Question:

My wife arranged a ten day trip to the British Virgin Islands to combine some flyfishing with a 25th anniversary tropic island getaway.

i can’t believe you didn’t invite us….. <g –waldo…. your excitement is contagious….

Response:

Outstanding trip reports and great photo’s!! Gary

Response:

Good one, tripper.  A most appreciated report on a cold, wet Sunday in autumnal Melbourne.  I’m particularly please dto hear the SO seems to have had a good time as well … give’s me hope  :-) Steve

Response:

fwiw, I posted a couple of shots on alt.binaries.pictures.fishing, one of a bone being brought to hand, followed by the obligatory hero shot.

Sounds like a great trip. Thanks for the report. TL MC

Response:

[snip] – fishing the flats for bones is just a riot. I might be horribly spoiled by the experience. Only time will tell. I might try fishing the Rapid with a 2 weight to simulate the experience

Try fishing for stripers with a 2wt

Response:

fwiw, I posted a couple of shots on alt.binaries.pictures.fishing, one of a bone being brought to hand,

Fabulous report. I can sense your excitement. Jealous as Hell! Willi

Response:

fwiw, I posted a couple of shots on alt.binaries.pictures.fishing, one of a /daytripper (Could’ve fooled me – I thought we were dead meat! =8-O

Daytripper, Thanx for the report. Adding it to my deranged fantasy folder today!  Best Wishes. DaveMohnsen Denver

Response:

fwiw, I posted a couple of shots on alt.binaries.pictures.fishing, one of a bone being brought to hand, followed by the obligatory hero shot. My wife arranged a ten day trip to the British Virgin Islands to combine some flyfishing with a 25th anniversary tropic island getaway.  We started at Anegada Reef, as I did half-days fishing the mangroves for bones with Dave "Clinton" Vanterpool, an outstanding guide and local legend. We followed that with a full week on Tortola, mixing tarpon fishing with beaching, sailing, and snorkeling. In short, it was a freakin’ blast of a trip – e-ticket stuff all the way. We came back with tans and smiles – and a couple of wicked line burns and sore knuckles. Anegada Island has roughly 120 people living on it at any given time. Total – including roughly 30 tourists spread out between the one hotel and the camping areas. There’s virtually nothing there from an economic view, save for the Anegada Reef Hotel where we stayed, a couple of beach bars on the north side, a couple of campgrounds, and a tiny general store. And the airport, of course. It is best known for diving opportunities on the 300 shipwrecks surrounding the reef, while the outstanding bonefish fishery is still just being "discovered" by outsiders. Thus I was the only person bonefishing while we were there. Which is simply unbelievable, given the size and quality of the flats, until one remembers where these flats are: surrounding an island with all of 120 people on it, somewhere in the BVI. If this place was in the Keys, it would be overrun. Bonefish are *unbelievably* strong – it is said a 16" bonefish has three times the strength and endurance of a 24" trout. I don’t doubt it – though none of the bones I caught was anywhere near that small. Even the runt of the trip was over 24 inches long and a good 6 pounds – and that fish stripped out over an honest 180 yards of line and backing on its first run against a strong drag. The largest rainbows I’ve ever caught couldn’t put anywhere near that kind of show even on a mere five weight rod – but these fish were putting the full flex on an 8 weight (a Winston BL5 5pc – lord, what a sweet sweet rod this one is, too). All the fish were caught on white Gotchas, cast to tailing bones and then stripped back with short strokes. After tying a bunch of Charlies, Crab Puffs, Velcro Crabs, Gotchas, and small Clousers, in at least three colors (white, pink, and green) I started and ended with white Gotchas. That is, after I realized the flies weren’t heavy enough relying on the hooks (Mustad 34007 #6 SS) and bead eyes alone, and wrapping on a chunk of copper wire scavenged from a wrecked truck. Like flipping a switch, once I added that weight to the Gotchas, the only way I’d miss a fish was to line it. Once I hooked up with a bone, the fish was off for the proverbial sunset. I was using 12# Mirage for tippet, and set the drag for the better part of that, putting a fine bend in the Winston, and could only hold on for dear life and be ready to gain line when the opportunity arose, all the while trying to keep the fish out of the mangroves and away from coral chunks. Wild. Most of the casts were between 60 and 80 feet out. Sometimes the bones would eat the fly after only a couple of short strips, other times they’d follow the fly halfway back to the boat before taking the fly. Getting rid of 40 feet of loose line in a hurry isn’t all that easy – I got a couple of good scorch marks for my slower efforts (and they hurted so good Anyway…I can’t say enough about that whole experience. It was a total gas that won’t be forgotten soon. The Anegada Reef Hotel is a simple but comfortable place with great food, a wicked beach bar, and is operated by wonderful people. And Dave Vanterpool kept me in fish and in stitches each day – he’s a funny sonofabitch who knows the flats with his eyes closed, and will keep you on bones for as long as your arms can take the pressure. Wrapping it all up: – fishing the flats for bones is just a riot. I might be horribly spoiled by the experience. Only time will tell. I might try fishing the Rapid with a 2 weight to simulate the experience – the Winston BL5 is simply a wonderful rod. This 5 piece casts as nicely as any two piece 7-9 weight I’ve ever used, and it is post-911 airline friendly. It might be cold to state it, but Winston was sitting in the catbird seat on 910. – spotting random bonefish is an acquired skill, but it isn’t that hard to acquire that skill. Good Polaroids are a must, and side shades help, imo. Looking for tails is obvious, looking for plumes of silt a little less so, but beyond that you’re looking for glints and moving shadows. But by the middle of the second morning I often spotted a fish before my guide saw it. – Don’t dismiss the 6 inch deep puddles along the shore. I missed what was probably a ten pound bone by striking too soon on my first shot of the first day. That fish was feeding with the upper third of its body out of the water, damnedest thing I’ve seen in a while. If I had hooked it I’d probably be wishing I’d brought the camera that day… – the Reddington AL9/10 stood up to as much abuse as I could give it. My reeling arm is still sore. The reel is fine. The drag system is the bees knees. – you *can* land a twin engine low-wing aircraft laden with 10 people and gear on a 2500 foot runway, and take off from the same field later. Really! I swear to God! Often! /daytripper (Could’ve fooled me – I thought we were dead meat! =8-O

Response:

Question:

Hi Doug, Thanks for the comment.  I kinda like the style.  It’s different!  ;) For power on mine, I’m going with the merCruiser 6cyl. diesel.  That will give me 225 HP at each prop.  I’m also going to use the Bravo 3 outdrive.

Hey Mark, help me out here.  Why are you choosing the Bravo 3 outdrive for a twin engine application?  What advantage is there as compared to any of the less expensive alternatives? Who builds that engine?  It sounds like a great engine for that application. Regards, Tom Brown

Response:

                        *** big snip *** Shameless plug for MaxWeld boats … see thier site at: http://www.maxweldboats.com/ You’re getting a really cool boat…I love its looks. — Harry Krause

Thanks Harry.  I’m not too sure about the looks.  I kinda like the looks of a boat with a well appointed fly bridge better.  However, the boat *should* be really functional and they *are* extremely stable fishing platforms and that means a lot more to me than looks.  (besides the fact that they are "hell-built" for stout!) Still having trouble deciding on colors and a name for her.  The wife and I have decided (with a little coaching from the builder) to paint the cabin the same grey as the pictures show and we are going to go with a black back deck.  I thought something lighter, but Andy says that the black deck is a lot easier to maintain.  I personally think that when the sun shines on it the back deck is going to get awful warm!  Whatever we decide … No White in the work area!!  Makes my tired old eyes hurt!  ;) -mArk-  (who finds naming a boat harder than naming kids!  ;))

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Doug, Thanks for the comment.  I kinda like the style.  It’s different!  ;) For power on mine, I’m going with the merCruiser 6cyl. diesel.  That will give me 225 HP at each prop.  I’m also going to use the Bravo 3 outdrive. Andy will set them up with almost any type of power that you want.  The one he just finished building (basicly the same boat I’m getting) had twin Cummins with jet pumps type outdrives.  I don’t know if he has build one that is a true inboard yet, but he has been talking about it.  It’s just a matter of what the customer wants.  He’s *very* flexible. I looked at several different engines before I picked the merCruisers.  I had originally picked the Volvo 6cyl. diesel, but Andy told me that there had been quite a few warranty issues (new engines that needed work) and that Volvo had not been real good about honoring the warranty.  He said that having your new boat have to go in right away for engine work kind of soured the whole boat buying process and suggested that I go with the merCruiser for dependability sake. Andy worked out a deal with the merCruiser dealer to get the engines at the same price as those from Volvo.  They usually cost about $2000 an issue more. The Cummins engines are like $10k more.  Kinda outa my price range! -mArk-                          (not speaking for the company) Shameless plug for MaxWeld boats … see thier site at: http://www.maxweldboats.com/

You’re getting a really cool boat…I love its looks. — Harry Krause I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family. -GW Bush

Response:

Wow-Cooool Cat ! What’s the power ? Do they offer inboards in a catamaran ? Doug Miller

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Went down to the coast last Friday (3/23) so that I could stop in and see what progress has been made on the new boat.  Took Andy and crew 2 weeks to lay the bulkheads and stringers, but the boat is finally right-side up and starting to take shape!!  They started putting the sides of the hulls on so it actually is starting to look like a boat!  I’m getting really excited as things start to take shape! Whilst I was looking at what they had done during the week Andy told me that he didn’t think the boat had a deck length of 28′10" as we originally agreed too (he has stated several times that all sizes are estimates as each hull is layed by hand and everything is custom).  He put the tape on it and came up with the new length of 29′9".  He looked at me and smiled and say something to the affect of "I didn’t think you’d mind the extra (almost) foot of length".  ;)  Too Cool! He’s also decided to change the "swim platfrom" from 36" to 42".  He was saying that the extra 6" doesn’t seem like much, but it really makes a difference when you are out on it.  WAY Cool!  ;) Still haven’t picked a color scheme or a name, but we are working on it. I was going to use some of the commercial gear off’n "Fish Assassin" (my 22′ dory) but Andy says "nope".  He does not like the galvanized davits for the down-riggers and is going to build me some custom made Stainless davits. He is also going to build me some custom aluminum outriggers … length to be determined, but they look like they want to be about 28′ with forstays built into them. WhooWhee!!  Can’t hardly contain myself waiting for the magical day when I get to take delivery (about June 16th)!!  ;)  ;) -mArk-

Response:

Hi Doug, Thanks for the comment.  I kinda like the style.  It’s different!  ;) For power on mine, I’m going with the merCruiser 6cyl. diesel.  That will give me 225 HP at each prop.  I’m also going to use the Bravo 3 outdrive. Hey Mark, help me out here.  Why are you choosing the Bravo 3 outdrive for a twin engine application?  What advantage is there as compared to any of the less expensive alternatives? Who builds that engine?  It sounds like a great engine for that application. Regards, Tom Brown

Hi Tom.  It’s another one of those hell-built-for-stout things that I’m so hung up on.  I want equiptment that won’t fail (or at least has less chance of failure) when I’m a hundred miles from shore.  There is also the fact that the twin props give you a little more umph.  Besides, Andy catagoricly refuses to use "cheap" stuff on his boats.  He only wants to use the best he can get in any given class.  The Bravo 3 is much stouter than any of the Alpha drives and actually has quite a few design improvements over the Bravo 1 & 2 outdrives. I believe Andy told me that the engine blocks actually come from Isuzu (sp?). All the bolt on stuff is Mercury specific.  I just hope these engines are as bullet proof (idiot proof??  ;)) as I’ve been led to believe.  I spent a lot of time researching both the merCruiser and the Volvo diesel offerings and they seemed pretty close.  Part of the decision was based on the builders recommondation (and I trust Andy a lot … known him for a lot of years!). -mArk-   (who beleives that down fishing time means lost revenue)

Response:

Hi Doug, Thanks for the comment.  I kinda like the style.  It’s different!  ;) For power on mine, I’m going with the merCruiser 6cyl. diesel.  That will give me 225 HP at each prop.  I’m also going to use the Bravo 3 outdrive. Andy will set them up with almost any type of power that you want.  The one he just finished building (basicly the same boat I’m getting) had twin Cummins with jet pumps type outdrives.  I don’t know if he has build one that is a true inboard yet, but he has been talking about it.  It’s just a matter of what the customer wants.  He’s *very* flexible. I looked at several different engines before I picked the merCruisers.  I had originally picked the Volvo 6cyl. diesel, but Andy told me that there had been quite a few warranty issues (new engines that needed work) and that Volvo had not been real good about honoring the warranty.  He said that having your new boat have to go in right away for engine work kind of soured the whole boat buying process and suggested that I go with the merCruiser for dependability sake. Andy worked out a deal with the merCruiser dealer to get the engines at the same price as those from Volvo.  They usually cost about $2000 an issue more. The Cummins engines are like $10k more.  Kinda outa my price range! -mArk-                          (not speaking for the company) Shameless plug for MaxWeld boats … see thier site at: http://www.maxweldboats.com/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wow-Cooool Cat ! What’s the power ? Do they offer inboards in a catamaran ? Doug Miller Went down to the coast last Friday (3/23) so that I could stop in and see what progress has been made on the new boat.  Took Andy and crew 2 weeks to lay the bulkheads and stringers, but the boat is finally right-side up and starting to take shape!!  They started putting the sides of the hulls on so it actually is starting to look like a boat!  I’m getting really excited as things start to take shape! Whilst I was looking at what they had done during the week Andy told me that he didn’t think the boat had a deck length of 28′10" as we originally agreed too (he has stated several times that all sizes are estimates as each hull is layed by hand and everything is custom).  He put the tape on it and came up with the new length of 29′9".  He looked at me and smiled and say something to the affect of "I didn’t think you’d mind the extra (almost) foot of length".  ;)  Too Cool! He’s also decided to change the "swim platfrom" from 36" to 42".  He was saying that the extra 6" doesn’t seem like much, but it really makes a difference when you are out on it.  WAY Cool!  ;) Still haven’t picked a color scheme or a name, but we are working on it. I was going to use some of the commercial gear off’n "Fish Assassin" (my 22′ dory) but Andy says "nope".  He does not like the galvanized davits for the down-riggers and is going to build me some custom made Stainless davits. He is also going to build me some custom aluminum outriggers … length to be determined, but they look like they want to be about 28′ with forstays built into them. WhooWhee!!  Can’t hardly contain myself waiting for the magical day when I get to take delivery (about June 16th)!!  ;)  ;) -mArk-

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Went down to the coast last Friday (3/23) so that I could stop in and see what progress has been made on the new boat.  Took Andy and crew 2 weeks to lay the bulkheads and stringers, but the boat is finally right-side up and starting to take shape!!  They started putting the sides of the hulls on so it actually is starting to look like a boat!  I’m getting really excited as things start to take shape! Whilst I was looking at what they had done during the week Andy told me that he didn’t think the boat had a deck length of 28′10" as we originally agreed too (he has stated several times that all sizes are estimates as each hull is layed by hand and everything is custom).  He put the tape on it and came up with the new length of 29′9".  He looked at me and smiled and say something to the affect of "I didn’t think you’d mind the extra (almost) foot of length".  ;)  Too Cool! He’s also decided to change the "swim platfrom" from 36" to 42".  He was saying that the extra 6" doesn’t seem like much, but it really makes a difference when you are out on it.  WAY Cool!  ;) Still haven’t picked a color scheme or a name, but we are working on it.  I was going to use some of the commercial gear off’n "Fish Assassin" (my 22′ dory) but Andy says "nope".  He does not like the galvanized davits for the down-riggers and is going to build me some custom made Stainless davits.  He is also going to build me some custom aluminum outriggers … length to be determined, but they look like they want to be about 28′ with forstays built into them. WhooWhee!!  Can’t hardly contain myself waiting for the magical day when I get to take delivery (about June 16th)!!  ;)  ;) -mArk- Sounds woodlike. What is she? — Harry Krause Naw … we’ve talked about this one a little before … it’s an aluminum Catamaran style hull with twin merCrusier 6cyl. diesels.  Pictures at: http://www.maxweldboats.com The picture on the first page is a 27′ version of what my boat is going to be.  You looked at this one once before and told me that you’d feel safe about going out to sea in a boat like that … -mArk-

You are correct. When you started discussing bulkheads and frame, I immediately thought of wood. — Harry Krause The students at Yale came from all different backgrounds and all parts of the country. Within months, I knew many of them. -GW Bush

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Went down to the coast last Friday (3/23) so that I could stop in and see what progress has been made on the new boat.  Took Andy and crew 2 weeks to lay the bulkheads and stringers, but the boat is finally right-side up and starting to take shape!!  They started putting the sides of the hulls on so it actually is starting to look like a boat!  I’m getting really excited as things start to take shape! Whilst I was looking at what they had done during the week Andy told me that he didn’t think the boat had a deck length of 28′10" as we originally agreed too (he has stated several times that all sizes are estimates as each hull is layed by hand and everything is custom).  He put the tape on it and came up with the new length of 29′9".  He looked at me and smiled and say something to the affect of "I didn’t think you’d mind the extra (almost) foot of length".  ;)  Too Cool! He’s also decided to change the "swim platfrom" from 36" to 42".  He was saying that the extra 6" doesn’t seem like much, but it really makes a difference when you are out on it.  WAY Cool!  ;) Still haven’t picked a color scheme or a name, but we are working on it.  I was going to use some of the commercial gear off’n "Fish Assassin" (my 22′ dory) but Andy says "nope".  He does not like the galvanized davits for the down-riggers and is going to build me some custom made Stainless davits.  He is also going to build me some custom aluminum outriggers … length to be determined, but they look like they want to be about 28′ with forstays built into them. WhooWhee!!  Can’t hardly contain myself waiting for the magical day when I get to take delivery (about June 16th)!!  ;)  ;) -mArk- Sounds woodlike. What is she? — Harry Krause

Naw … we’ve talked about this one a little before … it’s an aluminum Catamaran style hull with twin merCrusier 6cyl. diesels.  Pictures at: http://www.maxweldboats.com The picture on the first page is a 27′ version of what my boat is going to be.  You looked at this one once before and told me that you’d feel safe about going out to sea in a boat like that … -mArk-

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Went down to the coast last Friday (3/23) so that I could stop in and see what progress has been made on the new boat.  Took Andy and crew 2 weeks to lay the bulkheads and stringers, but the boat is finally right-side up and starting to take shape!!  They started putting the sides of the hulls on so it actually is starting to look like a boat!  I’m getting really excited as things start to take shape! Whilst I was looking at what they had done during the week Andy told me that he didn’t think the boat had a deck length of 28′10" as we originally agreed too (he has stated several times that all sizes are estimates as each hull is layed by hand and everything is custom).  He put the tape on it and came up with the new length of 29′9".  He looked at me and smiled and say something to the affect of "I didn’t think you’d mind the extra (almost) foot of length".  ;)  Too Cool! He’s also decided to change the "swim platfrom" from 36" to 42".  He was saying that the extra 6" doesn’t seem like much, but it really makes a difference when you are out on it.  WAY Cool!  ;) Still haven’t picked a color scheme or a name, but we are working on it.  I was going to use some of the commercial gear off’n "Fish Assassin" (my 22′ dory) but Andy says "nope".  He does not like the galvanized davits for the down-riggers and is going to build me some custom made Stainless davits.  He is also going to build me some custom aluminum outriggers … length to be determined, but they look like they want to be about 28′ with forstays built into them. WhooWhee!!  Can’t hardly contain myself waiting for the magical day when I get to take delivery (about June 16th)!!  ;)  ;) -mArk-

Sounds woodlike. What is she? — Harry Krause This case has had full analyzation and has been looked at a lot. I understand the emotionality of death penalty cases. Dubya Dense

Response:

Went down to the coast last Friday (3/23) so that I could stop in and see what progress has been made on the new boat.  Took Andy and crew 2 weeks to lay the bulkheads and stringers, but the boat is finally right-side up and starting to take shape!!  They started putting the sides of the hulls on so it actually is starting to look like a boat!  I’m getting really excited as things start to take shape! Whilst I was looking at what they had done during the week Andy told me that he didn’t think the boat had a deck length of 28′10" as we originally agreed too (he has stated several times that all sizes are estimates as each hull is layed by hand and everything is custom).  He put the tape on it and came up with the new length of 29′9".  He looked at me and smiled and say something to the affect of "I didn’t think you’d mind the extra (almost) foot of length".  ;)  Too Cool! He’s also decided to change the "swim platfrom" from 36" to 42".  He was saying that the extra 6" doesn’t seem like much, but it really makes a difference when you are out on it.  WAY Cool!  ;) Still haven’t picked a color scheme or a name, but we are working on it.  I was going to use some of the commercial gear off’n "Fish Assassin" (my 22′ dory) but Andy says "nope".  He does not like the galvanized davits for the down-riggers and is going to build me some custom made Stainless davits.  He is also going to build me some custom aluminum outriggers … length to be determined, but they look like they want to be about 28′ with forstays built into them. WhooWhee!!  Can’t hardly contain myself waiting for the magical day when I get to take delivery (about June 16th)!!  ;)  ;) -mArk-

Response:

Question:

I am looking for some new leader formulas for dry fly fishing. I want a 16-18 ft overall leader with tippit ( I use a long tippet, about 31/2 to 4 ft). I am fishing a 3 wt and 4 wt line at the present. Any suggestions? George

Response:

http://globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/leadercalc/index.html It might take awhile to digest, but there is an interesting leader formula program in there. Regards, Jeff

Response:

Question:

I just finished reading,      EVEN BROOK TROUT GET THE BLUES  by John Gierach.  I have to say,  this was one trite, anal, "matter-of-fact-" piece of literature. The amount of contradictions makes me laugh my ass off.  Here is an example: Mr. Gierach goes on and on and on about the virtues of wild game food, and how it is so good for you.  He also claims it is superior to store bought food.  Here is a quote from that book, page 121, second paragraph: " wild food is GOOD food: low in fat and cholesterol without preservatives, tasty and right there in your hand or landing net free for the taking. Putting too much distance between yourself and this obvious reality is not productive" Then, on page 122, 3rd paragraph:  " the battered fillets are deep fried in oil. Peanut oil is best, but vegetable oil will do." Hilarious!  Not only is the batter    on the fish full of preservatives, but he is basically drowning his   "low fat, cholesterol free food"   in tons of fat and grease.  Nice one Mr. Gierach!   Next time you preach to the guilty about the wonders of wild game food, make sure you try not to COMPLETELY smother out the taste AND benefits of that food by deep frying it. What a joke. I laugh at these "wild food enthusiasts"  who claim  to love the food, yet try to completely hide any of the original flavor of the fish or meat by frying or saucing the hell out of it. Many of the things Gierach does are silly.   He is so anal and "matter- of-fact"  concerning so many issues one must wonder if this guy ever gets away from his set crowd.  It’s clear he is lacking in any kind of cultural development.   His  "simplistic" life philosophy is marred and gouged by so many incosistencies a beginner fly caster could put loops through them. Occasionaly Gierach starts heading in a good direction, but his aformentioned problems quickly swallow  up whatever interesting course he was trying to follow. Another thing, is the guy is plainly an alcoholic.  Now, we all know Traver was as well, but at LEAST Traver was a good writer. There’s nothing more annoying than an alcoholic who is still drinking.  His whole philosophy  is probably the end result of that, full of matter-of- fact standoff-ishness and "simplistic" stances on life.  I have seen this type. They are a dime a dozen, claiming wild meat so superior, drinking away their days, and spouting the super simplistic lifestyle while contradicting themsleves in EVERY conceivable fashion. boo-hoo  Mr. Gierach.   Where did the Robert Traver’s go? —-Muskie Before you buy.

Response:

gee, he’s always said nice things about you 8<) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just finished reading,      EVEN BROOK TROUT GET THE BLUES  by John Gierach.  I have to say,  this was one trite, anal, "matter-of-fact-" piece of literature. The amount of contradictions makes me laugh my ass off.  Here is an example: Mr. Gierach goes on and on and on about the virtues of wild game food, and how it is so good for you.  He also claims it is superior to store bought food.  Here is a quote from that book, page 121, second paragraph: " wild food is GOOD food: low in fat and cholesterol without preservatives, tasty and right there in your hand or landing net free for the taking. Putting too much distance between yourself and this obvious reality is not productive" Then, on page 122, 3rd paragraph:  " the battered fillets are deep fried in oil. Peanut oil is best, but vegetable oil will do." Hilarious!  Not only is the batter    on the fish full of preservatives, but he is basically drowning his   "low fat, cholesterol free food"   in tons of fat and grease.  Nice one Mr. Gierach!   Next time you preach to the guilty about the wonders of wild game food, make sure you try not to COMPLETELY smother out the taste AND benefits of that food by deep frying it. What a joke. I laugh at these "wild food enthusiasts"  who claim  to love the food, yet try to completely hide any of the original flavor of the fish or meat by frying or saucing the hell out of it. Many of the things Gierach does are silly.   He is so anal and "matter- of-fact"  concerning so many issues one must wonder if this guy ever gets away from his set crowd.  It’s clear he is lacking in any kind of cultural development.   His  "simplistic" life philosophy is marred and gouged by so many incosistencies a beginner fly caster could put loops through them. Occasionaly Gierach starts heading in a good direction, but his aformentioned problems quickly swallow  up whatever interesting course he was trying to follow. Another thing, is the guy is plainly an alcoholic.  Now, we all know Traver was as well, but at LEAST Traver was a good writer. There’s nothing more annoying than an alcoholic who is still drinking.  His whole philosophy  is probably the end result of that, full of matter-of- fact standoff-ishness and "simplistic" stances on life.  I have seen this type. They are a dime a dozen, claiming wild meat so superior, drinking away their days, and spouting the super simplistic lifestyle while contradicting themsleves in EVERY conceivable fashion. boo-hoo  Mr. Gierach.   Where did the Robert Traver’s go? —-Muskie Before you buy.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just finished reading,      EVEN BROOK TROUT GET THE BLUES  by John Gierach.  I have to say,  this was one trite, anal, "matter-of-fact-" piece of literature. The amount of contradictions makes me laugh my ass off.  Here is an example: Mr. Gierach goes on and on and on about the virtues of wild game food, and how it is so good for you.  He also claims it is superior to store bought food.  Here is a quote from that book, page 121, second paragraph: " wild food is GOOD food: low in fat and cholesterol without preservatives, tasty and right there in your hand or landing net free for the taking. Putting too much distance between yourself and this obvious reality is not productive" Then, on page 122, 3rd paragraph:  " the battered fillets are deep fried in oil. Peanut oil is best, but vegetable oil will do." Hilarious!  Not only is the batter    on the fish full of preservatives, but he is basically drowning his   "low fat, cholesterol free food"   in tons of fat and grease.  Nice one Mr. Gierach!   Next time you preach to the guilty about the wonders of wild game food, make sure you try not to COMPLETELY smother out the taste AND benefits of that food by deep frying it. What a joke. I laugh at these "wild food enthusiasts"  who claim  to love the food, yet try to completely hide any of the original flavor of the fish or meat by frying or saucing the hell out of it. Many of the things Gierach does are silly.   He is so anal and "matter- of-fact"  concerning so many issues one must wonder if this guy ever gets away from his set crowd.  It’s clear he is lacking in any kind of cultural development.   His  "simplistic" life philosophy is marred and gouged by so many incosistencies a beginner fly caster could put loops through them. Occasionaly Gierach starts heading in a good direction, but his aformentioned problems quickly swallow  up whatever interesting course he was trying to follow. Another thing, is the guy is plainly an alcoholic.  Now, we all know Traver was as well, but at LEAST Traver was a good writer. There’s nothing more annoying than an alcoholic who is still drinking.  His whole philosophy  is probably the end result of that, full of matter- of- fact standoff-ishness and "simplistic" stances on life.  I have seen this type. They are a dime a dozen, claiming wild meat so superior, drinking away their days, and spouting the super simplistic lifestyle while contradicting themsleves in EVERY conceivable fashion. boo-hoo  Mr. Gierach.   Where did the Robert Traver’s go? —-Muskie

 Muskie, if you deep fry something at the correct temperature the out side is seared shut almost instantly. The heat of the oil then cooks the food. If then drained on paper towels you’re not really eating food "drowned" in oil. Remember the old Wesson oil commercial with the loaf of bread ? Gierach has admitted he’s an alcoholic in print, stating in a recent book that he had to quit drinking several years ago. I don’t see the contradictions you speak of represented in his writings in such massive amounts. Sure, a few here and there but the guy’s human. I enjoy him for the most part. It sounds almost like he’s done something personal to you. Bob Before you buy.

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…a "recovered" alcoholic can be MUCH more annoying.

I’ll drink to THAT!

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Peanut oil is great stuff!! Use it once and you will never go back to canola or corn oil. Gierach is a great writer. He’s probably a great cook too.

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The amount of contradictions makes me laugh my ass off. Many of the things Gierach does are silly. It’s clear he is lacking in any kind of cultural development. …so many incosistencies a beginner fly caster could put loops through them. Occasionaly Gierach starts heading in a good direction, but his aformentioned problems…

You sure do a lot of talking about his "many" problems, but you only mentioned 2.  And of those, only one was pertinent to your "book review".  (Alcoholism is not the point – how he writes is the point.) So.. you’ll either have to provide more or be considered an exaggerater. Regards, Jeff

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LOL!  that was a good one It’s easy enough to see if you look closely: "PEA…NUT oil" observer unfamiliar with the phrase dipping the old fillet into the oil).

Regards, Jeff

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Wolfgang Yeah, I got the same sense of his post. Like he is calling out for Gierach, expressing a deep groinial need to dis what he really desires. Its kind of like when Roadrunner is off the set eating a donut, and you see that empty stare of the truely lonely, beyond the kleig lights, past the makeup, you just know that a hug from the Key Grip, or maybe the Folli guy is what the ole runmiester could use. Dave Points of lite man, points of lite.

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 Nope.     Alot of the oil and fat stick around.  Thats what makes the cooki-crumbly apsect of the batter.    You are still getting more fat and cholesterol by  deep frying. This is no better than cow-steaks or bacon.

Mmmmmm…Cow-steaks and bacon….

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 Nope.     Alot of the oil and fat stick around.  Thats what makes the cooki-crumbly apsect of the batter.    You are still getting more fat and cholesterol by  deep frying. This is no better than cow-steaks or bacon. Mmmmmm…Cow-steaks and bacon….

And donuts… — Charlie…

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 \  Muskie, if you deep fry something at the correct temperature the out side is seared shut almost instantly. The heat of the oil then cooks the food. If then drained on paper towels you’re not really eating food "drowned" in oil. Remember the old Wesson oil commercial with the loaf of bread ?\   Nope.     Alot of the oil and fat stick around.  Thats what makes the cooki-crumbly apsect of the batter.    You are still getting more fat and cholesterol by  deep frying.

really?!?!?, frying means more fat? yep, all fish should be baked, steamed, or boiled… with no seasonings… if you don’t like it like that then you shouldn’t eat fish <G. This is no better than cow-steaks or bacon.

whoever invented bacon should get a nobel prize for good taste. chris

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 Lol.  Let’s find the hidden meaning in Wolfgangs post: Don’t let it get to you Joe.  Poor Muskie’s post is actually a cry for help. OBVIOUSLY he’s got the hots for Gierach and he doesn’t quite know how to deal with his feelings. It’s easy enough to see if you look closely:

  (This one might escape the casual observer unfamiliar with the phrase dipping the old fillet into the

oil).   It’s kind of sad really, but there’s not much we can do about it. I’m afraid we’ll just have to let old Muskie work through this on his own.

" We’ll…just…have…to…gang….dipping….it" "let….this….easy….old….fillet..get..to..you" " Im ….afraid…..got…hots…Geirach" " sad…feelings…obviously..work….." -Muskie Before you buy.

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That was a pretty lame comeback,Muskie.Wolfie got you pretty good and I guess you’ll just have to take it like a man.(oops don’t quote me on that.)Serves you right for disrespecting Gierach.People don’t buy his books just to get information about cooking game or for flyfishing tips,( he is continuously disavowing his own expertise),he’s just a good writer period.Their aren’t many out there.I can barely get halfway through most of the flyfishing magazine articles I read because they are so full of cliches.

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You are still getting more fat and cholesterol by  deep frying. really?!?!?, frying means more fat?

Well, what do you think it’s deep IN? Regards, Jeff

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"let….this….easy….old….fillet..get..to..you"

Wow, so really…. Wolfgang and Muskie have a thing going?  I’m getting confused now… Maybe Wolfgang is Muskie’s father… "Search your feelings Muskie, you know it to be true."   "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Regards, Jeff

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<snip Que?

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\ That was a pretty lame comeback,Muskie.Wolfie got you pretty good and I guess you’ll just have to take it like a man.\

Hey I laughed at his post. \.Their aren’t many out there.I can barely get halfway through most of the flyfishing magazine articles I read because they are so full of cliches.\

  Chock full. —-Muskie Before you buy.

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 \  Muskie, if you deep fry something at the correct temperature the out side is seared shut almost instantly. The heat of the oil then cooks the food. If then drained on paper towels you’re not really eating food "drowned" in oil. Remember the old Wesson oil commercial with the loaf of bread ?\

  Nope.     Alot of the oil and fat stick around.  Thats what makes the cooki-crumbly apsect of the batter.    You are still getting more fat and cholesterol by  deep frying. This is no better than cow-steaks or bacon.   \ Gierach has admitted he’s an alcoholic in print, stating in a recent book that he had to quit drinking several years ago.\

No kidding. I didn’t know that. His alcoholism was just so apparent to me  from reading EVEN BROOK TROUT GET THE BLUES. \ I don’t see the contradictions you speak of represented in his writings in such massive amounts. Sure, a few here and there but the guy’s human. I enjoy him for the most part. It sounds almost like he’s done something personal to you.\

He has. He wasted my time. —Muskie Before you buy.

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[snipped] OT: There was one time when this sort of literary license bugged the shit out of me.   My wife insisted on seeing the movie "Message in a Bottle" (criminy, what a chick movie).   It was supposed to be set in North Carolina, but was so obviously filmed in New England that I cringed everytime there was a waterfront scene.   It ruined any chance I had (damned little) of enjoying the movie.

Hmm? I thought it was supposed to be set in Massachusetts, but they filmed it in Maine to get away from the Boston Teamsters… While I’m here – I disagree with Muskie’s "There’s nothing more annoying than an alcoholic who is still drinking." Au contraire: a "recovered" alcoholic can be MUCH more annoying. /daytripper (neither current nor recovered, thanks ;^)

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 Nope.     Alot of the oil and fat stick around.  Thats what makes the cooki-crumbly apsect of the batter.    You are still getting more fat and cholesterol by  deep frying. This is no better than cow-steaks or bacon. Mmmmmm…Cow-steaks and bacon…. And donuts… —

Mmmmmm donuts; and beer!  Sweet beautiful beer!

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Oh the hell with it.   I was going to write a thoughtful response; but f*ck that cros-posted troll bullshit.

Don’t let it get to you Joe.  Poor Muskie’s post is actually a cry for help. OBVIOUSLY he’s got the hots for Gierach and he doesn’t quite know how to deal with his feelings. It’s easy enough to see if you look closely: "PEA…NUT oil" observer unfamiliar with the phrase dipping the old fillet into the oil). It’s kind of sad really, but there’s not much we can do about it.  I’m afraid we’ll just have to let old Muskie work through this on his own.

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I just finished reading,      EVEN BROOK TROUT GET THE BLUES  by John Gierach.  I have to say,  this was one trite, anal, "matter-of-fact-" piece of literature. (snip) boo-hoo  Mr. Gierach.   Where did the Robert Traver’s go?

        having read your effort at literary criticism, i am convinced that they did not go into the gierach dissing business.         wayno

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I just finished reading,      EVEN BROOK TROUT GET THE BLUES  by John Gierach.  I have to say,  this was one trite, anal, "matter-of-fact-" piece of literature. (snip) boo-hoo  Mr. Gierach.   Where did the Robert Traver’s go?    having read your effort at literary criticism, i am convinced that they did not go into the gierach dissing business.

Ask not for whom the troll posts… — Charlie…

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Ask not for whom the troll posts… — Charlie…

That’s baaad, ten lashes with a sinktip for that one. Peter

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Oh the hell with it.   I was going to write a thoughtful response; but f*ck that cros-posted troll bullshit. I read Gierach.   I enjoy his stories.   I don’t give a rat’s ass how he cooks his food.   Since when are fishing tales supposed to be a paragon (zenith?) of accuracy?   (Damn. Where’s my Webster’s?)   Christ, what’d he do to you, boink your grandma? OT: There was one time when this sort of literary license bugged the shit out of me.   My wife insisted on seeing the movie "Message in a Bottle" (criminy, what a chick movie).   It was supposed to be set in North Carolina, but was so obviously filmed in New England that I cringed everytime there was a waterfront scene.   It ruined any chance I had (damned little) of enjoying the movie. Joe F. Joe F.

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Question:

Hi gang,   I’m fishing this area while on vacation next week. I’d be glad to hear any advice from people who know the area. I’m looking to catch trout, not planning to keep any, and hope to get some photos of some nice ones. Jerry

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Check out the thread "Michigan Flyfishing Spots For Vacation" George Adams

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Try http://www.troutbums.com/.

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Question:

Folks:         Passed my PPL-SEL in mid May.  Thanks to the kind DE I even learned some more (I had an excellent CFI for my training who was quite good). I am based in SW OH and have a range of around 1000nm.  I am looking for places to go.  Camping/fishing, golfing and other fun things.  I would like to restrict the field to places VERY close to the runway or places which are willing to pick you up and return you to the runway.   Thanks Cruddler

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Take a look at avweb’s site (www.avweb.com).  They have a places to fly section and have some destinations on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Jerry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Folks: Passed my PPL-SEL in mid May.  Thanks to the kind DE I even learned some more (I had an excellent CFI for my training who was quite good). I am based in SW OH and have a range of around 1000nm.  I am looking for places to go.  Camping/fishing, golfing and other fun things.  I would like to restrict the field to places VERY close to the runway or places which are willing to pick you up and return you to the runway. Thanks Cruddler

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Question:

  Early one morning on Nokomis Lake (about 60 miles NW of Southend SK/Reindeer Lake) we were startled by a "snorting and huffing" sound in the water, less than 30m away from our canoe… we were paddling 200m from shore, and saw 2 (?adult) otters "standing" in the water for a better view of the "intruder" (us?)…didn’t realize that they were able to raise themselves out of the water quite so high. (As if "standing upright")…the snorting and huffing continued until we were beyond hearing.   I wonder what the "otter-ese" version of this encounter might have been? I don’t think they were as pleased to see us, as we were to mark their "indignation". —Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.—

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We had a family of them under our house several years back. Noisy, messy, smelly. mike

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I saw 3 otters while fly fishing on the McCloud River (CA) in the Nature Conservancy Preserve 2 years ago.  There I was in water up to my chest peacefully working a hole when the calm was shattered by a huge splash, then another and another. Scared the bejesus out of me.  I looked around and saw nothing.  A few seconds later it happened again.  The otters were climbing out of the water onto rocks and then jumping in one after the other.  It seemed like they were just playing.  They swam around and around writhing around each other and periodically popping up out of the water and then splashing back in.  They seemed completely unconcerned about the presence of my friend and I.  This lasted for a few minutes and then they swam off upstream doing the same antics as far as we could see them.  Of course they ruined the fishing but it was a magical moment that made the whole trip.

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I was boogie boarding in Santa Cruz one morning and I felt something nibble at my fin. I turned to look and saw a seal pop his head up and look at me.  He did that a couple more times and I thought he was going to bite me or something and I kept swimming away. Finally after about 10 min I realized he was just playing and I turned to chase him. He ducked under water and came up nibbling my fin again. This went on for over an hour!!! I was swimming figure eights thru surfers but he wasn’t interested in them, just kept playing with me. When I went in to shore, I took off my fin to show my hubbie who had been surfing down the beach a ways…not a mark on them!!! Dee

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– They’re pretty fearless.  In water they have no peers, unlike the sea otters who have to watch out for things like killer whales.  On land the only things that could get them would be coyotes, wolves, or cougars.  And they’ve a reputation for being a bit fierce as fighters, which might tend to make them less desirable as prey by the afore mentioned creatures.  They are members of the weasel family, after all.  They’re efficient at food gathering, so they have time to goof off a lot.  And they’re just cute as all get out.

    I snuck up on a big coon the other evening at sunset. He was sitting on the root of a huge cypress tree right above the waterline catching crawfish for supper. He’d peer intently into the shallow water until he spied one then quick as lightening plunge his paw in and grab it. He was real deft at not getting pinched and grabbed’em just right each time.     During that trip, I also saw Snowy Egret, Great Blue, Great White, and Little Green Heron, Ibis, Oppossum, Diamond Back Watersnake, Moccassin, Nutria, and a Gator. Silent paddling technique allows for successful wildlife observation. Floatin, John

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They’re pretty fearless.  In water they have no peers, unlike the sea otters who have to watch out for things like killer whales.  On land the only things that could get them would be coyotes, wolves, or cougars.  And they’ve a reputation for being a bit fierce as fighters, which might tend to make them less desirable as prey by the afore mentioned creatures.  They are members of the weasel family, after all.  They’re efficient at food gathering, so they have time to goof off a lot.  And they’re just cute as all get out. —– rec.backcountry vixen I only answer my email every few months, on average.   Patience helps.   http://www.visi.com/~cyli

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A neat otter report.  I wish more readers of the NG would post articles like that.  :-)     Thanks Cyli  - Robert

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Thats interesting-a few weeks ago, I was walking my dog along an abandoned road in northeast MN, when I heard an animal running through the woods. I finally saw a long, low animal bounding towards us. I couldnt get a clean look at it because of the underbrush-at first I thought beaver, but beaver dont run that fast. Then I thought fisher, but it didnt look quite right either. Anyway, this thing, whatever it was, was running straight at us and was not slowing down. I figured it could see us, we were less than 100 feet away, and it just kept coming. When it was about to break through the brush at roads edge, I debated hunkering down and waiting for it to come out on the road so I get a clear view of it. At the last second I decided that wasnt a good idea, I wasnt sure what it was, it was behaving strangely (asuming it could see me anyway), rabies crossed my mind, and I didnt want whatever it was to charge out of the woods only to land on me or my 100 lb dog. So I said "Hey" just before it would have come upon us, and it turned and raced off without me ever getting an unobstructed view of it. Later, I walked a trail that headed towards where the animal had come from, and I found a flowage about 200 feet from the road, with abundant otter sign on the banks. I’m not certain the animal was an otter but it seems pretty likely. Perhaps otters dont have great eyesight out of water. Wayne   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   Today I was near enough the far edge of front country that only one powerboat passed me (the water’s high here, so motors could get up that part of the river.) and had one heck of a good day trip.  With the water high, I was able to get a mile or two up a creek that’s normally about an inch or two deep and then come back down quickly. Very quickly in a couple of spots. But, back out on the river, I checked out a couple of islands I’d never quite managed to canoe or kayak up to before (usually stopping half a mile short at an island that  happened to be underwater today) and then back down, trying to backpaddle and taking a lunch break to make the day last.  I did manage to be out 8 hours.  About half an hour after lunch and drifting downriver, I saw a small brown animal head making progress across my path.  Thinking it was a beaver, I slowed a bit, as it’s only kind not to scare them more than necessary. But it dove and didn’t tail slap, came up a bit upstream, dove again, and still no slap.  Then started swimming up to the land side of me. I gave it a bit more room, as this is what young beavers tend to do when scared.  They head straight for home, even if it means they have to get closer to the scarey thing.  However, when it got within 10 feet, it dove again and it was obvious it was an otter. I burbled aloud with joy as it rose and fixed me with a beady eye, then turned its head and gave me the other eye.  By then I was cooing at it.  So it swam closer, giving the sniff/look test to me and the kayak.  At just over arm’s length, he aparently made up his mind and started straight for the cockpit, so he could climb up.   Uh.  10 to 15 pounds of soaking wet wild animal in my lap?  With the kind of claws and teeth that can open clams very easily and quickly?  Of carnivorous genes, which I’ve noticed gives animals a tendency to express affection with ‘love bites’? No.  Which is  exactly what I said as I dropped the kayak paddle in his path.  He took offense (not surprising), dove and swam up upstream.   I regretted his going, but not his absence from my lap.  He got about a hundred yards away and then turned back to look at me.  I cooed and burbled some more.  He vanished.   I went downstream.  Looked back for some reason about 10 minutes later and there he was, keeping watch on me from about 50 to 100 yards away again.  He followed me for a good mile and then the wind had picked up enough that if he was still following, I couldn’t see his head any more. I think he was young.  Much smaller than the other otters I’ve noticed (not much of a number, because they do tend to backwaters and quieter places and vanish wonderfully easily).  Obviously not shy, as all but one of the ones I’ve seen have not  been shy.  Or at least only one was so shy that I saw it and then saw it take off, not to be seen again.).  Out of the way friendly, which I’d not seen, though I’ve heard of.   I think he’d never seen a kayak before and was curious about this half log half person thing.  When the smell was right, he was willing to come ride with me.   If he’d headed for even the front deck, I think I’d have let him on.  But the cockpit was obviously the easiest place to climb/leap.  Front deck wouldn’t have been safer. Just felt like it.  The Otter kayak (yes, coincidence rules) I was paddling is only 9′6".  He’d have been nose to nose with me there. Cute.  I felt so Disney (except for not letting him on and him not speaking English.).  A wonderful day that often felt very backcountry and the world cooperated by having very few people out, even with it being opening weekend for fishing.  I only saw about 8 people and all but 3 of them were at one campsite. —– rbc vixen. I only answer my email every few months, on average. Patience helps. http://www.visi.com/~cyli

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St. Croix River. MN/WI border.  Up about 30 miles from Taylor’s Falls (the highest up dam on the river).  My favorite river in my second favorite place to paddle on it.  Rapidly becoming my favorite place as the part below Taylor’s is infested with powerboats and newbbie day trippers who do things like bring along radios and, on one very memorable occasion, a generator. Cyli ;     Great story. otters are a lot of fun to watch, always up to something. BTW where were you. Even what part of the nation would be helpful. Thanks. Floatin, John

—– rbc vixen. I only answer my email every few months, on average.   Patience helps.   http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Response:

Cyli ;      Great story. otters are a lot of fun to watch, always up to something. BTW where were you. Even what part of the nation would be helpful. Thanks. Floatin, John — – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   Today I was near enough the far edge of front country that only one powerboat passed me (the water’s high here, so motors could get up that part of the river.) and had one heck of a good day trip.  With the water high, I was able to get a mile or two up a creek that’s normally about an inch or two deep and then come back down quickly. Very quickly in a couple of spots. But, back out on the river, I checked out a couple of islands I’d never quite managed to canoe or kayak up to before (usually stopping half a mile short at an island that  happened to be underwater today) and then back down, trying to backpaddle and taking a lunch break to make the day last.  I did manage to be out 8 hours.  About half an hour after lunch and drifting downriver, I saw a small brown animal head making progress across my path.  Thinking it was a beaver, I slowed a bit, as it’s only kind not to scare them more than necessary. But it dove and didn’t tail slap, came up a bit upstream, dove again, and still no slap.  Then started swimming up to the land side of me. I gave it a bit more room, as this is what young beavers tend to do when scared.  They head straight for home, even if it means they have to get closer to the scarey thing.  However, when it got within 10 feet, it dove again and it was obvious it was an otter.   I burbled aloud with joy as it rose and fixed me with a beady eye, then turned its head and gave me the other eye.  By then I was cooing at it.  So it swam closer, giving the sniff/look test to me and the kayak.  At just over arm’s length, he aparently made up his mind and started straight for the cockpit, so he could climb up.   Uh.  10 to 15 pounds of soaking wet wild animal in my lap?  With the kind of claws and teeth that can open clams very easily and quickly?  Of carnivorous genes, which I’ve noticed gives animals a tendency to express affection with ‘love bites’? No.  Which is  exactly what I said as I dropped the kayak paddle in his path.  He took offense (not surprising), dove and swam up upstream.   I regretted his going, but not his absence from my lap.  He got about a hundred yards away and then turned back to look at me.  I cooed and burbled some more.  He vanished.   I went downstream.  Looked back for some reason about 10 minutes later and there he was, keeping watch on me from about 50 to 100 yards away again.  He followed me for a good mile and then the wind had picked up enough that if he was still following, I couldn’t see his head any more.   I think he was young.  Much smaller than the other otters I’ve noticed (not much of a number, because they do tend to backwaters and quieter places and vanish wonderfully easily).  Obviously not shy, as all but one of the ones I’ve seen have not  been shy.  Or at least only one was so shy that I saw it and then saw it take off, not to be seen again.).  Out of the way friendly, which I’d not seen, though I’ve heard of.   I think he’d never seen a kayak before and was curious about this half log half person thing.  When the smell was right, he was willing to come ride with me.   If he’d headed for even the front deck, I think I’d have let him on.  But the cockpit was obviously the easiest place to climb/leap.  Front deck wouldn’t have been safer. Just felt like it.  The Otter kayak (yes, coincidence rules) I was paddling is only 9′6".  He’d have been nose to nose with me there.   Cute.  I felt so Disney (except for not letting him on and him not speaking English.).  A wonderful day that often felt very backcountry and the world cooperated by having very few people out, even with it being opening weekend for fishing.  I only saw about 8 people and all but 3 of them were at one campsite. —– rbc vixen. I only answer my email every few months, on average.   Patience helps.   http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Response:

  Today I was near enough the far edge of front country that only one powerboat passed me (the water’s high here, so motors could get up that part of the river.) and had one heck of a good day trip.  With the water high, I was able to get a mile or two up a creek that’s normally about an inch or two deep and then come back down quickly. Very quickly in a couple of spots. But, back out on the river, I checked out a couple of islands I’d never quite managed to canoe or kayak up to before (usually stopping half a mile short at an island that  happened to be underwater today) and then back down, trying to backpaddle and taking a lunch break to make the day last.  I did manage to be out 8 hours.  About half an hour after lunch and drifting downriver, I saw a small brown animal head making progress across my path.  Thinking it was a beaver, I slowed a bit, as it’s only kind not to scare them more than necessary. But it dove and didn’t tail slap, came up a bit upstream, dove again, and still no slap.  Then started swimming up to the land side of me. I gave it a bit more room, as this is what young beavers tend to do when scared.  They head straight for home, even if it means they have to get closer to the scarey thing.  However, when it got within 10 feet, it dove again and it was obvious it was an otter.   I burbled aloud with joy as it rose and fixed me with a beady eye, then turned its head and gave me the other eye.  By then I was cooing at it.  So it swam closer, giving the sniff/look test to me and the kayak.  At just over arm’s length, he aparently made up his mind and started straight for the cockpit, so he could climb up.   Uh.  10 to 15 pounds of soaking wet wild animal in my lap?  With the kind of claws and teeth that can open clams very easily and quickly?  Of carnivorous genes, which I’ve noticed gives animals a tendency to express affection with ‘love bites’? No.  Which is  exactly what I said as I dropped the kayak paddle in his path.  He took offense (not surprising), dove and swam up upstream.   I regretted his going, but not his absence from my lap.  He got about a hundred yards away and then turned back to look at me.  I cooed and burbled some more.  He vanished.   I went downstream.  Looked back for some reason about 10 minutes later and there he was, keeping watch on me from about 50 to 100 yards away again.  He followed me for a good mile and then the wind had picked up enough that if he was still following, I couldn’t see his head any more.   I think he was young.  Much smaller than the other otters I’ve noticed (not much of a number, because they do tend to backwaters and quieter places and vanish wonderfully easily).  Obviously not shy, as all but one of the ones I’ve seen have not  been shy.  Or at least only one was so shy that I saw it and then saw it take off, not to be seen again.).  Out of the way friendly, which I’d not seen, though I’ve heard of.   I think he’d never seen a kayak before and was curious about this half log half person thing.  When the smell was right, he was willing to come ride with me.   If he’d headed for even the front deck, I think I’d have let him on.  But the cockpit was obviously the easiest place to climb/leap.  Front deck wouldn’t have been safer. Just felt like it.  The Otter kayak (yes, coincidence rules) I was paddling is only 9′6".  He’d have been nose to nose with me there.   Cute.  I felt so Disney (except for not letting him on and him not speaking English.).  A wonderful day that often felt very backcountry and the world cooperated by having very few people out, even with it being opening weekend for fishing.  I only saw about 8 people and all but 3 of them were at one campsite. —– rbc vixen. I only answer my email every few months, on average.   Patience helps.   http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Response:

Question:

Bob, how about…. You don’t feel self-conscious in the doctor’s waiting room with a size 12 Cream Variant in the top of your head. You see nothing unusual about standing in water so cold that ice rings are forming around your legs. Now pass the head cement, I need a hit! Steve

Response:

…….    Criteria for FFA membership: …….    (5) Your wife helps you pluck the feathers off a road-killed grouse and  knows enough not to tell anyone about it.

Respectfully requesting the second word of criteria #5 be changed from "wife" to "spouse".  The tagalong-if-he-has-to part of the family dislikes being called a "wife" and he has even managed to scrounge peacock feathers for me.                         —Jewelee

Response:

Jewelee — Right on … will make the change as noted. (PS: I should have been more thoughtful. I certainly never considered my spouse a tag-a-long … she outspots me and every guide in the Keys. and outfishes most anglers) Welcome to the FFA. THANKS….BobE. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …….    Criteria for FFA membership: …….    (5) Your wife helps you pluck the feathers off a road-killed grouse and  knows enough not to tell anyone about it. Respectfully requesting the second word of criteria #5 be changed from "wife" to "spouse".  The tagalong-if-he-has-to part of the family dislikes being called a "wife" and he has even managed to scrounge peacock feathers for me.                         —Jewelee

Response:

snip (9) You know the latin names of all the major insect hatches on your home stream, but you can’t remember your kids’ birthdays.

snip Your kid’s name is Caddis. Ross Wilson

Response:

snip (9) You know the latin names of all the major insect hatches on your home stream, but you can’t remember your kids’ birthdays. snip Your kid’s name is Caddis. Ross Wilson

Or Windknot.

Response:

Geeze … and I thought I was clever when I nicknamed my kid "Lefty." BobE. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – snip (9) You know the latin names of all the major insect hatches on your home stream, but you can’t remember your kids’ birthdays. snip Your kid’s name is Caddis. Ross Wilson Or Windknot.

Response:

snip (9) You know the latin names of all the major insect hatches on your home stream, but you can’t remember your kids’ birthdays. snip Your kid’s name is Caddis.

On the other hand, maybe it’s really Rhyacophila! -Burton

Response:

Ok…you guys are in, but when are your kids’ birthdays? I know one of my kids was born about 23 days after the opening of trout season, but can’t remember the other three.BobE. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – snip (9) You know the latin names of all the major insect hatches on your home stream, but you can’t remember your kids’ birthdays. snip Your kid’s name is Caddis. On the other hand, maybe it’s really Rhyacophila! -Burton

Response:

Having concluded that fly fishing is an addiction, I am starting a NP-organization called Fly Fishing Anonymous (FFA). We’ll have our first annual meeting somewhere appropriate (how about So. Andros Island in May?). Anyone who meets the following criteria can join. (Since this is the first posting, please feel free to add your own suggestions for membership. All reasonably addictive behaviors will be considered as eligibility for membership.) Thanks…BobE., Rochester, NY Criteria for FFA membership: (1) You currently have callouses and line cuts on both index fingers. (2) You own at least six hook hones. (3) You don’t feel self-conscious standing in line at the checkout of a crowded discount store with six bottles of Sally Hanson’s hard as nails. (4) You know why Hunt Valley has displaced Cockeysville as the center of the flyfishing universe. (Hint: See Bernard’s new business card.) (5) Your wife helps you pluck the feathers off a road-killed grouse and knows enough not to tell anyone about it. (6) You have expired fishing licenses from 4 or more states. (You get to be president if all four of the licenses are valid.) (7) Bob Berger and Chet Pryor know you by your first name. (8) You not only know the rational behind the sizing system of fly tying thread (size A to 9/0), but you also know what the sizes relate to in actual diameters. (9) You know the latin names of all the major insect hatches on your home stream, but you can’t remember your kids’ birthdays. (10) You have fished alone from 11 pm to 8 am in both freshwater and saltwater. Other suggestions are more than welcome. Thanks. BobE.

Response:

Question:

We will be floating for 3 days on the John Day River in mid-July looking for smallmouth. I’ve never fished for smallmouth before and would appreciate any suggestions about the flies, poppers, etc. that I should bring. Sizes, color, types, etc.

The John Day is a magnificent smallmouth fishery, I used to fish it often when I lived in Washington. Now I’m stuck here in Montana and miss it dearly. Certainly go with traditional topwater flies, including deer hair/rubberleg bugs in the more natural colors (tan, white, brown, olive) that have a touch of flash in the tail or a bright stripe clipped into the body. I’ve always had better success with these types than with the bright yellow/green combos. But in mid-July, fishing can be tough if the weather is very hot. However, good news in that there is plenty of deeper water for the fish to cool themselves in. So, in this case, don’t hesitate to fish beneath the surface a few inches (the fish may be more receptive to a lure stripped just under the surface than one popping the top) and certainly don’t ignore deep (bottom) fishing (vary retrieve) if no surface action arises. For this type of fishing, try a Muddler Minnow with an orange collar and SILVER body (imitates baitfish that abound here) or similar streamer pattern (Mickey Finn with a thin but prominent clipped wool or deer hair head was always a favorite of mine here). There is one advantage to mid-July on the John Day during hot weather: you may run into a sparse to very good hatch of large (#12) caddis that often bring up "fishable" numbers of bass. In this case, go for the high floating patterns such as an elk hair caddis, but tie it in a size 8 or 10 and skitter it across the surface. The larger hooks make it easier to hook the "small"-mouth. For great fun, try skittering a large caddis to which is tied one of the above streamer patterns during the hatch. And whatever you do, don’t stop retrieving and hang on! (This is a good technique if the bass are cruising the shallows in the evenings for baitfish). Good luck! Ryan Jordan

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -We will be floating for 3 days on the John Day River in mid-July looking for smallmouth. I’ve never fished for smallmouth before and would appreciate any suggestions about the flies, poppers, etc. that I should bring. Sizes, color, types, etc. I’ll bring a 6/7 wt rod with 7WF line. Should I have a very heavy leader? How long? Should I fish surface or below? Lots of questions, and perhaps someone out there as a few answers. Thanks in advance, Mike —                     Michael S. Young The RREEF Funds, 650 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94108          "Chaos is normal; normality is exceptional."

I also would like some information.  I am wondering what the average size of the fish in the John Day would be???  I have heard that there are some really nice Smallmouth in the river.  True?????                          MARTY MARTELLE                     Brittany’s, Chukars and Steelhead in                      Beautiful Boise, Idaho.                 and practicing law to support them             Homepage:Http://www.micron.net/~martelle

Response:

We will be floating for 3 days on the John Day River in mid-July looking for smallmouth. I’ve never fished for smallmouth before and would appreciate any suggestions about the flies, poppers, etc. that I should bring. Sizes, color, types, etc. I’ll bring a 6/7 wt rod with 7WF line. Should I have a very heavy leader? How long? Should I fish surface or below? Lots of questions, and perhaps someone out there as a few answers. Thanks in advance, Mike —                      Michael S. Young The RREEF Funds, 650 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94108           "Chaos is normal; normality is exceptional."

Response:

In article We will be floating for 3 days on the John Day River in mid-July looking for smallmouth. I’ve never fished for smallmouth before and would appreciate any suggestions about the flies, poppers, etc. that I should bring. Sizes, color, types, etc.

I have spent many, many days fishing the John Day, but all of it has been with conventional tackle.  The most effective lure I found was 3" Mr. Twisters, a grub like jig with a very supple tail, with a 1/4 oz lead jig hook.  based on this, I think that weighted wooley buggars would be your best bet, in black, white and yellow.  Some purple and olive buggars would be worth trying also.  I know that Cabela’s sells a wooley buggar like fly that has the same type of tail, and these would sure be worth trying. I’ll bring a 6/7 wt rod with 7WF line. Should I have a very heavy leader? How long? Should I fish surface or below?

The rod should be more than adequate.  As for leader, I would take both 7 1/2 ft and 9 ft leaders with a tippet breaking strength of around 8lbs.  I suspect that most of the fish you catch will be deep, but if you get a quite morning or evening, I’d sure be trying some poppers! Good Luck                Dan

Response:

Question:

Perry) writes:

<Move up from a $40 rod: advantages, disadvantages? John– It’s like everything else. While a $40 rod will catch fish, the more you get involved with the sport of fly fishing, the more you appreciate a higher level of performance from your equipment. There’s a maxim that has been around the fly fishing circuit since I started 20 years ago, buy the best you can afford. It still holds ture. The rods in the $300-$400 range are extremely good… Loomis (4 piece and 2 piece IMX, GLX), Sage, and T&T are excellent. If you need to cast a full line, do curve casts, or just want to become the best caster you can be, you’ll need a great (expensive) rod. Low and mid-priced rods will never get you there. Hope this helps. Cordially, Bob Elliott, Rochester, NY

Response:

I’m thinking of moving up to a nicer rod.  So far I’ve been fishing on a $40 graphite.  Is there any advantage/disadvantage to having more or less sections in a rod?  What I mean is, does a 4 piece rod fish as good as a 3, as a 2, etc.?

   The only problem I’ve had or seen with 4 piece rods is a tendency for one or more sections to work loose while you are casting.  I’ve seen and had the end section come off during a cast, although usually its a lower joint and you can feel it before it comes completely off.  Despite this, I have only 4-piece rods now because they can travel as carry-on luggage. — Lloyd Fortney —Opinions, just opinions—

Response:

I have a few rods – one of which is a 4 piece pack rod.  I find the pack rod casts very nicely and wasn’t terribly expensive (St. Croix 8ft. for 4- 5wt lines, $105.00).  If you want a lower cost alternative to the $300-$400 rods and need their line throwing performance, consider building your own.  A little patience and a decent book (I used Skip Morris’s) and you can make a wonderful rod. Good luck, Kris Kristoferson Seattle, WA

Response:

I’m thinking of moving up to a nicer rod.  So far I’ve been fishing on a $40 graphite.  Is there any advantage/disadvantage to having more or less sections in a rod?  What I mean is, does a 4 piece rod fish as good as a 3, as a 2, etc.? Thanks, John P.

Response: