Question:

I am going to Ireland next week and would  like to do some fly fishing (trout or salmon).  Any recommendations on places to fish and places to stay (old houses and castles are preferrable to hotels).

You need to indicate area. You might want  to see ‘Trout and Salmon Rivers of Ireland" by Peter O’Reilly – Merle Unwin Books, London, 1st published 1991. There’s also a book on loughs (lakes ) if that’ what interests you. Many hotels are old houses and castles. Lazarus — Lazarus Cooke

Response:

I am going to Ireland next week and would  like to do some fly fishing (trout or salmon).  Any recommendations on places to fish and places to stay (old houses and castles are preferrable to hotels). Thanks …Mark

Response:

I am going to Ireland next week and would  like to do some fly fishing

You left your homework a bit late . . . The Irish Tourist Board may still produce the marvellous Angler’s Guide to Ireland which it gave away free (at least in 1957, date of mine . . .) A favourite book is C. Conor O’Malley’s With a Fishing Rod in Ireland pub. 1975 by Vantage (a notorious vanity press . . .) — Don Phillipson Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada)

Response:

Question:

The reason people fish varies from person to person and also seems to change over time. I know it has for me. When I was younger, I used to fish with an intensity that shut out everything around me in my quest to get just one more fish. Very goal oriented. Over time, I’ve become much more relaxed, especially on my home waters. I spend much of my time walking and observing, seeking a small piece of harmony with the nature world to replace the separation that is forced upon us by our overly busy modern lives. The splash of a trout chasing a caddis. The rich aroma of pine. The warmth of the sun on cool morning. The greenness of a forest in early Spring. The pungent taste of a wild raspberry.   Simple pleasures for a simple man. Willi "the crybaby" Loehman

Response:

You get no points for catching me in a spelling error ( as noted here somewhere english is a third language for engineers ).   It’s getting bad so I may have to use Word for email.  I don’t understand the Tiger reference. I was in North Carolina once driving from Ft Rucker to DC in 1967.  Nothing wrong with it but time and fate have conspired to keep from ever going back. Still time and who knows. BJC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – people ( if you want to include polititions as people ).    hope i don’t appear to be a spelling cop, but shouldn’t that be "politishuns"?    incidentally, bjc, was that you in the tiger mascot suit at this year’s unc-clemson game?    wayno

Response:

people ( if you want to include polititions as people ).

    hope i don’t appear to be a spelling cop, but shouldn’t that be "politishuns"?     incidentally, bjc, was that you in the tiger mascot suit at this year’s unc-clemson game?     wayno

Response:

just love a guy who fishes.  My extensive fan club and appearances in leading fashion magazines is testament to that.\ Seriously. The bitches dig it.

Where the F*** is Forty when you need him? Put down the chainsaw and listen to me. It’s time for us to join in the fight.

Response:

Good post,  Good to see roff getting back to ideas and less about events and people ( if you want to include polititions as people ). The older I get the more I remember the line " God does not subtract from your alotted time on earth those hours spent fishing"  ( Idon’t know the source).  Any way I am trying to make up for lost time now.  I cant on one hand the sermons I have heard that did me more good than a Sunday morning on a good stream. BJC

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Willi "the crybaby" Loehman

Response:

Thanks for the post Willi. I think that the fact FF provides me with so many alternative ways to spend time while still FFing is part of the draw. Sometimes I have to remember to continue fishing before my time in the woods is gone for the day. Danl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The reason people fish varies from person to person and also seems to change over time. I know it has for me. When I was younger, I used to fish with an intensity that shut out everything around me in my quest to get just one more fish. Very goal oriented. Over time, I’ve become much more relaxed, especially on my home waters. I spend much of my time walking and observing, seeking a small piece of harmony with the nature world to replace the separation that is forced upon us by our overly busy modern lives. The splash of a trout chasing a caddis. The rich aroma of pine. The warmth of the sun on cool morning. The greenness of a forest in early Spring. The pungent taste of a wild raspberry. Simple pleasures for a simple man. Willi "the crybaby" Loehman

Response:

Seriously. The bitches dig it. -Muskie Sick’em #2. I expect he means actual female dogs. What’s the PC thing to call them these days? Neuticle challenged canines?

Charlie, I’m surprised at you. The phrase "neuticle challenged" is a typical oppressive male patriarchical concept, implying that the absence of testicles (or Neuticles, as the case may be) presents a "challenge." All members of ROFF who don’t possess either testicles or neuticles demand an apology. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Charlie, I’m surprised at you. The phrase "neuticle challenged" is a typical oppressive male patriarchical concept, implying that the absence of testicles (or Neuticles, as the case may be) presents a "challenge."

Crap, now I’m going to have to get that taken off all the street and place names around here. — Charlie…

Response:

Seriously. The bitches dig it. Sick’em #2.

What do you want me to do, cough on him ? — Ken Fortenberry

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Seriously. The bitches dig it. -Muskie Sick’em #2.

I expect he means actual female dogs. What’s the PC thing to call them these days? Neuticle challenged canines? — Charlie…

Response:

it’s called growing old.  :) Simple pleasures for a simple man. Willi "the crybaby" Loehman I knew I had arrived at that age, one day when fishing the Boyne.

        lovely, ol man; you write even better than you tie streamers and nits.         thanks wayno

Response:

There are lots of good things about *growing* old, but only a few about *being* old (and I can’t remember what any of those are<g).

Well, just consider the alternative. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

There are lots of good things about *growing* old, but only a few about *being* old (and I can’t remember what any of those are<g). Well, just consider the alternative.

*That’s* the one! — Charlie…

Response:

\ Willi, well, I agree with your general ideas here.  Good post. However, doesnt anyone fish anymore for the groupies?  I know that is my main drive.  Chicks just love a guy who fishes.  My extensive fan club and appearances in leading fashion magazines is testament to that.\

Seriously. The bitches dig it. -Muskie

Response:

Seriously. The bitches dig it. -Muskie

Sick’em #2.      - Ken — "The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness.  You have to catch it yourself."      -Ben Franklin

Response:

Nice story Peter,    The Sierra’s are prone to sudden storms like the one you described, that’s why I carry a light weight poncho in my vest.  Sometime the fishing gets better during the storm, but I quit if the lightening starts. ROFF’s Old Fart "Peter Charles" wrote – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I knew I had arrived at that age, one day when fishing the Boyne. Overhead the scudding clouds and patchwork sun were telling me that rain and thunder were on the way, but I kept working upstream along the forest floor, seeking little brookies to fall prey to my caddis. The sun was still dappling the streambanks when the first drops began to fall. In less than a minute, a downpour splattered throught the sodden branches and thunder reverberated throughout the forest.  The softened light turned the forest into hues of green beyond count.  The mist that arose from the warm forest floor evoked an older time of spirits and magic.  I stood under some bushes, letting the water cascade off my head and shoulders, gazing out at a  little rainbow arcing over the stream, that the peeking sun had painted on the misty rainfall.  When the thunder shower cleared, I longed for another one. In a little while, Nature obliged me once more. Peter

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it’s called growing old.  :)

There are a FEW good things about it. Willi

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it’s called growing old.  :) There are a FEW good things about it.

There are lots of good things about *growing* old, but only a few about *being* old (and I can’t remember what any of those are<g). — Charlie…

Response:

Are you saying we old farts no longer have sense enough to come in out of the rain? JR

That sorta sums it up – either that, or we’ve learned to take our pleasures where we find them. Peter

Response:

it’s called growing old.  :) Simple pleasures for a simple man. Willi "the crybaby" Loehman

I knew I had arrived at that age, one day when fishing the Boyne. Overhead the scudding clouds and patchwork sun were telling me that rain and thunder were on the way, but I kept working upstream along the forest floor, seeking little brookies to fall prey to my caddis. The sun was still dappling the streambanks when the first drops began to fall. In less than a minute, a downpour splattered throught the sodden branches and thunder reverberated throughout the forest.  The softened light turned the forest into hues of green beyond count.  The mist that arose from the warm forest floor evoked an older time of spirits and magic.  I stood under some bushes, letting the water cascade off my head and shoulders, gazing out at a  little rainbow arcing over the stream, that the peeking sun had painted on the misty rainfall.  When the thunder shower cleared, I longed for another one. In a little while, Nature obliged me once more. Peter

Response:

Are you saying we old farts no longer have sense enough to come in out of the rain? JR – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – it’s called growing old.  :) I knew I had arrived at that age, one day when fishing the Boyne. ..very nice vignette clipped…. When the thunder shower cleared, I longed for another one. In a little while, Nature obliged me once more. Peter

Response:

The reason people fish varies from person to person and also seems to change over time.

[snip] Well said, Willi; but go easy on those wild berries or you might end up with ‘internal rhythms’<g. — Charlie…

Response:

(me, too) However, sometimes (every day i fish) when i’ve promised to be home at a certain time and i’m pushing it, i say to myself "just one more fish and i’ll go." Then, if i catch that fish right away, i KEEP FISHING.  

<some stuff snipped <gYeah, me too. It amazing the deals I make with myself to keep from having to stop fishing.   "OK 5 more casts, and if there are no strikes, then I’m out of here.  What, that was a lousy cast! Tnat doesn’t count….I’m sure I would have had a strike if there was no drag on that drift….Shee-it! I didn’t see that neat little run on the far side of the stream…It’s just this side of that big rock where I absolutely, positively said I’d quit…but there’s a deep pool just on the other side of that rock…and there’s always fish there… And on and on… Thanks for the impressions Willi. Quick trip report: Went wild mushroom hunting yesterday. Got some chanterelles, matsutakes, boletes, lobster mushrooms, corals. Ate some. Survived.

Response:

(me, too) However, sometimes (every day i fish) when i’ve promised to be home at a certain time and i’m pushing it, i say to myself "just one more fish and i’ll go." Then, if i catch that fish right away, i KEEP FISHING.  Invevitably that’s the last fish anyway.  My favorite days are when i catch that last fish, release it, and then put my fly on the keeper and hike back to my truck without another cast.  Better to keep the promises, including the ones you make to yourself. And now back to presidential politics.  Yahoo. bruce h Before you buy.

Response:

Willi, well, I agree with your general ideas here.  Good post. However, doesnt anyone fish anymore for the groupies?  I know that is my main drive.  Chicks just love a guy who fishes.  My extensive fan club and appearances in leading fashion magazines is testament to that. Now then, where is my medication…. ewdin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The reason people fish varies from person to person and also seems to change over time. I know it has for me. When I was younger, I used to fish with an intensity that shut out everything around me in my quest to get just one more fish. Very goal oriented. Over time, I’ve become much more relaxed, especially on my home waters. I spend much of my time walking and observing, seeking a small piece of harmony with the nature world to replace the separation that is forced upon us by our overly busy modern lives. The splash of a trout chasing a caddis. The rich aroma of pine. The warmth of the sun on cool morning. The greenness of a forest in early Spring. The pungent taste of a wild raspberry. Simple pleasures for a simple man. Willi "the crybaby" Loehman

Response:

Question:

I think that I’ve got it narrowed down to a couple of different models: Wilderness Systems The Ride Perception Swing I plan on using it in the bays around Long Island, NY I do not plan on too much use in the surf, but it may happen. I’m looking for a good Kayak…I am trying to keep down the length to under 14 feet or so. I notice that The Ride has a factory installed Rudder as an option. Would this be a good idea for my kind of use? Is the Swing more versatile than the Ride? How about stability??? Help a newbie out please!! -Tim Before you buy.

Response:

I think that I’ve got it narrowed down to a couple of different models: Wilderness Systems The Ride Perception Swing

I have 2 Ride’s that I use in flat water rivers and inshore in saltwater (I live in Atlanta). I don’t have rudders and haven’t had problems with tracking, but I use mine primarily to fly fish from and not for any kind of touring. — Charlie…

Response:

I grew up on Peconic and Shinnecock bays and wish I could paddle there during these interminable hot days down south. If I were you I would go for the Freedom by WS over the Ride. Both have a rudder option but the Freedom without rudder is as stable as any sot I have ever been in. It seems to sit lower in the water which means it gets less side push from winds, it is faster than Ride and the cost is comparable (Ride w rudder, Freedom w/o) The rudder is not to steer but to keep you on a more or less straight line when winds push against you. I doubt you will need a rudder on the Freedom, learn to control the boat by edging and adjusting your paddle stroke. I would invest the extra money in getting the optional back rest, it will be worth it to you in comfort. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think that I’ve got it narrowed down to a couple of different models: Wilderness Systems The Ride Perception Swing I plan on using it in the bays around Long Island, NY I do not plan on too much use in the surf, but it may happen. I’m looking for a good Kayak…I am trying to keep down the length to under 14 feet or so. I notice that The Ride has a factory installed Rudder as an option. Would this be a good idea for my kind of use? Is the Swing more versatile than the Ride? How about stability??? Help a newbie out please!! -Tim Before you buy.

Response:

I was looking at the Freedom as well, but I elimintaed it due to it’s size….I thought it to be  too long.  I’ll take a closer look.  Anyone with any other thoughts??? Thanks, Tim I – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I grew up on Peconic and Shinnecock bays and wish I could paddle there during these interminable hot days down south. If I were you I would go for the Freedom by WS over the Ride. Both have a rudder option but the Freedom without rudder is as stable as any sot I have ever been in. It seems to sit lower in the water which means it gets less side push from winds, it is faster than Ride and the cost is comparable (Ride w rudder, Freedom w/o) The rudder is not to steer but to keep you on a more or less straight line when winds push against you. I doubt you will need a rudder on the Freedom, learn to control the boat by edging and adjusting your paddle stroke. I would invest the extra money in getting the optional back rest, it will be worth it to you in comfort. I think that I’ve got it narrowed down to a couple of different models: Wilderness Systems The Ride Perception Swing I plan on using it in the bays around Long Island, NY I do not plan on too much use in the surf, but it may happen. I’m looking for a good Kayak…I am trying to keep down the length to under 14 feet or so. I notice that The Ride has a factory installed Rudder as an option. Would this be a good idea for my kind of use? Is the Swing more versatile than the Ride? How about stability??? Help a newbie out please!! -Tim Before you buy.

Before you buy.

Response:

Hi Tim, I’m relatively new to sea kayaking and I recently bought a used Scupper Pro (sot) that’s 14′9". I got it because it was in my price range and offered good sized hatches for gear and I found it easy to paddle. (One week this summer I paddled around Shelter Island, Peconic Bay and such.) I’m curious why you didn’t want something longer than 14 feet. In my limited experience, length of the kayak on the water hasn’t been an issue – what do I not know? I am thinking of investigating the rudder option for the Scupper – tracking in wind on the big bays around here (southern New Jersey) would be easier! Karenne

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Question:

Try hitting a beef shank bone if you want to hear shear pins in action… /daytripper (in a winter wonder land)

Here in Wisconsin we generally come up on the cow from behind.  Once the auger makes contact with the tail the cow invariably moves off  the driveway, post haste.  No need to hit ‘em in the shanks! Wolfgang in lala land

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Fortenberry writes: Oh holey moley, THIS is what passes for trash talk amongst the geriatric set. One-upmanship over snowblowers fer cryin’ out loud. I’m still shovelin’ and still castin’ that 9′ bamboo. — Ken Fortenberry- neener neener neener

Just took the new car with the 255/45 17inch performance tires to the super market.  It does not like snow!!!  d;0) Bought some strawberries and water melon. Have lots of martini fixins. Everything is copesetic. Dave L.

Response:

Just took the new car with the 255/45 17inch performance tires to the super market.  It does not like snow!!!  d;0) Bought some strawberries and water melon. Have lots of martini fixins. Everything is copesetic. Dave L.

Wha’d ya buy?  (got check out what I’m likely gonna be chasin’) Peter

Response:

Peter Charles: Wha’d ya buy?  (got check out what I’m likely gonna be chasin’)

A 2000 Audi A6 with the 300bhp 4.2L engine.  Goes like stink, but not in the snow with 255/40-17 Y rated tires.  It’s actually scarey out there.  Jo’s got the farm implement. Dave L.

Response:

[a lot of snow whining snipped] The get a bit of snow and listen to the wusses. Nannook Peter Peter

Hey, now, don’t mistake my post for a complaint. Being snowbound gives me just the excuse I needed to work on the fly rod I’m building (since I’m not a fly tier, what else am I gonna do?). It is pretty amazing that we’ve had 17" of snowfall in the last 18 hours or so in Cary, NC. I grew up in Utah and can’t remember ever having that much snowfall in one day. Pass the back bacon, eh. –Steve

Response:

A 2000 Audi A6 with the 300bhp 4.2L engine.  Goes like stink, but not in the snow with 255/40-17 Y rated tires.  It’s actually scarey out there.  Jo’s got the farm implement. Dave L.

AWESOME – you will be bringing that up here won’t you <GGGGGGGG Peter

Response:

Just cleared six inches off the driveway.  My 15 year old Dukakus snowblower is still going strong. Hah! That’s a baby! My 30" 8hp Ariens was built in 1967. Bought it for $75 ten years ago, dropped all of $30 into it for a new carb, plug, and traction lock pin, and it starts first pull every time. They built this one to outlast a couple of owners ;^) Oh holey moley, THIS is what passes for trash talk amongst the geriatric set. One-upmanship over snowblowers fer cryin’ out loud.

Well, heck, what do you expect us geriatrics to be doing, anyway? We can’t even FIND open water under all this white stuff, never mind fish it! And actually, I thought that was one-downmanship, but what do I know. I was responding to someone who bought a $40000 accident-waiting-to-happen ;^) I’m still shovelin’ and still castin’ that 9′ bamboo.

If you put down the 9′ bamboo you’ll cast that shovel further ;^) /daytripper (snowblind in stow)

Response:

Day Tripper: If you put down the 9′ bamboo you’ll cast that shovel further ;^) /daytripper (snowblind in stow)

Farther. Dave, duckin’ in the snow five miles south of Dave. Dave L.

Response:

Day Tripper: If you put down the 9′ bamboo you’ll cast that shovel further ;^) /daytripper (snowblind in stow) Farther.

Oh well. I can spell just fine, but I need a context-checker! Dave, duckin’ in the snow five miles south of Dave.

I can still SEEEEEEE you! We didn’t get THAT much snow ;^) /daytripper (now comes the freezin’ rain…)

Response:

Out here in the beautiful Western end of Massachusetts, I just finished clearing the first 6" and it’s now turning to sleet.  Oh joy. Hope it clears up before I drive down to Somerset, NJ Friday.  Picture on the front page of the local paper is a snow plow clearing snow off one of the local ponds – time for skating, not fishing.  A friend tells me he caught a good sized pickerel through the ice on a black wooly bugger Saturday… –Stan

You and me both Stan… I plan on coming out on Friday to view with out the crowds and then again on Saturday to meet with abunch of others on I’ll be driving back and forth though… It was sleeting today in So.Jersey but the main roads were in good shape. Plan on a long drive. Most of the speed limits are heavily reduced. — Michael Era

Question:

I went to a small creek nearby my home in central PA a couple of nights ago to continue my on the water "education" of fly fishing.  I had been to this same creek a couple of times recently and had success catching a few 10-12 inch brook trout (when I actually got my fly to go where I wanted it to!). I found a nice deep pool in this very small stream where a tree had fallen across the creek and caused a natural dam.  I could see several trout feeding there and hitting something on top so I started casting with a dry fly (Elk Hair Caddis, I think it’s called) and hooked a nice brook trout on my second or third cast. Being that the weather has been warm and the water level pretty low, I tried to bring the fish to hand as quickly as possible and don’t think I over played the trout at all.  I kept it mostly in the water to unhook it but it was a barbed hook and the trout was bleeding slightly from its lower jaw.  I got the hook out fairly quickly and made sure the trout was revived before letting it swim away…or so I thought. I kept fishing the hole for another ten or fifteen minutes and caught one more much smaller trout and released it.  Then I started to walk upstream to find another pool and I saw a shining gleam from the edge of the deep pool and realized that the first fish I caught was turned upside down in the hole and caught up on some debris and was in fact dying.  I didn’t have a net with me so I tried to get it with a stick to take it home but could not get it and stirred up so much muck that I lost sight of it. I move on but kept trying to figure out what must have gone wrong or what "rookie" mistake did I do to cause it to die. Is there a point where the water conditions just will not allow a trout to live if caught?  I don’t know what the water temp. was but I’m sure it was fairly warm (I am going to buy a stream thermometer but have not gotten one yet). Also, do most fly fisherman carry a creel just in case one dies during C&R? Please let me know if there is anything more I could have done to revive the trout.  BTW I am going to debarb my hooks from now on also. Tim

Response:

I went to a small creek nearby my home in central PA a couple of nights ago

Tom – central PA has been hot and dry this spring.  Streams are low and warm. My educated guess would be water temperature – which lowers the oxygen content and on a stressed fish could well be fatal.    by the way, 10-12 inch brookies are good size for around here, so there are some nice fish in that stream. Mark Faulkner

Response:

Hi Tim, There are several possibilities here. The first one is that it was just too warm, and the fish died because of combined stress and heat. It is best not to fish above certain temperatures, if you wish to release the fish, as the fish suffers  too much stress and often dies. Overplaying a fish will kill it as well. The other possibility is that it bled to death. Even a small hole in a fish which bleeds for a while will kill the fish fairly quickly. Fish do not have coagulating agents in their blood like mammals, and can not afford to lose much blood anyway. I have seen quite a few large Seatrout bleed to death quite quickly ( much less than half an hour in several cases ), after being released apparently unharmed. The probable cause of death was given as "blood depletion resulting in oxygen transfer  failure" by a laboratory which examined a couple of the dead fish.  In all the cases mentioned ( only two of the fish mentioned were actually examined by a professional lab), the hole left by the hook was fairly small, but obviously of a position and size sufficient to cause fatal blood loss. Several fish showed signs of distress fairly quickly, and only slight water staining ( blood ) was apparent from the mouth region when they were released. The fish mentioned were found fairly quickly at the pool outlets, and their gills were already looking a very unhealthy whitish pink colour, instead of the normal bright red. If a fish bleeds very much at all then you can write it off usually, it will not survive long. Surprisingly enough fish will often survive fairly major bodily injuries, like gashes from nets, or seals etc, especially in salt water, as long as they do not bleed too much. If they bleed however they are usually doomed. We catch quite a few fish which have been "stabbed" by herons, and they often survive this as long as they do not bleed from the gash, or are attacked by fungal or other parasites. Every year where I used to live in England we also had quite a few fish damaged by fungus etc, after being hooked and released. UDN was prevalent at the time, but this seemed to be a different sort of fungus, often originating at a hole caused by a hook, especially in the sides of the lower jaw, and also in many cases obviously by anglers handling fish with hot dry hands, the imprints left from this could be clearly seen on occasion. Has nothing to do with your problem of course, but I thought I would mention it anyway.  If you are going to handle fish, do so only with cool wet hands, and if possible avoid touching them at all, even slight damage to the protective slime will leave the fish open to disease etc. Rough dry nets are just as bad, knotted nylon being among the worst. If you fish catch and release it is easier to release fish if you use barbless hooks. Hope this helps. Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

Tim,   It’s possible you caught a fish that had be caught and released earlier that day or previous night. Lot’s of really good flyfishers are working those streams in the Central PA area.   If you’re new to the sport, check out Flyfishers’ Paradise in State College. They provided me with alot of great advice, and I bought alot of first rate equipment and supplies from them. Good Luck

Response:

Tim, If you saw any blood at all, the fish probably died from blood loss. I’m sure the high water temp didn’t help either. You need to get a stream thermometer. Personally, I won’t fish water above 70 deg if I don’t intend to keep what I catch, and if I notice any bleeding from a fish, I will kill it unless the reg’s prohibit it. George Adams

Response:

Just like anyone else in this group that practices Catch and Release it is really bad to see something like that that.  That fish will not just float and rot away.  That fish will make an excellent meal for others in its food chain.  Wether it be another fish, a fox, Racoon, Bear, otter, ect.  That fish will not go to waste.  I am not saying when you fish not to use extreme care when practicing Catch and Release but sometimes a problem like such can and does happen. Tight Lines and Warm Barrels. Jeremiah Weed

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Tim, There are several possibilities here. The first one is that it was just too warm, and the fish died because of combined stress and heat. It is best not to fish above certain temperatures, if you wish to release the fish, as the fish suffers  too much stress and often dies. Overplaying a fish will kill it as well. The other possibility is that it bled to death. Even a small hole in a fish which bleeds for a while will kill the fish fairly quickly. Fish do not have coagulating agents in their blood like mammals, and can not afford to lose much blood anyway. I have seen quite a few large Seatrout bleed to death quite quickly ( much less than half an hour in several cases ), after being released apparently unharmed. The probable cause of death was given as "blood depletion resulting in oxygen transfer  failure" by a laboratory which examined a couple of the dead fish.  In all the cases mentioned ( only two of the fish mentioned were actually examined by a professional lab), the hole left by the hook was fairly small, but obviously of a position and size sufficient to cause fatal blood loss. Several fish showed signs of distress fairly quickly, and only slight water staining ( blood ) was apparent from the mouth region when they were released. The fish mentioned were found fairly quickly at the pool outlets, and their gills were already looking a very unhealthy whitish pink colour, instead of the normal bright red. If a fish bleeds very much at all then you can write it off usually, it will not survive long. Surprisingly enough fish will often survive fairly major bodily injuries, like gashes from nets, or seals etc, especially in salt water, as long as they do not bleed too much. If they bleed however they are usually doomed. We catch quite a few fish which have been "stabbed" by herons, and they often survive this as long as they do not bleed from the gash, or are attacked by fungal or other parasites. Every year where I used to live in England we also had quite a few fish damaged by fungus etc, after being hooked and released. UDN was prevalent at the time, but this seemed to be a different sort of fungus, often originating at a hole caused by a hook, especially in the sides of the lower jaw, and also in many cases obviously by anglers handling fish with hot dry hands, the imprints left from this could be clearly seen on occasion. Has nothing to do with your problem of course, but I thought I would mention it anyway.  If you are going to handle fish, do so only with cool wet hands, and if possible avoid touching them at all, even slight damage to the protective slime will leave the fish open to disease etc. Rough dry nets are just as bad, knotted nylon being among the worst. If you fish catch and release it is easier to release fish if you use barbless hooks. Hope this helps. Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

One thing I have learned over the years is that if you hook a trout in the gills it will bleed to death so you might as well have it for dinner. Ernie Harrison Like to make fly-fishing stuff?  See: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh/

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The other possibility is that it bled to death. Even a small hole in a fish which bleeds for a while will kill the fish fairly quickly. Fish do not have coagulating agents in their blood like mammals, and can not afford to lose much blood anyway.

I agree with Mike on this one. In my experience, a bleeding fish ends up a dead fish. Nowadays, if a fish I catch bleeds, I don’t mess around: it gets whacked straight away. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

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Question:

The main thing is, beef up your terminal gear. 0X fluorocarbon is a greatchoice. Nine foot is a goo length, tapered. Intermediate shooting head seems to be better than a floater – cuts wind and waves better. Charlies and gotchas are usually good, but when in doubt and in the usual 3-4 ft of water, I tie on a lightly weighted size 2 ultrashrimp. Nice chunk of meat substitute for big bones. Probably too big if the water is shallow. The Battenkill is a tough call. I caught bones on a Battenkill 8/9, but took care to clean out the salt afterward. If you hook a 9-10 lb bone, you might get spooled. I caught a 29 inch bone in Aruba (9.5lbs?) that almost spooled me with an Abel 3 reel (8wt head, 100 ft running line, 200 yds 30lb dacron backing). Think about it. One other thing: Before you make cast number one, just stand still and watch the ebb and flow of the water around you for 10 – 15 minutes (if you can stand it). Bones are like trout – find their feeding lanes and cruising lanes, and cast where they live. Be prepared for the time of your life. Salt water can ALMOST spoil you for anything else. FlyFisherRay

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I have never been bonefishing before and I’m wondering if any of you have any advice for me. I have an 8wt Sage and regular floating line on a Orvis Battenkill reel. I don’t own any bonefish flies. I am wondering what I will need to make my trip this C-mas to the Bay islands of Honduras a successfull one. Will a regular floating line work? What type of leader size and length is typical? Can I wade in TEVAs or tennis shoes? Should I bring a 6wt rod as well? Has anyone been to or heard anything about the Bay islands? We will be at the largest one called Roatan or something like that. Any advice I could get that would help me get my first Bone would be appreciated. What about barracuda? I know some of you out there have experience in the salt, won’t you help a poor landlocked chump out? Brady

Hi Brady, Your outfit will be fine. I would get the stiffest 9′ 0x knot less tapered leaders with matching 0x tippet material. Use a bead eyed Charlie type bonefish fly for sand bottoms and a snapping shrimp type pattern for turtle grass flats. good colors are brown, tan, olive and pink. Take some small crab imitations in tan or olive for permit. Get a long needle fish imitation with a wire leader for cudas. I always take some light colored small/medium salt water poppers and some small/medium salt water streamers. A hat, Polarized glasses and sun screen are important.  Casting skill is very important in salt water fly fishing, so be sure to work on that a bit. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

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I’ve been to Belize a few times but not Honduras. The 8wt should be fine but the Battenkill reel probably won’t hold up. Get a disk drag saltwater reel (SA System 2 or equivalent at least). The line should be OK too but there are some special lines made for salt water that you should look at. They tend to be more of a shooting taper and a little stiffer so they don’t sag as much in hot weather. I have had the best luck with Crazy Charlies and Permit Puffs as flies. For barracuda try a needlefish imitation and strip _real_ fast with both hands. As far as wading, it depends on the bottom. Some flats are very soft and can’t be waded very well. I fished primarily from a boat in Belize. Have a great time and try to see some ruins as well. I have never been bonefishing before and I’m wondering if any of you have any advice for me. I have an 8wt Sage and regular floating line on a Orvis Battenkill reel. I don’t own any bonefish flies. I am wondering what I will need to make my trip this C-mas to the Bay islands of Honduras a successfull one. Will a regular floating line work? What type of leader size and length is typical? Can I wade in TEVAs or tennis shoes? Should I bring a 6wt rod as well? Has anyone been to or heard anything about the Bay islands? We will be at the largest one called Roatan or something like that. Any advice I could get that would help me get my first Bone would be appreciated. What about barracuda? I know some of you out there have experience in the salt, won’t you help a poor landlocked chump out? Brady

– Charlie…

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I have never been bonefishing before and I’m wondering if any of you have any advice for me. I have an 8wt Sage and regular floating line on a Orvis Battenkill reel. I don’t own any bonefish flies. I am wondering what I will need to make my trip this C-mas to the Bay islands of Honduras a successfull one. Will a regular floating line work? What type of leader size and length is typical? Can I wade in TEVAs or tennis shoes? Should I bring a 6wt rod as well? Has anyone been to or heard anything about the Bay islands? We will be at the largest one called Roatan or something like that. Any advice I could get that would help me get my first Bone would be appreciated. What about barracuda? I know some of you out there have experience in the salt, won’t you help a poor landlocked chump out?  Brady

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Question:

I’ve only gone fishing a few times in my life and I’m currently in the Pittsburgh area.  Since all I have is a fishing rod, what I need is some starting points.  If anyone knows of fishing sites in the Pittsburgh area along with the appropriate season for fishing there, I would appreciate Thanks.

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I’ve only gone fishing a few times in my life and I’m currently in the Pittsburgh area.  Since all I have is a fishing rod, what I need is some starting points.  If anyone knows of fishing sites in the Pittsburgh area along with the appropriate season for fishing there, I would appreciate Thanks.

Serene Fly-Fishing Adventures fishing all of Pa top waters from Erie tribs to W.B.Delaware for wild trout.  Cent Pa limestone contact Pete for mor info.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve only gone fishing a few times in my life and I’m currently in the Pittsburgh area.  Since all I have is a fishing rod, what I need is some starting points.  If anyone knows of fishing sites in the Pittsburgh area along with the appropriate season for fishing there, I would appreciate Thanks. Serene Fly-Fishing Adventures fishing all of Pa top waters from Erie tribs to W.B.Delaware for wild trout.  Cent Pa limestone contact Pete for mor info.

There’s 2 or more books out for streams in PA. Don B. Wishful collector of Gillums and Dickersons – owner of Montague, H-I and Heddons

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Question:

writes: I want to start tying flies but Im not sure how to get started.

Yeah Jeff, I started tying long ago and my flies were never truely correct. Tails too long, too much hackle, ect…. Then I finally picked up a video called "Tying Western Trout Flies" by Jack Dennis and then I started punching ‘em out! His address is Box 4158, Jackson Hole, Wy. 83001. Ph: 307-733-3253. There are many other good video’s available as well. You need to decide which flies you will use the most and go from there. Also, many fly shops offer classes at night. That’s a good way to meet people who can really help you. Best of luck. Cliff

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writes: I want to start tying flies but Im not sure how to get started. Any tips?                                                 thanks                                                   Jeff

Jeff,  not to be product specific, but there are lots of _kits_ from lots of vendors.  Bass Pro Shops has several all in a different price ranges.  Orvis has two (perhaps more) one just below $100 and one about $120.  These _kits_ are very good ways to start.  As you get better you can replace items for better ones.  The most important item is your vise.   Buy the best one you can afford.  I bought a cheap one and I now regret it.  When I can afford it I want to get a better one. Tight Lines and happy tying,

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I want to start tying flies but Im not sure how to get started. Any tips?                                                 thanks                                                   Jeff

Jeff, 1.  A previous follow-up recommended taking a class — this is certainly the best course.  I’ve taken three or four classes and learned new techniques from each.  A local fly shop or a Trout Unlimited chapter can put you onto a class. There is a Trout Unlimited Home Page which can direct you to a local chapter.   Also you could post a message in one or more of the fly fishing / tying newsgroups or at flyfishing.com.  2.  If a class is not available in your area, then search out an experienced tyer to help you.  He / she can save you lots of frustration and help you with acquiring suitable tools and materials. 3.  Your third alternative (in order of preference) is the purchase of some top notch instructional materials.  There are some excellent books and videos available.  You will probably want to get some books on tying techniques and fly patterns in any case.  A some of the better known authors include: Skip Morris, Dick Talleur, Eric Leiser, Jack Dennis and Randall Kaufman (not to slight any of the other fine writers).  The first three offer books for the beginner. 4.  Beware of kits.  Although some are very good (you might inquire about those) most lack high quality tools and materials.  Quality tools and materials will go a long way towards eliminating frustration and insuring acceptable results. 5.  A final word.  Although the first flies which you tie probably will not approach fly shop quality — fish them anyway!  Even ratty flies catch fish – I should know.  Fish are much less concerned with aesthetics than fishermen. And besides, your flies will improve with practice. Tight Lines, Derek Brown

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Jeff,  not to be product specific, but there are lots of _kits_ from lots of vendors.  Bass Pro Shops has several all in a different price ranges.  Orvis has two (perhaps more) one just below $100 and one about $120.  These _kits_ are very good ways to start.  

I have to jump in here.  Over on rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying, this is a frequent discussion topic.  In all cases, kits are thoroughly discouraged.  The common wisdom there suggests buying a core set of good quality tools and the materials to tie two or three flies that you already use from your local fly shop.  Then expand your tools and materials as you go. I have to agree with the advice in another post to contact your local fly fishing club.  There are folks there who just LOVE to teach!  You can learn anything you want by just asking at the club meeting. Tight threads, Charley

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Jeff,  not to be product specific, but there are lots of _kits_ from lots of vendors.  Bass Pro Shops has several all in a different price ranges.  Orvis has two (perhaps more) one just below $100 and one about $120.  These _kits_ are very good ways to start.

I disagree         If I had it to do over again, I would have purchased a good set of tools and gone to a fly shop to get material.  The first flytying kit I got was from  Bass Pro Shop (please everyone forgive me) and the quality of the material  was pathetic.  I could have done much better had I had access to people telling me to just get a set of tool sand feathers else where! Walter D. Whitman

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I would like to point out that a friend of mine has a great video out on fly tying instruction for kids…it’s very funny and informative…and it comes with a kit that might serve a kid starting out as a fly tier…you can call this guy about the video…406-549-4308.

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(BassMan918) writes: I want to start tying flies but Im not sure how to get started. Any tips?

Check out rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying — beginner questions are welcome, and a great deal of useful information turns up every week.  – Roger

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writes: I want to start tying flies but Im not sure how to get started. Any tips?

My first fly tying lesson was given to me by alf walker who had me tie a series of wets/nymphs  which were nothing more than a size ten hook tailled with brown hackle, and dubbed with a piece picked from the store carpet, with a hackle collar.  I may still have the original fly which was beautifuly proportioned as he tied it.  My only expenditures were thread, a small indian cape, and a few hooks.  You can tie most patterns down to size 16 whith relative ease, whithout cement, bobins, and vises.  Hackle pliers and scisors are useful for this kind of tying as are half hitches.  This is great fun, and you should have no difficulty tying basic patterns.  I remember walker telling me that I would never find tying so much fun as I then did with all my materials contained for the first few months in a small cardboard box.   Possibly so. Thomas – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –                                                 thanks                                                   Jeff Jeff,  not to be product specific, but there are lots of _kits_ from lots of vendors.  Bass Pro Shops has several all in a different price ranges.  Orvis has two (perhaps more) one just below $100 and one about $120.  These _kits_ are very good ways to start.  As you get better you can replace items for better ones.  The most important item is your vise.   Buy the best one you can afford.  I bought a cheap one and I now regret it.  When I can afford it I want to get a better one. Tight Lines and happy tying,

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I want to start tying flies but Im not sure how to get started. Any tips?                                                  thanks                                                    Jeff

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For me, taking a class was the way to go.  Simple "tricks" like starting the thread, spinning deer hair, and tying off would have been much tougher for me to pick up out of a book.  If there are any fly fishing shops under "fishing, retail" in the yellow pages, there is a good chance that they give lesseons, or they can direct you to the local fly fishing clubs, many of which will either have a class, or have experienced tyers who would be delighted to teach you.  Maybe other members can direct you to the better videos if neither of the above routes work out. Bill Mack

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For me fly tying is such an integral part of flyfishing, that I would hate to have to buy all of my flies.  It is a great way to keep your fishing nerves under control during those long closed seasons.  Thus it is great that you want to get into it.   Like flyfishing itself you can save yourself a good bit of trouble by having some hands-on training.  A night of classes at a fly shop or even through university extension programs (for example the University of Washington actually has classes in tying and fishing through the experimental college) would be a smart move.  If there are any local fishing clubs or shops around ask if they know anyone who might give you a short tutorial.  Also, definitely buy a vice.  It is possible to tie flies without one, but you will be much more frustated.  A reasonable vice can be purchased for around $30.  It won’t be fancy and you may find it hard for flies smaller than size 18, but it will get you rolling.  Most of the kits mentioned in one of the posts below have vices of this caliber.  Don’t be shy about asking someone to teach you, most of the fly tying books look like bad directions for assembling lint balls.  It is worth the effort, you’ll be hooked as soon as you catch your first fish on your own fly. cheers, Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – writes: I want to start tying flies but Im not sure how to get started. Any tips? My first fly tying lesson was given to me by alf walker who had me tie a series of wets/nymphs  which were nothing more than a size ten hook tailled with brown hackle, and dubbed with a piece picked from the store carpet, with a hackle collar.  I may still have the original fly which was beautifuly proportioned as he tied it.  My only expenditures were thread, a small indian cape, and a few hooks.  You can tie most patterns down to size 16 whith relative ease, whithout cement, bobins, and vises.  Hackle pliers and scisors are useful for this kind of tying as are half hitches.  This is great fun, and you should have no difficulty tying basic patterns.  I remember walker telling me that I would never find tying so much fun as I then did with all my materials contained for the first few months in a small cardboard box.   Possibly so. Thomas                                                 thanks                                                   Jeff Jeff,  not to be product specific, but there are lots of _kits_ from lots of vendors.  Bass Pro Shops has several all in a different price ranges.  Orvis has two (perhaps more) one just below $100 and one about $120.  These _kits_ are very good ways to start.  As you get better you can replace items for better ones.  The most important item is your vise.   Buy the best one you can afford.  I bought a cheap one and I now regret it.  When I can afford it I want to get a better one. Tight Lines and happy tying,

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Question:

thinking of relocating to the charlotte, nc area would like info on the flyfishing in the area or general region, preferances are trout!Willing and able to backpack in,info on this also. thanks much!!

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Join the local TU group (rockey river).  they have all the info you will need. rmurrell

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thinking of relocating to the charlotte, nc area would like info on the flyfishing in the area or general region, preferances are trout!Willing and able to backpack in,info on this also. thanks much!!

Greetings:         I grew up near Charlotte, and went to college there.  You are about 1.5-2 hrs drive from deep mountains (Blue Ridge Parkway, etc.), coming from the north side of the city.  There are a lot of small streams within that 2 hr drive as I recall, and I know some are trout water.  It has been years though since I lived there, and I never did any flyfishing then.  Generally though, the state legislature has been really strong advocates of water quality, trout stocking, and the like.  So you should find some great trout.  Also, for practice, there is a huge reservoir (approx. 600 miles of shoreline) about 30 minutes north of the city, with great panfish and bass.  Also, there are a lot of smaller lakes in the city or surrounding areas, so practice waters will abound.  Good luck. Dan Johnson  

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Question:

I’m going up to Seagull Lake in the BOundary Waters Canoe Area of Northern MN in late May.  I’m new to sm bass fly-fishing and was wondering what flys, sizes & patterns are successful.  If anyone knows Seagull, I sure would appreciate any pointers you would be willing to share.

Jon: Don’t know Seagull but was in BWCA last year at end of May precisely for FF for smallmouth, though I had a friend along with spinning gear. We started looking for them deepish at first, with little luck. Then went to shallower bays where water was warmer and fished right up against shore with poppers, Dahlberg Diver’s, etc. and from there on out it was a blast, esp. in the a.m. and p.m. I think almost anything on the surface would have worked, I liked foam poppers for indestructibility, but had fun with my own Muddlers too. (My friend just used small Rapalas that we did surgery on to get rid of the trebles and barbs.) Anything you can make a little disturbance with, and sometimes the more the better. But we found you had to really put that thing right up against shore. It would seem crazy, but the bass, even if obviously laying 3-4 feet away from shore, really appeared completely taken in by something spluttering away from the shore. I bet those Mouserat jobs would work fine, but my exp. with smallmouths is that you can’t go wrong with smallish lures. You are in for a great time. Just look for the warmest water possible. Northern shorelines of bays would seem smartest.

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I’m going up to Seagull Lake in the BOundary Waters Canoe Area of Northern MN in late May.  I’m new to sm bass fly-fishing and was wondering what flys, sizes & patterns are successful.  If anyone knows Seagull, I sure would appreciate any pointers you would be willing to share.  But we found you had to really put that thing right up against shore. It would seem crazy, but the bass, even if obviously laying 3-4 feet away from shore, really appeared completely taken in by something spluttering away from the shore.

I agree with putting it right on the bank and pulling it off.  I was up in Crooked Lake last May and bouncing it off rocks on the shore and letting it drop in was the most succesful. –Patrick

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I’m going up to Seagull Lake in the BOundary Waters Canoe Area of Northern MN in late May.  I’m new to sm bass fly-fishing and was wondering what flys, sizes & patterns are successful.  If anyone knows Seagull, I sure would appreciate any pointers you would be willing to share. Thanks ! Jonathan

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I’m going up to Seagull Lake in the BOundary Waters Canoe Area of Northern MN in late May.  I’m new to sm bass fly-fishing and was wondering what flys, sizes & patterns are successful.  If anyone knows

FF is suitable for bass in lakes only if the bass are shallow and you know where they are:  but you might be able to find river inflows and outflows which will be easier.  Try: — in streamy water at least a yard deep (potholes OK) fish a big streamer (Muddler or something brighter e.g. Yellow Sally) as deep as you can e.g. on a sink-tip line. — bring a few very small poppers on big hooks.  They’re not good hookers, but you can often tease bass up to the top and get hits. — be ready to match (very roughly) an evening rise to hatching insects, e.g. wet alder fly (for caddis), biggish nymphs, high-floating dries. The half hour after sunset can be thrilling, and if the moon is right (to see your fly) you can fish into full dark. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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