Question:

Frank Reid writes: 2nd week of June for me too.

Are you going to drive up, Frank? Dave

Response:

Don’t know.  Was thinking of taking the fast train to Boston and a bus to the stop near your house.  That would save me 11 hours on the road. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply. .

Response:

2nd week of June for me too. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Peter Charles writes: I’ll give her a ring tomorrow.  2nd week of June sounds right for us – will Jo be there then?

Well, we planned on her going the first week.  We have Angler’s cabin (by the water).  So, if you could make it then, so much the better. Some days that woman knows how to twist the knife.  

Hey, she’s   taken some lessons from the Pirate, dontchaknow? Dave

Response:

[sounds like a bit of tough sledding but even so – it’s Lakewood so who cares, eh? For all you folks planning on going to Lakewood in June:  I have made reservations for the first, second, and fourth weeks.  There was some talk about having a non-clave gathering – Peter, wayno, Jeff, et al.  If youse guys are serious about it, better call Maureen at 207-243-2959.   You’ll need to send her a deposit.  Also, Frank Reid – pick a time.  How about 3rd week?  Or, whenever. Gotta go fix dinner.  What a drag……. Dave

I’ll give her a ring tomorrow.  2nd week of June sounds right for us – will Jo be there then? Suzie labouriously looked through her datebook to see if she was ‘otherwise occupied"  then with a whoop, she announced that she was free those weeks because *she* was retired!!  Some days that woman knows how to twist the knife.   Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

I’m glad your friend liked my rod, Dave.  I am fixing to build one for myself that is a copy of yours, I liked how that taper cast so much. I took a terrific vacation with a couple friends in Alberta and British Columbia a couple weeks ago.  The fishing and the scenery was how you would imagine it being in Heaven.  I fished bamboo almost exclusively the whole while I was out there, using an 8 1/2 foot 6 weight I made for a friend who kindly let me use the rod on that trip.  One of our guides eyed the rod as we loaded up the drift boat in the morning.  He made a vary tactful but mistrustful remark about it, saying,"You know, there are bull trout in here envisioned cane splinters flying should I hang a hog.  I assured him that the rod – against my pleading – had been used to land chinook salmon by its owner, so I din’t forsee any problems on this trip.  I was happy with the 6 weight’s performance.  We had a good dose of that western wind I have read so much about.  I did fine by waiting in between gusts and firing a cast out there.  I landed a 2 foot long bull trout on that drift.  It was considered small by the locals, but the thrill of getting my first bull wasn’t small. It looked and acted like a giant brook trout while I reeled it in. It will be a long wait until we all get to go back there next year, I’m telling you! Pete

Response:

Thanks for the report, Dave.  Sounds like a nice time.  How many folks are out there on the river this time of year? Pete Collin

Response:

Peter Collin writes: How many folks are out there on the river this time of year?

Lots.  There were 11 Lakewood guests fishing (and about 12 kids/wives who weren’t), plus some folks boated in on Sat and Sun. BTW, I let my friend try the rod.  He fell for it.  His wife wants to buy him a boo rod for Christmas/birthday, but he’s always said no.  But after trying your’s, he is sold on it. He was surprised when he found out that it was not as slow as he thought bamboo would be.  <g Dave

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Got in this afternoon after four days at Lakewood.  River was running at 800 cfs, ideal for wading and fishing.   First thing I did was to find out the river temps.  Down-stream it was 74 at 2nd Current, and a very warm 75 at Lower Dam.  I checked out Upper and found it to be 71 at 6 a.m., and it worked up to 74 around noon.  So, it was fishing early and up-river.  My friend Bob McDonald and I hit the dam and immediately got into some small (10-12 inch) salmon.  We were both fishing the same pattern – LaFontaine Caddis Emerger.  Bob was fishing it dry and I fished it as a nymph.  They weren’t fussy – they liked it either way.  We both caught some nice 14+ inch salmon, feisty as hell.  We played them short because of the temps. I called Dave Bottom Saturday night and told him about the noon/afternoon water temps down-river, and we agreed it best if he not make the trip and the walk-in.  We’ll meet up in October and fish the Kennebec at East Outlet. Both Sunday and Monday were the same – warm, humid, and the fish hitting consistantly only on the LaFontain pattern.  I hate to tie that pattern, and since I was running short, I tried other patterns.  No deal!  They wanted only the emerger pattern.  Bob left after lunch on Sunday and knowing I was running short of that fly graciously gave me five from his box – he’s a better tier than I.   Monday night/early Tuesday morning a much needed rain came through. I love it when it rains at Lakewood; the cabin is warm (if you’ve made a fire!), and you can hear every drop on the roof.  Wonderful sleeping.   When I awoke at 5:30, it was cool with just a sprinkle coming down.  After a quick cup of coffee from my thermos and letting Henry out to take a leak, I hit the dam.  Absolutely beautiful in the mist of early morning.  I took up station at Zimmerman’s Run, so named because roff’s very own Steve Zimmerman fished it for three straight days without taking a leak, dump, or eating/sleeping.  <G  First cast produced a small salmon, but it got better with the next fish, a respectable 14 incher. I returned after a great breakfast, and fished this run and two or three other feeding lines accessable from the rocks.  I continued to catch some nice landlocks and a 15 inch brookie.  When the sun came out at 10 a.m., fishing ceased!  I took one more salmon before returning to camp for lunch.  I don’t know what put them down. The sun?  It was bright from Sat – Mon.   After a terrific lunch and a much needed nap, I returned to the dam around 4 p.m. and fished until 6.  Fishing was great, but the catching was scarce.   I spoke to some camp guests who had been fishing down-stream both Mon and Tues, and the only thing they caught were *bass* and yellow perch at both the 2nd Current and Lower Dam.  They killed them per posted instructions from Maine F & G.   The lake level is down 4 feet from full.  Input from Upper Dam is 220 cfs (their minimum flow), while Middle Dam is 800 cfs.  It doesn’t take a math major to see that the lake will be empty come September if they don’t get rain or change the flows. For all you folks planning on going to Lakewood in June:  I have made reservations for the first, second, and fourth weeks.  There was some talk about having a non-clave gathering – Peter, wayno, Jeff, et al.  If youse guys are serious about it, better call Maureen at 207-243-2959.   You’ll need to send her a deposit.  Also, Frank Reid – pick a time.  How about 3rd week?  Or, whenever. Gotta go fix dinner.  What a drag……. Dave .  

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I bet you that Petah is furiously typing away right this minute, writing something that he will call a "trip report" but that will be nothing but a slanderous document full of lies.  He’ll say that he drank me under the table, that he caught a fish while I didn’t, that I tried to send him down a dead-end lane and almost caused an accident with a UPS truck, and all sorts of other total fabrications.  So I better set things straight right now. First and most important is this nonsense about drinking me under the table.  Well,  well, well, so….. well, maybe it’s kinda true.  But it was just a little table anyhoo, so who cares anyway ?  Everyone knows that Russians don’t drink, so what the hell was I supposed to do ? Now on to that supposed fish of his.  He says he took a picture, no less.  The critical piece of information is that THERE WERE NO WITNESSES.  Heck, I was fishing within 100 feet of the guy all day.  And all of a sudden, he pops up to tell me that he "caught" a fish. Sure.  Everyone who is anyone *knows* that there are no fish in 18 Mile Creek.  Either one of them, actually.  And then there is this malicious fabrication about my driving.  I really don’t want to go down that road, so let’s let it pass.  The UPS truck, that is….

[sounds of furious typing followed by pounding on the delete key] Well I was going to write all about your wonderful hospitality, your generous provision of ample alcoholic beverages while I tried to concentrate on mounting backing and lines on six spools.  Don’t forget sleeping in, nearly jumping (falling) out of bed when I woke you, scrambling the eggs inside and outside the pan.  Then there was the animated sugar bowl.  Especially apropos after you warned me. I particularly enjoyed getting locked out. Getting lost on the way to 18 mile wasn’t bad – especially the, "Are we going east, north, south or west?" bit or my favourite, "Where’s the sun?"  and the always popular, "This spot doesn’t look like it used to.  Maybe it’s the wrong spot?" Oh, don’t forget the seat belt test on Sturgeon Point Road – especially enjoyable while nursing a hangover.  The seat belt works, BTW.  The UPS driver took it all in stride – I think he knew you. Mustn’t forget the Artpark – like let’s park as far away as possible then take the Niagara Gorge obstacle course route to the water.  For a man who falls down on level ground . . . . Best of all, "I caught a steelhead!  I caught a steelhead!  And you didn’t!!!  nah, nah"   That was fun.  When we gonna do it again? Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

That was fun.  When we gonna do it again? Well, now that you’ve worked out the anger, I think that it may be safe for me to think about another one.  You drive next time, tho:  I can’t stand the suspense.

ooooh, I can hardly wait.  Ask Forty.  <BSEG Actually, a thought just occurred to me – Forty put you up to it, didn’t he?  He wanted to see me as a helpless, post-inebriated passenger.  Where’s my shit list . . . (cue the ominous music) BTW, I don’t get angry, I get even. <EG and for the rest of ROFF readership, here follows the real TR. I won’t bore you with the preliminaries as that has already (ahem) been discussed. When someone tells you about a new creek, describes it a bit, one forms a mental image of the place.  The prosaic name ‘18 Mile Creek’ doesn’t do justice to the place, nor did my mental image.  Winding through a gorge cut into the shale, it’s one of the prettiest places that I’ve visited in the Great Lakes area and we were seeing her at her worst – bereft of greenery.  The water was high and off colour, my favourite steelhead conditions, as I find the fish to be quite bold in such water.  We had experienced an early spring snowfall so the creek is full of cold meltwater.  It is a bit busy, being a holiday Friday, but room was found to work. Greg picked a large flat that usually held fish while I scouted for other water.  I was looking for a ’step’ arrangement – chutes or riffles separated by moderate to deep flats or pools.  I find that steelies congregate either at the base of the chute in preparation for their run up, or where the chute tails out into the pool, where they seem to ‘catch their breath’ as it were.  I’ve hooked most of my steelhead from this type of water, I suppose, because the fish are just resting and not otherwise occupied. I have a favourite pattern for this colour water – it’s a large, marabou purple and black spey tied spider style.  On some, I’ll add an overwing of purple crystal flash.  I only had two of these left, one large winged version, and one smaller one, sans wing.  The winged version hooked me a steelhead within about five minutes of fishing – a nice, very fat hen of about 5 or 6 lbs.  She was in her mating colours but still somewhat bright – a nice fish in good shape.  I kept her in water while I took a picture and removed the hook – she was off like a bullet as soon as I moved her deeper. Both of us moved about and Greg tried the other side where another creek flows in to meet the main branch.  I was working close by and hooked another fish on the dangle just as I was about to cast. Earlier, I had lost the winged P&B on a rock, now I lost the small one on the fish as I popped it off when I lifted the rod to cast (didn’t realize I had a fish on.)  Greg had found a really nice spot but wasn’t rewarded with a fish.  We both had some bumps and I found that the P&Bs enticed a few hits, but either the fish didn’t like the other patterns or they had shut down for it was pretty quiet after that. We were having a chat about where to fish next when a family horde descended down the path.  "Artpark" was an instant, unanimous decision.  The Artpark sits on the side of the Niagara River and again, didn’t live up to my mental image as I had pictured the park extending close to that water.  It doesn’t.  This requires either a descent along the side of the gorge wall, or a trek down stairs.  You already know about our route.  I had taken the big stick down, with the Airflo shooting head – a perfect spot for it, I thought. The Niagara River seems boil right in front of us with huge eddies, upwellings and these deceptive flats that are actually very fast laminar flows.  Last time out spey casting with the big stick had been on a beach and a pier.  This was neither.  The jumbled, broken rock thrusts up it’s gnarled knuckles to snare your unsuspecting fly.  Let the line swing on the dangle and it’s snatched away.  Like a witch’s cauldron, the turbulent water sucks the line down – at times I’m retrieving line almost vertically out of the water – so normal line lifts are impossible.  Distance casting isn’t necessary as the fish holding water only extends out about 60′-70′ which is a good thing as the changing currents and other difficulties were making normal methods useless.  I resorted to stripping in most of the head into the guides, roll cast out most of it then spey cast out the 70′ – not pretty but it sorta worked.  Unfortunately, I managed to lose a bunch of flies before I figured this out.   Greg, being the master of the Artpark, was casting away, unperturbed by the conditions.  Greg got a bump but I only felt rock.  So endeth the day. Thank you Mr. Greg. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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Question:

Peter,     I don’t know the Ross Colorado, but I have several Gunnison and Cimarron reels from Ross, and the drags are anything but wimpy.  The thing I like most about them is that they will adjust from dead zero to enough to hold back a 20 pound salmon heading back to the salt. I’ve also controlled Pike up to 25 pounds with these reels, and I’ve never wanted the drag as tight as it can go. Chas

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Somebody had asked a while back about Gallatin reels but I can’t find a reference to the post anymore.  I was browsing some reel web sites yesterday and I found Gallatin’s.  It turns out that the Gallatin reels shown on the site, are rebadged Marados.  These are Korean made machined and anodized reels that sell for very reasonable prices here. I have a Marado with a click & pawl drag and I’m quite satisfied with it.  They’re robustly made and feature the proven Hardy Marquis type drag, a ball-bearing at the base of the spindle, and a nice wood handle.  I used to own a Ross Colorado CO-0 and a CO-3; I prefer the Marado (Gallatin) to the Ross (wimpy drag on the Ross.) So to whoever asked, goferit.  The Marado (Gallatin) are among the best machined reel deals on the market (assuming the Gallatin prices are as reasonable as the Canadian Marado. – $135.00 CDN for the smallest model.) Peter Visit The Streamer Page at

http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

Peter,    I don’t know the Ross Colorado, but I have several Gunnison and Cimarron reels from Ross, and the drags are anything but wimpy.  The thing I like most about them is that they will adjust from dead zero to enough to hold back a 20 pound salmon heading back to the salt. I’ve also controlled Pike up to 25 pounds with these reels, and I’ve never wanted the drag as tight as it can go. Chas

The Colorado has only a click & pawl drag with a single pawl and a very wimpy spring.  It comes with two springs but even with the heavy one installed, there isn’t half the resistance of a typical Hardy Marquis.  It’s very easy to overspool them if you strip line out too quickly.  They are nicely made but Ross should have copied Hardy instead of the drag design they’ve used. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

The Colorado has only a click & pawl drag with a single pawl and a very

wimpy spring.    A very wimpy spring that doesn’t last very long.  I have a couple of Colorados, shame on me for being fooled twice. One failed me miserably at the Ennis clave, and the local fly shops didn’t have a spare spring for sale. The other failed on an extended backpacking trip, causing the fishing to be a frustrating experience. When they fail, the spring loses it’s "springiness" all of a sudden, and the reel becomes a free spooling birdsnest. If you have a Colorado that hasn’t failed yet, ALWAYS carry the extra spring, because you’ll need it one day.

Response:

The Colorado has only a click & pawl drag with a single pawl and a very wimpy spring.   A very wimpy spring that doesn’t last very long.  I have a couple of Colorados, shame on me for being fooled twice. One failed me miserably at the Ennis clave, and the local fly shops didn’t have a spare spring for sale. The other failed on an extended backpacking trip, causing the fishing to be a frustrating experience. When they fail, the spring loses it’s "springiness" all of a sudden, and the reel becomes a free spooling birdsnest. If you have a Colorado that hasn’t failed yet, ALWAYS carry the extra spring, because you’ll need it one day.

I called the Ross factory about the springs and their rep told me that they had built the Colorado this way to replicate the "traditional" feel of a click-drag reel.  IMHO, if they wanted to do that, they should have stuck to a traditional design. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

Somebody had asked a while back about Gallatin reels but I can’t find a reference to the post anymore.  I was browsing some reel web sites yesterday and I found Gallatin’s.  It turns out that the Gallatin reels shown on the site, are rebadged Marados.  These are Korean made machined and anodized reels that sell for very reasonable prices here. I have a Marado with a click & pawl drag and I’m quite satisfied with it.  They’re robustly made and feature the proven Hardy Marquis type drag, a ball-bearing at the base of the spindle, and a nice wood handle.  I used to own a Ross Colorado CO-0 and a CO-3; I prefer the Marado (Gallatin) to the Ross (wimpy drag on the Ross.)   So to whoever asked, goferit.  The Marado (Gallatin) are among the best machined reel deals on the market (assuming the Gallatin prices are as reasonable as the Canadian Marado. – $135.00 CDN for the smallest model.) Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

Question:

Thinking of Belize next Feb/March primarily for diving. Anyone got any information good/bad

Response:

I was there a number of years ago and plan to go back. Inaddition to the usual dive cites, Check out Placentia on the coast. — Dennis Gibbons CN35-207 S/V Dark Lady

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thinking of Belize next Feb/March primarily for diving. Anyone got any information good/bad

Response:

The diving’s great, as there is a barrier reef off the coast (I think I read that it’s the second largest in the world after Australia).  We saw intense coral formations, lots of beautiful fish, whale sharks, rays, etc. Where we were in Placencia, there was NO diving off of the beach. typically the dive boats took us out to one of the cayes. Callen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thinking of Belize next Feb/March primarily for diving. Anyone got any information good/bad

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Thinking of Belize next Feb/March primarily for diving. Anyone got any information good/bad

There are tons of terrific Web sites on Belize.  I believe that Belize has more Web sites than any other country its size in the world.  Beisides our own Web edition, I especially like the Belize by Natural Light sites and the AmbergrisCaye.com site. I edit and publish a magazine on Belize — e-mail us if you have questions, and we’ll try to answer them. –Lan Sluder Lan Sluder Editor & Publisher BELIZE FIRST MAGAZINE Free Web edition (600 + pages of ad-free information) at http://www.turq.com/belizefirst/

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Hi We went to Belize in February ‘97 and had an amazing time. Stayed in Belize City and did some day trips, then San Pedro for a couple of days. The snorkelling was incredible, so I imagine the diving is even better. Macy’s in Belize City is great place to eat. Scott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thinking of Belize next Feb/March primarily for diving. Anyone got any information good/bad

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Thinking of Belize next Feb/March primarily for diving. Anyone got any information good/bad

Hi Bernie, Belize is great because they have not ruined it yet. It is still pretty untouched. Get a Belize guide book by Moon Publications. Most divers stay out on Ambergris Cay in or near the town of San Pedro.  You are in a nice little town on an island of the coast from Belize City. You can also stay out at one of the remote dive lodges on one of the three atolls off the coast past the reef in the Blue Water. On Turneffe Atoll, you can stay at Black Bird Resort, Turneffe Flats Lodge or Turneffe Island Lodge. On Lighthouse Atoll, you can stay at Lighthouse Reef Resort where they have the famous Blue Hole. On Glover’s Atoll, you can stay at Manta Reef Resort. This is one of the most remote palces in Belize. On South Water Cay, you can stay at the Blue Marlin Lodge right of the barrier reef. All these places have web sites now. I go to Belize to fly fish for bonefish, tarpon, permit and snook. I can help you there if you need any. I like Placencia too.  www.placencia.com Look at the Belize First site.

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Question:

Who was it said ‘A woman is just a woman but a good cigar is a smoke’? Probably W.C. Fields or George Burns. Pete Marrow http://www.gorp.com/gorp/activity/scottish_ff_faq.htm

Response:

I always offer my trout a Marlboro before I knock its head on a boulder…

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A smoker AND a fish murderer!! How many of your victims have accepted a last cigarette? — Regards Peter (Please also reply by email, my server "loses" posts. Remove nospam to email) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I always offer my trout a Marlboro before I knock its head on a boulder…

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A good fart is better than a good cigar. William Buchman

For the sake of future generations – think of the ozone layer! — Bill

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If you smoke after flyfishing, you’re doing it too fast. — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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‘And a woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke.’ Rudyard Kipling. You should be ashamed<g. Who was it said ‘A woman is just a woman but a good cigar is a smoke’? Probably W.C. Fields or George Burns.

– Charlie…

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Drugs are for sick people. You said it, enjoy and be damned.

Oh Bill, you have such a BIG heart.  You’re so open minded I could just puke. </chaz

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Of course a good cigar *does* keep away black flies and PCJs.

Good Dave. Even a cheap cigar keeps the biter bugs away. Joel Axelrad

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William Buchman writes:

<<Many smokers are indeed courteous while a few seem to take pleasure in directing their smoke toward others. William Buchman Come on, Buchman.  Lighten up.  I smoked for 45 years and quit five years ago without any problems.  I have never seen a smoker getting his jollies by annoying others with his smoke, especially today.  Any smoke you get while fishing is thousands of times less dangerous than the exhaust smoke you inhaled driving to the stream.  The beauty of smoking outside is that you can position yourself so that the smoke blows away from you.  Ever tried that?  But walking down the street of any town or city is going to expose you to so much lung damage (as compared to cigarette smoke) that you should probably let your wife do all the shopping.  Never go to the mall, Buchman — way to much smoke (from cars and those %*& SUVs. <<<<<<<< Over the last few years, especially after retiring, I am able to keep away from smokers.  When working, I was very annoyed at meetings where one or two smokers could screw up a meeting of about 20 people. I am not conerned over health effects from second hand smoke. My present greatest exposure to smoke is at a swap meet I attend regularly.  If I see someone smoking, I try to avoid them. But every now and then I get an unpleasant surprise by inhaling the concentrated effluent from an unseen cigarette.  MOST ANNOYING!  Smokers do not realize how annoying their effluent can be.  I must admit that smokers purposely annoying other people was mostly a phenomenon associated with younger smokers. The big problem came with filter cigarettes.  Because it did filter out whatever it was that addicted people, stronger and smellier tobacco was used. While the effect on the smoker was not changed much, the unfortunate bystander took a big hit. William Buchman

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A good fart is better than a good cigar. William Buchman

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The trouble with the carcinogenic effects of tobacco is that it works too slowly.

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Buchman writes:

<<The trouble with the carcinogenic effects of tobacco is that it works too slowly. That’s what I like about you, Buchman — you’re all heart. Dave LaCourse

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Drugs are for sick people.

You said it, enjoy and be damned. — Bill

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Do we have to put up with anti-smoking idiots even on ROFF? Joel Axelrad

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Do we have to put up with anti-smoking idiots even on ROFF? Joel Axelrad

Nah, smoke all you want on roff<g. — Charlie…

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More "free speech". — Regards Peter (Please also reply by email, my server "loses" posts. Remove nospam to email)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Do we have to put up with anti-smoking idiots even on ROFF? Joel Axelrad

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Do we have to put up with anti-smoking idiots even on ROFF? Joel Axelrad

Flames as well as smoke! — Bill

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Do we have to put up with anti-smoking idiots even on ROFF? Joel Axelrad

I’ve got a cigarette going right now!   Damn proud of it, too. And I think that the term "idiots" as joel posted is being way too kind.   Words like assholes, and pricks come to mind much more easily. I actually had to have a chat with my Gen Mgr and Human Resources person about it at work a couple weeks ago.  People were giving me shit constantly about it.  I asked them in that meeting that it be stopped permanently and immediately with this big smile on my face that suggested that a lawsuit totalling more than my companies net worth would be filed if it didn’t. It worked. I also smoke while fishing.  I have been known to accidently drop a butt in the river too, but that’s usually when a trout interupts my smoke break by choosing to hit my fly.  Pretty hard to put out a cigarrette and stick it in my vest when one of the leviathans of the South Platte is ripping line off my reel faster than I can think about it. I should also add that to compensate for may occaisional environmental faux pas I NEVER use those damned sticky foam bobbers that so many nymph fishers refer to a "strike indicators".  You find a lot more of those damned things littering the banks than cigarette butts. </chaz

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My only objection to people smoking safely and cleanly occurs when I breathe their effluent.  I would get pissed if they start a forest fire even if I cannot smell their smoke.  Unfortunately, the emitted crap can go a long way before it becomes innocuous.  As a courtesy, I would hope smokers would have the tact to avoid the situation where their smoke annoys others.  Many smokers are indeed courteous while a few seem to take pleasure in directing their smoke toward others. William Buchman

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Sense of humour failure,methinks! Pedanticism should be left to those who NEVER write anything that could be misconstrued, intentionally or

otherwise. Ahhh….joke ‘em if they can’t take a …. — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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<snipped but VERY well said Of course a good cigar *does* keep away black flies and PCJs.

Oh yeah, better than smearing that DEET shit all over your skin. I’ve often felt that rolling up a fat one for a day astream an excellent addition to my arsenal. (before anyone says a word I want it to be known that I know it’s illegal as hell and I don’t give a damn, okay?  And there’s no law against talking about it.  And a note for the kids:  Drugs are for sick people.) It doesn’t improve my fishing one bit, and probably hurts more than helps a creel count, but it sure makes those bungholes that make noise about my cigarrette smoking a lot easier to take. </chaz

Response:

William Buchman writes:

<<Many smokers are indeed courteous while a few seem to take pleasure in directing their smoke toward others. William Buchman Come on, Buchman.  Lighten up.  I smoked for 45 years and quit five years ago without any problems.  I have never seen a smoker getting his jollies by annoying others with his smoke, especially today.  Any smoke you get while fishing is thousands of times less dangerous than the exhaust smoke you inhaled driving to the stream.  The beauty of smoking outside is that you can position yourself so that the smoke blows away from you.  Ever tried that?  But walking down the street of any town or city is going to expose you to so much lung damage (as compared to cigarette smoke) that you should probably let your wife do all the shopping.  Never go to the mall, Buchman — way to much smoke (from cars and those %*& SUVs. Of course a good cigar *does* keep away black flies and PCJs. Dave LaCourse

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What I do have a problem with is telling young ROFF readers that a pipe, cigar, or chew is *mandatory* to the experience of flyfishing. Nonsense. No-one said it was mandatory.

What part of the following post do you not understand? Cigars or cigarettes are a strictly a no-no on the stream!   If you really want to "put on the dog" and fool the other flyfishermen into thinking that you know what you’re doing out on the stream, it is absolutely mandatory that you smoke a pipe. Path: lobby01.news.aol.com!newstf02.news.aol.com!portc01.blue.aol.com!news-peer. gip.net!news.gsl.net!gip.net!howland.erols.net!newscon04!prodigy.com!not-f or-mail Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly HTH

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Sense of humour failure,methinks! Pedanticism should be left to those who NEVER write anything that could be misconstrued, intentionally or otherwise. — Regards Peter (Please also reply by email, my server "loses" posts. Remove nospam to email)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What I do have a problem with is telling young ROFF readers that a pipe, cigar, or chew is *mandatory* to the experience of flyfishing. Nonsense. No-one said it was mandatory. What part of the following post do you not understand? Cigars or cigarettes are a strictly a no-no on the stream!   If you really want to "put on the dog" and fool the other flyfishermen into thinking that you know what you’re doing out on the stream, it is absolutely mandatory that you smoke a pipe. Path: lobby01.news.aol.com!newstf02.news.aol.com!portc01.blue.aol.com!news-peer. gip.net!news.gsl.net!gip.net!howland.erols.net!newscon04!prodigy.com!not-f or-mail Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly HTH

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Question:

I use a wheelchair and though I would be transferring from my chair into the boat. Any advice or recommendations of where to look would be greatly appreciated. I am a complete novice as far as boats are concerned and all information on things that I should consider will be gratefully received.

There is a printed magazine called "Sports n’ Spokes printed by PVA Publications (paralized vets) that covers outdoors and athletic activities for the wheelchair world.  I haven’t seen a copy in a couple years (used to be very good.) Can reach PVA pubs at 602-224-0500 They probably have some past issues with boating articles, plus they have a questions area. Gary Polson RBBI http://www.virtualpet.com/rbbi

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I would like some advice on what might be an appropriate style/make/model of small boat for use when either trolling or fly fishing on lakes. In the past I have used a converted 10 foot Portaboat with the center bench removed and a padded seat suspended between the front and back benches. A seat clamped onto a middle bench perched me too high and was not sufficiently stable for my comfort, which is why a three bench aluminum rowboat is probably not what I am seeking. I use a wheelchair and though I would be transferring from my chair into the boat, it must be something that allows be ready access from sitting on a dock to sliding into the boat. Climbing is not an option. My ideal boat would allow a small outboard motor and an electric trolling motor and have seating that allowed two people to sit comfortably and fish while at anchor. It should be light enough that one person could retrieve it and load it onto a trailer without any heavy lifting. I want something that is stable. Speed is not a consideration – just something to poodle about a calm lake. Any advice or recommendations of where to look would be greatly appreciated. I am a complete novice as far as boats are concerned and all information on things that I should consider will be gratefully received. Thanks, —

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would like some advice on what might be an appropriate style/make/model of small boat for use when either trolling or fly fishing on lakes. In the past I have used a converted 10 foot Portaboat with the center bench removed and a padded seat suspended between the front and back benches. A seat clamped onto a middle bench perched me too high and was not sufficiently stable for my comfort, which is why a three bench aluminum rowboat is probably not what I am seeking. I use a wheelchair and though I would be transferring from my chair into the boat, it must be something that allows be ready access from sitting on a dock to sliding into the boat. Climbing is not an option. My ideal boat would allow a small outboard motor and an electric trolling motor and have seating that allowed two people to sit comfortably and fish while at anchor. It should be light enough that one person could retrieve it and load it onto a trailer without any heavy lifting. I want something that is stable. Speed is not a consideration – just something to poodle about a calm lake. Any advice or recommendations of where to look would be greatly appreciated. I am a complete novice as far as boats are concerned and all information on things that I should consider will be gratefully received. Thanks, —

You do not list where you want to fish and what tpe of lake you are fishing so this may or may not be appropriate. I would look at a tri hull you should be able to pick up a used tri hull posibly arround 18-20 feet which if very stable for a couple thousand I would think.My father in law had one for years and it was nice boat. Another option would be a pontoon boat but I am not sure how easy that would be to trailor and how rough of water it would take. If you are fishing a larg lake like lake Erie I suggest you charter of go with a friend because a boat that can handle sudden storms typically has a lot of overhead like dockage and insurance etc. I think dockage arround here runs from about $700-1800 dollars another option which I recomend is use transient dockage. If you have a decent size boat you can put it in lake Erie at a Marina like Genva Stae park for about $22 per day so if you reserved a slip for Saturday you could come up fish Saturday and leave your boat in the wtaer after fishing and come back and go boating in the afternoon and evening and then then next morning you are already in he water so you can go out again and then at the end of the day take your boat home. If you sleep on the baot your showers etc are included in the price. If you come for 10 weekedns the cost is arround $220 and that is a beteer part of the summer.A caomparable dock is $1080 for a season so this is an alternative. Yo obviously would not be retricted to weekends only but you see the savings is there. I hope this helps Captain Bryce Seymour http://www.ncweb.com:80/biz/hooker/

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Question:

writes: I want to start tying flies but Im not sure how to get started.

Yeah Jeff, I started tying long ago and my flies were never truely correct. Tails too long, too much hackle, ect…. Then I finally picked up a video called "Tying Western Trout Flies" by Jack Dennis and then I started punching ‘em out! His address is Box 4158, Jackson Hole, Wy. 83001. Ph: 307-733-3253. There are many other good video’s available as well. You need to decide which flies you will use the most and go from there. Also, many fly shops offer classes at night. That’s a good way to meet people who can really help you. Best of luck. Cliff

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writes: I want to start tying flies but Im not sure how to get started. Any tips?                                                 thanks                                                   Jeff

Jeff,  not to be product specific, but there are lots of _kits_ from lots of vendors.  Bass Pro Shops has several all in a different price ranges.  Orvis has two (perhaps more) one just below $100 and one about $120.  These _kits_ are very good ways to start.  As you get better you can replace items for better ones.  The most important item is your vise.   Buy the best one you can afford.  I bought a cheap one and I now regret it.  When I can afford it I want to get a better one. Tight Lines and happy tying,

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I want to start tying flies but Im not sure how to get started. Any tips?                                                 thanks                                                   Jeff

Jeff, 1.  A previous follow-up recommended taking a class — this is certainly the best course.  I’ve taken three or four classes and learned new techniques from each.  A local fly shop or a Trout Unlimited chapter can put you onto a class. There is a Trout Unlimited Home Page which can direct you to a local chapter.   Also you could post a message in one or more of the fly fishing / tying newsgroups or at flyfishing.com.  2.  If a class is not available in your area, then search out an experienced tyer to help you.  He / she can save you lots of frustration and help you with acquiring suitable tools and materials. 3.  Your third alternative (in order of preference) is the purchase of some top notch instructional materials.  There are some excellent books and videos available.  You will probably want to get some books on tying techniques and fly patterns in any case.  A some of the better known authors include: Skip Morris, Dick Talleur, Eric Leiser, Jack Dennis and Randall Kaufman (not to slight any of the other fine writers).  The first three offer books for the beginner. 4.  Beware of kits.  Although some are very good (you might inquire about those) most lack high quality tools and materials.  Quality tools and materials will go a long way towards eliminating frustration and insuring acceptable results. 5.  A final word.  Although the first flies which you tie probably will not approach fly shop quality — fish them anyway!  Even ratty flies catch fish – I should know.  Fish are much less concerned with aesthetics than fishermen. And besides, your flies will improve with practice. Tight Lines, Derek Brown

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Jeff,  not to be product specific, but there are lots of _kits_ from lots of vendors.  Bass Pro Shops has several all in a different price ranges.  Orvis has two (perhaps more) one just below $100 and one about $120.  These _kits_ are very good ways to start.  

I have to jump in here.  Over on rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying, this is a frequent discussion topic.  In all cases, kits are thoroughly discouraged.  The common wisdom there suggests buying a core set of good quality tools and the materials to tie two or three flies that you already use from your local fly shop.  Then expand your tools and materials as you go. I have to agree with the advice in another post to contact your local fly fishing club.  There are folks there who just LOVE to teach!  You can learn anything you want by just asking at the club meeting. Tight threads, Charley

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Jeff,  not to be product specific, but there are lots of _kits_ from lots of vendors.  Bass Pro Shops has several all in a different price ranges.  Orvis has two (perhaps more) one just below $100 and one about $120.  These _kits_ are very good ways to start.

I disagree         If I had it to do over again, I would have purchased a good set of tools and gone to a fly shop to get material.  The first flytying kit I got was from  Bass Pro Shop (please everyone forgive me) and the quality of the material  was pathetic.  I could have done much better had I had access to people telling me to just get a set of tool sand feathers else where! Walter D. Whitman

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I would like to point out that a friend of mine has a great video out on fly tying instruction for kids…it’s very funny and informative…and it comes with a kit that might serve a kid starting out as a fly tier…you can call this guy about the video…406-549-4308.

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(BassMan918) writes: I want to start tying flies but Im not sure how to get started. Any tips?

Check out rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying — beginner questions are welcome, and a great deal of useful information turns up every week.  – Roger

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writes: I want to start tying flies but Im not sure how to get started. Any tips?

My first fly tying lesson was given to me by alf walker who had me tie a series of wets/nymphs  which were nothing more than a size ten hook tailled with brown hackle, and dubbed with a piece picked from the store carpet, with a hackle collar.  I may still have the original fly which was beautifuly proportioned as he tied it.  My only expenditures were thread, a small indian cape, and a few hooks.  You can tie most patterns down to size 16 whith relative ease, whithout cement, bobins, and vises.  Hackle pliers and scisors are useful for this kind of tying as are half hitches.  This is great fun, and you should have no difficulty tying basic patterns.  I remember walker telling me that I would never find tying so much fun as I then did with all my materials contained for the first few months in a small cardboard box.   Possibly so. Thomas – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –                                                 thanks                                                   Jeff Jeff,  not to be product specific, but there are lots of _kits_ from lots of vendors.  Bass Pro Shops has several all in a different price ranges.  Orvis has two (perhaps more) one just below $100 and one about $120.  These _kits_ are very good ways to start.  As you get better you can replace items for better ones.  The most important item is your vise.   Buy the best one you can afford.  I bought a cheap one and I now regret it.  When I can afford it I want to get a better one. Tight Lines and happy tying,

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I want to start tying flies but Im not sure how to get started. Any tips?                                                  thanks                                                    Jeff

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For me, taking a class was the way to go.  Simple "tricks" like starting the thread, spinning deer hair, and tying off would have been much tougher for me to pick up out of a book.  If there are any fly fishing shops under "fishing, retail" in the yellow pages, there is a good chance that they give lesseons, or they can direct you to the local fly fishing clubs, many of which will either have a class, or have experienced tyers who would be delighted to teach you.  Maybe other members can direct you to the better videos if neither of the above routes work out. Bill Mack

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For me fly tying is such an integral part of flyfishing, that I would hate to have to buy all of my flies.  It is a great way to keep your fishing nerves under control during those long closed seasons.  Thus it is great that you want to get into it.   Like flyfishing itself you can save yourself a good bit of trouble by having some hands-on training.  A night of classes at a fly shop or even through university extension programs (for example the University of Washington actually has classes in tying and fishing through the experimental college) would be a smart move.  If there are any local fishing clubs or shops around ask if they know anyone who might give you a short tutorial.  Also, definitely buy a vice.  It is possible to tie flies without one, but you will be much more frustated.  A reasonable vice can be purchased for around $30.  It won’t be fancy and you may find it hard for flies smaller than size 18, but it will get you rolling.  Most of the kits mentioned in one of the posts below have vices of this caliber.  Don’t be shy about asking someone to teach you, most of the fly tying books look like bad directions for assembling lint balls.  It is worth the effort, you’ll be hooked as soon as you catch your first fish on your own fly. cheers, Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – writes: I want to start tying flies but Im not sure how to get started. Any tips? My first fly tying lesson was given to me by alf walker who had me tie a series of wets/nymphs  which were nothing more than a size ten hook tailled with brown hackle, and dubbed with a piece picked from the store carpet, with a hackle collar.  I may still have the original fly which was beautifuly proportioned as he tied it.  My only expenditures were thread, a small indian cape, and a few hooks.  You can tie most patterns down to size 16 whith relative ease, whithout cement, bobins, and vises.  Hackle pliers and scisors are useful for this kind of tying as are half hitches.  This is great fun, and you should have no difficulty tying basic patterns.  I remember walker telling me that I would never find tying so much fun as I then did with all my materials contained for the first few months in a small cardboard box.   Possibly so. Thomas                                                 thanks                                                   Jeff Jeff,  not to be product specific, but there are lots of _kits_ from lots of vendors.  Bass Pro Shops has several all in a different price ranges.  Orvis has two (perhaps more) one just below $100 and one about $120.  These _kits_ are very good ways to start.  As you get better you can replace items for better ones.  The most important item is your vise.   Buy the best one you can afford.  I bought a cheap one and I now regret it.  When I can afford it I want to get a better one. Tight Lines and happy tying,

Response:

Question:

I plan on going fishing this weekend in Farmingham, Ct.  Any suggestions about where to eat, sleep. fish and drink.  Thanking you in advance for your help

I’ve lived in Connecticut for some 40 years, and haven’t encountered Farmingham, but then I’m always learning a new name for the 169 towns and hundreds more villages in this State.. However, I suspect you mean Farmington, and refer to the Farmington River, not the town located somewhat to the west of Hartford. The river has a trout management (catch and release) area extending about 5 miles north of the town of New Hartford which has some of the best fishing in Connecticut at this time of year because it is a cool-running tailwater. In my experience and because of that, it gets pounded at this time of year. However, it holds good fish and they are often catchable.   Check with the Classic and Custom FLy Shop in New Hartford for conditions, etc. (203) 738-3597. Good luck.

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I usually stay at the Hillside Motel, eat breakfast (blueberry pancakes) at Six-Ds and dinner at Athena pizzeria near Satan’s Kingdom. Custom and Classic is a good shop for fishing supplies but don’t call — the fishing is always great. They don’t sell licenses but can direct you to the hunting/fishing shop about a mile away. Definitely buy the Farmington River Anglers Association book and call their hotline (203) 738-7327 before your next trip. The catch and release TMA is crowded weekends but I go because I never get skunked. Caught a bunch of 11-12 inch browns last trip by rollcasting #18 ants on 7x Orvis fluorocarbon out to steady risers at the boneyards but they are EXTREMELY leader and micro-drag shy. The minature salmon are everywhere and can actually be a nuisance. Doug Johnson Stratus Computer, Marlborough, MA

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Question:

Fly fishing for Bass on the Kanawha River near Charleston, West Virginia is a trip.. Something not for the typical Fisherman. Now the water is up and very muddy, but when it go back down, I’ll let everyone know how the Fishing is…. Misha

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very muddy, but when it go back down, I’ll let everyone know how the Fishing is….

Yes please!  I especially like that strech just before Rt. 60 goes up into the mountains.  (would that be Gauly Bridge? ) Bob

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Question:

I’ll be teaching at Hollins College in Roanoke for the spring semester, February-May, and wonder if I should bring my gear with me…I know nothing about the nearby fishing, though I’ve fished some of the eastern streams.

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I spend some time down in the Blacksburg area (Va Tech grad) and I’d like to hear about fly fishing opportunities in SW VA.  So if you find out anything, let me know!   Thanks

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South fork of the HOlston river.  Opposite the hatchery for about 200 yards up and downstream.  incredibly huge trout.  average is around 4 pounds.  tough turf.  go small and pray for rain.  two weeks ago i landed a 23" rainbow.  no joke.  Bob Crawshaw  Flyfishing Virginia, L.L.C.   804-467-6668

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