I was wondering what fishermen actually prefer from kayakers and canoeists. When paddling down stream, is it better for us to move to the opposite bank (furthest from you) or is it better to pass close to you so as not to spook fish? Any suggestions or guidelines would be greatly appreciated.
It depends upon how big the river is. If it’s pretty big, try to go to the opposite side of the water. If it’s small, I’d hold upstream a little and actually ask the fisherman. No spot on the river will actually be a good one for you, but some might be better than others. I’m doing most of my fishing on an urban reservoir now. The jetskiers and water skiers are becoming something of a problem. It’s illegal to operate one fast enough to create a wake within 150′ of a shore fisherman, but a number of them don’t seem to care. Maybe I should tuck my coupon book into my tackle box when I’m fishing. "No, sir, I wasn’t goofing off. I was conducting a stakeout for unsafe boating practices!" And I’m soooo sure he’d buy that. You spam my account, I nuke your ass. Simple enough.
I myself have been thinking of buying a canoe for fishing those waters where access is not very good and the waters too small for my jon boat. As far as having a canoe or kayak pass over the fish, and then waiting for them to recover, I’m sure the recovery period is a lot less than having a Bayliner with a couple of jerks on skis, or a couple of PWC (jet-skis) put your fish down. Some of the lakes I fish are so tore up from these inconsiderate morons, that the weeds are floating for several hours or days after a busy weekend. I could be fishing in a small bay and the idiots will have a whole lake to ski on, and for some reason they just have to find their way into that bay I’m fishing to scare the fish. No wonder I think of bringing the Ruger with me when I fish. < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As somebody who has been hit, almost hit and chased from the stream by a "fiberglass hatch" of jerks, I’d like to add my two cents worth. While being hit is not tolerable, we may as well get used to kayaks and canoes. Actually, I would like to get one or the other to fish streams with limited shore access. I think that fish in a water with lots of canoe&kayak traffic have to recover quickly after one passes over. They’d starve otherwise. Greg.
And why clip off the fly?? Some of those inconsiderate jerks would look nice with a royal wolff for and earring… < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Pack a .44 magnum in your vest pocket. Take your testosterone powered bass buggy somewhere else. To pull out even a sling-shot could cost you more than you can imagine. Clipping off the fly and "accidentally" false casting close to the ear, now that may deliver the message without making a victim of the offender. Wayne to fish is human….to release Divine!!!
Couldn’t have said it better myownself. <g PC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Stay as far away as possible Hi, I was wondering what fishermen actually prefer from kayakers and canoeists. When paddling down stream, is it better for us to move to the opposite bank (furthest from you) or is it better to pass close to you so as not to spook fish? Any suggestions or guidelines would be greatly appreciated. Just got back from the AuSable in Michigan (TR to follow.) Here’s a bit more into on the aluminum/fiberglass hatch and spooking fish. On Saturday, the temperature was in the high 80’s and the humidex was off the dial. Every bubba and his bubbette was rafting, kayaking, and canoeing down the AuSable right in front of the Gates Lodge. A body couldn’t squeeze a cast in between boats. Just downstream from Gates is the pullout point for the rentals and it siphons off about 95% of the bubba traffic (of which I became one on Sunday, but more on that later.) On Sunday, a front had blown through bringing rain, high winds and much colder temps. This took care of the vast majority of the canoeists (except for yours truly and his bubbette.) By the evening, I’m back on the water in my rightful position – standing in it not floating on it, and above the pullout point, I couldn’t buy a strike. Below the pullout there were plenty of fish. A full 24 hrs. after the bubba hatch, those upstream were still spooked. I spoke to the store owner this morning and he confirmed that a good bubba hatch will drive the fish down for quite a while. Maybe the occasional boat won’t shake things up much but it looks like a steady bubba hatch will put fish off for quite a while – at least 24 hrs. or more if this experience is anything to go by. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html
– Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.
Maybe they could ferry my Power Bait to a hole I can’t reach from the bank.
Now that the State no longer stocks catchables in streams and rivers, you don’t still use Powerbait, do you? From what I’ve seen, it’s not very effective for streambred fish. Willi
Hi, I was wondering what fishermen actually prefer from kayakers and canoeists. When paddling down stream, is it better for us to move to the opposite bank (furthest from you) or is it better to pass close to you so as not to spook fish? Any suggestions or guidelines would be greatly appreciated.
Just got back from the AuSable in Michigan (TR to follow.) Here’s a bit more into on the aluminum/fiberglass hatch and spooking fish. On Saturday, the temperature was in the high 80’s and the humidex was off the dial. Every bubba and his bubbette was rafting, kayaking, and canoeing down the AuSable right in front of the Gates Lodge. A body couldn’t squeeze a cast in between boats. Just downstream from Gates is the pullout point for the rentals and it siphons off about 95% of the bubba traffic (of which I became one on Sunday, but more on that later.) On Sunday, a front had blown through bringing rain, high winds and much colder temps. This took care of the vast majority of the canoeists (except for yours truly and his bubbette.) By the evening, I’m back on the water in my rightful position – standing in it not floating on it, and above the pullout point, I couldn’t buy a strike. Below the pullout there were plenty of fish. A full 24 hrs. after the bubba hatch, those upstream were still spooked. I spoke to the store owner this morning and he confirmed that a good bubba hatch will drive the fish down for quite a while. Maybe the occasional boat won’t shake things up much but it looks like a steady bubba hatch will put fish off for quite a while – at least 24 hrs. or more if this experience is anything to go by. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html
Stay as far away as possible – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I was wondering what fishermen actually prefer from kayakers and canoeists. When paddling down stream, is it better for us to move to the opposite bank (furthest from you) or is it better to pass close to you so as not to spook fish? Any suggestions or guidelines would be greatly appreciated. Just got back from the AuSable in Michigan (TR to follow.) Here’s a bit more into on the aluminum/fiberglass hatch and spooking fish. On Saturday, the temperature was in the high 80’s and the humidex was off the dial. Every bubba and his bubbette was rafting, kayaking, and canoeing down the AuSable right in front of the Gates Lodge. A body couldn’t squeeze a cast in between boats. Just downstream from Gates is the pullout point for the rentals and it siphons off about 95% of the bubba traffic (of which I became one on Sunday, but more on that later.) On Sunday, a front had blown through bringing rain, high winds and much colder temps. This took care of the vast majority of the canoeists (except for yours truly and his bubbette.) By the evening, I’m back on the water in my rightful position – standing in it not floating on it, and above the pullout point, I couldn’t buy a strike. Below the pullout there were plenty of fish. A full 24 hrs. after the bubba hatch, those upstream were still spooked. I spoke to the store owner this morning and he confirmed that a good bubba hatch will drive the fish down for quite a while. Maybe the occasional boat won’t shake things up much but it looks like a steady bubba hatch will put fish off for quite a while – at least 24 hrs. or more if this experience is anything to go by. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html
I think if they’d just show their tits it would solve a lot or problems. — The Halfordian Golfer
While being hit is not tolerable, we may as well get used to kayaks and canoes. Actually, I would like to get one or the other to fish streams with limited shore access. I think that fish in a water with lots of canoe&kayak traffic have to recover quickly after one passes over. They’d starve otherwise.
Maybe they could ferry my Power Bait to a hole I can’t reach from the bank. — TBone Walker The Halfordian Golfer
(copied from above) Afraid I can’t offer a real plan for dealing with these folks. There doesn’t seem to be a reasonable, effective response. Wayne to fish is human….to release Divine!!!
Just showing you a reasonable, EFFECTIVE response. And if you can’t find the humor in what I posted… < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Pack a .44 magnum in your vest pocket. Take your testosterone powered bass buggy somewhere else. To pull out even a sling-shot could cost you more than you can imagine. Clipping off the fly and "accidentally" false casting close to the ear, now that may deliver the message without making a victim of the offender. Wayne to fish is human….to release Divine!!!
Any suggestions or guidelines would be greatly appreciated. Best thing wood be to merely take a break as your canoein’ friends pass by!! It’s NOT really all that big of a deal when you think about it! trout — I come here for the education, I stay for the amusement. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I was wondering what fishermen actually prefer from kayakers and canoeists. When paddling down stream, is it better for us to move to the opposite bank (furthest from you) or is it better to pass close to you so as not to spook fish? Any suggestions or guidelines would be greatly appreciated.
I’m with you on this one. Op
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any suggestions or guidelines would be greatly appreciated. Best thing wood be to merely take a break as your canoein’ friends pass by!! It’s NOT really all that big of a deal when you think about it! trout — I come here for the education, I stay for the amusement. Hi, I was wondering what fishermen actually prefer from kayakers and canoeists. When paddling down stream, is it better for us to move to the opposite bank (furthest from you) or is it better to pass close to you so as not to spook fish? Any suggestions or guidelines would be greatly appreciated.
Pack a .44 magnum in your vest pocket.
Take your testosterone powered bass buggy somewhere else. To pull out even a sling-shot could cost you more than you can imagine. Clipping off the fly and "accidentally" false casting close to the ear, now that may deliver the message without making a victim of the offender. Wayne to fish is human….to release Divine!!!
These two rules I agree with 1,000,000,000,000 % ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <
(snip – snip) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Rule #4 – when you ruin my day as you float by, don’t smile and say, "How’s the fishing?" I’m likely to tell you. Rule #5 – if you’re planning a big event that’ll take over a river, publicize it at the local fishing shops – then I’ll know to stay home.
Pack a .44 magnum in your vest pocket. < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I never seem to have a problem with kayakers who are fishing. They seem to be the more knowledgable. Canoeist tend to be worse and the very worst are the fairly new and occasional recreation kayakers. I’ve actually had these later types paddle over from across 200 feet of river and paddle around me while asking about the fishing. They just seemed to want to get the most out of their "wilderness" experience. No amount of verbal abuse shakes these types, they just get their nose out of joint because you made their day less pleasant. Tubers are totally self-absorbed and could care less about anything or anyone else on the water. Nothing you can do or say, short of causing yourself a good deal of trouble, has any influence on this crowd. What really torques me about most of these people is that the waters I fish which also supports floaters, is plenty big for rafters, boaters, and tubers to pass well away from the few wading fishermen they pass. Afraid I can’t offer a real plan for dealing with these folks. There doesn’t seem to be a reasonable, effective response. Wayne to fish is human….to release Divine!!!
I never seem to have a problem with kayakers who are fishing. They seem to be the more knowledgable. Canoeist tend to be worse and the very worst are the fairly new and occasional recreation kayakers. I’ve actually had these later types paddle over from across 200 feet of river and paddle around me while asking about the fishing. They just seemed to want to get the most out of their "wilderness" experience. No amount of verbal abuse shakes these types, they just get their nose out of joint because you made their day less pleasant. Tubers are totally self-absorbed and could care less about anything or anyone else on the water. Nothing you can do or say, short of causing yourself a good deal of trouble, has any influence on this crowd. What really torques me about most of these people is that the waters I fish which also supports floaters, is plenty big for rafters, boaters, and tubers to pass well away from the few wading fishermen they pass. Afraid I can’t offer a real plan for dealing with these folks. There doesn’t seem to be a reasonable, effective response. Wayne to fish is human….to release Divine!!!
I prefer to pass farther away (I paddle mostly where bait casters are), but if that line is going to put me in a bad current or into a power boat lane, I’ll just apologize and go by the fisherman. As a fisherperson myself, I don’t worry too much about spooking the fish. I have observed them while fishing in very clear waters, while swimming, and while just siting around. Unless there’s a real overabundance of fishermen, in which case the paddlers have little to do with it, they will spook, but will be back in 5 to 10 minutes. I’ve tried to spook some wild (for many decades of generations. No stocking done in at least 20 years, maybe more like 40) trout in a fairly heavily fished stream at one of the most popular pools (It was a late Sunday afternoon and I was the only one there, btw.). Only way I’ve found it can be done is to stand up and skyline yourself. Noise? No problem. Vibrations on the bank? No problem. Swinging your arms around? Flailing your lure wildly? No problem. Let them see you standing up, even a child standing up, and they’re gone. For as long as their tiny brains can remember danger versus food. About 5 to 10 minutes on average. Bream and Walleye and Pike vary. Bream are about 5 minutes, Walleye and Pike about 15. I have no clue on Bass. Bass tend to be under cover and hard to watch, even in very clear water. Carp and Suckers are about 5 to 10. Now if you’re going down a popular paddling river and there’s a canoe passing the fisherman every 10 to 20 minutes or less, yes, it’ll be bad for him. Not earth shaking where I am as I tend to fish and paddle in MN and WI, where there are lots of places to do both or either. The very few relatively crowded trout rivers I’ve gone on do not have paddlers (well, I did once see some tourons risking hypothermia in the evening in a rubber raft. That water is cold* and they had no warm or dry gear along.). If, however, I went to the Montana mountain streams to trout fish, I’d be a bit bummed to have some wild paddling action going on all over the river. But if I were on one of the kayaking rivers out East (Natuhala? Something like that) I’d be checking for dam releases and going somewhere else when there were some, because it’d be nothing but ‘yaks and rafts and inflatables all day long. I’d rather not fish than spend my day getting pissed off. Then again, I tend to drive the speed limit or under and stay in the right hand lane, just to preserve my temper. Hi, I was wondering what fishermen actually prefer from kayakers and canoeists. When paddling down stream, is it better for us to move to the opposite bank (furthest from you) or is it better to pass close to you so as not to spook fish? Any suggestions or guidelines would be greatly appreciated.
— rbc: vixen Fairly harmless http://www.visi.com/~cyli
Hi, I was wondering what fishermen actually prefer from kayakers and canoeists. When paddling down stream, is it better for us to move to the opposite bank (furthest from you) or is it better to pass close to you so as not to spook fish? Any suggestions or guidelines would be greatly appreciated.
Somebody else has already pointed out, we don’t "share" the water with kayakers – they have it – we leave. As somebody who has been hit, almost hit and chased from the stream by a "fiberglass hatch" of jerks, I’d like to add my two cents worth. Rule #1 – go behind the angler – the fish are in front of him. Rule #2 – go somewhere else. I’m not being facetious. Anglers are constrained by a large number of factors, fishing regulations, private property, water conditions, etc. OTOH, a kayaker can go anywhere there’s enough water to float his boat. Don’t float prime fishing water during the best part of the fishing season. There’s plenty of other water for you to use. Rule #3 – Learn to control your boat. The dickhead that ran into me could’ve broken my leg. Rule #4 – when you ruin my day as you float by, don’t smile and say, "How’s the fishing?" I’m likely to tell you. Rule #5 – if you’re planning a big event that’ll take over a river, publicize it at the local fishing shops – then I’ll know to stay home. HTH Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html
Ken, Now it’s bothering me. I know that I’ve heard or read your name before. Do you post elsewhere? Thanks, Doug – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Doug Hall Doug, You don’t by any chance teach at Portland State do you? - Ken
Doug Hall
Doug, You don’t by any chance teach at Portland State do you? - Ken
in my part of the world,(SW Va.)there are many float fishermen. When floating and fishing should the boat give right of way to the wading fisherman? I think so…the float fisherman will cover a helluva lot more water than the one wading. It rarely happens though. I too have had jerks come way to close to me throwing them damn rackety ass buzz baits. Makes for some well placed false casts, if you know what I mean. Tim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was wondering what fishermen actually prefer from kayakers and canoeists. When paddling down stream, is it better for us to move to the opposite bank (furthest from you) or is it better to pass close to you so as not to spook fish? Any suggestions or guidelines would be greatly appreciated. On a large enough river, it’s best if you stay as far away as possible. Most of the time, a fisherman will be casting to a fish less than 40 feet away. On a smaller river, where the fisherman can easily cast to either bank, it ain’t gonna matter. Not only your shadow, but any noise or water disturbance will spook a wary fish. Just pass by as smoothly and quietly as possible with an apologetic "I’m sorry I f*cked up your pool" expression on your face. Although we realize we sometimes have to share a river with other uses, it’s not really sharing. Kayakers can paddle where we fish, but we can’t fish where they paddle. Thanks for asking. Joe F.
Michael, Lets see, if you only go down the river between the hours of 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. and then we’ll allow you another 12 minutes in the afternoon, unless there’s a hatch going on. Other than that, stay off our rivers, because flyfishing is the ONLY acceptable use for all rivers:). No, but really, just the fact that you are trying to be polite and a simple "excuse me" or any normal courtesy should do. Just like passing someone in a small hallway. I’m sure that there will be those who feel that they have exclusive right to the river (and I’m also sure that I will hear from them) but even flyfisherman have to share the river. Maybe we should be apologizing for blocking the whole damn river with our casting? I think that some people should take their sports a little less serious. It’s supposed to be about fun, and if a fish gets put down occasionally, oh well. It’s happened to me more than a few times. I got over it and so will they. Thanks for asking. Doug Hall
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I was wondering what fishermen actually prefer from kayakers and canoeists. When paddling down stream, is it better for us to move to the opposite bank (furthest from you) or is it better to pass close to you so as not to spook fish? Any suggestions or guidelines would be greatly appreciated.
I was wondering what fishermen actually prefer from kayakers and canoeists. When paddling down stream, is it better for us to move to the opposite bank (furthest from you) or is it better to pass close to you so as not to spook fish? Any suggestions or guidelines would be greatly appreciated.
On a large enough river, it’s best if you stay as far away as possible. Most of the time, a fisherman will be casting to a fish less than 40 feet away. On a smaller river, where the fisherman can easily cast to either bank, it ain’t gonna matter. Not only your shadow, but any noise or water disturbance will spook a wary fish. Just pass by as smoothly and quietly as possible with an apologetic "I’m sorry I f*cked up your pool" expression on your face. Although we realize we sometimes have to share a river with other uses, it’s not really sharing. Kayakers can paddle where we fish, but we can’t fish where they paddle. Thanks for asking. Joe F.
Couldn’t have said it better myself ! ! ! ! ! < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was wondering what fishermen actually prefer from kayakers and canoeists. When paddling down stream, is it better for us to move to the opposite bank (furthest from you) or is it better to pass close to you so as not to spook fish? Any suggestions or guidelines would be greatly appreciated. On a large enough river, it’s best if you stay as far away as possible. Most of the time, a fisherman will be casting to a fish less than 40 feet away. On a smaller river, where the fisherman can easily cast to either bank, it ain’t gonna matter. Not only your shadow, but any noise or water disturbance will spook a wary fish. Just pass by as smoothly and quietly as possible with an apologetic "I’m sorry I f*cked up your pool" expression on your face. Although we realize we sometimes have to share a river with other uses, it’s not really sharing. Kayakers can paddle where we fish, but we can’t fish where they paddle. Thanks for asking. Joe F.
Hi, I was wondering what fishermen actually prefer from kayakers and canoeists. When paddling down stream, is it better for us to move to the opposite bank (furthest from you) or is it better to pass close to you so as not to spook fish? Any suggestions or guidelines would be greatly appreciated.
Don’t need a cane rod George, I have enough trouble with a graphite one, but if I may put my 2 cents in, "By George Fly Rods" has a nice ring to it. And just for curiosity sakes, what color thread for the guides?
What is your final choice? And do you want an extra tip? I’ll give you a tip, George. Get out of this business before it’s too late.
; ) —
A lawn is a good place to learn, just cast the line without a leader or hook..
Hi Ernie, I agree about the lawn(or a decent sized patch of grass) being a good place to learn, but I believe a leader of about 8-9 ft in length with a tiny bit of cotton wool instead of a fly, balances up the line nicely. — Bill
I’ve been reading a lot about fly fishing; so I’m ready to hit the water. But what I’m still not sure of is how do I get the line out before the cast,especially when I’m fishing stillwaters, or want to fish cross current on a river. Thanks Randy Kadish Go to the Sports section of the following site. Several good videos
on fly fishing. Good Luck http://www.totalmarketing.com
go back to the library and check out some instructional videos on flyfishing….. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been reading a lot about fly fishing; so I’m ready to hit the water. But what I’m still not sure of is how do I get the line out before the cast,especially when I’m fishing stillwaters, or want to fish cross current on a river. Thanks Randy Kadish
tie on some kind of leader…that gets down in diameter once or twice…will give you the light end section that’ll help more than the dead pull of the line ..(too heavy). steve d.
A lawn is a good place to learn, just cast the line without a leader or hook.. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-Mail Selling my Fly Fishing Books Go to: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – NB beginners usually find it much easier to learn on running rather than still water, because you need the line straight(ish) for the pickup for the next cast, and the current straightens it for you. I disagree. With the current going, it was hellish for me trying to keep the line worked, the cast out of the trees, the fly on the leader, the line that had been stripped our of the current, and staying upright all at the same time, and I was on a slow, large creek. So, I’d say that you should try to find a farm pond before you venture to the river. Bryce Carron Rockford, Tn
I’ve been reading a lot about fly fishing; so I’m ready to hit the water. But what I’m still not sure of is how do I get the line out before the cast,especially when I’m fishing stillwaters, or want to fish cross current on a river. Thanks Randy Kadish
I’ve been reading a lot about fly fishing; so I’m ready to hit the water. But what I’m still not sure of is how do I get the line out before the cast,especially when I’m fishing stillwaters, or want to fish cross current on a river.
Start with 10-12 ft. of line beyond the tip-top. You can roll-cast that to aerialize it, then add about 5 ft. per false cast, stripping more off the reel with your line hand on each back cast. NB beginners usually find it much easier to learn on running rather than still water, because you need the line straight(ish) for the pickup for the next cast, and the current straightens it for you. — | Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs, | | Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734 |
NB beginners usually find it much easier to learn on running rather than still water, because you need the line straight(ish) for the pickup for the next cast, and the current straightens it for you.
I disagree. With the current going, it was hellish for me trying to keep the line worked, the cast out of the trees, the fly on the leader, the line that had been stripped our of the current, and staying upright all at the same time, and I was on a slow, large creek. So, I’d say that you should try to find a farm pond before you venture to the river. Bryce Carron Rockford, Tn
We come to the fisher world show in Denver SEPTEMBER 18,19,20 th We are 2 FRENCH Fisher It’s possible to go fly-fishing (SUNDAY , September 21 th) in the ar
Hi all, Just thought I’d let everyone know that I caught my first trout ever on a fly rod yesterday. Man, what a thrill. Although I’m basically a "live-bait on a spin reel person", I’ve messed around with my "fly outfit" the last couple of years. Never had much success until yesterday though. Not a bad sized rainbow either. Around 11". Oh well, I’m sure this is no big deal to most of you but I just had to tell someone. Everyone in my family has no clue as to what it’s like. I figure you all do. See ya on the streams!!!!! Tom
Congratulations on the first trout on a fly! Got mine last summer. Went t some state parks in southeast Minnesota in mid august. Caught my first on a #12 Wolly Bugger a 12"Rainbow. caught the rest – a total of 14 browns from 8-13 inches mostly on my own design— a kind of peacock and guinea soft hackle that looks like a small minnow when wet. Don’t know what to call it. Biggest thrill was casting about 40 ft across the river at Forrestville, having a 12" brown jump out of the water with the fly in its mouth, run half way across the river to me and do a double flip 10 feet in front of me! Talk about getting hooked on fly fishing! WOW! I will be going back this year to MN or Wisconsen to repeat the fun! Good luck, Ken — Remove NO-SPAM- from return address to e-mail me. Sorry, but this is to discourage spammers and auto junk mail generators. Ken Wells "When In Doubt….Go fishing."
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, Just thought I’d let everyone know that I caught my first trout ever on a fly rod yesterday. Man, what a thrill. Although I’m basically a "live-bait on a spin reel person", I’ve messed around with my "fly outfit" the last couple of years. Never had much success until yesterday though. Not a bad sized rainbow either. Around 11". Oh well, I’m sure this is no big deal to most of you but I just had to tell someone. Everyone in my family has no clue as to what it’s like. I figure you all do. See ya on the streams!!!!! Tom Tom, Nice going with the first trout…I am also relatively new (<2 yrs) and enjoy hearing about people and fly fishing. Of course the next step done this road-to-ruin is fly tying….no rush, take your time, but getting your first trout on a fly you tird is also outstanding…. As you can probably tell, I’m consumed by this experience called fly fishing….if I only didn’t have to work…… — John Carney Fly Fisher & Parrot Head (NO-SPAM in address to avoid spamming)
And I’ll bet that, just for a minute or two, while you were landing thiat first trout, you considered throwing away ALL your baitcasting and spinning gear. Welcome to the Club!! Mac McCaskill
Trout hit my first two casts hard, and kept hitting every type of dry fly I used aggressively all day. I missed a ton of good strikes (sure could use some advice on setting the hook correctly),
Tom; You note that you missed these aggressive strikes. That happens because (often) an aggresively striking wild fish is hanging-out under/around some current somewhere near the bottom. He sees your fly (food) and shoots up, slamming the fly and zips right back down to the bottom as fast as a Rattle-snake strike. Well, unlike a natural fly, yours has a leader attached to it. I’m sure that you have noticed how much force water can exert on your line. This happens with the fly. The drag of the tippet can pull the fly from the fish’s mouth, or cause him to "spit it out" before you can set the hook. I have noticed this a lot recently while fishing emergers during the sulfur hatch. WHACK!… nothing. Jason Beary
Congratulations on the first trout on a fly! Got mine last summer. Went t some state parks in southeast Minnesota in mid august. Caught my first on a #12 Wolly Bugger a 12"Rainbow. caught the rest – a total of 14 browns from 8-13 inches mostly on my own design— a kind of peacock and guinea soft hackle that looks like a small minnow when wet. Don’t know what to call it.
A bug. John Fereira
[snipped] Just thought I’d let everyone know that I caught my first trout ever on a fly rod yesterday.
[snipped] Well done Tom! Nice innitt? 
On a more serious note(!) You are now in danger of becoming the best Definition: The best angler in the world = whichever angler at that given instant in time is enjoying themselves the most. richard
Congratulations Tom, I too caught my first, a 14" Brown, on Wednesday in the Clear Fork river (Ohio). It was a store-bought fly, but that didn’t make it any less exciting. Like you, nobody around me has any clue what its like. Bob
Hi, Congratulations. I had the same problem, so I bought my fiance her own kit, now she joins me on all the trips, and the best is that she is not using my expensive rods. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey Tom: <<Oh well, I’m sure this is no big deal to most of you but I just had to tell someone. Everyone in my family has no clue as to what it’s like. I figure you all do. It is a "big deal". The outdoor learning process can sometimes be frustrating when there is no father, brother, aunt or uncle to answer your questions or share your experiences. So…, thanks for taking the time and sharing with us. Congratulations! Tight lines, Joe
Congratulations, Seems just like yesterday … so many years now. Next will be that monster brown on a fly you tied. Nothing beats the feeling of a first anything. I don’t know about others on ROFF but there is still nothing like splash of an eager trout or the slurp of the grandfather of all trout. That’s just a feeling that never gets old. Corey http://www.ncweb.com:80/users/crbock/
Hi all, Just thought I’d let everyone know that I caught my first trout ever on a fly rod yesterday. Man, what a thrill.
Just wanted to drop my 2 cents in, too. I fished the Great Smoky Mountain National Park last weekend, doing some very deep, hike-in mountain stream fishing, and had the best day of dry fly fishing in my short (about 1 year) career fly fishing. Trout hit my first two casts hard, and kept hitting every type of dry fly I used aggressively all day. I missed a ton of good strikes (sure could use some advice on setting the hook correctly), but I did bring in an 11-inch wild mountain rainbow. My God, what a fish this was! Never seen that kind of coloring before. These fish are naturally reproducing, wild trout (even though their ancestors were imported to the area and stocked until the 1970s). Even so, this guy fought hard, jumped at least 12 times, and left me speechless at having takien my first wild trout in such a beautiful setting. For you Midwestern FFers, I have a story on FFing in the Smokies coming up in the summer issue of Midwest Fly Fishing magazine that provides local contact numbers and other information. E-mail me off-list if you want more information. Dave McCarty
Hey Tom:
<<Oh well, I’m sure this is no big deal to most of you but I just had to tell someone. Everyone in my family has no clue as to what it’s like. I figure you all do. It is a "big deal". The outdoor learning process can sometimes be frustrating when there is no father, brother, aunt or uncle to answer your questions or share your experiences. So…, thanks for taking the time and sharing with us. Congratulations! Tight lines, Joe
Hi all, Just thought I’d let everyone know that I caught my first trout ever on a fly rod yesterday. Man, what a thrill. Although I’m basically a "live-bait on a spin reel person", I’ve messed around with my "fly outfit" the last couple of years. Never had much success until yesterday though. Not a bad sized rainbow either. Around 11". Oh well, I’m sure this is no big deal to most of you but I just had to tell someone. Everyone in my family has no clue as to what it’s like. I figure you all do. See ya on the streams!!!!! Tom
Tom, Nice going with the first trout…I am also relatively new (<2 yrs) and enjoy hearing about people and fly fishing. Of course the next step done this road-to-ruin is fly tying….no rush, take your time, but getting your first trout on a fly you tird is also outstanding…. As you can probably tell, I’m consumed by this experience called fly fishing….if I only didn’t have to work…… — John Carney Fly Fisher & Parrot Head (NO-SPAM in address to avoid spamming)
Hi all, Just thought I’d let everyone know that I caught my first trout ever on a fly rod yesterday. Man, what a thrill. Although I’m basically a "live-bait on a spin reel person", I’ve messed around with my "fly outfit" the last couple of years. Never had much success until yesterday though. Not a bad sized rainbow either. Around 11". Oh well, I’m sure this is no big deal to most of you but I just had to tell someone. Everyone in my family has no clue as to what it’s like. I figure you all do. See ya on the streams!!!!! Tom
Hi all, Just thought I’d let everyone know that I caught my first trout ever on a fly rod yesterday. Man, what a thrill. Although I’m basically a "live-bait on a spin reel person", I’ve messed around with my "fly outfit" the last couple of years. Never had much success until yesterday though. Not a bad sized rainbow either. Around 11". Oh well, I’m sure this is no big deal to most of you but I just had to tell someone. Everyone in my family has no clue as to what it’s like. I figure you all do. See ya on the streams!!!!! Tom
didja et it…? — TimW Halfordian Golfer
INDICATORS IN FLY FISHING IS BOBBER FISHING
<whole bunch deleted Why is fishing with a bobber with a bait imitation worse than fishing on the bottom with a bait imitation? Doesn’t seem as bad as using artificial stuff to float or sink a fly. Charlie…
George: After reading your post I can only say, Thank God we don’t fish together. I have always believed that tolerance is the hallmark of an educated man. Hopefully, as we get older and wiser, we learn to "never say never" and to refrain from declaring that the "one way is the only way". If we decide that indicators violate the spirit of fly-fishing then we must insist that all fly lines be a neutral color that exactly matches the water color. Otherwise, those who watch the tips of their fly lines to detect strikes are taking an unfair advantage. Then there are those of us who, due to advancing age, couldn’t see a leader or tippet at ten feet on our best day. Time to hang up the rod? Or, maybe, use an idicator. By the way…love your floatant…too bad I can’t find it in Ontario. Tight lines. JIM WARD
Over the years, as one generation fades into the sunset, it leaves behind certain rules and manners their fore-fathers abided with . . . but if left unsaid, undisciplined, untaught to the new . . . who are left to fend for themselves, youth resorts to invention; the father of necessity. <<a bunch of oversimplistic blather about the "tradition" of "true Fly Fishing" snipped
(random snips from Joe’s post because it was more fun than the usual wholesale snippage, don’t take it personally) OK, George…Don’t bother…getting your…shorts..you’ll only embarrass
yourself. The fact is, George,…EVERYTHING we do…was…damned…effective… after a couple hundred years. As long as you…carry the ‘lure’, you’re fly fishing. Even…the pure ‘traditionalist’…claim…to…use the tools, materials, hooks, and lines of the ancient Egyptians… Do you nymph with… the beadhead…Isaac Walton the WORM…or… that "upstart" Lee Wulff! Surely you…claim that HIS flies are…silk…braided-core PVC coated…horsehair..ones? Have you got…steel…in the closet? Do you use…automatic…aircraft…? Does your rod have a…floating agent…??? If you use ANY of these things, then you are not the lily-pure ‘traditionalist’ you set yourself up to be. … …unless, of course, you can show us where Isaac Walton and Dame Julianna promoted silicone…
(All this brought to you from the state where the line-item veto is used to delete single words, letters and even punctuation to achieve greater meaning in the annual budgetary laws.) Ah, there is something comforting about the posting of a truly good troll (it doesn’t matter if it was totally serious or just a stirring the pot). The laying down of the gauntlet, the surety of the combustive responses, the playing out of the thread into ever widening circles encompassing more and more tangential issues. I think Muskie should takes some notes from George’s post. It was written in civil, admirably constructed prose (minus a grammatical, syntactical or typographical error here or there), brought up an issue that will boil the brains of many a lurker, and was laid in like casting a fly on a 1 wt. line to a boiling pool of starving hatchery fish. With such a post you can be assured the world is as it should be and everything in its place, like the coming of Autumn or the first snow frosting the surface of the Earth. It is clear that to George (if we step one step away from the strike indicator controversy), flyfishing (to a greater or lesser degree) lies in the simplicity inherent in the limitations of the mechanics of the fly fishing rig as a predatory weapon to catch trout, all other things falling within the comforting framework these limitations define. He limits his rig to maintain this simplicity (as he views and purportedly enjoys it). There is some merit to this as an aesthetic pursuit. After all, art is what you make of it. To some, certain pieces of artwork are garbage and to others are beauty embodied. (George, I am interpreting your post and am not putting words in your computer, feel free to slam me if this offends you.;-) This does make me contemplate what flyfishing is to me (viewed as a different question than "why do you flyfish?" which is somehow easier to answer). I think it is similiar to why I bowhunt. There is an underlying aesthetic experience that goes far beyond the taking of game. I think I’ll have to mull it over for a while. Any takers for the ethereal? Jon (better get some more coffee)
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -INDICATORS IN FLY FISHING IS BOBBER FISHING Over the years, as one generation fades into the sunset, it leaves behind certain rules and manners their fore-fathers abided with . . . but if left unsaid, undisciplined, untaught to the new . . . who are left to fend for themselves, youth resorts to invention; the father of necessity. [snip] Without compassion you have
Great Idea, I would kill the co0kies though. They are a nusiance and a lot of people like me do not accept them in any case Thanks Gerry
Good start. I’d bag the background though:-). Submitted pattern but could not go back and do a search on the name (Dark Star). Bookmark it. Will come back and load up a bunch of South Platte Patterns later on. Keep it Going! — Chaz Clover Art Director, CompuNerd, Inc. http://www.databahn.net "Welcome To Earth!" Will Smith
Excellant idea…will send you the patterns from our present and past publications of the SPAWNER a full colour magazine on atlantic salmon fishing in Newfoundland and Labrador. Should be enough to keep you even busier Keith Piercey SPAWN (The Salmon Preservation Association for the Waters of Newfoundland) P.O. Box 924 Corner Brook, NF Canada A2H 6J2
Good start. I’d bag the background though:-). Submitted pattern but could not go back and do a search on the name (Dark Star). Bookmark it. Will come back and load up a bunch of South Platte Patterns later on. Keep it Going! — Chaz Clover Art Director, CompuNerd, Inc. http://www.databahn.net "Welcome To Earth!" Will Smith
Hello, Lately I have had a little free time on my hands, and I got this idea that it might be kind of cool if there was an online database where you can lookup a fly pattern that you wish to tie. Not finding anything out there like this I desided to try and create such a database. I have it working and now it needs some testing. So I would like some of you to look at it, try it, maybe add a fly pattern or two and then tell me what you think. Like I said before, I am testing right now. It is still under construction. There are not very many fly patterns in the database right now. Things I am looking for are: Do I need to add anything to the submit section, do i need to remove anything from the submit section, and any other ideas you think might help it. Again please try it out and let me know it you had any problems with it or if you have any suggestion on how to make it better. The page is located at: http://www.nfinity.com/~hawk/fly/ Thanx for your time Wayne Beck
Hi Wayne The idea looks good to me. I’ve bookmarked you web page. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html
Hello, Lately I have had a little free time on my hands, and I got this idea that it might be kind of cool if there was an online database where you can lookup a fly pattern that you wish to tie.
… The page is located at: http://www.nfinity.com/~hawk/fly/
I like it. It’s nice to see someone providing a service like this that isn’t in it for the money. A couple of things that would be nice… I realize that this could could use up a considerable about of disc space but a jpg of a fly uploaded to a directory and referenced from HTML (along with an ALT tag) would be nice. You’d probably want to limit the size though. Search engines are nice but sometimes an alphanumeric index is good too, especially for those that can’t spell irresistuble. The "Comments" field might be better labled "tying instructions". Actually, a separate field for instructions and one for comments might be useful. The comments could include information on the best way to fish the fly, and what would happen if gink were applied. Most pattern books list the materials used in order of use when the fly is tied. I didn’t see any way to specify in which order they should be used. Of course, that could be described in the "Instructions" section. I didn’t see a field for "ribbing", often a key ingrediant. There wasn’t a field for things like lead weight or bead heads. Perhaps a field titled "Other materials" would solve this. In any case, it looks good so far. I hope that people use it. I’ll put a reference to it in my rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying FAQ (which I need to repost with a few updates) if you don’t mind. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY
I’ve got the good luck to have 4-days near Evergreen CO in early August and am looking for suggestions on streams to stalk, catch and release. Don’t mind walking in a bit and I don’t need big name water or 18" fish to have fun – although 18" fish are… Anything within a reasonable 2-hour drive? Thanks and let me know how to reciprocate for Wisconsin, if I can.
The local fly shop in Evergreen is the Blue Quill Angler. Same folks that run the Orvis Colorado Fly Fishing school, Rick Rishell runs it and his number 800-235-9763. They would give you a very good idea as to what is going on there. Bear Creek right in town was aggressively cleaned up and improved by the local TU chapter. Behind the Amoco gas station a few years ago I caught a 18" rainbow. Clear Creek along I-70 is pretty good too at Georgetown, that’s just up the road a few miles. Those are great after work areas. The South Platte river at Deckers is close to for a serious session of lots of fish. Stop in at the fly shop in Deckers (Motel, gas pump, cafe/bar and fly shop setup, it is the town) and get the info on the current flies. You can go North to Hot Sulphur Springs and hit the Colorado, great time of year for the Colorado. Evergreen is a great place to get to lots of the famous gold medal water but the little streams right around town are really fun. LOTS of water this year. — Ken Rupkalvis, THE Republic of Texas
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve got the good luck to have 4-days near Evergreen CO in early August and am looking for suggestions on streams to stalk, catch and release. Don’t mind walking in a bit and I don’t need big name water or 18" fish to have fun – although 18" fish are… Anything within a reasonable 2-hour drive? Thanks and let me know how to reciprocate for Wisconsin, if I can.
are there any schools that teach fishing with conventional tackle instead of pure flyrod?
are there any schools that teach fishing with conventional tackle instead of pure flyrod?
I don’t know of any. I think that is why the fly fishing industry is doing so well. There are lots of videos, books and schools on the sport of fly fishing. Most of the conventional tackle is sold by self service mass merchandizers like Walmart and Kmart. It is hard to get any service, help or fishing info from those stores. I have watched the tackle business change for the last 31 years that I have been involved in it. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA
Rumor has it that Jon Zeeff said: Think about it – what prevents people from doing crazy things in cars (l ride on the hood while drinking heavily)? The answer isn’t more educati but more enforcement.
Yeah, but the annoying thing about this is the behavior of boaters who are pulled over. Most drivers who are stopped on the road for speeding don’t complain too much because they usually know the cop has them dead to rights. Most boaters, on the other hand, give the Coast Guard a pretty hard time… "I’m a tax payer. I pay your salary!", "Why aren’t you out chasing drug smugglers!", "How should I know I need life preservers?", etc. -Bruce —