Question:

Our family just exchanged a few gifts early. My daughter helps run a local zoo (great source for peacock feathers) and has to go in early Christmas morning to make sure all the animals are okay, so we won’t have our usual early AM gift swap. My youngest son gave me an organizer for my tying stuff that is *awesome* and wasn’t even on my list. It’s about 1/4 the size of Frank Reid’s box, so it is HUGE. Now I just have to go out and buy some more stuff to fill it. Looks like I’ll have to wrangle some more $$ by the time the fly fishing show comes to town. Back to bonding with the family and drinking a little toast to them – single malt, of course. I’ll tip my glass to you all as well. I’ve said it before, and at the risk of going maudlin I’ll say it again: I’ve gotten a great amount of information from this group over the past few years that has vastly improved my on-stream enjoyment and performance, and I appreciate every bit of it. I’ve also met some people I’d never have met without ROFF, and would have been a poorer man for not meeting them. — TL, Tim

Response:

. I’ll tip my glass to you all as well. I’ve said it before, and at the risk of going maudlin I’ll say it again: I’ve gotten a great amount of information from this group over the past few years that has vastly improved my on-stream enjoyment and performance, and I appreciate every bit of it. I’ve also met some people I’d never have met without ROFF, and would have been a poorer man for not meeting them. — TL, Tim

    well, maudlin is a word for people who can’t feel what you have just expressed.  of course, that is just an opinion from yfitons wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Question:

There was a time when I used to bring a portable radio to listen to music.  During all this time, it seemed to me that the fishing was not as good.  So one day, I turned off the radio.  Lo and behold…..the fishing improved.

Ever been diving off of a boat that was playing a stereo.  You can hear the music as if it was next to you.  One time I was diving off of my boat and there was a dive boat about 30 yards away.  I could hear Bob Marley shooting the sheriff while I was down there.  It was great,  I was diving and listening to some good tunes…can’t beat that. JAC

Response:

i was in a small tournament one day on the chesapeake bay [maryland]… The tournament was for bragging rights only…and beer/hot dogs… We went to our spot to fish..anchored up with many other hopeful fishermen… I put on some ‘oldies ‘ FM station and passed out the beer as we sat with poles in the rod holders  and sot the bull about nothing…trivial things..  We were loud …and the music was turned up.   At times we  shouted   ‘fish-ON!’ ‘Get the net! ‘ When the day was over our boat landed the fish to win the day and the bragging rights for the whole year! I suppose your idea of quiet is good and best for most fishing [particularly in shallow waters or waters normally without a lot of shipping noise...] But there is some evidence [not in my hands] that noise attracts or gets the attention of fish.   So, if you have some delicious smell there at the same time I suppose there will be some to venture  to your fish hook and grab-it. Fishing is for fun….   Our local fish like rock-and -roll ! As for the sound waves projected from a fish finder…well each transducer is designed with a predetermined ‘frequency’   and it would be devastating to the manufacturer of  a fishfinder that is designed to transmit signals that piss off fish and scatter them away from the boat.   So, they would pay you big bucks to keep your mouth shut and not tell the world that their fish finder scares fish. Over the years [ 30 +  years ] .. manufacturers chose mostly low frequency signals and have increased the power and frequency of their transmitted signals. There was a greater need for clarity and depth of operation and distinction between sizes of fish and underwater structure.    If  you made noise in shallow water , then it is more like heard by a fish than if you were in much deeper water .  Sound dissipates in water as it does in air.   Noise comes from many sources like your engine and adjacent boat engines. THE BOTTOM LINE IS Your Depth Finder Pinging is Not your fishing problem. Although I may have said little to convince you of this. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     At 10 feet ….. you can hear the ticking yourself but you don’t feel anything.  However, fish are much more sensitive than we are.  So….when I find the structure I am looking for or a school of fish, I turn off my sonar.  I have tried it and it seems that I have better success.     There was a time when I used to bring a portable radio to listen to music.  During all this time, it seemed to me that the fishing was not as good.  So one day, I turned off the radio.  Lo and behold…..the fishing improved.  I guess the vibrations from the radio sitting directly on the wooden seats of the rowboat were enough to repel a lot of the fish.  Ever since then, I use ear plugs and a walkman.     I have dozens of experiences where noise has affected fish behaviour…..most in a negative way.   But, I have to admit that most of the fishing I do is for brook trout in lakes and ponds.     Walleye do not seem to be bothered by noise or a nearby boat.  Whitefish are extremely shy.  On those late summer evenings with big brook trout sipping on tiny flies in the middle of a lake, the only way I can catch any is by silently sliding up on them with my canoe and then making long delicate fly casts with an extra long (15 to 20 foot) leader with 1 lb test tippet.  No margin for error here.  It also helps to sit tight and wait to see in what direction the fish is feeding, measuring the distances between the rises and then casting the same distance in front of the travelling fish.     Don’t expect to catch many fish this way.  The magic hour only lasts about 30 minutes, therefore you don’t have enough time than for 2 or 3 approaches. Yes the fishfinder pings fish.    For an interesting test, place your hand in the water under the transducer, palm downward.  You will feel small tingling on the back of your hand while the fishfinder is pinging.    In places where many fishermen congregate together and use fish finders, I have noticed that the fishing is usually poor. What do you feel when you are 10 ft. under the transducer?                                 Capt. Bill

Response:

Yes the fishfinder pings fish.

….yeah but, do the fish have an IP address?!? (sorry…  Unix admin joke here, people) Butch Ammon My web page: http://members.aol.com/ammonc/butch.html

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Yes the fishfinder pings fish. ….yeah but, do the fish have an IP address?!? (sorry…  Unix admin joke here, people) Butch Ammon My web page: http://members.aol.com/ammonc/butch.html

Sure…a deep set of sixes… — Harry Krause I practice moderation to excess

Response:

    At 10 feet ….. you can hear the ticking yourself but you don’t feel anything.  However, fish are much more sensitive than we are.  So….when I find the structure I am looking for or a school of fish, I turn off my sonar.  I have tried it and it seems that I have better success.     There was a time when I used to bring a portable radio to listen to music.  During all this time, it seemed to me that the fishing was not as good.  So one day, I turned off the radio.  Lo and behold…..the fishing improved.  I guess the vibrations from the radio sitting directly on the wooden seats of the rowboat were enough to repel a lot of the fish.  Ever since then, I use ear plugs and a walkman.     I have dozens of experiences where noise has affected fish behaviour…..most in a negative way.   But, I have to admit that most of the fishing I do is for brook trout in lakes and ponds.     Walleye do not seem to be bothered by noise or a nearby boat.  Whitefish are extremely shy.  On those late summer evenings with big brook trout sipping on tiny flies in the middle of a lake, the only way I can catch any is by silently sliding up on them with my canoe and then making long delicate fly casts with an extra long (15 to 20 foot) leader with 1 lb test tippet.  No margin for error here.  It also helps to sit tight and wait to see in what direction the fish is feeding, measuring the distances between the rises and then casting the same distance in front of the travelling fish.     Don’t expect to catch many fish this way.  The magic hour only lasts about 30 minutes, therefore you don’t have enough time than for 2 or 3 approaches. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes the fishfinder pings fish.    For an interesting test, place your hand in the water under the transducer, palm downward.  You will feel small tingling on the back of your hand while the fishfinder is pinging.    In places where many fishermen congregate together and use fish finders, I have noticed that the fishing is usually poor. What do you feel when you are 10 ft. under the transducer?                                 Capt. Bill

Response:

Yes the fishfinder pings fish.    For an interesting test, place your hand in the water under the transducer, palm downward.  You will feel small tingling on the back of your hand while the fishfinder is pinging.    In places where many fishermen congregate together and use fish finders, I have noticed that the fishing is usually poor.

What do you feel when you are 10 ft. under the transducer?                                 Capt. Bill

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My 13 year old made a very good observation the other day. he asked me if I had noticed that ever since we got a fish finder we have caught way less fish. It got me to thinking. Could that thing be ‘pinging’ the fish? I know they hunt by sensing electrical fields…. so? Also, I have another theory – that somweher in China a programmer goes to sleep every night laughing at the ‘fish’ he has programmed to appear on my scope. Rob

Response:

Yes the fishfinder pings fish.     For an interesting test, place your hand in the water under the transducer, palm downward.  You will feel small tingling on the back of your hand while the fishfinder is pinging.     In places where many fishermen congregate together and use fish finders, I have noticed that the fishing is usually poor. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My 13 year old made a very good observation the other day. he asked me if I had noticed that ever since we got a fish finder we have caught way less fish. It got me to thinking. Could that thing be ‘pinging’ the fish? I know they hunt by sensing electrical fields…. so? Also, I have another theory – that somweher in China a programmer goes to sleep every night laughing at the ‘fish’ he has programmed to appear on my scope. Rob

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Question:

Does anyone know how far away from the International Airport the Jungle Paw is? We are spending 3 nights there and then driving to the Green Parrot for a few days. I’ve read that the roads are pretty rough, I just need to know first hand how much time to allot.                                        Thanks, Mike&Anne ps. also any opinions of these places would be appreciated.

Response:

Hi Mike & Anne, I just checked the their web site and it says it is 75 minutes from the International airport outside Belize City. http://www.jaguarpaw.com/ The Green Parrot Resort is on the coast about 7 miles north of Placencia in Southern Belize. http://www.greenparrot-belize.com/index.html If you need any help getting around in Belize, just email Margie Perez, she is a good local travel agent at the airport outside of Belize City. My specialty is fishing in Belize. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know how far away from the International Airport the Jungle Paw is? We are spending 3 nights there and then driving to the Green Parrot for a few days. I’ve read that the roads are pretty rough, I just need to know first hand how much time to allot.                                        Thanks, Mike&Anne ps. also any opinions of these places would be appreciated.

Response:

Mike, Was in Belize this past June, beautiful country!   Jaguar Paw is about 60 minutes from the airport.  The roads you’ll be driving aren’t rough at all, except down towards Placencia.  Take your time and enjoy the ride, and watch out for speed bumps.  Enjoy! -Carl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know how far away from the International Airport the Jungle Paw is? We are spending 3 nights there and then driving to the Green Parrot for a few days. I’ve read that the roads are pretty rough, I just need to know first hand how much time to allot.                                       Thanks, Mike&Anne ps. also any opinions of these places would be appreciated.

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Thanks to Carl and Bill for their time and infomation. Mike&Anne

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We are planning a trip in January to Belize. Unlike other tropical spots there is little on the hotel/resort ratings.  We are looking at Roberts Grove in Placencia, the Lighthouse Reef Resort, Lighthouse Reef and at Little Water Caye.  Any suggestions?  We are looking for something, clean, on the Hyatt Regency sort of standards of living… Before you buy.

Response:

We are planning a trip in January to Belize. Unlike other tropical spots there is little on the hotel/resort ratings.  We are looking at Roberts Grove in Placencia, the Lighthouse Reef Resort, Lighthouse Reef and at Little Water Caye.  Any suggestions?  We are looking for something, clean, on the Hyatt Regency sort of standards of living… My Belize Book of Lists 2000 (hint:  it’s available via Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, etc.!) does rate and rank hotels in all areas of Belize. Below are samples. There are some wonderful places in Belize, but if you are looking for big, glitzy resorts on the Hyatt Regency scale, Belize is probaly the wrong place. –Lan Sluder Editor & Publisher Belize First Magazine http://www.turq.com/belizefirst/ 10 Top Mainland Seaside Resorts Mainland beaches aren

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – And I thought I wouldn’t *ever* get my own thread. Tom — Tom Brown The Signal Group Wake Forest, NC "If you’re not the lead dog, the view never changes." Tom Browns Bastard is causing ROFF to rave, a thread has been engendered, the results of this are grave, but he can go casting on ! casting over seventy feet, with a quick flick of the wrist, will cause most Orvis owners here to shake an angry fist, but  he will go casting on ! His spouse is not quite certain, what the ruckus is about, all this talk of Bastards, is causing her some doubt, but he will go casting on ! the waiting and the hoping now has not been all in vain, Tom at last is getting his awaited fighting cane, and he will go casting on ! Now Tom is the lead dog, and the view has changed for him, he is getting the first Bastard, with a special coloured trim, and he will go casting on ! lets hope he catches plenty, and enjoys his fishing too, perhaps he will be kind enough to give us a review, as he goes casting on ! TL MC

Thanks for the smile Mike…. –Walt To fish is soliloquy.

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George,  You sending this to yourself? David NB – when the rods really make an impact you can put the price up to include a ‘doubters’ premium"! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (snipped) Trust me.  I couldn’t have picked a better Bastard to send the proto type to.  It was made with great care and it is a casting delight. Couldn’t have picked a better man. I’m gone. — Mr. G. ‘all’s fair with fur or feather’ http://www.gink.com http://www.rodbuilding.com http://www.xink.com 509-243-4100 or 5500

Question:

I’ve got the reports coming in from the MassWildlife.  They are generally posted on Fridays, but let’s just say when I get them, you get them.  http://www.fishine.com — Mark Cahill Mark Cahill’s Fishing New England – Daily Fishing News http://www.fishingne.com The Internet Journal of Saltwater Fly Fishing – Editorial Director http://www.reel-time.com/

Response:

Uh, that url is actually http://www.fishingne.com Sorry! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve got the reports coming in from the MassWildlife.  They are generally posted on Fridays, but let’s just say when I get them, you get them.  http://www.fishine.com — Mark Cahill Mark Cahill’s Fishing New England – Daily Fishing News http://www.fishingne.com The Internet Journal of Saltwater Fly Fishing – Editorial Director http://www.reel-time.com/

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Question:

We have 3 balloons off the back of the boat with live bait fishing for Kings.

Can anybody tell me what this means? I’m not being able to picture the balloon part. Nets? Actual balloons? Just curious–thanks. Mart

Response:

We have 3 balloons off the back of the boat with live bait fishing for Kings. Can anybody tell me what this means? I’m not being able to picture the balloon part. Nets? Actual balloons? Just curious–thanks. Mart

Sure. He’s using partially inflated balloons as "corks" to float his live baits within a certain range of the top of the water. The balloons are easy to see and when a smoker takes the bait and runs, the balloon goes under. This is a common tactic for bass fishermen, too. They’ll attach a nice live shiner to a hook, tie a balloon a couple of feet above it and let the bass gobble the shiner and take the balloon under. Balloons also present one with a way to take advantage of wind or current. There’s also kite fishing. — Harry Krause – - – - – - – - – - – - Ignorance or Apathy?  I don’t know and I don’t care.

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Path: lobby01.news.aol.com!newstf02.news.aol.com!portc03.blue.aol.com!newsfeed.

cwix.com!4.1.16.34!cpk-news-hub1.bbnplanet.com!news.gtei.net!wn3feed!world net.att.net!135.173.83.225!attworldnet!newsadm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Newsgroups: rec.boats Organization: AT&T WorldNet Services Lines: 12 NNTP-Posting-Host: 12.77.208.219 X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.71.1712.3 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.71.1712.3 Classic example, I’m out on Pasco #1 off Tarpon Springs, Florida today.  We have 3 balloons off the back of the boat with live bait fishing for Kings. What pulls up behind us?  Yes a Trophy, your average dimwit, amateur within inches of our balloons.  After I had a couple of choice words with the captain (retard) we pulled off to a better area….with no Trophys around and managed to bag two keeper grouper.  So you see now why I JUST LOVE TROPHYS Rob

Rob, If he were driving a Hatteras or other mega, overpriced boat, would his move have been any more acceptable?  No, of course not. I had an Ocean Alexander skipper drift into my boat that was moored and unattended.  He hit it rail to rail and neither boat sustained much damage but do I hate Ocean Alexander boats because of it?  Not hardly. Focus your anger at the novice who didn’t know what he was doing, not at his fine, quality made, very reliable, structurly sound, efficient and absolutely beautiful boat!!! Bill Landsborough "A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions." Proverbs 18:2

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Or even know how to put it on.

Excellent Nathan! Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach, Florida "Lie ? Me ? Never!  No, no, no, the truth is far too much fun !" – Captain Hook

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By the way, there is a downside to using balloons. Many of them are discarded in the water and unfortunately some sea creatures that eat jellyfish (like turtles) snarf them down and can’t digest them. They die. This used to happen with condoms, I suppose, but no turtle with a brain would go near any of those disease-laden wrappers.

Or even know how to put it on.

Response:

Thank you. I appreciate your willingness to supply me with helpful information despite my occasional indignation at your whimsical contrarian nature. I have observed this civil trait in you repeatedly and I respect it. I think balloons and kites are beyond me, though I do like to picture showing up at my normal fishing spots with such equipment, and fastening on a fly, worm, little minnow, or kernel of corn. Mart

By the way, there is a downside to using balloons. Many of them are discarded in the water and unfortunately some sea creatures that eat jellyfish (like turtles) snarf them down and can’t digest them. They die. This used to happen with condoms, I suppose, but no turtle with a brain would go near any of those disease-laden wrappers. — Harry Krause – - – - – - – - – - – - Gee, I wonder what this key does.

Response:

Thank you. I appreciate your willingness to supply me with helpful information despite my occasional indignation at your whimsical contrarian nature. I have observed this civil trait in you repeatedly and I respect it. I think balloons and kites are beyond me, though I do like to picture showing up at my normal fishing spots with such equipment, and fastening on a fly, worm, little minnow, or kernel of corn. Mart

Mart, Believe it or not, they even sell different sized kites to use depending on the wind conditions!  I don’t bother with kites, but I’ve been fishing with a guy who does and it works quite well. What Harry didn’t mention is you use the kite while drifting.  BTW, shore fishermen also use kites to get their bait out farther than they can cast… Depending on the direction the wind is blowing, of course.  :) Dennis

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sure. He’s using partially inflated balloons as "corks" to float his live baits within a certain range of the top of the water… Thanks. Same idea as the little still fishing plastic/cork/wood bobbers we sometimes use up here, only bigger and inflatable? Yes. But much more visible. It’s hard to see many corks or floats out in the ocean where the waves are. Also, by only partially inflating, a part of it slides under the water easier… There’s also kite fishing. I’ll bite on the kite: real up in the air kites? Or fishing for hawks? Mart You run out a fishing kite and then attach your fishing line with a live bait on the line. The kite keeps the bait at the surface, making those friendly struggling sounds, attracting fish. But the bait also has access to the water and can breathe. It works very well for surface feeders.

Thank you. I appreciate your willingness to supply me with helpful information despite my occasional indignation at your whimsical contrarian nature. I have observed this civil trait in you repeatedly and I respect it. I think balloons and kites are beyond me, though I do like to picture showing up at my normal fishing spots with such equipment, and fastening on a fly, worm, little minnow, or kernel of corn. Mart

Response:

Sure. He’s using partially inflated balloons as "corks" to float his live baits within a certain range of the top of the water… Thanks. Same idea as the little still fishing plastic/cork/wood bobbers we sometimes use up here, only bigger and inflatable?

Yes. But much more visible. It’s hard to see many corks or floats out in the ocean where the waves are. Also, by only partially inflating, a part of it slides under the water easier… There’s also kite fishing. I’ll bite on the kite: real up in the air kites? Or fishing for hawks? Mart

You run out a fishing kite and then attach your fishing line with a live bait on the line. The kite keeps the bait at the surface, making those friendly struggling sounds, attracting fish. But the bait also has access to the water and can breathe. It works very well for surface feeders.

Response:

Sure. He’s using partially inflated balloons as "corks" to float his live baits within a certain range of the top of the water…

Thanks. Same idea as the little still fishing plastic/cork/wood bobbers we sometimes use up here, only bigger and inflatable? There’s also kite fishing.

I’ll bite on the kite: real up in the air kites? Or fishing for hawks? Mart – - – - – - – - – - – - "One morning when the wind was from the west, Stuart put on his sailor suit and his sailor hat, took his spyglass down from the shelf, and set out for a walk, full of the joy of life and the fear of dogs."

Response:

Classic example, I’m out on Pasco #1 off Tarpon Springs, Florida today.  We have 3 balloons off the back of the boat with live bait fishing for Kings. What pulls up behind us?  Yes a Trophy, your average dimwit, amateur within inches of our balloons.  After I had a couple of choice words with the captain (retard) we pulled off to a better area….with no Trophys around and managed to bag two keeper grouper.  So you see now why I JUST LOVE TROPHYS Rob

Maybe he wanted to transfer his flag to your boat in case his began to sink? — Harry Krause – - – - – - – - – - – - Accordion: a bagpipe with pleats.

Response:

Classic example, I’m out on Pasco #1 off Tarpon Springs, Florida today.  We have 3 balloons off the back of the boat with live bait fishing for Kings. What pulls up behind us?  Yes a Trophy, your average dimwit, amateur within inches of our balloons.  After I had a couple of choice words with the captain (retard) we pulled off to a better area….with no Trophys around and managed to bag two keeper grouper.  So you see now why I JUST LOVE TROPHYS Rob

Response:

Question:

riffling hitch

I’ve now looked "everywhere" for details on the riffling hitch, but to no avail. Not a mention in the knot books I’ve found … a few hits from three different web searches, but no dice on how to tie it. This knot sounds like it would be a good all-around nymphing knot whether for stream or lake, one fly or two. Any clues on where to find it? BTW, as I mentioned in my original post, I tried out my new sinking line last week at Lake Almanor (near Mt.Lassen). I caught, of all things, a very nice sized Squaw Fish (~24 inches) that gave me a vigorous 20 minute fight. I guess these guys can get up to 6 feet long … I’d probably still be there if I’d hooked one of those monsters! Perhaps if I’d been able to employ the riffling hitch … 8^) Bill Howe Boulder, CO

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Gentlemen:     You can find illustrations for the Riffling Hitch on page 55 of <Steelhead Fly Fishing and Flies, by Trey Combs, Amato Publications.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I use two successfully in lakes.  What I change though is the Knot I use. Instead of tying a normal not I use one called a "Riffling Hitch" that I found in the back of an old Steelhead fishing book.  The result of the "riffling hitch" is that the line comes off the side of the head instead of straight out through the eyelet.  this imparts a swimming motion to the flies when you troll them.  It works best when you tie the hitch come of the same side of both flies. Riffling hitch sounds like a good knot.  Never heard of it though.   I agree  with Ed that two is a workable setup when using sinking line.  I have had alot more success with this setup than using a single fly one.  A large fly, say a leech, in front and a smaller fly, like a scud, about 3 feet back seems to work pretty well on the lakes I fish in Utah and Wyoming.   Not only does this have an "attractor affect" but also allows you to find what they are actively feeding on much quicker. David Howell

        I’d like to see a riffling hitch myself. I’ve been tying a nymph onto the bend of the hook with an improved clinch knot. This has worked for me with the last few years with fairly good success. I still break the nymph off once in awhile when struck though. I tried tying to the eylet but, had more trouble with that setup. — -= Fred =-                                                \ [[[[                               \||||                        (         ||||                         (____   [[[[                                                 Fly Fisher

Response:

When fishing a sinking line on deep lake water, does anyone tie on two flies, or is one streamer or nymph the normal limit. I’m going to be trying out my new sinking line on a lake for the first time next week, and realized that the two nymph system I’ve been using on streams for the last couple of years might not be appropriate on a sinking system. While the moving water of the stream gives two nymphs some natural motion, it seems to me that two flies following each other around in the still water of a lake might just scare the lunkers off! Bill Howe

Response:

I use two successfully in lakes.  What I change though is the Knot I use. Instead of tying a normal not I use one called a "Riffling Hitch" that I found in the back of an old Steelhead fishing book.  The result of the "riffling hitch" is that the line comes off the side of the head instead of straight out through the eyelet.  this imparts a swimming motion to the flies when you troll them.  It works best when you tie the hitch come of the same side of both flies.  Going left and then right tends to cause the Ed Green – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – When fishing a sinking line on deep lake water, does anyone tie on two flies, or is one streamer or nymph the normal limit. I’m going to be trying out my new sinking line on a lake for the first time next week, and realized that the two nymph system I’ve been using on streams for the last couple of years might not be appropriate on a sinking system. While the moving water of the stream gives two nymphs some natural motion, it seems to me that two flies following each other around in the still water of a lake might just scare the lunkers off! Bill Howe

Response:

I use two successfully in lakes.  What I change though is the Knot I use. Instead of tying a normal not I use one called a "Riffling Hitch" that I found in the back of an old Steelhead fishing book.  The result of the "riffling hitch" is that the line comes off the side of the head instead of straight out through the eyelet.  this imparts a swimming motion to the flies when you troll them.  It works best when you tie the hitch come of the same side of both flies.

Riffling hitch sounds like a good knot.  Never heard of it though.   I agree  with Ed that two is a workable setup when using sinking line.  I have had alot more success with this setup than using a single fly one.  A large fly, say a leech, in front and a smaller fly, like a scud, about 3 feet back seems to work pretty well on the lakes I fish in Utah and Wyoming.   Not only does this have an "attractor affect" but also allows you to find what they are actively feeding on much quicker. David Howell

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Question:

I’m headed for Potter county, PA weekend of 7/12. Local hatch chart calls for a "slate drake." Anyone have a recipe for this fly? I don’t see it in my reference materials. Thanks.

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I’m headed for Potter county, PA weekend of 7/12. Local hatch chart calls for a "slate drake." Anyone have a recipe for this fly? I don’t see it in my reference materials. Thanks.

There was a big brown drake hatch on Skaneateles lake (one of the Finger Lakes in NY) last week and I talked to a guy that fished it and did rather well.  He runs a flyfishing shop a couple of miles from the lake (right on Skaneateles creek) and he showed me the flies that he used. I don’t know the size of the slate drakes that you’re trying to immitate but the brown drakes were tied on size 8 hooks comparadun style.  If you don’t get any specific recipe’s I’d get some dark microfibbets or dark blue dun and make a split tail, add some dark grey dubbing, and tye on some dark deer hair comparadun style.   — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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I’m headed for Potter county, PA weekend of 7/12. Local hatch chart calls for a "slate drake." Anyone have a recipe for this fly? I don’t see it in my reference materials. Thanks.

The slate drake is a colorful name for the Isonychia dun.  I’m sure your reference has patterns for this.  If not, try posting at rec.outdoors. fishing.fly.tying.

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Question:

 I have a nice box of bonefish flies that I’ve used on a recent trip to  the Keys — don’t ask how I did — but I’ve got these Crazy Charlies,  Gotchas and other small size 6, 4, and 1 shrimp flies.  Can they be used  for fresh water fishing?  And what applications might they have in the  coastal areas of Maryland, my other saltwater haunt.  Can they be used  for other fish in the Cheasapeake.  I would love to know if they have  other applications.  I suspect they do.

Do you have any Clouser Minnows?  Both Crazy Charlies and Clousers in Bright colors are said to work for salmon, trout, and stealhead in the Alaska region.  Clousers can also work for stripers sometimes.

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I’ve had alot of success with crazy charlies on my trout homewaters in New Hampshire.  More trout have been taken on them than bonefish for me!  In – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a nice box of bonefish flies that I’ve used on a recent trip to the Keys — don’t ask how I did — but I’ve got these Crazy charlies, Gotchas and other small size 6, 4, and 1 shrimp flies. Can they be used for fresh water fishing? And what applications might they have in the coastal areas of Maryland, my other saltwater haunt. Can they be used for other fish in the Cheasapeake. I would love to know if they have other applications. I suspect they do.

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: I have a nice box of bonefish flies that I’ve used on a recent trip to : the Keys — don’t ask how I did — but I’ve got these Crazy charlies, : Gotchas and other small size 6, 4, and 1 shrimp flies. Can they be used : for fresh water fishing? And what applications might they have in the : coastal areas of Maryland, my other saltwater haunt. Can they be used : for other fish in the Cheasapeake. I would love to know if they have : other applications. I suspect they do.

I’ve taken native brown trout in streams on pink Crazy Charlies. I am looking forward to using them on lake run browns and rainbows in the fall.

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I have a nice box of bonefish flies that I’ve used on a recent trip to the Keys — don’t ask how I did — but I’ve got these Crazy charlies, Gotchas and other small size 6, 4, and 1 shrimp flies. Can they be used for fresh water fishing? And what applications might they have in the coastal areas of Maryland, my other saltwater haunt. Can they be used for other fish in the Cheasapeake. I would love to know if they have other applications. I suspect they do.

They sometimes work on Shad ( running now on both coasts ) and try them in the surf for perch or what ever else. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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Davenport) writes: : I have a nice box of bonefish flies that I’ve used on a recent trip to : the Keys — don’t ask how I did — but I’ve got these Crazy charlies, : Gotchas and other small size 6, 4, and 1 shrimp flies. Can they be used : for fresh water fishing? And what applications might they have in the : coastal areas of Maryland, my other saltwater haunt. Can they be used : for other fish in the Cheasapeake. I would love to know if they have : other applications. I suspect they do.

I understand that Crazy Charlies are a pretty good Carp Fly if that holds any interest for you…….

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I have a nice box of bonefish flies that I’ve used on a recent trip to the Keys — don’t ask how I did — but I’ve got these Crazy charlies, Gotchas and other small size 6, 4, and 1 shrimp flies. Can they be used for fresh water fishing? And what applications might they have in the coastal areas of Maryland, my other saltwater haunt. Can they be used for other fish in the Cheasapeake. I would love to know if they have other applications. I suspect they do.

Response:

: I have a nice box of bonefish flies that I’ve used on a recent trip to : the Keys — don’t ask how I did — but I’ve got these Crazy charlies, : Gotchas and other small size 6, 4, and 1 shrimp flies. Can they be used : for fresh water fishing? And what applications might they have in the : coastal areas of Maryland, my other saltwater haunt. Can they be used : for other fish in the Cheasapeake. I would love to know if they have : other applications. I suspect they do. : : :We have found that the gotchas are great on shad.

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Question:

Planning trip to Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone this summer and would like to read some about the area before the trip.  Could anyone suggest some good reading material on the subject?  I’ve heard of a book called "The Most Complete Guide to Wyoming Fisheries"  has anyone read this book?  Is it good?  Where can I get a copy?

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Planning trip to Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone this summer and would like to read some about the area before the trip.  

I’ve seen quite a flurry of posts regarding the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone recently. I’m surprised. The Clark’s Fork is an incredibly beautifull valley, and the elk hunting there is as good as it gets. The fishing is good too, for large numbers of small trout. The growing season is too short, the water too fast and too cold to support any big ones.    The lower end of the river runs thru is an impenetrable canyon, with 1000′ verticle rock walls, accessible only to the most lunatic kayakers who literally use petons and caribeeners to portage several impossible falls. There are some good Rainbows in several canyon pools. The problem is getting there. Higher up, from Crandal creek upstream to Cooke City, there are few fish over 12" long…although lots of them that small and smaller. —

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