My wife and I just got back from a week on the Frio River in Texas, we had a great time and caught lots of fish. The magic fly was a bead head olive flashback. My wife actually caught her first fish on a fly rod. She was so excited, and she is hooked on fly fishing now. Tonight she even let me buy a new 4wt Loomis rod. She gets the old one. Those Texas sunfish are a lot of fun. Thanks for the advice on what flies to take with us all who contributed. Jim Barker
Hi Jim, Your wife gets the old one, huh? You have it easy. When I walked in with a new T&T 4 wt. rod my wife was home unbeknownst to me. Needless to say, when she asked how much I spent while looking at the nice new rod tube, I told her I had just gotten her a present. A new 4 wt. T&T. It got me off the hook, but I don’t get to use ‘her’ rod. She really loves it!!! Pete
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife and I just got back from a week on the Frio River in Texas, we had a great time and caught lots of fish. The magic fly was a bead head olive flashback. My wife actually caught her first fish on a fly rod. She was so excited, and she is hooked on fly fishing now. Tonight she even let me buy a new 4wt Loomis rod. She gets the old one. Those Texas sunfish are a lot of fun. Thanks for the advice on what flies to take with us all who contributed. Jim Barker
I have an in, my wife is getting ready to spend 1300.00 on new golf clubs. My loomis was a small purchase in comparison. Jim
Hi Jim, Your wife gets the old one, huh? You have it easy. When I walked in with a new T&T 4 wt. rod my wife was home unbeknownst to me. Needless to say, when she asked how much I spent while looking at the nice new rod tube, I told her I had just gotten her a present. A new 4 wt. T&T. It got me off the hook, but I don’t get to use ‘her’ rod. She really loves it!!! Pete
Ernie, I think you forgot the most important thing! The FLIES!! Or do you plan on catching your own while fishing? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Over the years I have learned there are several things in addition to flies I want in my vest . If you are new to fly-fishing you can look them over for suggestions, or you may want to suggest things you don’t find on mine. 1. Crusher type water resistant hat. 2. Duct tape for patching waders 3. Fly Floatant. 4. Fly line cleaner 5. Forceps. 6. Hook sharpener. 7. Knot tier (Blood Knot Machine). 8. Leader straightener. 9. Leaders. 10. Mosquito repellant 11. Polarized glasses 12. Sinkers (wrap on) 13. Small 110 camera. 14. Small first aid kit. (with aspirin) 15. Small flashlight. 16. Spool of tippet material. 17. Stream thermometer 18. Strike indicators 19. Swiss pocket knife with scissors. 20. Tippet cutter with hook eye cleaner. 21. Toilet paper. 22. Waterproof pancho (lightweight).
– Doug Knight metalfab<atpacbell.net Junk e-mail, solicitation, sales, products and services gladly accepted at $500.00 per mailing and billed directly to your ISP.
Over the years I have learned there are several things in addition to flies I want in my vest . If you are new to fly-fishing you can look them over for suggestions, or you may want to suggest things you don’t find on mine.
EDITED VEST ITEMS BY A PRO! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 1. Crusher type water resistant hat. (Wide Brimmed Western Hat) 3. Fly Floatant. Gehrke’s Gink 4. Fly line cleaner Gehrke’s PZ Fly Line Cleaner 5. Forceps. Not needed with Barbless Hooks 6. Hook sharpener. 8. Leader straightener. (PULL HARD then relax slowly) 9. Leaders. Hand tied of course. 10. Mosquito repellant (Famous Grouse) 11. Polarized glasses (Blue and Yellow) 12. Sinkers (wrap on) Gehrke’s XINK Wet Fly Dressing 13. Small 110 camera. Water Proof 14. Small first aid kit. (with aspirin) and a flask of booze 15. Small flashlight. (Water Proof) 16. Spool of tippet material. (Make this plural) 17. Stream thermometer (Only if you have a diary) 18. Strike indicators argggggggggggggggggggggggggh! 19. Swiss pocket knife with scissors. 20. Tippet cutter with hook eye cleaner. 21. Toilet paper. (Inside a Zip Lock Bag) 22. Waterproof pancho (lightweight).
23 A Box of Dry Flies 24 A box of Wet Flies 25 A box of Nymphs 26 A box of Streamers 27 A bottle of KNOT-PERFECT — Doug Knight metalfab<atpacbell.net Junk e-mail, solicitation, sales, products and services gladly accepted at $500.00 per mailing and billed directly to your ISP.
– George Gehrke All Writings
I just moved to Los Angeles and I’m desperately looking for some rivers to fish on the weekends. If anyone could suggest some rivers to check out, I would greatly appreciate any help. Thank you, Brian
Check out Sespe Creek behind Ventura. Fishermen’s Spot in Van Nuys can direct you. Surf fishing for perch ani’t to bad either…
I just moved to Los Angeles and I’m desperately looking for some rivers to fish on the weekends. If anyone could suggest some rivers to check out, I would greatly appreciate any help. Thank you, Brian
You might try looking at the downey fly fishers page http://www.pacificnet.net/~jas/dff.htm they have monthly trips and fish reports that can be helpful john aydelotte
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just moved to Los Angeles and I’m desperately looking for some rivers to fish on the weekends. If anyone could suggest some rivers to check out, I would greatly appreciate any help. Thank you, Brian You might try looking at the downey fly fishers page http://www.pacificnet.net/~jas/dff.htm they have monthly trips and fish reports that can be helpful john aydelotte
There are atleast six trout streams that are less than a two hour drive from downtown LA, that have sections where wild trout are protected by special regulations. Regulations vary, but typically include, artifical lures, barbless hooks, and 2 to 0 take limits, on the protected portions of the streams. The fish are typically not very large but suprisingly, abundant, and do take flies. There are also many lesser known spots without special regulations hidden away in the mountains arround LA. The protected streams I am refering to are: Bear Creek, Deep Creek, Piru Creek, San Antonio Creek, Sespe Creek, and the West Fork of the San Gabriel River. These are typically, small streams with alot of tree cover. But each one offers more fishing that you can cover in a day. Unlike the streams in the sierras, these streams are open to fishing year round. There are FFF clubs all arround the LA area, you might want to check out the one in your area. — David V. Green WWW.GreenFly Culver City, CA
I just moved to Los Angeles and I’m desperately looking for some rivers to fish on the weekends. If anyone could suggest some rivers to check out, I would greatly appreciate any help. Thank you, Brian
. and.erols.net!rill.news.pipex.net!pipex!warwick!newsfeed.ed.ac.uk!nerc-keyw o
I’m about to build my first flyrod. I’d really like a 4 pc. rod for backpacking, but I’m worried about it being more difficult to build, maybe too much for a first-timer. Any advice as to that choice? Also, I’m trying to decide between a 4 wt. and a 6 wt. Are heavier/lighter rods easier to build? Thanks, Steve —
I’ve built both 2 & 4 piece. I can’t say that I found the 4 piece any more difficult. Good Luck!
there is no significant difference between building a 2 or 4 piece rod with the exception being that 2 additional ferrules require wrapping. as far as 4 wt or 6wt…….the smaller the circumference of the blank, the more difficult it becomes to wrap the guides in an aesthetically pleasing manner….. please drop me a line if you want to discuss further.. regards, rich at wild waters fly fishing
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’m about to build my first flyrod. I’d really like a 4 pc. rod for backpacking, but I’m worried about it being more difficult to build, maybe too much for a first-timer. Any advice as to that choice? Also, I’m trying to decide between a 4 wt. and a 6 wt. Are heavier/lighter rods easier to build? Thanks, Steve —
I haven’t found a big difference between a 4 or 2pc. in building it. 2 more spines to ID, two more ferrules to wrap. I might inlay a single metalic strand at the ferrule, but that’s a tiny bit of work. If you want to own the 4 pc. just do it or you’ll end up wishing you did later. In theory you would think it would be easier to wrap the first 2 guides on a 12 weight than it would on a 4 weight, the 12 being a thicker blank, but in reality the difference is not that big a deal. A Loomis IMX (2 pc.) 4 weight has a size 4 tip, and the 12 weight in the same blank is a 4.5, for example. That’s an extreme example. The difference between a 4 and 6 weight won’t even be noticable. Disclaimer is that I haven’t built anything smaller than an 8 weight in 12 years or so, so my memory of trout rods is cloudy, but I’d say build the rod you want to own, the differences you’re worrying about aren’t a big deal. jc
I’m going up to Seagull Lake in the BOundary Waters Canoe Area of Northern MN in late May. I’m new to sm bass fly-fishing and was wondering what flys, sizes & patterns are successful. If anyone knows Seagull, I sure would appreciate any pointers you would be willing to share.
Jon: Don’t know Seagull but was in BWCA last year at end of May precisely for FF for smallmouth, though I had a friend along with spinning gear. We started looking for them deepish at first, with little luck. Then went to shallower bays where water was warmer and fished right up against shore with poppers, Dahlberg Diver’s, etc. and from there on out it was a blast, esp. in the a.m. and p.m. I think almost anything on the surface would have worked, I liked foam poppers for indestructibility, but had fun with my own Muddlers too. (My friend just used small Rapalas that we did surgery on to get rid of the trebles and barbs.) Anything you can make a little disturbance with, and sometimes the more the better. But we found you had to really put that thing right up against shore. It would seem crazy, but the bass, even if obviously laying 3-4 feet away from shore, really appeared completely taken in by something spluttering away from the shore. I bet those Mouserat jobs would work fine, but my exp. with smallmouths is that you can’t go wrong with smallish lures. You are in for a great time. Just look for the warmest water possible. Northern shorelines of bays would seem smartest.
I’m going up to Seagull Lake in the BOundary Waters Canoe Area of Northern MN in late May. I’m new to sm bass fly-fishing and was wondering what flys, sizes & patterns are successful. If anyone knows Seagull, I sure would appreciate any pointers you would be willing to share. But we found you had to really put that thing right up against shore. It would seem crazy, but the bass, even if obviously laying 3-4 feet away from shore, really appeared completely taken in by something spluttering away from the shore.
I agree with putting it right on the bank and pulling it off. I was up in Crooked Lake last May and bouncing it off rocks on the shore and letting it drop in was the most succesful. –Patrick
I’m going up to Seagull Lake in the BOundary Waters Canoe Area of Northern MN in late May. I’m new to sm bass fly-fishing and was wondering what flys, sizes & patterns are successful. If anyone knows Seagull, I sure would appreciate any pointers you would be willing to share. Thanks ! Jonathan
I’m going up to Seagull Lake in the BOundary Waters Canoe Area of Northern MN in late May. I’m new to sm bass fly-fishing and was wondering what flys, sizes & patterns are successful. If anyone knows
FF is suitable for bass in lakes only if the bass are shallow and you know where they are: but you might be able to find river inflows and outflows which will be easier. Try: — in streamy water at least a yard deep (potholes OK) fish a big streamer (Muddler or something brighter e.g. Yellow Sally) as deep as you can e.g. on a sink-tip line. — bring a few very small poppers on big hooks. They’re not good hookers, but you can often tease bass up to the top and get hits. — be ready to match (very roughly) an evening rise to hatching insects, e.g. wet alder fly (for caddis), biggish nymphs, high-floating dries. The half hour after sunset can be thrilling, and if the moon is right (to see your fly) you can fish into full dark. — | Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs, | | Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734 |
I’ll be in California during the last two weeks of this month. Does anyone know of any fishing in the Lake Tahoe area? In addition, I’ll be in and around the Bay area, Santa Cruz area and would like to try my hand at salt water flyfishing. I’ve read about it, never tried it, sounds like a great deal of fun. Suggestions from anyone would be appreciated. Rod
Some good resources for you would be Kiene’s Fly Shop or American Fly Fishing in Sacramento (800.4000FLY and 916.974.0903) for info on Tahoe and call Ernie’s Casting Pond (408.462.4665) for info on the Santa Cruz area. Have a good time. Larry Krum Pacific Grove, California
You might also check out The Great Outdoors section on Wednesdays in the Sacramento Bee. It has a column on fishing reports throughout the region; sketchy and not a lot on fly fishing specifically. Also, be sure to get a licence.
Hello Rod, The sierra district stream season opens April 27th and unless the weather is frigid the streams will be pretty blown out with runoff as we have a good snowpack, so you’ll want to concentrate on lakes in the Tahoe area. I don’t have much experience at them but the reservoirs to the north of Tahoe usually have good early fishing for large trout. It is mostly done by bait dunkers but I would expect streamers might work. Look on a map for Boca, Prosser, and Stampede reservoirs. Every spring I hear of 5-10 pounders caught near the dams at these places. I think you’d do best with a small boat if you can arrange one. Martis Creek reservoir near Truckee should have good C&R nymph fishing. Indian Creek reservoir to the south near Markleeville south of south lake Tahoe should have some stockers and a few holdovers; hare’s ear, prince nymphs, and wooly buggers all work well here. These small lakes are both ideal for float tubes but shore fishing is possible. There are many other small lakes inthe tahoe area that require a short hike in. Depending on our weather you should be able to hike to some where the ice is just coming off for very hungry trout. Beaches near Santa Cruz have surf perch close in at this time of year. Have a good time, Mark Vinsel – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll be in California during the last two weeks of this month. Does anyone know of any fishing in the Lake Tahoe area? In addition, I’ll be in and around the Bay area, Santa Cruz area and would like to try my hand at salt water flyfishing. I’ve read about it, never tried it, sounds like a great deal of fun. Suggestions from anyone would be appreciated. Rod
I’ll be in California during the last two weeks of this month. Does anyone know of any fishing in the Lake Tahoe area? In addition, I’ll be in and around the Bay area, Santa Cruz area and would like to try my hand at salt water flyfishing. I’ve read about it, never tried it, sounds like a great deal of fun. Suggestions from anyone would be appreciated. Rod
Planning a visit to some friends in the Bolinas/Stinson Beach area early in April. Thought I’d take my flyrod. Anybody have any suggestions? I’d be interested in fishing surf or small streams or anything in between, as long as it was close to Bolinas. Thanks, David
There’s a lake in the Point Reyes National Seashore that allegedly has some trout in it (Bass Lake), although I don’t know anyone who has actually fished it. Lagunitas Lake in the Marin Municipal Water District is stocked and artificial lures, no barbs, only. Some of the other lakes in the same area attract lots of bait fisherman. No stream fishing available in the area that I know of. Surf fishing with a fly rod? Can’t say I’ve ever seen it done, but can’t say I’ve been looking either. Closest stream fishing (steelhead) would be the Russian River. — There is no such thing as a dumb question, but there IS such a thing as a dumb answer – I’ve given some.
Try the small gas station / fishing shop on the road between Petaluma and Bodega. George will tell you about fishing the area -especially Tomales bay. Look on the map for Walker Ck.- which is a misnomer, but hal local currency. If he is in the phone book, idt will be on BOdega Hiway, I athink. He is guiding on athe Russian R as well. Regards, Cliff
suggestions? I’d be interested in fishing surf or small streams or anything in between, as long as it was close to Bolinas.
Depends on how close is close. . . Most of the coastal rivers/streams are not open to fishing in that area, until you get up to the Russian River to the north. There is good quality perch fishing at that time. There are 2 or 3 guys who work at Western Sport Shop in San Rafael who i’ve seen out there each spring. Their number is 415-456-5454. I’d ask for Gene or Noel. They’ve got some patterns worked up which produce pretty well. They’re real good on the whole area, too. re: other post The Bass Lake ponds in Pt. Reyes Natl Sea Shore are fun to walk to, but pretty fishless for about the last 10 years. * *
Quoting brande from a message in rec.outdoors.fishing.fly <Planning a visit to some friends in the Bolinas/Stinson Beach area <early in April. Thought I’d take my flyrod. Anybody have any <suggestions? I’d be interested in fishing surf or small streams or <anything in between, as long as it was close to Bolinas. David – You should may be able to catch surf perch off the beaches up there. Also, Russian River is just to the north. Not too sure of all the specifics as I haven’t lived in NorCal in quite a few years. Jim Carlisle
Planning a visit to some friends in the Bolinas/Stinson Beach area early in April. Thought I’d take my flyrod. Anybody have any suggestions? I’d be interested in fishing surf or small streams or anything in between, as long as it was close to Bolinas. Thanks, David
I may be up in this area in a week or two. Any help on where to fish, local patterns etc, would be appreciated. Many thanks. — Scott Branyan Rogers, AR
I am a Colorado native and I have fished the South Platte and other rivers north of Denver extensively. If you are in search of large fish then the Platte is a good destination as is the Blue river 1 hr west of Denver on I-70 in the town of Silverthorne. If numbers of fish are what you want I suggest the Big Thompson or the Cache La Poudre rivers north of Denver and west of Loveland and Fort Collins respectively. Back to the Platte. This time of year is a nice time to fish this area. In the heat of the day the fish are relatively inactive on the surface. However, sometimes the weather changes or something else will cause a proliferation of some species of small mayfly or another. These can usually be imitated with a generic blue wing olive size 16 or smaller. There is usually sporadic action on the surface even in the absence of a hatch. These being a small midge. I tie my own and will discuss the pattern later. In the evenings you can almost always count on some caddis fly action. The elk hair caddis size 16 or smaller being a good match. Through out the day small nymphs will also work. I suggest size 18 or smaller pheasant tails, gold ribbed hairs ears, other mayfly larvae imitations, brassies, and buckskins. You will notice that I have emphasized small patterns. The majority of the aquatic life in the river is small. The non aquatic life near the river is coming into full bloom at this time of the year. Do not forget to take an assortment of grasshopper, beetle, ant, and other terrestrial imitations. Some times these patterns will arose a fish when nothing else will. The fishing pressure on the South Platte is extremely heavy due to its proximity to Denver. Therefore the fish are extremely well educated. When approaching the fish keep in mind the water is very clear. If you can see them, they can see you. Do not slosh and stomp around in this river. If at all possible sneak up on your target fish. This may include crawling on your hands and knees in the middle of the river so as to keep yourself low and slow moving. I always enjoy watching people watch me as I crawl through 12 inches of water and then taking a nice 16 to 20 inch trout only ten feet away. I emphasize the distance because a poor cast which splashes the water or otherwise alarms the fish will ruin your chances to catch the large fish. Additionally the closer you are to the target fish the easier it is to hook and land them when they do take. I personally like to fish around Deckers because the access is easy. The river is accessible for several miles downstream of Deckers and the road runs right along the river. Upstream of Deckers into the canyon is excellent fishing and is where the gold medal water is. A short hike will take you into the canyon. If possible I suggest fishing where people are not elbow to elbow. The whole river is excellent you do not have to fish in a crowd. Also, if possible fish on the week days. I suggest a five weight rod. This is my own preference. Take a rod that you feel comfortable making accurate cast at short to moderate distances. People claiming to cast the whole line and landing 5 lbs. plus trout are full of it. The river is very cold even at this time of the year. Take neoprene waders if you got em. Polarized sunglasses are a must. The elevation in Colorado also makes sunscreen a must. The midge pattern is a simple one. Use a size 20 or 22 dry fly hook. The body is green floss. About 1/2 way to the eye put a small amount of dark green rabbit fur dubbing. for a wing use a grey, light blue, or white polypropelyne. Whip finish the head. This is a sparse pattern. I use it as a dropper to a size 14 or 16 humpy or some other highly visible unsinkable dry fly. This allows me to know where the midge is as it is about impossible to see past 10 feet. If the midge sinks that is ok the fish don’t care. Post your results I wish you good luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I may be up in this area in a week or two. Any help on where to fish, local patterns etc, would be appreciated. Many thanks. — Scott Branyan Rogers, AR
Any Ideas on what’s hot and what’s not?? Please post them. Thanks
From what I’m told the Deerfield is one of the best rivers in the East for fly fishing. It’s up in North Western MA. Best points of entry along Route 2.