by phone. I hang up as she screams and cries. june 99 – court date. "At last .. some legal protection." Wrong! My first testimony was to ask for verification of 4 week summer visit. Judge reduces to 2 weeks. I say "but your honor …" Judge reduces to 5 days and only with older kid. End of hearing. july 99 – I move 3 states away. Take the older kid for 5 days. fly back for 3-day visits in sept and oct 99 Tgiving 99 – kids visit for 1 week. My best friend (illegal from Mexico) give me overnite place to stay and helps with pick-up and airport delivery. Later that day his wife is repeatedly called by now-ex and threatened with legal action. Xmas 99 – one week with kids. Xmas 99 – I begin asking for copies of immunization info. Mar 99 – administrative hearing to file final papers. My lawyer says my presence not needed. Now-ex appears – All rights to participate in decisions on education, medical, etc are cross out in the decree – probably because I smoked pot. Also, she can give me 30 days notice before visit and I have to be tested. Spring break 00 – one week with kids Summer 00 – after several requests to ex and school, still no immunization info. Ex demands to come here and keep kids 3 days/wk during summer visit. 8/1/00 Letter to ex. I will be in town sometime next month on business, but don’t know exact days. Can I visit for weekend without meeting 30 day notice requirements. Also, school does not get out until tues before Xmas. This reduces xmas visit to 6 days. Can they stay for entire holidays? 9/1/00 After no response, I call. She says not to tell kids that I asked to visit in the fall. Says they can stay longer at xmas but she keeps them 3-4 days/wk 9/5/00 f**k her. I make the airline reservations – no she does not come. So, andre, I’m tired. The woman needs one good royal f**king. Any guy here want to help me out?

Response:

Question:

I may be attending a convention in Mesa, Arizona the last week in March and would like to know if there are any public spots for fly fishing close to Mesa?  If I can’t take my gear, how about areas close by that I could just wander around in?  Haven’t ever been to the southwest and would like to see more than just manicured parks.  Thanks for any information you can provide. Larry We give dogs love we can spare, time we can spare, and room we can spare.  In return, dogs give us their all.  It

Question:

Shad (serious snip)

Hi, The Annapolis River up here just got through it’s shad run which is still very good. had a lient down from ontario, he ot 3 fish in a couple of hours using clouser minnows. We like the chartruese ones, but others would probably work…. Bill — Bill Curry Tight Lines Guide Service Lockeport, Nova Scotia, Canada Phone or Fax :  902-656-3329 http://www.tightlines.ns.ca

Response:

Shad (serious snip)

Hi, The Annapolis River up here just got through it’s shad run which is still very good. Had a client down from Ontario, he got 3 fish in a couple of hours using clouser minnows. We like the chartruese ones, but others would probably work…. Bill — Bill Curry Tight Lines Guide Service Lockeport, Nova Scotia, Canada Phone or Fax :  902-656-3329 http://www.tightlines.ns.ca

Response:

I used to religously fish the American River (Sailor Bar/Nimbus) area in mid to late June for shad (pre-kids). Now that the kids are getting older I’m hoping to get back into it again. We used to use a fly similar to the Crazy Charlie Bonefish Fly – bead eyes, chartruese tail and silver/pearl foil bodies. Anyone out there using the latest and greatest that would be willing to share trade secrets? and/or any recommendations for guides in the same area? Thanks

Response:

Michael: I like to fish for shad along the Sacramento River at Willows and in Chico. There a fly shop in Chico, the Powell Fly shop I believe, that has good information on how the run is progressing.     The flys are fairly simple, chartruese, pink, red, white and silver are good colors and use either bead heads or bead eyes.  Mix and match the tail and body colors. The reports this year have been dissapointing, too much water that is too cold and off color for any good fishing.  If you want more info re flys feel free to e-mail me. Chis Brown – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I used to religously fish the American River (Sailor Bar/Nimbus) area in mid to late June for shad (pre-kids). Now that the kids are getting older I’m hoping to get back into it again. We used to use a fly similar to the Crazy Charlie Bonefish Fly – bead eyes, chartruese tail and silver/pearl foil bodies. Anyone out there using the latest and greatest that would be willing to share trade secrets? and/or any recommendations for guides in the same area? Thanks

Response:

: I used to religously fish the American River (Sailor Bar/Nimbus) area in : mid to late June for shad (pre-kids). Now that the kids are getting : older I’m hoping to get back into it again. We used to use a fly similar : to the Crazy Charlie Bonefish Fly – bead eyes, chartruese tail and : silver/pearl foil bodies. Anyone out there using the latest and greatest : that would be willing to share trade secrets? and/or any recommendations : for guides in the same area? I have caught them on small chartreuse and white clousers in the Merrimack River in Massachusettes.

Response:

Hello TMR, I went out to Upper Sunrise (just below Sailor Bar) a couple of nights ago: the water is still cold and I did not see any fish working.  Sahd fishing is one of the great early summer fishing opportunities along the American.  The fish fight well and they CAN be caught in numbers if conditions are right.  A Crazy Charlie will work, but there are some standard pink, green, and white shad flies that seem to be regularly used on the Sac.  Most fly shops have a good selection , but if you tie your own they are very easy.  I have heard the fish are in the river, but conditions may have to warm before they start taking flys. Good luck JR – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I used to religously fish the American River (Sailor Bar/Nimbus) area in mid to late June for shad (pre-kids). Now that the kids are getting older I’m hoping to get back into it again. We used to use a fly similar to the Crazy Charlie Bonefish Fly – bead eyes, chartruese tail and silver/pearl foil bodies. Anyone out there using the latest and greatest that would be willing to share trade secrets? and/or any recommendations for guides in the same area? Thanks

Response:

Sure wish I could give you updated info….however, I have fond memories of my younger days when I would flyfish for Shad with my dad and brother.  At that time, the Eel River had good Shad runs and we lived just fifteen minutes from the river (if you drove quickly).  We caught lots of Shad in those days.  Today, the Eel River (like many) are mere shadows of their former selves.  I suppose there are Shad runs….but I have yet to see one myself during the last several years.  The Sacramento River is still a bright spot for Shad, I’m told.  As to flies…we used sizes from tens to fours…usually with silver bead eyes and white, pink or red hackle, silver body, red tail.  We’d tie variations, but the size seemed to be the most important and the depth at which you fished. Barry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I used to religously fish the American River (Sailor Bar/Nimbus) area in mid to late June for shad (pre-kids). Now that the kids are getting older I’m hoping to get back into it again. We used to use a fly similar to the Crazy Charlie Bonefish Fly – bead eyes, chartruese tail and silver/pearl foil bodies. Anyone out there using the latest and greatest that would be willing to share trade secrets? and/or any recommendations for guides in the same area? Thanks

Response:

Tue, 26 May 1998 in rec.outdoors.fishing.fly, T.Michael Reinhart I used to religously fish the American River (Sailor Bar/Nimbus) area in mid to late June for shad (pre-kids). Now that the kids are getting older I’m hoping to get back into it again. We used to use a fly similar to the Crazy Charlie Bonefish Fly – bead eyes, chartruese tail and silver/pearl foil bodies. Anyone out there using the latest and greatest that would be willing to share trade secrets? and/or any recommendations for guides in the same area?

Which species are these?  I caught a few Allis Shad (Alosa Alosa) in the River Wye, South Wales, last week (in from the Atlantic).  Very rare in the UK and therefore a protected species.  Caught them on all sorts of trout flies – nothing special.  What fighters!  Knowing that I had to release them I was worried about catching more – they just fought too hard… — Phil Jones

Response:

Question:

Okay… Anyone know what kind of glue to use for a double bunny.  YES, I know there’s  a tying newsgroup. NO, I don’t care that I’m posting this here.

I use waterproof contact cement available at many hobby shops.   Seems to offer the best flexibility.         Jeff Lewis

Response:

We use the spray stuff–a 3M product–777 or something like that, I forget.  And yes, it does stiffen it enough (in my experience) to reduce fouling to an acceptable level.  (of course, I find it acceptable to hook myself in the ass only once or twice a trip.) Dave

Response:

I would assume (Danger Will Robinson… Danger!) that glued together there would be much less of a problem with the bunny strips tangling in the hook bend.  Anyone have any experience one way or the other?

Hi The bunny strips will still tangle but if you put a small loop of monofilament as a kind of tail on the back of your hook either under the glued together strips or sandwiched between the strips you’ll solve the tangle problem. Good Tying & … — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products On line catalog – tips & tricks at: http://www.btsflyfishing.com

Response:

Hi-   Lash a small short strip of X ray film so that it extends a bit beyond the bend. Not a cure all but it does reduce the tangle problem to a manageable level.    Extend the X Ray film well beyond the eye of the hook and bend at a 45 degree angle. Now you have a Wriggle Bunny. Just kidding. Honest;-)    -Ralph I would assume (Danger Will Robinson… Danger!) that glued together there would be much less of a problem with the bunny strips tangling in the hook bend.  Anyone have any experience one way or the other?

California School of Flyfishing. Fishing conditions, hatch charts, product reviews, tips, techniques and more.  http://www.FLYLINE.com

Response:

Okay… Anyone know what kind of glue to use for a double bunny.  YES, I know there’s  a tying newsgroup. NO, I don’t care that I’m posting this here.

Hi I use Zap A Gap with good success. I suppose a flexible 5 minute epoxy would work as well. — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products On line catalog – tips & tricks at: http://www.btsflyfishing.com

Response:

Okay… Anyone know what kind of glue to use for a double bunny.  YES, I know there’s  a tying newsgroup. NO, I don’t care that I’m posting this here.

[Insert rebel yell here] Shall I change the header to "Let’s kill .tying", or do you want to ?  Just kidding John F…. Big Ol’ <{g… God I love this place… RE: this thread… While I have long watched from a distance the creations involving silicone, cyanocrylics and Martha Stuart’s Hot Glue, I have yet to use them…I do not even use head cement…I see no need whatsoever to glue down the stips on a double bunny.  I might throw some copper ribbing to tie ‘em down, but glue is yukky. YMWV. — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

RE: this thread… While I have long watched from a distance the creations involving silicone, cyanocrylics and Martha Stuart’s Hot Glue, I have yet to use them…I do not even use head cement…I see no need whatsoever to glue down the stips on a double bunny.  I might throw some copper ribbing to tie ‘em down, but glue is yukky. YMWV.

I would assume (Danger Will Robinson… Danger!) that glued together there would be much less of a problem with the bunny strips tangling in the hook bend.  Anyone have any experience one way or the other?

Response:

Okay… Anyone know what kind of glue to use for a double bunny.  YES, I know there’s  a tying newsgroup. NO, I don’t care that I’m posting this here.

Response:

Okay… Anyone know what kind of glue to use for a double bunny.  YES, I know there’s  a tying newsgroup. NO, I don’t care that I’m posting this here.

Barge Cement. Ralph H "…      the sabbath rang slowly      in the pebbles of the holy streams!" Dylan Thomas, "Fern Hill"

Response:

Question:

I understand these boats are great for getting around the Texas flats looking for redfish and trout, but I wonder how a SOT kayak would handle the small rivers and lakes of central Texas. Anyone with experience on these craft?

Response:

I bought an Aquaterra Swing last fall and have only fished out of it twice.  On both occasions, however, it has proved to be a very stable craft, quiet, and easy to paddle.  The one drawback is that you will get wet, so it’s much more comfortable in warm weather/water.  Of course, you could wear waders or a wet suit. I have yet to try it in moving water, but would think it would operate quite nicely in moderate flows. Regards,  -William Ivey – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I understand these boats are great for getting around the Texas flats looking for redfish and trout, but I wonder how a SOT kayak would handle the small rivers and lakes of central Texas. Anyone with experience on these craft?

Response:

I thought of rigging outriggers to a regular kayak so you could stand while flyfishing if you desired. Anyone ever try this. MichaelSmith

Response:

I understand these boats are great for getting around the Texas flats looking for redfish and trout, but I wonder how a SOT kayak would handle the small rivers and lakes of central Texas. Anyone with experience on these craft?

        I use an SOT for tooling around in the reservoirs and impoundments of central Virginia, and I have a blast.  I can duck into really shallow areas, and can portage the boat and my rod fairly easily.  My only trouble has been the occasional hooking of the bow hardware; it is really tough to pull any flies out without beaching.  However, I feel more stable in the SOT (don’t flame me-that is just a PERSONAL preference, not a condemnation of canoes), so I prefer it to a canoe.  Since SOTs are so responsive to the paddle, almost as much as a traditional kayak, I havesome  problems using mine in moving water and fishing at the same time.  I tend to get wrapped up in one or the other, so I can’t get both done.  However, from my days living in Houston, I remember some of the central Texas rivers like the Guadalupe are relatively slow, like our local river-fed impoundments.  By all means try it; I have a blast with mine. Dan Johnson

Response:

I have been kayaking for several years, and have both sea and whitewater boats.  I often fish from my sea kayak.  As far as SOT’s go, they are the fastest growing segment in kayaking, so if you don’t like what’s out there now, wait until next year.  Best advice is visit the nearest dealer that carries the major brands of SOT’s (Aquaterra, Dagger, Ocean Kayak), and paddle them all — take your gear and see how it fits on and in the boat.  See how stable/unstable it is while casting.  Any good dealer will spend the time with you so you get what you want.   Most likely you will find a short touring boat best for lakes and moving water up to Class II rapids.  Whitewater SOT’s will be too tippy and not track well enough for you to enjoy on lakes, but paddle them anyway — find out for yourself.  You may want to consider a high quality inflatable kayak like AIRE, SOAR, or Northwest River Supplies — packable, durable, responsive, stable as heck.  Good luck.

Response:

Question:

I want to get into fly fishing in the surf off of Southern California. Plan to use an 8 wt…..what is a good line to use? I was thinking something like the Teeny T-300….any advice? Thanks in advance.

Response:

I want to get into fly fishing in the surf off of Southern California. Plan to use an 8 wt…..what is a good line to use? I was thinking something like the Teeny T-300….any advice? Thanks in advance.

The T-300 is a great line.  I have a HiD "big game" Triangle Taper that I like alot.  The biggest issue is that as a beginner you will probably fish better with a sinktip, as controlling a full sinking line in the surf is not exactly easy.  It gets under your boots and around your legs much more frequently, and until you learn to handle it you are out of touch with your flies alot of the time.  If you already own the T-300 just learn to use it.  But if you also own a 13 to 20 foot high speed sinktip, you might want to use that until you get better at line handling. Phil

Response:

I want to get into fly fishing in the surf off of Southern California. Plan to use an 8 wt…..what is a good line to use? I was thinking something like the Teeny T-300….any advice? Thanks in advance.

YOU WILL DO WELL with shooting heads.  In fact, better. Mr. G.

Response:

that is what I call an excellent response. Thank you for being specific about lines and how to. bill

Response:

that is what I call an excellent response. Thank you for being specific about lines and how to. bill

thorough indeed, but it is just one side of a very complex story.  If we are talking short (30 to 45 foot) casts PARALLEL to shore, which is what most beginners and many old timers will be doing in California (North and South), I would still contend that a beginner would be better served with a sinktip than a full sinking line or shooting taper.  As I stated earlier, I rely on full sinking lines, preferring them to Shooting Tapers, since changing line density isn’t important (fastest sink you have is all you need), and that and distance are the only advantages of the shooting taper over a full sinking line.  Line handling problems, the inability to make aerial mends, and finger cuts are all good arguments for avoiding shooting heads whenever possible.  By the way I do use shooting heads extensively for lakes, steelhead, shad, Jetties, rare occasions when I’m casting straight out, and rocky coastal shoreline so I don’t have a problem with them, I just restrict them to where they really shine.  I especially stand by my recommendation to stick with what you already own, rather than run out and buy the new rage thing. Phil

Response:

Perhaps I should explain myself a little better: thorough indeed, but it is just one side of a very complex story.  If we are talking short (30 to 45 foot) casts PARALLEL to shore, which is what most beginners and many old timers will be doing in California (North and South), I would still contend that a beginner would be better served with a sinktip than a full sinking line or shooting taper.

The biggest reason for using a lead head is precisely because so much of the casting is PARALLEL to shore.  When casting parallel to shore you are putting the greatest amount of line against the wave action of the surf.  This is like casting directly across a current.  The current (wave action in the surf) exihibits the greatest influence on the line pushing it sideways and causing a belly in the line.  And of course the waves not only go in, they also ebb back out.  Little time is spent without motion in the surf. Floating line is the fattest and most susceptible to this action.  The good news is you can mend it, the bad news is you can’t mend it fast enough or well enough to compensate satisfactorily for the action unless there is a lot of time between waves.  The sink-tip is only slightly better because at least part of it sinks into the strike zone (sometimes as shallow as 1 1/2 ft, sometimes as deep as 6 to 8 feet or more).  The full sinking line sinks along the entire line which prohibits mending but gets the fly down better than the other two.  The fastest sinking line you have will work the best.   It will be the thinnest and least susceptible to the movement of the surf and you have to remember that salt water is more bouyant than freshwater.  Sinking lines don’t sink as fast in the salt.   The lead head allows you to use 300+ grains of weight in 24 ft of line (as opposed to ~210 grains for 30 feet an 8 wt.) and is much thinner than any sinking line.  More weight and less surface area allows the line to get down quicker and stay in the zone longer especially when casting PARALLEL to shore.  Again, a casting basket makes a world of difference in the frustration factor. Now the news about the expense of one of these lines is that you can make your own for less than $10 or buy one for $12 to $14.  Amnesia for a shooting line will set you back around $3.50.  If you opt for the flat beam running line, it will cost you $7. No more than $21 at the most.   If you don’t want to invest in an extra spool and backing, just remove your floating line from your current 8 or 9 wt. rig and tie on the running line and shooting head.   Probably won’t break the bank and will save you the frustration I went through using all of the lines I have mentioned. As I stated earlier, I rely on full sinking lines, preferring them to Shooting Tapers, since changing line density isn’t important (fastest sink you have is all you need), and that and distance are the only advantages of the shooting taper over a full sinking line.

Even forgetting about the distance, the comparison is not even close.  Even the fastest sinking full line won’t sink or track as well as the lead head.  Their diameter is too large and their weight too little. Bear in mind that the first 30 feet of an 8 wt. floating line weighs exactly the same as the first 30 feet of an 8 wt. type V sinking line.  Higher density lines just have the same weight in less space.  That’s what *density* is all about. Line handling problems,

Casting basket eases the tangle problem and will still keep your fly in the zone longer than full sinking lines even with the occaisional tangle. the inability to make aerial mends, and finger cuts are all good arguments for avoiding shooting heads whenever possible.

Type of line has *nothing* to do with aerial mends.  How and where you move the tip of the rod *after* you make the stop on the forward cast determines where the aerial mend goes, not whether or not it is a full sinking line or a shooting head.  "Aerial mend" means repositioning the the line *while* it is in the air. Finger cuts can be avoided by using saltwater tape or stripping guards on your stripping fingers.  White adhesive tape works OK if you can’t find the specific saltwater stuff.  I also use tape or stripping guards when using a floating line for bonefish.  Part of the problem with line cuts comes from the abrasive nature of the salt in the water.  The thinner running line does aggravate it, but the greater fishing success helps compensate for this. *SNIP* I especially stand by my recommendation to stick with what you already own, rather than run out and buy the new rage thing.

Using whatever you can absolutely beats not fishing, but using the right tool for the job makes a big difference.   Lead core lines have been around longer than modern fly lines, so I wouldn’t call them the "new rage thing".  Casting is the biggest problem most people have with lead heads and if you like I will give some suggestions in another post because this one is already way too long. I don’t mean to sound rude, but I see no reason why someone should go through all the hoops I did to arrive at this solution.  Nonetheless, do whatever you like to do, because you are the only one you have to please to enjoy this sport and you may like to use a different method.  I just think you should give this a try.                                        Hope this clarifies my statements a bit,                                                     Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Response:

I want to get into fly fishing in the surf off of Southern California. Plan to use an 8 wt…..what is a good line to use? I was thinking something like the Teeny T-300….any advice? Thanks in advance.

Up in N. Cal one of the most popular lines for surf fishing is a lead head. This sounds scary, but actually works really well.  You can make your own or buy one from Orvis for $14.  I snagged one of the Orvis heads and then cut it back from 30 ft. to 24 ft. and put a loop on the end I cut off.  Works well on my 8 wt.  I use amnesia for the running line, but am going to try the flat beam running line ($7) that we just got in at the Orvis SF store.  Casting basket is a big help to control the running line.   The reason this works so well is that the lead core tracks far better than anything else in the surf.  Floating lines are real tough because the floating section gets whipped back and forth by the wave action so badly.  Same thing with sink tips.  Sometimes the full sinking lines work ok, but usually their cross-section is too big and gets pushed around by the waves too.  The thin lead core (I believe this is the 13gr. per foot version) sinks quickly in the more bouyant saltwater and stays in the trough or channel longer than other lines.  More time in the target area means more fish.  Not the most fun to cast, but not bad with some practice and very effective.                       Hope this helps,                               Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Response:

Question:

I’m hoping someone out there can help me convert a Medalist 1494 over to work for a left-handed person. I was lead to believe it possible. The reel didn’t come with any instructions. Do I just flip over the plastic ring that the drag rubs against? The two sides have a different # of click grooves on each side but this does seem to be the only way to reverse the drag. Do I also move the line guides? If anyone was a telephone # for Pflueger/Shakespeare please post. Thanks Don B.

Response:

I’m hoping someone out there can help me convert a Medalist 1494 over to work for a left-handed person. I was lead to believe it possible. The reel didn’t come with any instructions. Do I just flip over the plastic ring that the drag rubs against? The two sides have a different # of click grooves on each side but this does seem to be the only way to reverse the drag. Do I also move the line guides? If anyone was a telephone # for Pflueger/Shakespeare please post. Thanks Don B.

Yup, just flip that litle plastic ring over and you’re in business. You can also reverse the line guide, but to me it’s a pain in the butt so I usually don’t bother (there’s always ONE little screw that won’t budge )

Response:

Yes, just take out the two small screws (don’t lose them!), and turn over the disc.  There is a spring loaded gizzy that will pop out when you remove the disc.  So, lift it slowly.  Turn the disc over, postion over the screw holes, and tighten.  Changing the line guard is difficult, but I believe it is necessary.  The guard is there for a purpose, to protect the main body of the reel, and it really doesn’t take too long.  Good luck.  Dave Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters Orvis Shop, Bozeman, MT

Response:

I had tried and failed to convert my reel so I did the only reasonable thing, I went to the local fly shop and and asked for help.  I’ve been fly fishing for only one year, but I have found that the fellows who run fly shops are extremely helpful.  Of course, you will want to return the favor, especially if it was free, and buy a few flies — even if you don’t need any! Bob Jones

Response:

(Spin4trout) says: I’m hoping someone out there can help me convert a Medalist 1494 over to work for a left-handed person. I was lead to believe it possible. The reel didn’t come with any instructions.

Has there been a change in the way Mealists are fabricated?  I thought that the always came for left-handed people.  I have always changed to right hand operation.  That is, I hold the rod in my right hand for casting, line in my left hand, and when it comes to actually winding it in, doing so with my left hand.  I do not switch hands between casting and winding. Way back when, Neal Taylor mentioned that, by happenstance, the first two reel makers were left handed and that is why actual left-handed reels are called right-handed. Further edification will be appreciated.

Response:

(BillyFish) writes: Has there been a change in the way Mealists are fabricated?  I thought that the always came for left-handed people.  I have always changed to right hand operation.  That is, I hold the rod in my right hand for casting, line in my left hand, and when it comes to actually winding it in, doing so with my left hand.  I do not switch hands between casting and winding.

Right hand wind means you turn the handle with your right hand.  Left hand retrieve means you retrieve with your left hand.  The traditional way for a right hander to fish was to cast with the right hand, then switch the rod to the left hand and retrieve with the right hand also.  Now most right handers retrieve with their left hand probably because they either spincast first.  It doesn’t really matter, just different strokes for different folks.                                                              Dan Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

Response:

writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (BillyFish) writes: Has there been a change in the way Mealists are fabricated?  I thought that the always came for left-handed people.  I have always changed to right hand operation.  That is, I hold the rod in my right hand for casting, line in my left hand, and when it comes to actually winding it in, doing so with my left hand.  I do not switch hands between casting and winding. Right hand wind means you turn the handle with your right hand.  Left hand retrieve means you retrieve with your left hand.  The traditional way for a right hander to fish was to cast with the right hand, then switch the rod to the left hand and retrieve with the right hand also.  Now most right handers retrieve with their left hand probably because they either spincast first.  It doesn’t really matter, just different strokes for different folks.                                                             Dan Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Thanks for the help from everyone. I should have said I had a USED reel that needed to be un-converted. Like Dan said above I got started with spinning and I don’t switch hands. Just lucky to be left-handed and glad you righties flip-flop hands. I now have the reel back to "normal". I still wonder why they made the two sides with different hole patterns?   Oh, well. Life’s full of questions. Is there left-handed whirling disease? Or do all the fish swin circles in the same direction? <G PLEASE no responses to that one. Don B.

Response:

(Spin4trout) writes: I now have the reel back to "normal". I still wonder why they made the two sides with different hole patterns?  

Hey Don, The hole patterns are different because Pflueger never originally expected the reel to be converted to left hand retrieve.  Left hand retrieve works ok on the converted reel, but the click sounds funny. The Japanese are manufacturing the Pflueger now and it’s one of the few things they don’t do well.  Still works, but the old US models work better, albeit without an exposed rim.                                                    Dan

Response:

Question:

Someone told me that a magazine by Frank Amato (FlyFishing, I think) had an article published over the last two years that told one how to fish the Florida Keys…out of a car, and camp.  It supposed to tell the mile markers to go to and everything.  If anyone knows about this article, can you either send me a copy or tell me which issue it was in. Thanks, Bulldog #                         |  "I wanted to look for you.  You walked in; I # # Paul "Cousin" Graham    |   didn’t know just what I should do, so I     # #                         |   for myself." – Hootie & The Blowfish        #

Response:

The article I think you might be looking for is in Flyfishing Mag. (Jan-Feb) 1994 starting on page 46.  I got lucky and happened to have cliped the article for future reference.  If you would like me to Fax it shoot you the article.

Response: