Question:

Today it is windy and rainy (way more than usual) and all the boats are at the docks.  40 kt winds at Diamond Shoals.  The past four days have seen albie fishing of the best kind.  The cold weather and northerly winds brought the fish in like they are supposed to be. Most people are able to find some fish to cast to about all day long. And in the morning the fish have been feasting on everything and anything that people can throw at them.  Little flies, big flies, doesn’t much matter.  They will eat it.  In the afternoon they get a little bit pickier and a little more spread out but the morning action has been quite memorable.  The fish are coming up shoulder to shoulder and I would think that if you dragged your toes in the water you might get nipped.  Now those are aggressive fish!!  Sorry to those folks who came down before this.  The warm weather delayed the arrival.  Should be good for a while now.  If you can get down here, now would be a good time. Capt Gordon Churchill http://www.flyfish-nc.com

Response:

Gordon, will the Albies stay in close all winter or will they head further South? So how about booking 4 fly fishermen on 2 half day trips.  All 4 ride out to the Cape via ferry, they fish until you get there around 9ish (since Christine might be keeping you up late).  Two jump on board with you and go joy riding.  The other two continue to fish.  Around 12:30 you return and swap out sports with the two ashore and off you go.  Around 4 – 4:30 you return, pick up the first two and take all 4 back to ferry central.  This is starting to sound like a PLAN!  All 4 get both Cape Lookout shore fishing at the "Hook" and Albie chasing with you! — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Today it is windy and rainy (way more than usual) and all the boats are at the docks.  40 kt winds at Diamond Shoals.  The past four days have seen albie fishing of the best kind.  The cold weather and northerly winds brought the fish in like they are supposed to be. Most people are able to find some fish to cast to about all day long. And in the morning the fish have been feasting on everything and anything that people can throw at them.  Little flies, big flies, doesn’t much matter.  They will eat it.  In the afternoon they get a little bit pickier and a little more spread out but the morning action has been quite memorable.  The fish are coming up shoulder to shoulder and I would think that if you dragged your toes in the water you might get nipped.  Now those are aggressive fish!!  Sorry to those folks who came down before this.  The warm weather delayed the arrival.  Should be good for a while now.  If you can get down here, now would be a good time. Capt Gordon Churchill http://www.flyfish-nc.com

Response:

Question:

<snip Nice read, Sam. — TL, Tim

Response:

Howdy Sam     As a sometime resident of Pa. i have a camper in Coburn close to Penns Creek wife is from Scranton where would this lovely little stream be i would like to check it out. Email me if you want.                    Handyman Mike           Standing in a river waving a stick

Response:

I finished up my summer vacation at my boyhood home in eastern Pennsylvania late in the evening of July 3. I planned to rise before dawn on Independence Day and fish my favorite little creek. [HISTORIC ASIDE] I fished this creek as a boy some twenty five years earlier. Then, it was at best, marginal water.  Smelly, appearing nearly devoid of anything alive, and in places, algae nearly choked the stream due to phosphate pollution from industry far upstream. But it had trout, and I could walk there. Twenty five years ago that’s all I needed. In the intervening years, I went off to college, moved several times, got married, and had several jobs. I visited the creek whenever I got back home. Never to fish, just to try to recapture some of those boyhood memories I guess.  Over the past 6 or 7 years, I noticed that the smell had gone and so did the algae. Not surprising, since the upstream industry, and all the related jobs, disappeared. That is why most of my contemporaries and I left the area in the first place. Over the past 3 years, I was able to follow stocking reports, Pennsylvania state water reports and even fishing reports via the internet.  The stream was definitely on the mend. In fact, recently it was supposed to be removed from the list stocked streams due to a "Class B or better designation, and sizable wild trout population" according to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PAFBC). The decision to not stock was later reversed because of a public outcry. Knowing some of the history of this stream, and knowing some of the troubles of the PAFBC, I was skeptical to say the least. [END OF HISTORICAL ASIDE] Before dawn came and went (as it sometimes does) and I was still in bed. However, I was on the creek by 6:00am. It was already hot, opressively hot. I was to pay dearly for that extra hour of sleep. Should have gotten up at 4:30 like the alarm clock said. It was the tail end of week long 90+ degree streak. The water had a good flow but promised little relief from the heat. As I entered the water, I was pleasantly surprised by the cool press of my breathables against my bare legs.  Stream thermometer read 66 degrees, not too shabby! I waded upstream about 100 yards or so, and stood in an ankle deep riffle. I gazed upstream at a 50 yard stretch of knee deep flat water, with another riffle at the head. There were about a dozen fish rising in front of me.  I could not tell what they were feeding on, but I did notice that most of the bugs I saw were gray. So I tied on a #16 gray EHC. There were at least two fish between the biggest riseform and myself, and it was under a low hanging branch.  Not going to get that one. I decided to cast to the closest one, which I spooked after a few casts.  I crept forward to cast to the next one that was still feeding.  On the second cast, there was a kamakazee rise to my fly.  As I set the hook, I thought "little fish, big ones don’t crash that hard…probably not a trout anyway". I had it, or wait, did it have me? It was not quite the little fish I imagined. After a savage but brief fight, I brought a beautifully colored, fully finned, and yes, wild 15 inch brown trout to hand. After a quick and admiring look, I released it, and it darted upstream.  I was so happy I laughed out loud. I waited for about 15 minutes for the fish to start rising again, but they never did.  It was 7:45am, and the heat was intensifiying.  I briefly though of moving on upstream, but then thought I should just go home. Landing more fish on that day would make me no happier.

Response:

Question:

I believe in some of the main places like Dusy, Leconte, Mcclure has bear boxes.  

No bear boxes in Dusy.  KCNP requires bear cans there.

Response:

It’s a beautiful and enjoyable hike to do.  I did it several years ago and saw no bears.  I believe in some of the main places like Dusy, Leconte, Mcclure has bear boxes.  Though I remeber the mosquitos were a pain in the meadows, I think I did this in August or so.  As for fishing it was pretty good.  For flies I would take mosquitos as well as any flies which has a little red in it.  I believe somewhere I have a briefly written trip report.  Email me if you want it. Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Looking to do North Lake to South Lake, in the Sierra’s (Bishop) via JMT and PCT, on TOPO! and Topo USA 3.0 looks to be just under 60 miles.  Tips are always welcome. Planning on early Semptember (yeah I want more snow too), would like to do late July, but am booked for another hike in Idaho, Sawtooth NF to be exact. Am planning on 12 – 15 miles a day to enjoy the scenery.  Any gotcha’s on this trail?   Does not look to heavy duty for most of the way, except a few miles. Obviously bears will be a big problem or atleast what I have experienced in the past Sierra trips.  I plan on eating atleast a mile from campsite, and stealth camping is always on my list. Am also looking to fly fish for the most part.  Have had great luck with wooly buggers in most Sierra’s, but am wondering what else works. Many thanks, Oh yeah, will be going solo too, my dog has got to stay home.  Can’t carry her out that long if she develops a pad problem. tmc

Response:

The last time that we did this route, we did it the other direction (South Lake to North Lake) and it was in May, so we were on X-C skis. No bears in sight. Climbing to Lamarck Col from the west was a job, then skiing down the east side was sheer panic. Good trip. An old guy needs some of that. —Bob Gross—

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The only tough part for me was climbing Lamarck Col. After that it’s a snap except for climbing up to Dusy Basin from Le Conte Canyon. Never have seen a bear on my trips to this area but they are out there, usually Le Conte Canyon and between Bishop Pass and the South Lake. I plan to do it again this year…6 to 7 days; I’m older and less wiser. Have fun, Oscar

Response:

Tahoe Rim Trail? Dan — It becomes us to remember that arbitrary power has often originated in Justice and necessity. – Benjamin Rush –  1776 It is a wise maxim to avoid those things which our enemies wish us to practice. – John Weatherspoon –  1777 Let us disappoint the men who are raising themselves on the ruin of this country. – Sam Adams –  1772

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The only tough part for me was climbing Lamarck Col. After that it’s a snap except for climbing up to Dusy Basin from Le Conte Canyon. Never have seen a bear on my trips to this area but they are out there, usually Le Conte Canyon and between Bishop Pass and the South Lake. I plan to do it again this year…6 to 7 days; I’m older and less wiser. Have fun, Oscar

Response:

The only tough part for me was climbing Lamarck Col. After that it’s a snap except for climbing up to Dusy Basin from Le Conte Canyon. Never have seen a bear on my trips to this area but they are out there, usually Le Conte Canyon and between Bishop Pass and the South Lake. I plan to do it again this year…6 to 7 days; I’m older and less wiser. Have fun, Oscar

Response:

Obviously bears will be a big problem or atleast what I have experienced in the past Sierra trips.  I plan on eating atleast a mile from campsite, and stealth camping is always on my list.

I ran into a very aggressive camp bear in Dusy Basin 3 years ago.  It has since been killed (or so I heard), but any area that popular is likely to be camp bear country–and you’ll be on the John Muir Freeway for much of the trip.  btw, KCNP requires storage in bear cans in Dusy Basin, so you’ll have to have a can unless you don’t camp in Dusy. Oh yeah, will be going solo too, my dog has got to stay home.  Can’t carry her out that long if she develops a pad problem.

Can’t bring the dog anyway–NP regs prohibit it.

Response:

Hiya Folks, Looking to do North Lake to South Lake, in the Sierra’s (Bishop) via JMT and PCT, on TOPO! and Topo USA 3.0 looks to be just under 60 miles.  Tips are always welcome. Planning on early Semptember (yeah I want more snow too), would like to do late July, but am booked for another hike in Idaho, Sawtooth NF to be exact. Am planning on 12 – 15 miles a day to enjoy the scenery.  Any gotcha’s on this trail?   Does not look to heavy duty for most of the way, except a few miles. Obviously bears will be a big problem or atleast what I have experienced in the past Sierra trips.  I plan on eating atleast a mile from campsite, and stealth camping is always on my list. Am also looking to fly fish for the most part.  Have had great luck with wooly buggers in most Sierra’s, but am wondering what else works. Many thanks, Oh yeah, will be going solo too, my dog has got to stay home.  Can’t carry her out that long if she develops a pad problem. tmc

Response:

Question:

In his book, "Path of the Paddle," Bill Mason states that even though mfrs. will tell you that shallow-arch, shallow-vee or round-bottomed boats have better secondary stability than flat-bottomed canoes, he believes that flat-bottom boats perform just as well. Of course, he probably preferred traditional, canvas-wood canoes that were more likely flat-bottomed. I like paddling on lakes and rivers with my wife, but the majority of the time I spend in my canoe is fishing, so that takes top priority. By some standards, my canoe isn’t even really a canoe. It’s a barge. It’s a 19- foot, square-stern Grumman. It has a flat-bottom. I also have a sail rig for this canoe and have had it out in 2-3 foot chop, sailing, heeled over. It hasn’t come close to swamping. I routinely stand up in it while fishing. My 17 year-old son and his buddy both stand up in it at the same time. In fact, he told me that three of them were standing up in it the last time they went out.  Fools…  It is st Before you buy.

Response:

A canoe is a long narrow boat with fine entry and exit for paddling. A kayak is a low freeboard canoe usually decked over. You can get close to a canoe with narrow flat bottom double ended pirogue(?) or a skiff (with a transom). I designed and built a narrow skiff for light weight paddling and sailing. (There’s a writeup in file dogskiff.txt at website www.ncf.ca/~ag384.) A flat bottom boat with raked sides has reserve bouyancy. Mine is quite stable with 15 deg rake. I made a hoop tent to go over it and sleep in it. The idea is to be able to go where there are no campsites to get away from crowded canoe routes and noisy death-seeking kayakers. In his book, "Path of the Paddle," Bill Mason states that even though mfrs. will tell you that shallow-arch, shallow-vee or round-bottomed boats have better secondary stability than flat-bottomed canoes, he believes that flat-bottom boats perform just as well. Of course, he probably preferred traditional, canvas-wood canoes that were more likely flat-bottomed.

the original native bark canoes had round bottoms and were very unstable. when we were little we were not allowed to go in the canoe because it was considered too dangerous. we got to play around in a rowboat. I like paddling on lakes and rivers with my wife, but the majority of the time I spend in my canoe is fishing, so that takes top priority. By some standards, my canoe isn’t even really a canoe. It’s a barge. It’s a 19- foot, square-stern Grumman. It has a flat-bottom. I also have a sail rig for this canoe and have had it out in 2-3 foot chop, sailing, heeled over. It hasn’t come close to swamping. I routinely stand up in it while fishing. My 17 year-old son and his buddy both stand up in it at the same time. In fact, he told me that three of them were standing up in it the last time they went out.  Fools…  It is st

there are some good photos of a canoe under sail at the American Canoe Association website www.acanet.org – they hold canoe sailing regattas Before you buy.

– National Capital FreeNet      www.ncf.ca     Ottawa’s free community network

Response:

I must have been too long-winded;) My first message got cut short. I continue: The Grumman is stable as a rock. I suspect that some of this is due to it’s length. It is also almost 40-inches wide. However, it weighs a ton (120+ pounds). My wife doesn’t like paddling it too far because of the weight, and I ruptured a disk, so I’ve been thinking about adding another, much lighter canoe to the stable. I’ll have to get a trailer for the Grumman . I’ve paddled a friend’s 16-foot Old Town Penobscot that was way more tippy than I’d like for fishing. Every cast was an adventure for the other occupant. It was, however, a nice, fast canoe for day-touring. I test paddled a Wenonah Fisherman which is nice and light, and I thought would be quite stable. It was okay. But considering the width, (38-39 inches), I was not impressed with its stability. It’s only 14 feet long. A Mad River Revelation was much more stable than the Fisherman (which surprised me), and I have done quite a bit of fish Before you buy.

Response:

This is really weird. It must be because I’m using Deja News. I continue: fishing out of this boat, but it doesn’t compare to the Grumman for stability. It’s 40 pounds lighter, but still more weight than I’d like. My question is, has anyone tried an Old Town Camper or Pathfinder? They are flat-bottomed. Do they have really bad secondary stability? or was Bill Mason right? I know what the literature says. I would like someone who is speaking from experience. The Camper weighs less than 60 LBS, so would be a nice light-weight option, but I have not yet found one to try out. Does anyone have a better recommendation? I wouldn’t want anything heavier the Revelation, and I don’t even think I want to go that heavy. Plus… I want initial stability that is at least as good as the Revelation, and would prefer something approaching that of the Grumman. Any ideas?? — Have a good day! L Rochester Before you buy.

Response:

My question is, has anyone tried an Old Town Camper or Pathfinder? They are flat-bottomed. Do they have really bad secondary stability? or was Bill Mason right? I know what the literature says. I would like someone who is speaking from experience. Any ideas??

I’ve had my camper for at least 7 years(maybe more…the past is fuzzy). Before that I paddled a 17′ aluminum Grumman Eagle. I made my choice (chosing the Camper over the Penobscott) because of the age of my kids at that time. I wanted something stable so my toddlers could move around the boat. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to do a lot of heavy whitewater paddling until the kids got some age so I settled on the Camper. The only time I regret my decision is when I want to go fast on flatwater… It’s not exactly a speed demon. Stability ?  My favorite position is slouched against my seat back ( the plastic ones work great) with my long legs (I’m 6′5") hanging over the thwart or the sides. I’ll kneel (or at least sit up a little) for rapids, but that seems to be the only time lateral stability is an issue(it is still a canoe). As far as secondary stability, it will lean quite a bit, but keep your low brace handy. I’ve often wondered if there could possibly be an easier boat and if the trade-off for other features would be worth it( I still lust for a Penobscott 16). The kids are growing up, rolling their own boats, and not satisfied with class II water anymore. My Camper handles class III well enough, but there’s not really enough freeboard to stay dry in big waves. I think the aesthetics of the design make for a really cool,traditional look, but it also makes a big target when the wind is blowing. I’ve got to find a boat for bigger water, but I won’t be trading in for it. I wouldn’t be able to part with my Camper. It sounds like a model that could serve your purposes well.Good Luck Ted Bost

Response:

My question is, has anyone tried an Old Town Camper or Pathfinder? They are flat-bottomed. Do they have really bad secondary stability? or was Bill Mason right? I know what the literature says. I would like someone who is speaking from experience. Any ideas?? I’ve had my camper for at least 7 years(maybe more…the past is fuzzy). Before that I paddled a 17′ aluminum Grumman Eagle. I made my choice (chosing the Camper over the Penobscott) because of the age of my kids at

well, here’s a vote for the Penobscot for a fishing canoe, but in fishing, I’m thinking flyfishing from a kneeling position….where the secondary stability gave me a wide *envelope* in which to rock around with. *(…and another one of Steve’s flyfishing LoG_CaBiN StOrIeS): I once had an extremely shallow-arched, 12footer of the unstable_to_the_max variety….talk about speed in getting to where you wanted to be, yes… but it was exciting…NOT in the way anyone wants…just throwing normal back/forward casts…with arm movement only.. I was dancing-on-the-edge of staying upright versus an instantaneous dip….whew..NOT FUN!:-)..BUT in the heat of summer..didn’t seem like all that a disasterous proposition. *(ahem, yes back to business!:-) The original poster might demo something in fiberglass, as a wide barge-style canoe in plastic will handle like the latest cruise_liner As always, the magic word….demo! tight_lines, steve *Hey while on the topic of excitement via a tippy canoe…any *war-stories*?

Response:

To each his own but I think that you could easily fish out of a Penobscot. Maybe not two people standing.  I have a 16 and there are a LOT more unstabel boats than a 16.  It has a lot of secondary stability,  I took some guide courses in a disco 158(similar to a camper) and when you got it leaned a little to far you were wet NOW.  The Penobscot is a lot faster and better handling boat than the 158,  

Response:

War Stories!!! When I first got my Wildfire  was unable to reenter from deep water.  I fell out in a local tidal creek and ended up swimming with the boat a long way in a head wind.  I could barely stand when reaching the shore.

Response:

Have you tried canoe stabilizers? . – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My question is, has anyone tried an Old Town Camper or Pathfinder? They are flat-bottomed. Do they have really bad secondary stability? or was

Response:

There is a rigid hull foldable inflatable canoe which is highly stable, fast, very maneuverable that I have used for fishing in small , big rivers and lakes, standing up in the boat. You can find information about it at www.oviboat.com Roger  Sansoucy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A canoe is a long narrow boat with fine entry and exit for paddling. A kayak is a low freeboard canoe usually decked over. You can get close to a canoe with narrow flat bottom double ended pirogue(?) or a skiff (with a transom). I designed and built a narrow skiff for light weight paddling and sailing. (There’s a writeup in file dogskiff.txt at website www.ncf.ca/~ag384.) A flat bottom boat with raked sides has reserve bouyancy. Mine is quite stable with 15 deg rake. I made a hoop tent to go over it and sleep in it. The idea is to be able to go where there are no campsites to get away from crowded canoe routes and noisy death-seeking kayakers. In his book, "Path of the Paddle," Bill Mason states that even though mfrs. will tell you that shallow-arch, shallow-vee or round-bottomed boats have better secondary stability than flat-bottomed canoes, he believes that flat-bottom boats perform just as well. Of course, he probably preferred traditional, canvas-wood canoes that were more likely flat-bottomed. the original native bark canoes had round bottoms and were very unstable. when we were little we were not allowed to go in the canoe because it was considered too dangerous. we got to play around in a rowboat. I like paddling on lakes and rivers with my wife, but the majority of the time I spend in my canoe is fishing, so that takes top priority. By some standards, my canoe isn’t even really a canoe. It’s a barge. It’s a 19- foot, square-stern Grumman. It has a flat-bottom. I also have a sail rig for this canoe and have had it out in 2-3 foot chop, sailing, heeled over. It hasn’t come close to swamping. I routinely stand up in it while fishing. My 17 year-old son and his buddy both stand up in it at the same time. In fact, he told me that three of them were standing up in it the last time they went out.  Fools…  It is st there are some good photos of a canoe under sail at the American Canoe Association website www.acanet.org – they hold canoe sailing regattas Before you buy. — National Capital FreeNet      www.ncf.ca     Ottawa’s free community network

Response:

Question:

Maybe a foolish question but i wonder if there are river maps available? The US Corps of Engineers publishes inexpensive river charts for the navigable river systems under their control. Most areas also have cruising guides available. — Skipper

Depending upon which Corps of Engineers Region you’re in you can get maps from http://www.usace.army.mil/         —Hutch * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Hello, I live on Crooked River in SE Georgia. I found a map (of sorts) at a Flyfishing shop. It isn’t "exact" and at least in the case of this river, it changes somewhat because of the flow of the river – we have tides because of being so close to the ocean – and there is continual changes in sand bars, etc. But the chart is certainly better than nothing and gives good views of major inlets, marshes, etc. So you might want to check out some Flyfishing shops in your area. Regards, liz Maybe a foolish question but i wonder if there are river maps available? The US Corps of Engineers publishes inexpensive river charts for the navigable river systems under their control. Most areas also have cruising guides available. — Skipper

Before you buy.

Response:

Maybe a foolish question but i wonder if there are river maps available?

The US Corps of Engineers publishes inexpensive river charts for the navigable river systems under their control. Most areas also have cruising guides available. — Skipper

Response:

Question:

There are two schools of thought on this: !.  Too many guides restrict the rod’s action. 2. Too few guides allow the line to drag against the rod when it flexes. Take your pick. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-mail GO TO http://users.ccnet.com/~emh FOR TRAVEL TIE BOX PLANS Hi there! I am building a 7 foot 2-3wt st.croix rod. The problem is that I have found 2 different guide spacing charts for 7 footers. One used 8 guides the other 9. Which one should I use? Jarkko —

—                                             |    Jarkko Karvinen                            |    Student of biochemistry                    |  E. coli happens  University of Turku, Finland               |    tel. +358 (0)2 3338059                        |

— – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am building a 7 foot 2-3wt st.croix rod. The problem is that I have found 2 different guide spacing charts for 7 footers. One used 8 guides the other 9. Which one should I use?<BR The general rule of thumb is one guide for every foot plus the stripper, so 8 is the general rule of thumb.  One thing you might try is to tape the guides on with both the spacing for the 9 guides and the 8 guides and them string a line trhough them and see how the rod flexes.  Basically, the more guides the more friction.  But fewer is not better either – find a hapy medium by flexing the rod with line through the guides and make sure there are no dead spotsor places where the line touches the rod. Or – you might try calling St Croix.  I bet they would give you the guide spacing they use on the factory rod. Al Manchester, NH

      I know you are not the original poster but he may read this. I have an 8′ 8wt, a 7′6" 3wt and a 6′6" 5wt. The question gave me food for thought so I counted the guides on each, they all have 8, stripper included. with the exception of stripper and tip-top are all snake guides, all are factory. I also looked up the guide kits all are 8 guide.                                                              John Popp                                                           in Sanford Fl.

Response:

I know you are not the original poster but he may read this. Ihave an 8′

8wt, a 7′6" 3wt and a 6′6" 5wt. The question gave me food forthought so I counted the guides on each, they all have 8, stripperincluded. with the exception of stripper and tip-top are all snakeguides, all are factory. I also looked up the guide kits all are 8guide. I don’t doubt that all your rods in various lengths have the same amount of gudes.  This is a subjuect that is debated as much as anythng in fly fishing. As I said "the general rule of thumb" is one per foot plus a stripper guide. Many manufacturers leave a guide or two off to save money, some rods cast better with fewer or more guides. There are a couple of ways to determine guide spacing.  Clemens and Anglers Work Shop as well as some otheres I would guess sell a tool that will allow you to test the spacing of the guides with the rod under load.  There is a program that Cane rod builders use that was written by Wayne Catanach that calculates the spacing based on the number of guides you choose and the placement of the stripper guide.  Several books list guide placement charts as well, and Blue Ridge Rod Company includes a very good one in their catalog. I personally have always used the 1 guide per foot plus the stripper for my rods.   In Skip Morris’s book "The Custon Graphite Rod" and in Handcrafting Custom Graphite Fly Rods" by L.A. Garcia, this is the information that they provide, although the spacings are a bit different and Skip Morris provides some good insight as to the actuual placement of guides based on the rod and the fishermam it is intended for, as well as some general guide lines for placement of guides on soft and fast action rods.  It is interesting reading. The mark of a true custom rod may be going to the extra step of testing the guide placement with the rod under stress.  I have done this a few times but the standard guide placements on the graphite rods I have built have all been so close that I dont worry about it any more. It’s an interesting debate for rod builders.  Could you tell me where you looked up the guide kits for these rods?  Might just be a catalog I am missing:))))) Al Manchester, NH

Response:

Hi there! I am building a 7 foot 2-3wt st.croix rod. The problem is that I have found 2 different guide spacing charts for 7 footers. One used 8 guides the other 9. Which one should I use? Jarkko —                                             |    Jarkko Karvinen                            |    Student of biochemistry                    |  E. coli happens  University of Turku, Finland               |    tel. +358 (0)2 3338059                     |

Response:

I am building a 7 foot 2-3wt st.croix rod. The problem is that I have found 2

different guide spacing charts for 7 footers. One used 8 guides the other 9. Which one should I use?<BR The general rule of thumb is one guide for every foot plus the stripper, so 8 is the general rule of thumb.  One thing you might try is to tape the guides on with both the spacing for the 9 guides and the 8 guides and them string a line trhough them and see how the rod flexes.  Basically, the more guides the more friction.  But fewer is not better either – find a hapy medium by flexing the rod with line through the guides and make sure there are no dead spotsor places where the line touches the rod. Or – you might try calling St Croix.  I bet they would give you the guide spacing they use on the factory rod. Al Manchester, NH

Response:

Hi there! I am building a 7 foot 2-3wt st.croix rod. The problem is that I have found 2 different guide spacing charts for 7 footers. One used 8 guides the other 9. Which one should I use? Jarkko

I don’t know how prevelent St Croix rods are in Finland, but your best bet would probably be to find an assembled rod from the manufacturer and copy their guided size and placement. There are some rod shop owners on this group, maybe one of them can measure it for you if you can’t find the rod in your area. Good luck,      - Ken

Response:

Hi there! I am building a 7 foot 2-3wt st.croix rod. The problem is that I have found 2 different guide spacing charts for 7 footers. One used 8 guides the other 9. Which one should I use?

Jarkko, here’s the spacing (and 7 Fuji guides) that I use on a 7ft fly rod. Note that the last (8mm2) is a 2-footed guide, the rest are single foot guides, and the measurements are in inches starting from the tip. If I recall, I got these recommendations from L.G. Custom Tackle (G. Loomis dealer and custom rod builder) many years ago. IMHO I think 9 guides is way too many for anything under 8′. I prefer the single footed Hardloy or SIC Fuji’s to the traditional snake guides which allow the line to slap against the blank. 7′ – 4(6mm), 9(6mm), 15(6mm), 22(7mm), 30(7mm), 40(8mm), 52(8mm2) Now you have 3 choices David E. Malone All opinions expressed are my own.

Response:

Question:

Looking for any information on working Bamboo?–

Response:

Looking for any information on working Bamboo?–

If you know any soldiers who have had experience in tropical jungle country they should know quite a lot about the use of bamboo.   Two genders  -  male and female – the male being smaller in diameter and more solid than the female which cam be of large diameter but hollw with relatively thin walls.   Chairs are more often made from Rattan which grows in conditions similst]r to bamboo and has very sharp spikes amongst its leaves.   That is about all I can tell you as I have only used it within the jungle scene using a khukri to cut it and split it to make beds, tables and the like.   The hollow inside the female variety is good for cooking rice or stuffing with explosive. — Charles (Joe) Stahelin Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK

Response:

Looking for any information on working Bamboo?– If you know any soldiers who have had experience in tropical jungle country they should know quite a lot about the use of bamboo.   Two genders  -  male and female – the male being smaller in diameter and more solid than the female which cam be of large diameter but hollw with relatively thin walls.   Chairs are more often made from Rattan which grows in conditions similst]r to bamboo and has very sharp spikes amongst its leaves.   That is about all I can tell you as I have only used it within the jungle scene using a khukri to cut it and split it to make beds, tables and the like.   The hollow inside the female variety is good for cooking rice or stuffing with explosive.

Please do not forget its use as an ersatz mortar tube. Propped up at an angle and lashed to another piece of bamboo which had been lashed horizontally between two trees. To this day I cannot figure out how they managed to get the trajectories so close!

Response:

I have seen bamboo laminates (3-ply) used for flooring recently.  According to the literature I read, it is actually harder than Red Oak, and makes a very interesting floor due to the very fine grain, or what resembles grain, and the nodes seem to be spaced very uniformily.  I have no idea how they remanufacture the finished product, but I am assuming they use the Timber type which grows 60+feet in a season.  I’d be interested to know how they mill it, etc..  Good luck. . .

Response:

Intermediate Technology Publications publishes a book entitled:         Building with Bamboo: A handbook , Second Edition It is 88 pages and costs 9 pounds.  It discusses preparing bamboo for construction use, joints, and common building practices.  Please email me if you want more information re: publisher address, etc. Sorry, I discarded the original poster’s name and address. Douglas Stockman

Response:

I have seen bamboo laminates (3-ply) used for flooring recently. According to the literature I read, it is actually harder than Red Oak, and makes a very interesting floor due to the very fine grain, or what resembles grain, and the nodes seem to be spaced very uniformily.  I have no idea how they remanufacture the finished product, but I am assuming they use the Timber type which grows 60+feet in a season.  I’d be interested to know how they mill it, etc..  Good luck. . . Bamboo’s actually a very fast growing species of grass, grows something like 1-2" per day.  It’s a light weight, excellent material for things like kite frames or construction scaffolding.  I’ve seen pics in Nat. Geo. of Taiwanese construction crews using the stuff for scaffolds reaching 10-12 stories above ground.  It can be worked by splitting, planing, and scraping.

Response:

I’m new to the group…So far I like what I see.. I am looking for 2" diameter or larger bamboo to use for door frame and window frame in a special project. I searched all of my suppliers here in the Southeast. Closest I got was fresh stalks from the Atlanta Zoo. I would like something that was already cured. I would appreciate a suppliers name and number. Thanks in advance. David Holec Exhibit Manager SciTrek – Science and Tecnology Adventure Atlanta GA

Response:

Hello, My dad has some contacts in Japan and could get some Japanes bamboo (larger diameter), but probably wouldn’t be cost effective unless you wanted a large amount. There is a forum about bamboo at www.woodfibre.com.  You might want to pose the same question there and they should be able to help. Don Yasaki HH & NK Co., Ltd.   Kings Mtn., NC Kiln-dried Hardwoods – Sawmill Direct Prices tel (704) 739-6914             fax (704) 739-7336 http://www.unc.edu/~dyasaki – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m new to the group…So far I like what I see.. I am looking for 2" diameter or larger bamboo to use for door frame and window frame in a special project. I searched all of my suppliers here in the Southeast. Closest I got was fresh stalks from the Atlanta Zoo. I would like something that was already cured. I would appreciate a suppliers name and number. Thanks in advance. David Holec Exhibit Manager SciTrek – Science and Tecnology Adventure Atlanta GA

Response:

Try these two URL’s: http://www.bamboo.org/abs/ http://www.communety.com/mintec/welcome.html Keith Bohn b2d – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’m new to the group…So far I like what I see.. I am looking for 2" diameter or larger bamboo to use for door frame and window frame in a special project. I searched all of my suppliers here in the Southeast. Closest I got was fresh stalks from the Atlanta Zoo. I would like something that was already cured. I would appreciate a suppliers name and number. Thanks in advance. David Holec Exhibit Manager SciTrek – Science and Tecnology Adventure Atlanta GA

Response:

Does anyone have ideas or plans for making things out of Bamboo trees? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Does anyone have ideas or plans for making things out of Bamboo trees?

Sure. I make split bamboo flyfishing rods. By the way bamboo is more properly called a plant, not a tree. Darryl Hayashida

Response:

Does anyone have ideas or plans for making things out of Bamboo trees?

No plans unfortunately, but look at some books dealing with late 19th century furniture design – in England and America there was a craze (Japonisme) for anything with an Asian aesthetic and faux (and real) bamboo chairs, cabinets, hall trees and such were briefly "all the rage".  Most of this furniture was painted in black, gold, white, or other color combinations… Kevin

Response:

Does anyone have ideas or plans for making things out of Bamboo trees?

        Bamboo is a grass not a tree.  It is a plant but that is too general a term.         I do not know of any books of making things with bamboo.  I a sure I have never seen one.         I will through in this piece of advice from experience.  Do NOT try to blast a driveway through a bamboo hedge with explosives.  This is a ver bad move.         Riley

Response:

Sure. I make split bamboo flyfishing rods. By the way bamboo is more properly called a plant, not a tree.

Try a grass.

Response:

Does anyone have ideas or plans for making things out of Bamboo trees?

Fly rods!!!  Try FWW #34:68.  Hoagy B. Carmichael (Stardust’s son) wrote a great book on making them. Also, you can build scaffolding with it.  Check out building construction in Indonesia, and other SE Asian countries. mccs

Response:

Does anyone have ideas or plans for making things out of Bamboo trees?

Actually, bamboo is a pretty versatile building material. My projects recently have  jinvolved making tables out of bamboo. The legs and table-top base are made using normal lengths of bamboo. The surface of the table-top is made by splitting the bamboo longitudinally to make about inch thick panels which can be nailed to the table-top base. My attempts so far have been a bit rough, but the result is not too bad. Cheers, Brendan. — C.S. Dept., James Cook University,        Phone:  (077) 815085. Townsville, QLD, 4811.  Australia.        There’s only one catch – Catch 22.

Response:

Does anyone have ideas or plans for making things out of Bamboo trees?

Sure. I make split bamboo flyfishing rods. By the way bamboo is more properly called a plant, not a tree. Darryl Hayashida

There is almost nothing you can’t make out of bamboo.  It’s a whole technology all by itself.  You should be able to find several good books in your library. Miles Hollister

Response:

Sure. I make split bamboo flyfishing rods. By the way bamboo is more properly called a plant, not a tree.

It is indeed not a tree, but I believe you meant that it is a grass, not that it is a plant (which is of course true.) The fact that it is a grass accounts for the strange chambered structure, as well as its astonishing growth rate. (I read these things in a recent industrial design magazine discussing bamboo’s usefulness, growth worldwide. Sorry, don’t remember the title.) Karl

Response:

Question:

I have recently moved to Durham, NC to pursue a Ph.D. in economics at Duke University and would be interested in hooking up (no pun intended) with fellow angler(s) to fish some of the wild trout water in the western part of the state.  I have a little knowledge of the streams out that way and my time is extremely flexible between now and the beginning of September.  If you are interested, drop me a note at: Tight Lines! Randy Walsh

Response:

Randy: There’s an Orvis shop on 9th street that should be able to help.  My favorite places to fish in NC were in Stone Mountain State Park (Bullhead Creek?),Sparta on the Little River, a small stream in Whitehead nearby, and Laurel Creek (cannot remember name of town).  I understand the Davidson River near Asheville is also doing well.  You may also consider a drive to the Smith River in Virginia, which has improved drastically since I was last there.  Sorry this is so sketchy.   Have fun, Manuel Monasterio Trinity 1988

Response:

Question:

I’m going to be on the Au Sable at this time next week.  Has anyone fished it recently?  What’s going on up there?  We’ve had tons of rain here in Chicago but I havn’t kept up with Michigan weather.  I’d guess the river is full and everything is hatching late.  Any info will be much appreciated — not that it will make me any better (and you won’t be held responsible)! Tom

Response:

I’m going to be on the Au Sable at this time next week.  Has anyone fished it recently?  What’s going on up there?  We’ve had tons of rain here in Chicago but I havn’t kept up with Michigan weather.  I’d guess the river is full and everything is hatching late.  Any info will be much appreciated — not that it will make me any better (and you won’t be held responsible)! Tom

The Mainstream and the South Branch are both in fine shape, although maybe a bit higher than you’d ordinarily expect this time of year.  There is a bit of everything hatching, so it’s a sort of buggy smorgasborg.  Parachute Adams/Hare’s Ear will work well.  Sulphurs are out (try a dirty-yellow Usual on the edges), and a friend says Skunks are working in the early evening.   Toss a Royal Wulff in the riffles, and don’t forget to stop by one of the shops and pick up a handful of Roberts’ Yellow (12, 14).  Caddis and blue wing olives are also out, although Hendricksons are done.  I think I just talked myself into a trip to Grayling.  See you on the river. John

Response:

I’m going to be on the Au Sable at this time next week.  Has anyone fished it recently?  What’s going on up there?  We’ve had tons of rain here in Chicago but I havn’t kept up with Michigan weather.  I’d guess the river is full and everything is hatching late.  Any info will be much appreciated — not that it will make me any better (and you won’t be held responsible)! Tom

Tom,    I was on the AuSable for the last 5 days.Now that I’am home the fishing has improved. Sulfers are on,    use emergers myself, also spinners.Brown drakes,caddis, BWO’s. Also take streamers Micky fins ect size6 or 8.Try a stone fly or two. The Hex hatch is do to start soon.If it rains use wolly buggers, zonkers ect.    The weather is improving up their, bugs all over the place. Stop in at Gates AuSable loge on Stephan Road They will set you up.     I would fish the North or the South branches and stay off the Main, to much traffic.   Tight lines    Dave   PS. Tell Rusty Hilton says hi.

Response:

Question:

What’s wrong with polar bear hackle? I use grizzly hackle myself – floats well too, once you remove the claws.

Response:

mr. bulldog- badger refers to the patterning of the feathers, not the type of animal the fur/ feather came from-if you think about this, there is also grizzly hackle, and i believe something called "furnace" hackle which definitely did not come from a furnace…

: Could this be related to Badger hackle?  You guys have been ragging, but : I haven’t seen hackle on a badger, but every fly tier knows, that they : sell badger hackle! : Give the dude a break…hey, I should talk, but I DO have a question?   : Does anyone know where I can get Kodiak hackle? : Bulldog : #                         |  "I am neither loitering nor trespassing.     # : # Paul "Cousin" Graham    |   I have simply chosen an advisable location  # : #                         |     – from the movie, ‘Fletch’                #

Response:

Whatever turns you on !

Seems every year they pull someone out of the polar bear compound who apparently tried that. Seems it’s not too healthy. multitudes of synthetic "furs" available out there? I’ve been tying pike streamers with Super Hair lately. Ties nice if all you want is a straight streamer, but I’d like something with some flare (as in flares like deer hair). Any suggestions? JL 8-Wt Editor

Response:

Hmmm . . . Must be one of them flying polar bears I’ve heared tell about. Could be dangerous if one o’ them critters gets confused an’ lands on some statue down in Nu Yawk City! But, I guess you could get some mighty big necks off one of ‘em! JL 8-Wt Editor

Whatever turns you on ! Pete Marrow, Global Seismology Research Group, British Geological Survey, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3LA. UK. tel: 031-667-1000          Fax: 031-667-1877  

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – mr. bulldog- badger refers to the patterning of the feathers, not the type of animal the fur/ feather came from-if you think about this, there is also grizzly hackle, and i believe something called "furnace" hackle which definitely did not come from a furnace… : Could this be related to Badger hackle?  You guys have been ragging, but : I haven’t seen hackle on a badger, but every fly tier knows, that they : sell badger hackle! : Give the dude a break…hey, I should talk, but I DO have a question?   : Does anyone know where I can get Kodiak hackle? : Bulldog

Mr. Santos, I KNOW why badger and grizzly hackle are so named, but I decided to make a joke.  Whew, I guess you didn’t get the hint from my last question/sentence.  Anyway, I hope that one day, everyone will spend as much on their sense of humor as they do their fly fishing equipment (and some should fork out a little more)! Ruf, Bulldog #                         |  "I am neither loitering nor trespassing.     # # Paul "Cousin" Graham    |   I have simply chosen an advisable location  # #                         |     – from the movie, ‘Fletch’                #

Response:

: mr. bulldog- : : badger refers to the patterning of the feathers, not the type of animal the fur/ : feather came from-if you think about this, there is also grizzly hackle, and And I thought "grizzly hackle" referred to some of those road-kill birds I’ve been known to drag home! Charley

Response:

I recently saw and ad in Flyfishermens Mag. about some guys who sells polar bear hackle.  I was curious to see if anyone has ever used or knows much about it.  

Response:

I recently saw and ad in Flyfishermens Mag. about some guys who sells polar bear hackle.

Hmmm . . . Must be one of them flying polar bears I’ve heared tell about. Could be dangerous if one o’ them critters gets confused an’ lands on some statue down in Nu Yawk City! But, I guess you could get some mighty big necks off one of ‘em! JL 8-Wt Editor

Response:

Could this be related to Badger hackle?  You guys have been ragging, but I haven’t seen hackle on a badger, but every fly tier knows, that they sell badger hackle! Give the dude a break…hey, I should talk, but I DO have a question?   Does anyone know where I can get Kodiak hackle? Bulldog #                         |  "I am neither loitering nor trespassing.     # # Paul "Cousin" Graham    |   I have simply chosen an advisable location  # #                         |     – from the movie, ‘Fletch’                #

Response: