Question:

That’s a pretty little fish from a lovely looking stream!   Ian Scott http://www.about-flyfishing.com/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For anyone that’s interested take a look at my first fish of the year. Here is the baby that started that inspired the post. www.thefigs.net

Response:

For anyone that’s interested take a look at my first fish of the year. Here is the baby that started that inspired the post. www.thefigs.net

Response:

…..Valley Creek…….flows through Valley Forge National Park…….a perfect breeding ground for the Brownies, and they thrived, even in the shadow of the Philadelphia metropolis……

Damn!  I looked at that creek one time, about six or seven years ago. My sister’s back yard borders the park.  When I went to visit her I looked at the stream rather closely and thought that it might be an adequate habitat but…..nah, WAY too urban.  Damn! Wolfgang who hadn’t bothered to bring any fishing gear      :(

Response:

Carlos!! First fish on a fly, on Valley Creek!!  Quite an accomplishment! My first trout came on an Olive Caddis Pupa (didn’t have a clue what it was then) on the Tulpehocken in Reading.  I was fortunate enough to be on that creek, which is quite wide, so I didn’t have to worry as much about catching the trees.  I did my share of churning up the water behind me, but would suggest the same approach to any new flyfisherman (just make sure to give yourself plenty of room between yourself and the trainee). As for Valley Creek, although I caught my first trout on the Tulpehocken, Valley Creek was my training ground (before and after).  For those of you who don’t know this creek,  The bottom section (the most productive) flows through Valley Forge National Park.  It’s a catch and release section of water due to PCB pollution from a train spill.  Although this event was unfortunate, it did force the DER to take this stream off of the stocking list.  Because of it’s limestone character, Valley Creek turned out to be a perfect breeding ground for the Brownies, and they thrived, even in the shadow of the Philadelphia metropolis.  These fish are quite "smart" though, because of the regs, and significant fishing pressure, they have been caught & released several, if not numerous, times.  The stream is not too wide (guessing an AVERAGE of 7-8 feet, but my comrade may correct me) and usually quite clear, so the approach can be quite tough.  There is a good population of midges on this creek, and the most prolific mayfly hatch is the Sulphur in May/June. Valley Forge Park itself is a nice place to take the family to learn about history, and to just take in the sites.  It is a very large park for it’s location close to the city, and there is a large contingent of deer in the park that can easily be seen in the morning and evenings (of course they are protected).  There’s plenty of room to spread out the picnic blanket, a paved recreation/walking trail flows throughout the park, but you can wander wherever you choose.  There’s also a nice bike trail along the Schuylkill River (Valley Creek empties into this river in the Park) that can lead you right into Center City Philadelphia if you have the energy (it’s 15-20 miles to Center City).   There is also a nice population of Smallmouth (in the River only) but it’s tough to fish ‘em unless you have a boat or float tube (guessing 200+ feet wide and cannot be crossed by foot). Although the average fish in this creek is probably 10-14 inches at best,  I’ve caught 20+ inch Browns in this creek, and have seen a few 25+, at the right time of year.  If you plan on visiting the Park make sure to pack the fly gear. A basic pair of hippers should get you by, remember to keep in the shadows, and tread softly, The Finn

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got my brand new fly fishing gear as a gift from my wife for Christmas in the way of an Orvis gift certificate. Eager to get out on the water, not haveing fly fished before, I took my gear to the local pond to practice my casting. Went well, nice open space after several cast seemed to have the hang of it. A couple of weeks later went to fish at Valley Creek here in PA. This stream is a class A Wild Trout stream that is very difficult to fish. Spent the afternoon untageling my line from trees and loosing several nymph flies. But today, 2 days after the first snow storm in the Philadelphia area, I had the urge to get out and try my rod again. Went back to the same stream because I know at this time of year this was my best shot to catch something. Within minutes of getting to the stream I found a "honey hole" 4 feet deep and filled with trout, after an hour of casting a hares ear nymph, I guessed that I had spooked all the fish because of my line slapping the water, or getting caught in fallen leaves, or snaging rocks, so I decided to move upstream and hope to find another hole like this one. 3 hours later, after a mile of walking upstream and not seeing a single fish, I decided it was time to call it a day. With my tail between my legs I walked back towards the honey hole where my car was parked. I decided before I go in I would just make a couple more casts hopeing the fish came back. As I lifted my line a felt a tug, prepared to lose another fly, I lifted my rod tip a lo and behold "FISH ON". A beutiful 10 inch brown, not a big fish, but a fish that will stay in my mind forever. The first fish of the year, and on a fly, it just doesn’t get much better than that. I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

Response:

Yes, this is all true. The creek from what I was told is extremly hard to fish. I felt very lucky to catch one on my second visit there. I am actually moving in the summer about 15 min. from Tuplehocken, I have not fished there yet but have heard some great things about it. Valley Creek and French Creek are currently my home waters until June. Are there any tips about Tuplehocken that I can use, especially since it will be my new home waters.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Carlos!! First fish on a fly, on Valley Creek!!  Quite an accomplishment! My first trout came on an Olive Caddis Pupa (didn’t have a clue what it was then) on the Tulpehocken in Reading.  I was fortunate enough to be on that creek, which is quite wide, so I didn’t have to worry as much about catching the trees.  I did my share of churning up the water behind me, but would suggest the same approach to any new flyfisherman (just make sure to give yourself plenty of room between yourself and the trainee). As for Valley Creek, although I caught my first trout on the Tulpehocken, Valley Creek was my training ground (before and after).  For those of you who don’t know this creek,  The bottom section (the most productive) flows through Valley Forge National Park.  It’s a catch and release section of water due to PCB pollution from a train spill.  Although this event was unfortunate, it did force the DER to take this stream off of the stocking list.  Because of it’s limestone character, Valley Creek turned out to be a perfect breeding ground for the Brownies, and they thrived, even in the shadow of the Philadelphia metropolis.  These fish are quite "smart" though, because of the regs, and significant fishing pressure, they have been caught & released several, if not numerous, times.  The stream is not too wide (guessing an AVERAGE of 7-8 feet, but my comrade may correct me) and usually quite clear, so the approach can be quite tough.  There is a good population of midges on this creek, and the most prolific mayfly hatch is the Sulphur in May/June. Valley Forge Park itself is a nice place to take the family to learn about history, and to just take in the sites.  It is a very large park for it’s location close to the city, and there is a large contingent of deer in the park that can easily be seen in the morning and evenings (of course they are protected).  There’s plenty of room to spread out the picnic blanket, a paved recreation/walking trail flows throughout the park, but you can wander wherever you choose.  There’s also a nice bike trail along the Schuylkill River (Valley Creek empties into this river in the Park) that can lead you right into Center City Philadelphia if you have the energy (it’s 15-20 miles to Center City).   There is also a nice population of Smallmouth (in the River only) but it’s tough to fish ‘em unless you have a boat or float tube (guessing 200+ feet wide and cannot be crossed by foot). Although the average fish in this creek is probably 10-14 inches at best,  I’ve caught 20+ inch Browns in this creek, and have seen a few 25+, at the right time of year.  If you plan on visiting the Park make sure to pack the fly gear. A basic pair of hippers should get you by, remember to keep in the shadows, and tread softly, The Finn I got my brand new fly fishing gear as a gift from my wife for Christmas in the way of an Orvis gift certificate. Eager to get out on the water, not haveing fly fished before, I took my gear to the local pond to practice my casting. Went well, nice open space after several cast seemed to have the hang of it. A couple of weeks later went to fish at Valley Creek here in PA. This stream is a class A Wild Trout stream that is very difficult to fish. Spent the afternoon untageling my line from trees and loosing several nymph flies. But today, 2 days after the first snow storm in the Philadelphia area, I had the urge to get out and try my rod again. Went back to the same stream because I know at this time of year this was my best shot to catch something. Within minutes of getting to the stream I found a "honey hole" 4 feet deep and filled with trout, after an hour of casting a hares ear nymph, I guessed that I had spooked all the fish because of my line slapping the water, or getting caught in fallen leaves, or snaging rocks, so I decided to move upstream and hope to find another hole like this one. 3 hours later, after a mile of walking upstream and not seeing a single fish, I decided it was time to call it a day. With my tail between my legs I walked back towards the honey hole where my car was parked. I decided before I go in I would just make a couple more casts hopeing the fish came back. As I lifted my line a felt a tug, prepared to lose another fly, I lifted my rod tip a lo and behold "FISH ON". A beutiful 10 inch brown, not a big fish, but a fish that will stay in my mind forever. The first fish of the year, and on a fly, it just doesn’t get much better than that. I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

Response:

nice’un matt… my first was discovered in lost cove creek.  i continue to this day to be the recipient of the meager crumbs offered by ol pj, who for some misguided reason carted my ass along on one of his wayno-less forays into lost cove creek in 1979 or 1980. on our way through morganton, i bought a fenwick fiberglass rod and a martin reel.  back then you could drive the goat trail to the creek…if you didn’t care about the underbody.  as i recall, jim showed me a knot, gave me 2 yellow humpies, and said – "there’s the stream, the fish are in it, good luck"… leaving me to flog about in lonely but uncriticized desperation, he then went way upstream to the sassafrass area.  i waded, slid into the water with my rubber-sole hip boots (yeah, he thought that was funny too – jim’s got a dangerous sense of funny – i soon discovered the humor, painfully so).  but, i caught a trout in a riffle right in front of me.    don’t have any idea what it was, but it hooked me and i’ve been wigglin happy on the hook ever since. to this day, i consider pj’s gift of the stream second only to the grace of marriage to my wife rachel. jeff (who’s formal education in trout streams didn’t begin until i matriculated with wally and some of this crowd) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     Although, not my first fish on a fly, there is one trout that sticks out in my mind as a defining moment in my fishing career. My freshman year at Appalachian State found me far from friends and family, "trapped" in the mountains of N.C., with no drivers license and only my mountain bike to get around. The state of PA had decided that it would be safer for my fellow citizens if I went without a license for a few years, so I pedaled my ass everywhere. This sounds pretty healthy, until you’re faced with a two mile ride home after last call. Anyway, I had studied up on Boone for a few years while living in Chapel Hill and had a long list of streams scoped out well before I was able to move there. I had dog eared guide books, a pile of coffee stained topos and a long overdue North Carolina coffee table book (sorry Chapel Hill Public Library) that would ultimately lead me to some North Carolina Brookies.     I arrived in time for the spring semester and waited out the winter for my first Carolina Mountain spring. It did arrive eventually, but by that time I was hellbent on catching some trout. Over the winter I had made ‘friends’ with a neighbor of mine whose dad had exiled him to the mountains for an out of control cocaine and hooker habit, which he financed with his dad’s Visa. True story, nice guy, but a little "troubled". The gist of  the story is that the guy’s grandfather had given him a few cane rods. First time I laid eyes on that Abercrombie and Fitch ( he wouldn’t part with the Orvis, even after months of badgering) a deal was struck. I was out one Yamaha receiver and the proud owner of my first bamboo rod. This was a really big deal at the time and could only mean good things in my quest for Brookies.      By the blue lines on my topo, the nearest stream to my hole-in-the-wall basement apt. was Winklers Creek. In the heat of the summer, this stream plays host to naked hippy chicks who sun themselves on the rocks. My first trip there was far too chilly for that type of thing but later in the year I had quite a few pleasant days out. Hippy chicks are not shy about their love of the sun, and rarely turn down a cold beer. Oh yeah, so on a sunny April afternoon, I strapped the rod to the bike, made a quick stop at Peabody’s to grab a few pints for the event, and hit the stream. I put in at the "swimming pool" where I cast the A&F on water for the first time. She was heavy, but had a nice feel, and I soon had the rhythm down enough to get moving and catch some fish. Not twenty feet upstream from the "swimming pool" was a smaller pool, banked by huge boulders on all sides and covered by a canopy of spring greenery. I had sense enough at the time to sneak up on my quarry and managed to find a spot hidden from the pool where I could sit with a pint and relax while I scanned for risers. I barely had a gulp of beer down before I saw my first sign of life. A trout rose in a flash from the bottom, swirled, and engulfed a small sulfur. It was the type of rise that says, "throw me your sloppiest, splashiest cast and I’ll still eat the fly". I sat there for maybe a minute or two, slammed half my beer and then slinked down the the tail of the pool. I took position where could peer over a boulder and pick my victim. The fish were rising sporadically but persistently and before too long I let loose with my cast. The 9 foot cane rod was huge for this stream but handled the line beautifully. My cast dropped perfectly on the water. Of course, like in any good fishing story, the fish rose from the bottom gnashed down on the fly and headed for deeper water. I heaved back, set the hook, and proceeded to land my first North Carolina Brookie. I have since felt similiar emotions, but only rarely, and only when something happens that makes me think "it could *never*  get any better than this". McCray It took me a while to remember the first one, even tho it was less than 3 years ago.  I had to refer back to old messages & posts to finally pin it down.  The first one for me also represented another milestone, of sorts: it was without any ambiguity the smallest striped bass I have ever seen, somewhere around 9 inches or so.  It took a 10 and a half foot 9 weight to tame him  :-) I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

Response:

    Although, not my first fish on a fly, there is one trout that sticks out in my mind

Good story Matt. Willi

Response:

That must have been an epic battle on that 7 weight. Touch and go the whole time, eh?

BTW, Jeff, sometimes to add excitement to the fish-landing activity I’ll loosen my reel seat just enough while fishing so that hooking a fish causes the reel to fall off into the water. Makes an otherwise average fish seem like a *monster*. Just another of those tricks I learned from a fellow ROFFian. ‘Course seeing as you are the one who *taught* me that trick I guess you already know it. –Steve

Response:

Yeah – I ’bout died of exhaustion. Must have had to fight the monster for 30 seconds, but time went by so slow it seemed like a whole minute or two. — Bob Patton

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Welcome to this perfidious hobby! Your family and friends have my sympathy. My first ever fish on a fly was a rainbow caught on an orange cow dung fly beside the picnic area at Snowbird creek almost seventeen years ago. I had a $60 Daiwa 7-weight fly rod and some kind of Cortland reel. That must have been an epic battle on that 7 weight.  Touch and go the whole time, eh?

Response:

That must have been an epic battle on that 7 weight. Touch and go the whole time, eh? BTW, Jeff, sometimes to add excitement to the fish-landing activity I’ll loosen my reel seat just enough while fishing so that hooking a fish causes the reel to fall off into the water. Makes an otherwise average fish seem like a

*monster*. alright, alright….

Response:

Congratulations! My first fish on a fly was a chub.  I hated chub.  This stupid chub, which was sitting in a pool with a few brook trout, took my wooley bugger that I was told would catch me lots of brook trout.  The chub dang near devoured the whole fly.   I really dislike fish that make squeaking noises when you’re trying to dislodge a hook from it’s mouth.  I can never get over that. Spooks me too much to hear this ugly looking thing make noises while I’ve got the forceps in its mouth.  Gives me the shivers. I almost gave up on fly fishing after that.  I was about 15 years old, and had the impression that the only fish I could catch on a fly were beautiful trout.   Thankfully, I’ve discovered that’s not true.  I still can’t deal with the freakin squeeks of a chub though. Ian Scott http://www.about-flyfishing.com/

Response:

nice story matt…… i crossed winkler’s yesterday on a trip into boone. the ice has melted and i thought about the times when we used to fish that lil ole feeder stream that flows into winklers….. mebbe i’ll go back there this year. we’re getting rain today…. unbelievable, maybe 6 inches of snow this season total. i’m gonna head out somewhere today if the rains let up…. thinkin’ about high up on the watauga. see ya in pa, –walt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     Although, not my first fish on a fly, there is one trout that sticks out in my mind as a defining moment in my fishing career. My freshman year at Appalachian State found me far from friends and family, "trapped" in the mountains of N.C., with no drivers license and only my mountain bike to get around. The state of PA had decided that it would be safer for my fellow citizens if I went without a license for a few years, so I pedaled my ass everywhere. This sounds pretty healthy, until you’re faced with a two mile ride home after last call. Anyway, I had studied up on Boone for a few years while living in Chapel Hill and had a long list of streams scoped out well before I was able to move there. I had dog eared guide books, a pile of coffee stained topos and a long overdue North Carolina coffee table book (sorry Chapel Hill Public Library) that would ultimately lead me to some North Carolina Brookies.     I arrived in time for the spring semester and waited out the winter for my first Carolina Mountain spring. It did arrive eventually, but by that time I was hellbent on catching some trout. Over the winter I had made ‘friends’ with a neighbor of mine whose dad had exiled him to the mountains for an out of control cocaine and hooker habit, which he financed with his dad’s Visa. True story, nice guy, but a little "troubled". The gist of  the story is that the guy’s grandfather had given him a few cane rods. First time I laid eyes on that Abercrombie and Fitch ( he wouldn’t part with the Orvis, even after months of badgering) a deal was struck. I was out one Yamaha receiver and the proud owner of my first bamboo rod. This was a really big deal at the time and could only mean good things in my quest for Brookies.      By the blue lines on my topo, the nearest stream to my hole-in-the-wall basement apt. was Winklers Creek. In the heat of the summer, this stream plays host to naked hippy chicks who sun themselves on the rocks. My first trip there was far too chilly for that type of thing but later in the year I had quite a few pleasant days out. Hippy chicks are not shy about their love of the sun, and rarely turn down a cold beer. Oh yeah, so on a sunny April afternoon, I strapped the rod to the bike, made a quick stop at Peabody’s to grab a few pints for the event, and hit the stream. I put in at the "swimming pool" where I cast the A&F on water for the first time. She was heavy, but had a nice feel, and I soon had the rhythm down enough to get moving and catch some fish. Not twenty feet upstream from the "swimming pool" was a smaller pool, banked by huge boulders on all sides and covered by a canopy of spring greenery. I had sense enough at the time to sneak up on my quarry and managed to find a spot hidden from the pool where I could sit with a pint and relax while I scanned for risers. I barely had a gulp of beer down before I saw my first sign of life. A trout rose in a flash from the bottom, swirled, and engulfed a small sulfur. It was the type of rise that says, "throw me your sloppiest, splashiest cast and I’ll still eat the fly". I sat there for maybe a minute or two, slammed half my beer and then slinked down the the tail of the pool. I took position where could peer over a boulder and pick my victim. The fish were rising sporadically but persistently and before too long I let loose with my cast. The 9 foot cane rod was huge for this stream but handled the line beautifully. My cast dropped perfectly on the water. Of course, like in any good fishing story, the fish rose from the bottom gnashed down on the fly and headed for deeper water. I heaved back, set the hook, and proceeded to land my first North Carolina Brookie. I have since felt similiar emotions, but only rarely, and only when something happens that makes me think "it could *never*  get any better than this". McCray It took me a while to remember the first one, even tho it was less than 3 years ago.  I had to refer back to old messages & posts to finally pin it down.  The first one for me also represented another milestone, of sorts: it was without any ambiguity the smallest striped bass I have ever seen, somewhere around 9 inches or so.  It took a 10 and a half foot 9 weight to tame him  :-) I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

– Tight Lines, –Walt Fly Fishing NC & more… http://www.ezflyfish.com http://www.wilsoncreekoutfitters.com

Response:

Welcome to this perfidious hobby! Your family and friends have my sympathy. My first ever fish on a fly was a rainbow caught on an orange cow dung fly beside the picnic area at Snowbird creek almost seventeen years ago. I had a $60 Daiwa 7-weight fly rod and some kind of Cortland reel. The really neat thing was that I caught it on a dry fly and got to see the fish rise and take the fly. I don’t know why I picked Snowbird instead of a more convenient stream, but that was it. — Bob Patton

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got my brand new fly fishing gear as a gift from my wife for Christmas in the way of an Orvis gift certificate. Eager to get out on the water, not haveing fly fished before, I took my gear to the local pond to practice my casting. Went well, nice open space after several cast seemed to have the hang of it. A couple of weeks later went to fish at Valley Creek here in PA. This stream is a class A Wild Trout stream that is very difficult to fish. Spent the afternoon untageling my line from trees and loosing several nymph flies. But today, 2 days after the first snow storm in the Philadelphia area, I had the urge to get out and try my rod again. Went back to the same stream because I know at this time of year this was my best shot to catch something. Within minutes of getting to the stream I found a "honey hole" 4 feet deep and filled with trout, after an hour of casting a hares ear nymph, I guessed that I had spooked all the fish because of my line slapping the water, or getting caught in fallen leaves, or snaging rocks, so I decided to move upstream and hope to find another hole like this one. 3 hours later, after a mile of walking upstream and not seeing a single fish, I decided it was time to call it a day. With my tail between my legs I walked back towards the honey hole where my car was parked. I decided before I go in I would just make a couple more casts hopeing the fish came back. As I lifted my line a felt a tug, prepared to lose another fly, I lifted my rod tip a lo and behold "FISH ON". A beutiful 10 inch brown, not a big fish, but a fish that will stay in my mind forever. The first fish of the year, and on a fly, it just doesn’t get much better than that. I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

Response:

I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

I was bullied into trying a fly rod by my fishing partner one day about 12 years ago and my first fish as a brightly spotted brookie about 4" long, caught on what I think was a little bloody butcher. All of which sounds fine, until you realize I was using a 10′ 7wt rod and fishing for steelhead (lake run rainbows?) at the time…… Things have improved a little since. It was a pretty fish though, and it remains the only brookie I have ever caught on a fly. Vaughan

Response:

I started fly-fishing with a two-handed European-style salmon rod. (Most of the guys in our unofficial fishing club prefer salmon fishing nowadays.) The first catch was a 4" salmon parr from river Gaula in Norway. — Jarmo Hurri address or apply rot13 to header email address.

Response:

Welcome to this perfidious hobby! Your family and friends have my sympathy. My first ever fish on a fly was a rainbow caught on an orange cow dung fly beside the picnic area at Snowbird creek almost seventeen years ago. I had a $60 Daiwa 7-weight fly rod and some kind of Cortland reel.

That must have been an epic battle on that 7 weight.  Touch and go the whole time, eh?

Response:

I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories. I was bullied into trying a fly rod by my fishing partner one day about 12 years ago and my first fish as a brightly spotted brookie about 4" long, caught on what I think was a little bloody butcher. All of which sounds fine, until you realize I was using a 10′ 7wt rod…

Well that puts RWP’s fish battle to shame, doesn’t it?

Response:

Lissen here – that was an epic battle. Me and my stick versus the cunning slimy carnivorous predator! — Bob Patton

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories. I was bullied into trying a fly rod by my fishing partner one day about 12 years ago and my first fish as a brightly spotted brookie about 4" long, caught on what I think was a little bloody butcher. All of which sounds fine, until you realize I was using a 10′ 7wt rod… Well that puts RWP’s fish battle to shame, doesn’t it?

Response:

    Although, not my first fish on a fly, there is one trout that sticks out in my mind as a defining moment in my fishing career. My freshman year at Appalachian State found me far from friends and family, "trapped" in the mountains of N.C., with no drivers license and only my mountain bike to get around. The state of PA had decided that it would be safer for my fellow citizens if I went without a license for a few years, so I pedaled my ass everywhere. This sounds pretty healthy, until you’re faced with a two mile ride home after last call. Anyway, I had studied up on Boone for a few years while living in Chapel Hill and had a long list of streams scoped out well before I was able to move there. I had dog eared guide books, a pile of coffee stained topos and a long overdue North Carolina coffee table book (sorry Chapel Hill Public Library) that would ultimately lead me to some North Carolina Brookies.     I arrived in time for the spring semester and waited out the winter for my first Carolina Mountain spring. It did arrive eventually, but by that time I was hellbent on catching some trout. Over the winter I had made ‘friends’ with a neighbor of mine whose dad had exiled him to the mountains for an out of control cocaine and hooker habit, which he financed with his dad’s Visa. True story, nice guy, but a little "troubled". The gist of  the story is that the guy’s grandfather had given him a few cane rods. First time I laid eyes on that Abercrombie and Fitch ( he wouldn’t part with the Orvis, even after months of badgering) a deal was struck. I was out one Yamaha receiver and the proud owner of my first bamboo rod. This was a really big deal at the time and could only mean good things in my quest for Brookies.      By the blue lines on my topo, the nearest stream to my hole-in-the-wall basement apt. was Winklers Creek. In the heat of the summer, this stream plays host to naked hippy chicks who sun themselves on the rocks. My first trip there was far too chilly for that type of thing but later in the year I had quite a few pleasant days out. Hippy chicks are not shy about their love of the sun, and rarely turn down a cold beer. Oh yeah, so on a sunny April afternoon, I strapped the rod to the bike, made a quick stop at Peabody’s to grab a few pints for the event, and hit the stream. I put in at the "swimming pool" where I cast the A&F on water for the first time. She was heavy, but had a nice feel, and I soon had the rhythm down enough to get moving and catch some fish. Not twenty feet upstream from the "swimming pool" was a smaller pool, banked by huge boulders on all sides and covered by a canopy of spring greenery. I had sense enough at the time to sneak up on my quarry and managed to find a spot hidden from the pool where I could sit with a pint and relax while I scanned for risers. I barely had a gulp of beer down before I saw my first sign of life. A trout rose in a flash from the bottom, swirled, and engulfed a small sulfur. It was the type of rise that says, "throw me your sloppiest, splashiest cast and I’ll still eat the fly". I sat there for maybe a minute or two, slammed half my beer and then slinked down the the tail of the pool. I took position where could peer over a boulder and pick my victim. The fish were rising sporadically but persistently and before too long I let loose with my cast. The 9 foot cane rod was huge for this stream but handled the line beautifully. My cast dropped perfectly on the water. Of course, like in any good fishing story, the fish rose from the bottom gnashed down on the fly and headed for deeper water. I heaved back, set the hook, and proceeded to land my first North Carolina Brookie. I have since felt similiar emotions, but only rarely, and only when something happens that makes me think "it could *never*  get any better than this". McCray

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It took me a while to remember the first one, even tho it was less than 3 years ago.  I had to refer back to old messages & posts to finally pin it down.  The first one for me also represented another milestone, of sorts: it was without any ambiguity the smallest striped bass I have ever seen, somewhere around 9 inches or so.  It took a 10 and a half foot 9 weight to tame him  :-) I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

Response:

Hippy chicks are not shy about their love of the sun, and rarely turn down a cold beer. Oh yeah, so on a sunny April afternoon, I strapped the rod to the bike…

Yeah, I hear dat….

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   Although, not my first fish on a fly, there is one trout that sticks out in my mind as a defining moment in my fishing career.

        boys, i have fished for thirty years in the blue ridge, and i have seen exactly three folks who can do it as well as this guy. thanks for pulling back the veil on your first time, mccrayfish.         the down side is, it will get much tougher the older you get. the blue ridge is not a gentle partner. your friend in the old north state wayno

Response:

I got my brand new fly fishing gear as a gift from my wife for Christmas in the way of an Orvis gift certificate. Eager to get out on the water, not haveing fly fished before, I took my gear to the local pond to practice my casting. Went well, nice open space after several cast seemed to have the hang of it. A couple of weeks later went to fish at Valley Creek here in PA. This stream is a class A Wild Trout stream that is very difficult to fish. Spent the afternoon untageling my line from trees and loosing several nymph flies. But today, 2 days after the first snow storm in the Philadelphia area, I had the urge to get out and try my rod again. Went back to the same stream because I know at this time of year this was my best shot to catch something. Within minutes of getting to the stream I found a "honey hole" 4 feet deep and filled with trout, after an hour of casting a hares ear nymph, I guessed that I had spooked all the fish because of my line slapping the water, or getting caught in fallen leaves, or snaging rocks, so I decided to move upstream and hope to find another hole like this one. 3 hours later, after a mile of walking upstream and not seeing a single fish, I decided it was time to call it a day. With my tail between my legs I walked back towards the honey hole where my car was parked. I decided before I go in I would just make a couple more casts hopeing the fish came back. As I lifted my line a felt a tug, prepared to lose another fly, I lifted my rod tip a lo and behold "FISH ON". A beutiful 10 inch brown, not a big fish, but a fish that will stay in my mind forever. The first fish of the year, and on a fly, it just doesn’t get much better than that. I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

Response:

 With my tail between my legs I walked back towards the honey hole where my car was parked. I decided before I go in I would just make a couple more casts hopeing the fish came back. As I lifted my line a felt a tug, prepared to lose another fly, I lifted my rod tip a lo and behold "FISH ON". A beutiful 10 inch brown, not a big fish, but a fish that will stay in my mind forever. The first fish of the year, and on a fly, it just doesn’t get much better than that. I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

        well, with deepest regret i must admit that your story is far more heroic than mine.         i signed up to work for a law firm in greensboro, nc, in the fall of 1969.  one of the partners was a guy who is still one of my best friends, a yankee from uptstate new york, around the roscoe area. i had fished with a fly rod since i was 9 or 10, but only for warm water fish.  he suggested a trip to the catskills, and there we were: the beaverkill, the willowemoc, harry darby, walt dette, all that yankee folklore…and it was really neat.  but the first fish i caught was a 6 inch brown, hauled in on the end of a muddler minnow, on the east branch of the delaware, a long way from the crystal waters that would become my home, just a year or so from then.  but that’s another story, with another friend. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

"Carlos Figueroa" wrote… I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

Your story is better than mine.  The first fish I caught on a fly was a 3" Bluegill 23 years ago.  But I can safely say it’s been all up hill from there. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

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    My first was a ten inch brook trout on a size 8 hopper. I was lucky enough to spend my younger years in a town with many good trout streams within biking distance, and caught this one on a little spring creek that ran behind the IGA.     It was great growing up with 3 trout streams within 15min bike ride of my house, and once I got the hang of the fly rod, there were some dandy Bull trout to be had. With the ban on bulls in Alberta, I’d bet some of my old fishin’ grounds have some dandy bulls (Although I once found a dead 34" bull under the bridge, so even then there were some hogs).     Robbie

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Question:

In the case of overseas contributions there would obviously be some exceptions. Paul

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Stan, leaving mailing to the last week is fraught with danger IMO … too too easy to overcommit, or have some circumstance intervene, and some of us have a little distance to send the blighters .  Perhaps a fortnight or 3 weeks?  Even then there will still be drop-outs. Steve

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -1.  How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. (do *not* consider the swapmeister in your opinion, I don’t care how many) 25___X__ 30_____ 35_____ 40_____ more than 40_____ 2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up? 14__X____ 21______ 30______ 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to me? 30__X____ 45______ 60______ See, now that wasn’t hard was it?  I’ll be interested to see how this breaks down. Ye Olde Slopmeister

my two cents worth Peter

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There has been some debate and opinions offered as to how to run The 3rd Annual Great Fly Swap of 2002, so I will run a little survey here and ask that only flytiers and potential swappers weigh in, hey this ain’t a big deal, just want to run a democratic swap. 1.  How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. (do *not* consider the swapmeister in your opinion, I don’t care how many) 25_____ 30_____ 35_____ 40_____ more than 40__yes___ 20 2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up? 14___yes___ 21______ 30______ 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to me? 30__yes____ 45______ 60______ See, now that wasn’t hard was it?  I’ll be interested to see how this breaks down. Ye Olde Slopmeister

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Frank, First, may I start by saying a big thank you for organising the last swap. As a reader of only 4 months standing of this newsgroup (or any newsgroup for that matter) I have enjoyed immeasurably the opportunity to tie so many flies.  I am not a production machine and cannot tie 100+ flies at one sitting (in fact I feel rather pleased if I do about 6 in an hour).  However it has given a focus for my tying and I have really enjoyed the anticipation of receiving the work of so many fellow tiers.  I for one never want to tie another Iron Blue Dun, but if I do I know a. it will take less time than before, b. I will not have to look up the pattern, and c. I’m likely to end up with a  tidier looking fly than before. My Reply to your survey Frank: Q1.    25. See above comment. Also the fewer the numbers, the lower the drop out rate, as people are more likely to meet this commitment. Q2.    21 Days is more than enough. Even for someone who is regularly away, I can usually get to a computer to download messages, and hence sign up for the swap in this time. Q3.    45 Days. To allow postage time from all over the globe. My penny’s worth. Again thanks for the experience. — Alex Bromham

Response:

Frank, First, may I start by saying a big thank you for organising the last swap.

Thanks for the kind words Alex, you guys need to realize I’m getting more fun out of this than ya’ll are.  Your input on the survey is also appreciated, and I will keep all the replies in mind, then do it how I dang well please. (that’s my dark side coming out) <g At some point in the near future, like after the swap is completed, I will post a "lessons learned" missive for the enlightenment of all concerned. Frank Church

Response:

Hi Frank Decision as to size show be up to swiepmeister. How much work is he willing to do. A short signup time – 7 days is enough. Bigger the swap – the longer is needed. 60 days for 40 flies seems about right! Paul – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There has been some debate and opinions offered as to how to run The 3rd Annual Great Fly Swap of 2002, so I will run a little survey here and ask that only flytiers and potential swappers weigh in, hey this ain’t a big deal, just want to run a democratic swap. 1.  How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. (do *not* consider the swapmeister in your opinion, I don’t care how many) 25_____ 30_____ 35_____ 40_____ more than 40_____ 2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up? 14______ 21______ 30______ 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to me? 30______ 45______ 60______ See, now that wasn’t hard was it?  I’ll be interested to see how this breaks down. Ye Olde Slopmeister

Response:

Frank: I had to throw my 2 cents in also. Anxiously awaiting in Wyoming Bob | 1. How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. (do *not* | consider the swapmeister in your opinion, I don’t care how many) | 25____ | 30___X__ | 35_____ | 40_____ | more than 40_____ | | 2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up? | 14__X____ | 21______ | 30______ | | 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to | me? | 30_____ | 45__X____ | 60______ |

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Frank Wrote seeking our opinions on future fly swaps. I would go for 25 fliews to tie and 30 days to tie the flies after a week to sign up. Big Dale

Response:

Although I haven’t yet participated in a ROFF swap yet, I would like to, time dependant.  Here are my answers to the survey: I have no preference as to the number of tyers, but a good "completion time" period seems to be a ratio, rather than a fixed number – around 1.5 days per tyer, with minimums.  If there are, say 30 tyers, 45 days would seem to be about right and if say, 40 tyers, 60 days.  It would seem if international tyers are in the swap, 45 days would also seem about the minimum to allow for arrival, if all the tyers are in one country, 30 days would seem a minimum, even if just 12-18 tyers.  As to the number of sign-up days, I’m not sure why there needs to be a set period other than as proposed by the swapmeister, and so, therefore, I proxy my vote to the swapmeister.

Response:

Based on the replies I have seen so far, and trying to average out the results, it would seem that lowering the number of tyers is in order, and the time for signup dependant upon the number of participants sought.  Even at 40 tyers this year, I had to turn away several more.  Today, whilst awaiting the remaining 2 yet to arrive (and you know who you are!)   Yes, footdraggers extraordinaire.  I began addressing, labeling and otherwise trying to put things in order before the grand event, ie: sorting all these flies and trying not to get stuck. Another trip to the PO tomorrow as I still am short about 10 mailing boxes.  Because of the weather on the east coast, I was to be on the road today to Evington, VA. but am delayed leaving until Tuesday.  Which means I will be back home by late Wed. 7 March. Consequently, all parcels will be mailed not later than Thursday 8 March. Here is what I am leaning towards in subsequent swaps: Maximum 30 tyers 14 day signup, or 30 tyers, whichever comes first 45 days to deadline, as calculated from the end of signup For those that don’t make the cut in January, someone else can host a swap later in the year…be my guest! :-0 Frank Church

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There has been some debate and opinions offered as to how to run The 3rd Annual Great Fly Swap of 2002, so I will run a little survey here and ask that only flytiers and potential swappers weigh in, hey this ain’t a big deal, just want to run a democratic swap. 1.  How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. (do *not* consider the swapmeister in your opinion, I don’t care how many) 25_____ 30_____ 35_____ 40__X___ more than 40_____ 2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up? 14______ 21___X___ 30______ 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to me? 30______ 45___X___ 60______ See, now that wasn’t hard was it?  I’ll be interested to see how this breaks down. Ye Olde Slopmeister

who’s doing a great job, by the way! Thanks Frank, Herman —         Cheers, Herman         Herman Nijland         Daytime webmaster         Lifetime flyfisher

Response:

Stan, leaving mailing to the last week is fraught with danger IMO … too too easy to overcommit, or have some circumstance intervene, and some of us have a little distance to send the blighters .  Perhaps a fortnight or 3 weeks?  Even then there will still be drop-outs. Steve

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -1.  How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. (do *not* consider the swapmeister in your opinion, I don’t care how many) 25___X__ 30_____ 35_____ 40_____ more than 40_____ 2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up? 14_X_____ 21______ 30______ 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to me? 30____X__ 45______ 60______

I found there was no reward for my diligence in getting my flies in early! Frank, if you could put in a couple for the clave and send the rest back to me, I’d apprecate it.  I know of a few steelhead I want to show my Pinl Ladies to. Peter Collin

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 1.  How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. (do *not* consider the swapmeister in your opinion, I don’t care how many) 25__XX___ 30_____ 35_____ 40_____ more than 40_____ 2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up? 14_XX_____ 21______ 30______ 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to me? 30______ 45__XX____ 60______ 4. Should nymphomaniac female fly fishers get extra flys in the swap since

they are "just learning"? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -yes_____ no______ let’s see their offerings first___XX__ only if Stan posts photos______ See, now that wasn’t hard was it?  I’ll be interested to see how this breaks down. Ye Olde Slopmeister

Response:

There has been some debate and opinions offered as to how to run The 3rd Annual Great Fly Swap of 2002, so I will run a little survey here and ask that only flytiers and potential swappers weigh in, hey this ain’t a big deal, just want to run a democratic swap. 1.  How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. (do *not* consider the swapmeister in your opinion, I don’t care how many) 25_____ 30_____ 35_____ 40_____ more than 40_____ 2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up? 14______ 21______ 30______ 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to me? 30______ 45______ 60______ See, now that wasn’t hard was it?  I’ll be interested to see how this breaks down. Ye Olde Slopmeister

Response:

There has been some debate and opinions offered as to how to run The 3rd Annual Great Fly Swap of 2002, so I will run a little survey here and ask that only flytiers and potential swappers weigh in, hey this ain’t a big deal, just want to run a democratic swap. 1.  How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. (do *not* consider the swapmeister in your opinion, I don’t care how many) 25_____ 30_____ 35_____ 40_____ more than 40_____

20 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up? 14___X___ 21______ 30______ 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to me? 30__X____ 45______ 60______ See, now that wasn’t hard was it?  I’ll be interested to see how this breaks down. Ye Olde Slopmeister

Response:

1.  How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. (do *not* consider the swapmeister in your opinion, I don’t care how many)

Aside from concern for the swapmeister, quantity wasn’t a big deal for me. Because I’m still honing what few skills I have, being forced to tie a LOT of flies was actually a good thing for me this time.   Just for sheer time & quantites of material, however, more than 40 would be quite a burden for some, I’d expect.   30 seems like a nice number. 2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up?

14.   Anybody who can’t make up their mind in two weeks is going to have a tough time getting their flies tied on time <g. 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to me?

That would depend on question #1 wouldn’t it?   60 days was comfortable for me to tie 40 flies; but I was done early so I’ll say 45 days. Joe F.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There has been some debate and opinions offered as to how to run The 3rd Annual Great Fly Swap of 2002, so I will run a little survey here and ask that only flytiers and potential swappers weigh in, hey this ain’t a big deal, just want to run a democratic swap. 1.  How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. (do *not* consider the swapmeister in your opinion, I don’t care how many) 25_____ 30___X__ 35_____ 40_____ more than 40_____ 2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up? 14______ 21___X___ 30______ 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to me? 30______ 45____X__ 60______ See, now that wasn’t hard was it?  I’ll be interested to see how this breaks down. Ye Olde Slopmeister

Response:

1.  How many people…..

The more the merrier 2.  How many days…..

Swapmeisters discretion 3.  How many days…..

Ditto. Wolfgang

Response:

1.  How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. (do *not* consider the swapmeister in your opinion, I don’t care how many)

30 works for me. 2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up?

14.  Hell, it took less time than that to get 40 tiers this time, didn’t it? 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to me?

45 Keith

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There has been some debate and opinions offered as to how to run The 3rd Annual Great Fly Swap of 2002, so I will run a little survey here and ask that only flytiers and potential swappers weigh in, hey this ain’t a big deal, just want to run a democratic swap. 1.  How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. (do *not* consider the swapmeister in your opinion, I don’t care how many) 25_____ 30__X___ 35_____ 40_____ more than 40_____ 2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up? 14___X___ 21______ 30______ 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to me? 30__X____ 45______ 60______ See, now that wasn’t hard was it?  I’ll be interested to see how this breaks down. Ye Olde Slopmeister

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 1.  How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. (do *not* consider the swapmeister in your opinion, I don’t care how many) 25_____ 30_____ 35_____ 40_____ more than 40___X__ 2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up? 14___X___ 21______ 30______ 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to me? 30__X___ 45______ 60______

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 1.  How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. (do *not* consider the swapmeister in your opinion, I don’t care how many) 25____Y 30_____ 35_____ 40_____ more than 40_____   2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up? 14_____Y 21______ 30______ 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to me? 30______ 45_____Y 60______

Steve

Response:

1.  How many people should be allowed to participate in the swap. 25__X__ 2. How many days should be alloted for sign-up? 14__X___ 3. After all are signed up, how many days alloted to send the flies in to me? 30__X___ I think the major problem we have is too long a lag from signup to delivery and thus the 5-6 dropouts we’ve seen in the last two swaps.  I would suggest a 30 day window for tying and mailing but suggest that nobody mail them in until the last week.  At that time we should ask again who’s in and out and we can adjust the final count before mailing in so many extras.  I don’t mind tying extras, when I’m in production mode, I tie a dozen or so extras for my fly box anyways.  I like the idea of making a set or two for handing out as a clave donation, but 5-6 is pushing it. –Stan

Response:

Question:

My only intent to night was to show that there are no enforceable rules, and that there is a great deal of hypocrisy within this newsgroup.  No, I am not stating that all posters to this group are hypocrites.  But, it seems that the rules don’t apply to all here.  How is one to know where the line is drawn, if one person posts an e-mail excerpt and is chastised, but another is not.  I believe that there were e-mail conversations with Mr. G which were posted to this group in the past, where were the indignant calls for netiquette then? I was not attacking Walt, I was merely stating that it was possible that someone would. I would not have sent a nasty reply to your reply, but you chose to take my original post as a personal affront.  "Surly" is hardly a vicious term. Hell, some might well accept the term as a badge of honor. You stated in your reply to my post that:  "Someone with no knowledge of computers or usenet is not capable of programming the sort of stuff contained in those posts."  However, in your very polite reply to NAMROF you state: "You may be right Levi. I did a little checking on the web.tv thing, apparently not much knowledge of anything at all is required to put all that stuff in a post, most of the havoc caused on my machine was apparently because the browser was initiated in order to download "attachments" required for all the "bells and whistles", and this initiated an automatic dial-up, which is impossible to stop, and which in turn started some other program, and crashed my machine after whirring about on the hard drive for a while. I really did think I had got some sort of virus or other, and was very annoyed and worried indeed." I will continue in this vein as long as I see fit. Opie in NC Someone has to replace Mr. G — Mark H. Bowen Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. –Samuel Johnson

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You are just trying to provoke some sort of reaction with this stuff apparently.  This guy has been trying to flog this damn book for a coons age on here and elsewhere, along with several others if I recall correctly. Nobody has complained or slammed him, just a few harmless comments were made. The information contained in the posts was accurate and contained no personal animosity or uncivil remarks. I collect fishing books, and toyed with the idea of buying this one, which is why I happened to have some quotes and prices on it, and why I was informed as to the subject matter. I have seen this book advertised by various people, and signed by various people,  at prices ranging from less than 20$ up to over 100$, I do not doubt for one second that a bookseller would be able to get hold of it for less. Having now seen several excerpts, it is apparently no great shakes anyway, unless one is particularly interested in the history of that area and family as regards fly-dressing. The information Walt gave was valuable to anybody who might have been considering buying it.  When somebody then comes along and calls Walt a liar, specifically with regard to a post on ROFF,  what do you expect him to do ? Who knows what occurs per e-mail ?  Walt

Question:

There are a lot of flies we need for the Western Conclave.  I’m trying to tie my own.  I have to buy all sorts of different stuff just to tie a few flies of each pattern. Then an idea came to me.  Why doesn’t each person concentrate on one or two patterns and trade flies with other at the Conclave.  This will ad something to the conclave, because we will be fishing with the flies that our friends tied. I can tie a couple like the Montana Stone.  I tie other flies, but I want to trade my best fly that I can tie.  That’s it.  There are some others that I think are okay. I will tie a dozen Montana Stone for anyone that wants to trade. Here’s the complete list of flies that have been suggested by others here on ROFF and suggested web-sites for the area.  I will not have ever fly represented in my fly box.  There are a lot of them.  However, I would like to have as many as I can.  I know I will buy a lot, but it would be nice to be fishing with a fly the other ROFFians tied.  So here’s the list: Prince Nymphs, size 4-10 Montana Stone, size 6-10 Adams, size 10-20 Moose-Mane Adam, size 8-16 Adams, size 10-20 Grey Wulff, size 8-14 Grizzly Wulff, size 8-14 Royal Wulff, size 8-14 White Wulff, size 6-16 Ausable Wulff, size 6-16 Wolly Buggers, size 2-12 Wolly Worm, size 2-12 Joe’s Hopper, size 6-14 Dave’s Cricket, size 6-12 Muddler Minnows, size 2-14 Leach, size 4-8 Light Hendrickson, size 12-18 Dark Hendrickson, size 12-18 Blue Dun, dry size 12-18 Blue Dun, wet size 10-16 BWO, size 12-20 Light Cahill, size 10-16 Rubber Legs Henry’s Fork Hopper, size 8-12 Jacklin’s Hopper, size 8-12 Parachute Hopper, size 8-14 Henry’s Fork Cricket, size 6-16 Dave’s Hopper, size 4-12 Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear, size 8-16 Elk Hair Caddis (various body colors) also known as PM Caddis Montana Stone Nymph, size 14-18 Golden Stone, size 12-14 Western Bee, size 12-14 Western Coachman, size 12-14 Dragon Fly Dragon Fly Nymphs Midge Blue Dun, size 16-24 Trudes Green Caddis Emergers Colorado Caddis Nymphs Humpies of various colors, size 12-16 Brown Hackle Peacock, size 12-18 March browns PT Hymphs Stimulators Caddis:         Long Horn Sedge         Microcaddis         Green Sedge         Spotted Sedge (2 Species)         Little Sister Sedge         Black Dancer Stoneflies:         Giant Salmonfly         Golden Stone         Yellow Sally Mayflies:         Pale Morning Dun         Western Green Drake         Brown Drake         Grey Drake         Small Western Drake (flav)         Callibaetis — Vern My ROFF page: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/v_deloy/ROFFintro.html Before you buy.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There are a lot of flies we need for the Western Conclave.  I’m trying to tie my own.  I have to buy all sorts of different stuff just to tie a few flies of each pattern. Then an idea came to me.  Why doesn’t each person concentrate on one or two patterns and trade flies with other at the Conclave.  This will ad something to the conclave, because we will be fishing with the flies that our friends tied. I can tie a couple like the Montana Stone.  I tie other flies, but I want to trade my best fly that I can tie.  That’s it.  There are some others that I think are okay. I will tie a dozen Montana Stone for anyone that wants to trade. Here’s the complete list of flies that have been suggested by others here on ROFF and suggested web-sites for the area.  I will not have ever fly represented in my fly box.  There are a lot of them.  However, I would like to have as many as I can.  I know I will buy a lot, but it would be nice to be fishing with a fly the other ROFFians tied.  So here’s the list: Prince Nymphs, size 4-10 Montana Stone, size 6-10 Adams, size 10-20 Moose-Mane Adam, size 8-16 Adams, size 10-20 Grey Wulff, size 8-14 Grizzly Wulff, size 8-14 Royal Wulff, size 8-14 White Wulff, size 6-16 Ausable Wulff, size 6-16 Wolly Buggers, size 2-12 Wolly Worm, size 2-12 Joe’s Hopper, size 6-14 Dave’s Cricket, size 6-12 Muddler Minnows, size 2-14 Leach, size 4-8 Light Hendrickson, size 12-18 Dark Hendrickson, size 12-18 Blue Dun, dry size 12-18 Blue Dun, wet size 10-16 BWO, size 12-20 Light Cahill, size 10-16 Rubber Legs Henry’s Fork Hopper, size 8-12 Jacklin’s Hopper, size 8-12 Parachute Hopper, size 8-14 Henry’s Fork Cricket, size 6-16 Dave’s Hopper, size 4-12 Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear, size 8-16 Elk Hair Caddis (various body colors) also known as PM Caddis Montana Stone Nymph, size 14-18 Golden Stone, size 12-14 Western Bee, size 12-14 Western Coachman, size 12-14 Dragon Fly Dragon Fly Nymphs Midge Blue Dun, size 16-24 Trudes Green Caddis Emergers Colorado Caddis Nymphs Humpies of various colors, size 12-16 Brown Hackle Peacock, size 12-18 March browns PT Hymphs Stimulators Caddis:         Long Horn Sedge         Microcaddis         Green Sedge         Spotted Sedge (2 Species)         Little Sister Sedge         Black Dancer Stoneflies:         Giant Salmonfly         Golden Stone         Yellow Sally Mayflies:         Pale Morning Dun         Western Green Drake         Brown Drake         Grey Drake         Small Western Drake (flav)         Callibaetis — Vern My ROFF page: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/v_deloy/ROFFintro.html Before you buy.

May I suggest you regard flies at and below #18’s also Vern? — Mr.G http://www.gink.com/  Updates http://www.gink.com/chat Flyfishing Conversations 6:00 PM PST till after midnight.

Response:

Vern Exactly. I carry my tying stuff, and can tie about a dozen fishables an hour sober, about half that after one beer. Buy fancy stuff in the shops and  bum some fishables from me, whatever you like. Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Shoot man, just bring what ya got and bum the rest. Not counting the price of the hooks, I doubt if I have a couple of cents in any given fly.

Response:

Thanks. I’m going to bring as many flies as I can, some to trade, and bring extra cash for special flies.  I think I will also bring some of my fly tying stuff.  However, I need to get all my camping and fishing stuff into the car as well as anything else I want to bring. I also have a co-worker that wants to come.  I need to get all his camping and fishing stuff into the car.  The car will be very tight inside. I will try to talk my friend into bringing his truck.  There’s only one problem with that, I can’t drive his truck due to it not being altered for little people.  We were going to drive straight through and switch driving responsibilities.  If we take my car, he can always push the seat back but space will be limited. — Vern My ROFF page: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/v_deloy/ROFFintro.html Vern Exactly. I carry my tying stuff, and can tie about a dozen fishables an hour sober, about half that after one beer. Buy fancy stuff in the shops and  bum some fishables from me, whatever you like. Dave Shoot man, just bring what ya got and bum the rest. Not counting the price of the hooks, I doubt if I have a couple of cents in any given fly.

Before you buy.

Response:

[snipped] BTW, what are some good patterns/sizes for whitefish?

Anything that works for the trout will work for the whitefish…

Response:

Shoot man, just bring what ya got and bum the rest. Not counting the price of the hooks, I doubt if I have a couple of cents in any given fly.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s not just the time but the supplies.  Different types of flies require different types of hair, feathers, etc., etc.  And then it’s the issue of space when camping. —

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s not just the time but the supplies.  Different types of flies require different types of hair, feathers, etc., etc.  And then it’s the issue of space when camping. — Vern My ROFF page: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/v_deloy/ROFFintro.html Sorry about the blank I just fired off to this thread, wrong button. Vern, Why not set yourself up with a decent tying travel kit and tie what really working when you get there. Thats how I normally travel, and I seldom find myself lacking whatever bug is hot. It may be tough to find the time to tie in Ennis, I’d think the evenings will be filled with "social" activities. Does anybody know if the area waters get a little slow in the midafternoon? Before you buy.

alright to bring your fly tying gear with you.  On site fly tying instructions are free, even though we ordinarily charge legal fee rates of $175 an hour, we can take it out in trade with those N.C. legal beagles? I cannot begin to express the fly tying fun that awaits the serious fly tiers of Roff.  This Western Conclave is just the beginning of a great adventure!   — Mr.G http://www.gink.com/  Updates http://www.gink.com/chat Flyfishing Conversations 6:00 PM PST till after midnight.

Response:

Gee, thanks for the list, Vern. I’m planning to buy a half-dozen of each pattern and size over the counter from Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone.

Heresey!!!!  Well, if you, make sure that you don’t get princes in size 4-10, more like 10-16. Of course I have never fished with a size 4 prince and may just not know what I am talking about.  Perhaps you out of staters know something that we don’t up here Warren Western Conclave Guru For info: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/sp_ROFF_people/wclave/wclave.html

Response:

… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There are a lot of flies we need for the Western Conclave.  I’m trying to tie my own.  I have to buy all sorts of different stuff just to tie a few flies of each pattern. Then an idea came to me.  Why doesn’t each person concentrate on one or two patterns and trade flies with other at the Conclave.  This will ad something to the conclave, because we will be fishing with the flies that our friends tied. I can tie a couple like the Montana Stone.  I tie other flies, but I want to trade my best fly that I can tie.  That’s it.  There are some others that I think are okay. I will tie a dozen Montana Stone for anyone that wants to trade. Here’s the complete list of flies that have been suggested by others here on ROFF and suggested web-sites for the area.  I will not have ever fly represented in my fly box.  There are a lot of them.  However, I would like to have as many as I can.  I know I will buy a lot, but it would be nice to be fishing with a fly the other ROFFians tied.  So here’s the list: Prince Nymphs, size 4-10 Montana Stone, size 6-10 Adams, size 10-20 Moose-Mane Adam, size 8-16 Adams, size 10-20 Grey Wulff, size 8-14 Grizzly Wulff, size 8-14 Royal Wulff, size 8-14 White Wulff, size 6-16 Ausable Wulff, size 6-16 Wolly Buggers, size 2-12 Wolly Worm, size 2-12 Joe’s Hopper, size 6-14 Dave’s Cricket, size 6-12 Muddler Minnows, size 2-14 Leach, size 4-8 Light Hendrickson, size 12-18 Dark Hendrickson, size 12-18 Blue Dun, dry size 12-18 Blue Dun, wet size 10-16 BWO, size 12-20 Light Cahill, size 10-16 Rubber Legs Henry’s Fork Hopper, size 8-12 Jacklin’s Hopper, size 8-12 Parachute Hopper, size 8-14 Henry’s Fork Cricket, size 6-16 Dave’s Hopper, size 4-12 Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear, size 8-16 Elk Hair Caddis (various body colors) also known as PM Caddis Montana Stone Nymph, size 14-18 Golden Stone, size 12-14 Western Bee, size 12-14 Western Coachman, size 12-14 Dragon Fly Dragon Fly Nymphs Midge Blue Dun, size 16-24 Trudes Green Caddis Emergers Colorado Caddis Nymphs Humpies of various colors, size 12-16 Brown Hackle Peacock, size 12-18 March browns PT Hymphs Stimulators Caddis: Long Horn Sedge Microcaddis Green Sedge Spotted Sedge (2 Species) Little Sister Sedge Black Dancer Stoneflies: Giant Salmonfly Golden Stone Yellow Sally Mayflies: Pale Morning Dun Western Green Drake Brown Drake Grey Drake Small Western Drake (flav) Callibaetis — Vern My ROFF page: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/v_deloy/ROFFintro.html Before you buy.

Response:

Sorry about the blank I just fired off to this thread, wrong button. Vern, Why not set yourself up with a decent tying travel kit and tie what really working when you get there. Thats how I normally travel, and I seldom find myself lacking whatever bug is hot. It may be tough to find the time to tie in Ennis, I’d think the evenings will be filled with "social" activities. Does anybody know if the area waters get a little slow in the midafternoon?

Response:

Vern, Why not set yourself up with a decent tying travel kit and tie what really working when you get there.

I know Vern doesn’t drink, but I should point out that if the Western Clave is anything like the Eastern Claves, people will much too busy tying one on to have the time (or the hand-eye coordination) to tie one on. <g –Steve

Response:

It’s not just the time but the supplies.  Different types of flies require different types of hair, feathers, etc., etc.  And then it’s the issue of space when camping. — Vern My ROFF page: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/v_deloy/ROFFintro.html Sorry about the blank I just fired off to this thread, wrong button. Vern, Why not set yourself up with a decent tying travel kit and tie what really working when you get there. Thats how I normally travel, and I seldom find myself lacking whatever bug is hot. It may be tough to find the time to tie in Ennis, I’d think the evenings will be filled with "social" activities. Does anybody know if the area waters get a little slow in the midafternoon?

Before you buy.

Response:

Vern, Why not set yourself up with a decent tying travel kit and tie what really working when you get there. I know Vern doesn’t drink, but I should point out that if the Western Clave is anything like the Eastern Claves, people will much too busy tying one on to have the time (or the hand-eye coordination) to tie one on. <g –Steve

______-  beans? — Mr.G http://www.gink.com/  Updates http://www.gink.com/chat Flyfishing Conversations 6:00 PM PST till after midnight.

Response:

Vern, Why not set yourself up with a decent tying travel kit and tie what really working when you get there. Thats how I normally travel, and I seldom find myself lacking whatever bug is hot. It may be tough to find the time to tie in Ennis, I’d think the evenings will be filled with "social" activities. Does anybody know if the area waters get a little slow in the midafternoon?

I’ll be bringing a travel kit, but more for fun than necessity. Most of my flies are general-type patterns that work well just about everywhere I’ve fished for trout, and I’ll be bringing plenty of extras. If there is a particular fly that is working especially well once I get there, I’ll just buy ‘em locally, or barter with other roffians; maybe even tie a few if they’re simple enough. BTW, what are some good patterns/sizes for whitefish? — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyo Before you buy.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Here’s the complete list of flies that have been suggested by others here on ROFF and suggested web-sites for the area.  I will not have ever fly represented in my fly box.  There are a lot of them.  However, I would like to have as many as I can.  I know I will buy a lot, but it would be nice to be fishing with a fly the other ROFFians tied.  So here’s the list: Prince Nymphs, size 4-10 Montana Stone, size 6-10 Adams, size 10-20 Moose-Mane Adam, size 8-16 Adams, size 10-20 Grey Wulff, size 8-14 Grizzly Wulff, size 8-14 Royal Wulff, size 8-14 White Wulff, size 6-16 Ausable Wulff, size 6-16 Wolly Buggers, size 2-12 Wolly Worm, size 2-12 Joe’s Hopper, size 6-14 Dave’s Cricket, size 6-12 Muddler Minnows, size 2-14 Leach, size 4-8 Light Hendrickson, size 12-18 Dark Hendrickson, size 12-18 Blue Dun, dry size 12-18 Blue Dun, wet size 10-16 BWO, size 12-20 Light Cahill, size 10-16 Rubber Legs Henry’s Fork Hopper, size 8-12 Jacklin’s Hopper, size 8-12 Parachute Hopper, size 8-14 Henry’s Fork Cricket, size 6-16 Dave’s Hopper, size 4-12 Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear, size 8-16 Elk Hair Caddis (various body colors) also known as PM Caddis Montana Stone Nymph, size 14-18 Golden Stone, size 12-14 Western Bee, size 12-14 Western Coachman, size 12-14 Dragon Fly Dragon Fly Nymphs Midge Blue Dun, size 16-24 Trudes Green Caddis Emergers Colorado Caddis Nymphs Humpies of various colors, size 12-16 Brown Hackle Peacock, size 12-18 March browns PT Hymphs Stimulators Caddis:         Long Horn Sedge         Microcaddis         Green Sedge         Spotted Sedge (2 Species)         Little Sister Sedge         Black Dancer Stoneflies:         Giant Salmonfly         Golden Stone         Yellow Sally Mayflies:         Pale Morning Dun         Western Green Drake         Brown Drake         Grey Drake         Small Western Drake (flav)         Callibaetis

Gee, thanks for the list, Vern. I’m planning to buy a half-dozen of each pattern and size over the counter from Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Question:

I am planning a trip to Ixtapa, Mexico in March and was hoping someone might have some information on fly fishing opportunities in the area.  The brochures mainly describe fishing for swordfish, but I am hoping there might be a guide that specializes in fly fishing.  Thanks in advance for your help. Rob

Response:

There are bones and snook and even some tarpon inside the sand bars. BUT!!! be prepared. They re all SMALL. Bones average in 1-2# range with snook averaging only at about 2-3# the only tarpon I have ever caouht or seen there have never been over 10# Dont get me wrong they are all great figters and take a fly readilly but just dont go looking for Keys sized fish there. Have fun with ‘em

Response:

I am visiting Acapulco the week of Feb 6-15 and will be also visiting a lake in the mountains outside of Acapulco…. 1.  where can i find more (basic) info on the saltwater flyfishing opportunities nearby?  i have zero experience in salt water. 2.  can i flyfish in the nearby lakes and what am i likely to catch? PS  Thanks to whomever described the construction of schedule 40 pvc rod tubes.  I went to home depot and  bought all the stuff i needed for two bombproof rod tubes for only $12!  I replaced a couple of cheap black scott rod tubes.  Those things were worthless at temps above 75 degrees, thin, black, abs tubing. I’d love to do some fishing in Mexico….. bruiser

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am visiting Acapulco the week of Feb 6-15 and will be also visiting a lake in the mountains outside of Acapulco…. 1.  where can i find more (basic) info on the saltwater flyfishing opportunities nearby?  i have zero experience in salt water. 2.  can i flyfish in the nearby lakes and what am i likely to catch? PS  Thanks to whomever described the construction of schedule 40 pvc rod tubes.  I went to home depot and  bought all the stuff i needed for two bombproof rod tubes for only $12!  I replaced a couple of cheap black scott rod tubes. Those things were worthless at temps above 75 degrees, thin, black, abs tubing. I’d love to do some fishing in Mexico….. bruiser

Largemouth Bass or cichlids  (Peacock Bass family).  You can’t go wrong with black leach patterns.

Response:

Try www.fish-r-us.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am visiting Acapulco the week of Feb 6-15 and will be also visiting a lake in the mountains outside of Acapulco…. 1.  where can i find more (basic) info on the saltwater flyfishing opportunities nearby?  i have zero experience in salt water. 2.  can i flyfish in the nearby lakes and what am i likely to catch? PS  Thanks to whomever described the construction of schedule 40 pvc rod tubes.  I went to home depot and  bought all the stuff i needed for two bombproof rod tubes for only $12!  I replaced a couple of cheap black scott rod tubes. Those things were worthless at temps above 75 degrees, thin, black, abs tubing. I’d love to do some fishing in Mexico….. bruiser

Response:

Question:

I have taken up fly fishing in the past year and have purchased a couple of Loomis rods. One is a GL3 #8 and one a GL4 #5. I am now considering a purchase of a used IMX 10#. The IMX was a dicontinued by the time I came along. Was this a high end rod for Loomis? What would it be compared to that is in production today? How will the action compare to my GL3 8#? I appreciate any input. Thanks. Larry

Response:

At one time IMX were the high end of Loomis’ line. They were the precursor of the GL4. I believe the material is still the same, 3rd. generation graphite. I don’t think you’d go wrong by buying an IMX. Tom. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have taken up fly fishing in the past year and have purchased a couple of Loomis rods. One is a GL3 #8 and one a GL4 #5. I am now considering a purchase of a used IMX 10#. The IMX was a dicontinued by the time I came along. Was this a high end rod for Loomis? What would it be compared to that is in production today? How will the action compare to my GL3 8#? I appreciate any input. Thanks. Larry

Response:

At one time IMX were the high end of Loomis’ line. They were the precursor of the GL4. I believe the material is still the same, 3rd. generation graphite. I don’t think you’d go wrong by buying an IMX.

I agree.  In fact, I think the IMX graphite was the best combination of strength and speed that Loomis had. Mark Faulkner

Response:

Larry asked Was this a high end rod for Loomis? What would it be compared to that is in production today? How will the action compare to my GL3 8#? I appreciate any input.

Larry I don’t know what you plan to use the IMX 10 weight for, but I have one in a 8 1/2 foot model. It is a very specialized rod. I think it is stiffer than a GLX and I know that it is much stiffer than my GL3. I would say that it is more similar to a Sage RPLX than anything else I have ever used. It would be great for Northern Pike or casting around the coast in a severe wind. It is also perfect for casting hugh  bass flies at Lake Fork, but as you can guess it will test the durability of your casting arm. It realy wears me out quicker than any other rod I have ever owned. Big Dale

Response:

Larry: I forgot something in my earlier post. The selection of fly lines is more limited in the 10 weight size than some others.The one I prefer is made by Cortland in an bright red called a Pike/Muskie taper.I hate the color, but love the way it casts and it excells for big flies. Big Dale

Response:

Larry asked Was this a high end rod for Loomis? What would it be compared to that is in production today? How will the action compare to my GL3 8#? I appreciate any input. Larry I don’t know what you plan to use the IMX 10 weight for, but I have one in a 8 1/2 foot model. It is a very specialized rod. I think it is stiffer than a GLX and I know that it is much stiffer than my GL3. I would say that it is more similar to a Sage RPLX than anything else I have ever used. It would be great for Northern Pike or casting around the coast in a severe wind. It is also perfect for casting hugh  bass flies at Lake Fork, but as you can guess it will test the durability of your casting arm. It realy wears me out quicker than any other rod I have ever owned.

In the larger rod sizes at least, Loomis GLX is faster than IMX, and IMX is similar to GL4. GL3 is the slow rod of this bunch. I fished a 9.5′ 9W IMX over stripers for many years. Quite fast – you definitely have to make the rod flex to get the most out of it, but if you do, it’s a cannon. /daytripper

Response:

Question:

Hello Fly fishing men and women !         I’m going to NS next summer, in the Cape Breton area, for camping and fishing. Please tell me of good rivers for fly fishing. Robert

As a frequent visitor to Cape Breton I can recommend the famous Margaree for salmon, but the Cheticamp and Middle Rivers are good too.  The Middle is primarily a Fall run salmon river though in the summer you can find brookies and Cape Breton’s unique strain of sea-run (Steelhead) rainbows that run the Middle River.  Though rainbows usually run in the spring.  Almost any inland pond will have good brookie fishing and most of the coastal streams get a run of sea-run brookies in summer.  Summer, be prepared for blackflies!  They can be brutal at times.  If you can put off your trip to the fall you’ll find less bugs and better fishing. Most of the salmon rivers on the island fish better in the fall, though the Cheticamp is known as a good summer river, early July best, of course depending on water levels and temps.  For camping, you can’t go wrong with a campsite at the Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Cheticamp.  They have campsites right near some of the better salmon pools on the Cheticamp River.  For real fine lodging and good meals I heartily recommend the Normaway Inn located in Margaree.  Remember to take a ride around the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island has some of the most breathtaking scenery to be found in Eastern North America.  Have a good trip, I love it there. Don D.

Response:

Hi, Give us a shout back via e-mail or check out our web-page at: http://www.tightline.ns.ca We have lots of info there ! Bill Tight Lines Guide Service http://www.tightlines.ns.ca – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello Fly fishing men and women !         I’m going to NS next summer, in the Cape Breton area, for camping and fishing. Please tell me of good rivers for fly fishing. Robert

Response:

Hello Fly fishing men and women !         I’m going to NS next summer, in the Cape Breton area, for camping and fishing. Please tell me of good rivers for fly fishing. Robert

Response:

Robert asks: Hello Fly fishing men and women ! I’m going to NS next summer, in the Cape Breton area, for camping and fishing. Please tell me of good rivers for fly fishing. Robert

Robert,  You are blessed and will enjoy the great people and friendliness there. Among the most famous rivers is the Margaree.   Margaree Forks is the preferred location.  2nd: Just inside the Cape Breton Highlands National Park just above Cheticamp is the river by the same name…and likely much less fished and with likely more fish…. Although fish enter in late June,  best is late September… so go as late as possible.  Rains. Is cool.   Be prepared.  for a free phone call you can get a whole book about most everything you ever wanted to know about Nova Scotia from tourist bureau.  from U.S. = 1-800-565-0000. Take time to enjoy the local "family" music  Have a bowl of seafood chowder at the Mabou Resturant in Mabou.  and look for fossils along the clifts and watch the eagle feed her young.   tightlines, Alan Alan E. Hoover Anglers’ Rest Powhatan, Va        *the trout teach many, lessons*

Response:

Question:

Is flyfishing a sport or is it recreation? How about assigning it to a ng about addictions? BobE.

Response:

Is flyfishing a sport or is it recreation? How about assigning it to a ng about addictions? BobE.

The answer is "Yes". This is what I always considered this ng to be about…Addiction…Capital "A"… Dennis

Response:

Question:

I’ve never fished the San Juan but hear its productive for bigger fish.   Whats the truth, where can you stay, what are the conditions like around September? Do you need a boat or can you gain access to the better spots on foot? –

Response:

says… I’ve never fished the San Juan but hear its productive for bigger fish.   Whats the truth, where can you stay, what are the conditions like around September? Do you need a boat or can you gain access to the better spots on foot? –

I am leaving tomorrow morning (8-15-95) to go to the San Juan for a few days.  I was originally trying for September but to no avail.  The water level should be at between 500-800 cfm and should make for some good fishing.  If you want, I will make a post when I return advising the conditions and where you might want to stay.  I understand there have been some recent changes their lately regarding hotels, restaurants, etc.  I’ll let you know what I find out. Just let me know.  I’ll do my best not to leave some fish that aren’t completely tired (yeah right)!! Tom Cavitt

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I’ve never fished the San Juan but hear its productive for bigger fish.   Whats the truth, where can you stay, what are the conditions like around September? Do you need a boat or can you gain access to the better spots on foot? –

Give Gary Willmart a call.  He’s President of Colorado Fishing Adventures, Inc. and operates a guiding business on the San Juan River and other rivers and lakes around Pagosa Springs, CO.  His phone is (719) 598-5787 and his address is Colorado Fishing Adventures, Inc., 6421 Pulpit Rock Dr., Colorado Springs, CO  80918. Tell him Dave Baker referred you.  He’s good and really enjoys guiding folks. Abe’s Motel and Fly Shop (owned by Abe Chavez and family) is probably the most popular place right on the river.  I’ve stayed there and it’s nice, they are helpful, and the prices are in the right range.  I don’t have their phone number but check dir. asst. in the Farmington, Aztec, Navajo Reservoir areas. You can also find places in Farmington, NM; Durango, CO; Pagosa Springs, CO; Chama, NM; etc.   Check a map. Sept. conditions are usually excellent and there are lots of big fish. In fact, you probably won’t get many under 16".  Weather’s good, too. Air warm, water cold – bring heavy socks for wading (see below). The upper river, in the first mile or so below the dam, is for wading only – no boats.  That’s what we do and where Gary takes clients. River is wide with lots of places to fish.  Lots of people but you can find good places open because there are so many fish around all over. They are hard to get, though, if you don’t know the river and it’s kind of unique.  So get a guide for at least half a day to show you how to begin, what to look for. I’ve never taken a boat trip but below the wade fishing only area, they allow drift boats.  If that is your interest, talk to Tim Chavez (Abe’s son) who operates the Born ‘N Raised guide service with boats. Pay attention to some unique regulations designed to protect the fishery:  catch & release some places, one fish over 20" other places and you gotta quit fishing when you kill one, barbless hooks, no fishing directly downstream of yourself or someone else (often called the San Juan Shuffle because fish will congregate and pick up food in the trail of debris kicked up by someone wading), etc. Have fun!

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I’ve heard that they bite drys a lot better in September, instead of the usual disco midges and San Jan worms that they ususally fish

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I am a flyfisherman at the university of Illinois.  I have not met any other this message knows any good ffishing spots in this area please contact me at the above email address. kyle Bowerman . .

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(bowerman kyle) writes:

Kyle:  I sense from your plea that you would probably enjoy meeting Mr. Biglips.  Take some of your pattented troutchow flies and head down to the Sangamon.  Cast to the tailing "Mud-salmon" and hope that your disc drag doesn’t melt.   For fly-fishing Arizona was tough, but Illinois is probably worse.  Did you think of transferring again, maybe to UW Eau Clair?  Did you investigate the South Br. of the Sangamon near Taylorville yet?  If it is really hot let us all know so we can crowd in there.       Sincerely: Illinois guy with grand cherokee, cell-phone and wife.

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