Question:

Well we survived  . . .  barely. You see, it’s been raining, and it’s spring, and there’s been some snow melt.  That ends up with lots of high, dirty water.  We tried Friday, we tried Saturday, and tomorrow we’re going to the fishing show.  We know when we’re beat. Louie tried his nymphs, I tried my wets and Greg threw what ever he had but it made no difference – only the whistle trout were interested.   Louie did hook into one steelhead but since he had no idea what he was doing, he lost it.  The dumb ass – the only decent fish we were gonna see in those conditions and he lost it! On Friday, Louie puts on his new Patagonia waders, his new Patagonia, jacket, his new Patagonia whatever, . . . and one very shitty pair of boots.  At the end of the day, the boots had to go.  On Saturday, we went to Grindstone for new boots and Louie was outfitted with a new pair of Weinbrenners.  We’re suiting up and there’s Louie in his Patagonias (Orvis is officially fashion history) and there he is in his new boots, all set to fish with the tags still attached.  And I fish with this guy!!!!! Greg’s a little bemused by all of this and he’s beginning to wonder what he’s getting himself into.  I try to reassure him but the damage has been done.  Anyway we went, we came, we saw, we left defeated. Now we sit, drowning our sorrows in what ever is handy, ice wine, bordeaux, Macallans, Wild Turkey – hell, you make do with what you have. Cheers Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

Louie did hook into one steelhead but since he had no idea what he was doing, he lost it.  The dumb ass – the only decent fish we were gonna see in those conditions and he lost it!

Well is he hooked? On Friday, Louie puts on his new Patagonia waders, his new Patagonia, jacket, his new Patagonia whatever

Speaking of Patagonia, I was fishing the surf a few weeks ago when suddenly all these people show up with fly gear.  I was packing up after having caught a croaker.  I never did too well in this spot and never saw anyone else fly fishing so it was a bit of a surprise to realize that I’m not the only fool who likes to hang around a polluted river mouth whipping tungsten-laden PVC through the air at the end of a graphite stick.  Turns out they work at Patagonia and often conduct *field research* after work. Mu

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On Friday, Louie puts on his new Patagonia waders, his new Patagonia, jacket, his new Patagonia whatever, . . . and one very shitty pair of boots.  At the end of the day, the boots had to go.  On Saturday, we went to Grindstone for new boots and Louie was outfitted with a new pair of Weinbrenners.  We’re suiting up and there’s Louie in his Patagonias (Orvis is officially fashion history) and there he is in his new boots, all set to fish with the tags still attached.  And I fish with this guy!!!!!

Peter, part of the art of flyfishing is *lookg* right. Any one who looks the part earns the comment -"There’s a real fly fisher" If no fish are caught then it’s the dumb fish’s fault! I’ll bet the accommodation was first class though. — Bill Grey http://www.billboy.co.uk

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Question:

I too had a similar experience.   Was fishing a new rod and after a while, noticed I wasn’t able to shoot any line out.   Must’ve made a few more casts before realizing the guides were frozen solid. My advice?  If you’re fishing a small lake, try pouring some prestone in it. Keeps it from freezing.   It’s hopeless in a river as the current carries it all downstream and it makes for a very expensive outting. No serious replies please… i was just kidding. Ken. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ahh, ROFF the beautiful… I was in Utah all this week and at the last minute decided not to take a fly rod. That was a mistake because the weather kept getting warmer and warmer. By Wednesday all of the snow had melted and it was downright warm. Bummer. Guess I shoulda packed along a rod and called bc afterall. Anyway, although I checked in on ROFF from time to time while I was away, it took me quite a while to get caught up. Some truly hilarious stuff this week, indeed. Went fishing yesterday afternoon. Who’d a thunk it would be colder in Raleigh than in Utah? The wind finally died down and I took a quick trip over to the pond. A couple of disinterested takes but nothing landed. I started noticing this really odd scraping sound during my forward cast after I’d been fishing for about 10 minutes. I couldn’t figure out what it was. It kept getting louder and louder. The water wasn’t overly murky so it couldn’t be pond scum–maybe the guides are bent, I thought, or perhaps I missed a guide when I threaded up the rod. Duh. Turns out there was ice on the guides!  I had to keep breaking little ice chunks off the guides and line as it kept getting colder and colder. Somehow I thought I was going to be able to fish un-interrupted all year round. Hmm. –Steve Zimmerman

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it was downright warm. Bummer. Guess I shoulda packed along a rod and called bc afterall.

I say a pray to St. Peter, light a candle, we get beautiful weather, a nice midge hatch in the afternoon and your not there For your eyelet’s and ice, try dabbing them with a little RainX – it works. bc. — ROFF is like a herd of performing elephants with diarrhea — massive, difficult to redirect, awe-inspiring, entertaining, and a source of mind-boggling amounts of excrement when you least expect it."

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Happened to me today — and the reel froze solid. Beautiful day though, and I discovered some new water (for me anyway). -Palmer

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ahh, ROFF the beautiful… I was in Utah all this week and at the last minute decided not to take a fly rod. That was a mistake because the weather kept getting warmer and warmer. By Wednesday all of the snow had melted and it was downright warm. Bummer. Guess I shoulda packed along a rod and called bc afterall. Anyway, although I checked in on ROFF from time to time while I was away, it took me quite a while to get caught up. Some truly hilarious stuff this week, indeed. Went fishing yesterday afternoon. Who’d a thunk it would be colder in Raleigh than in Utah? The wind finally died down and I took a quick trip over to the pond. A couple of disinterested takes but nothing landed. I started noticing this really odd scraping sound during my forward cast after I’d been fishing for about 10 minutes. I couldn’t figure out what it was. It kept getting louder and louder. The water wasn’t overly murky so it couldn’t be pond scum–maybe the guides are bent, I thought, or perhaps I missed a guide when I threaded up the rod. Duh. Turns out there was ice on the guides!  I had to keep breaking little ice chunks off the guides and line as it kept getting colder and colder. Somehow I thought I was going to be able to fish un-interrupted all year round. Hmm. –Steve Zimmerman

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Ahh, ROFF the beautiful… I was in Utah all this week and at the last minute decided not to take a fly rod. That was a mistake because the weather kept getting warmer and warmer. By Wednesday all of the snow had melted and it was downright warm. Bummer. Guess I shoulda packed along a rod and called bc afterall. Anyway, although I checked in on ROFF from time to time while I was away, it took me quite a while to get caught up. Some truly hilarious stuff this week, indeed. Went fishing yesterday afternoon. Who’d a thunk it would be colder in Raleigh than in Utah? The wind finally died down and I took a quick trip over to the pond. A couple of disinterested takes but nothing landed. I started noticing this really odd scraping sound during my forward cast after I’d been fishing for about 10 minutes. I couldn’t figure out what it was. It kept getting louder and louder. The water wasn’t overly murky so it couldn’t be pond scum–maybe the guides are bent, I thought, or perhaps I missed a guide when I threaded up the rod. Duh. Turns out there was ice on the guides!  I had to keep breaking little ice chunks off the guides and line as it kept getting colder and colder. Somehow I thought I was going to be able to fish un-interrupted all year round. Hmm. –Steve Zimmerman

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<snipped Duh. Turns out there was ice on the guides!  I had to keep breaking little ice chunks off the guides and line as it kept getting colder and colder. Somehow I thought I was going to be able to fish un-interrupted all year round. Hmm. –Steve Zimmerman

Geeze Steve, That sounds like a mirror image of what happened to me on my last local pond trip! Definitely no fishing for a while until this cold snap (Ha!) buggers off. It’s kinda good that we’re almost through January. Only two more months before it get’s reasonable again! Who hoo! — Michael Era

Question:

I live in Boise and was wondering if there are any clubs or whatever to get me started in fly fishing.  I have fly fished  twice so I do not want to hinder/go with Pros.  Need a start as to where to go (spots), what equipment to get and so on.  Any help would be appreciated. Jeff

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Hi Jeff, I don’t live in Idaho but have been a member of the Long Island(NY) Chapter of Trout Unlimited for 10 years & I have learned how to fish but more importantly I have learned about conservation .I did a search at  WWW.TU.ORG & found a chapter in Boise You can give their president a call & find out when they meet. Good Luck Sol Harz       Ted Trueblood Chapter — Andy Brunelle – President       PO Box 1971       Boise ID 83702       208-343-1510 (h)       www.idfishnhunt.com/tutedt.htm

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whatever to get me started in fly fishing.  

Go to www.fedflyfishers.org to hook up with their closest fly fishing club.I am sure they have one in Boise.Our local club has rod making classes, fly tying classes,casting lessons, monthly outings etc.Go on one of their outings and play with their toys.Most flyfishers have some toys for sale so they can upgrade.Also most clubs have an a club auction at least once a year for fundraising which is another place to get equipment at very reasonable cost.Have fun! Big Dale

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Jeff, Talk to John at Angler’s Fly Shop.  He has some great beginners classes in both fly fishing and fly tying.  He is also very willing to help a person new to the sport get started.  There are some great spots near Boise, I live in Meridian. Once the Boise River drops for Fall and Winter there are some great spots close to home.  You can also attend the Boise Valley Fly Fishermen or Fly Fishermen of Idaho, I’m not sure of their meeting times or anything else.  But, it takes a while to get to know the people there.  I went a few years ago to the BVFF and not a single person talked to me.  Let me know how things go, I can give you some of my spots for Fall and Winter.   Tight Lines, Clint

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Best way to learn and get involved is to come to the next joint meeting of the Ted Trueblood Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Boise Valley Fly Fishermen. We  will continue our joint member meetings at 600 N. Curtis (Odd Fellows Hall),  across from West Junior High School.  Fly tying begins at 6:30 p.m., and the  meeting at 7:30 p.m. SEPTEMBER 14 MEETING PROGRAM by Rick Prange         Monte McClendon is going to do a program on two conservation projects that BVFF  and Trout Unlimited has been involved with.  He will be giving us an update on  the excellent stream recovery that has occurred at Long Tom Creek since we  first built fence there in 1996.  We followed up with a willow plant in 1997.  Over the last several seasons, Monte has been monitoring the riparian  vegetation restoration and has some slides that vividly show how the  stream/trout habitat has improved.  Regional IDFG Fishery Manager, Dale Allen,  will also provide results of electrofishing Long Tom Creek for trout in the  project area.  Blackstone Reservoir is the second project that Monte and Dale  will be discussing with us.  Blackstone has been stocked by IDFG with 5,000  6-inch sterile rainbow trout to help establish a potential quality fishery.  Dale has recommended that limited harvest/gear restrictions at Blackstone be  approved by the IDFG Commission for the next 2-year fishing regulation period.  We have a club project/outing scheduled at Blackstone in early October.  Monte  will be filling us in on that.  Fly tying demos start at 6:30.

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Question:

How many of you use a whipped loop on your fly line to which you connect your looped leaders? Seems like this makes a lot of sense … yet the books don’t really discuss it … at least the books I have read … tried it for shooting head system … works well there …. John

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How many of you use a whipped loop on your fly line to which you connect your looped leaders?

<SNIP You are describing the NAIL KNOT!

<SNIP I didn’t think he was describing a nail knot.  I thought he was talking about creating some sort of ‘loop’ in the end of his fly line, not tying a loop onto the end of the line with a nail knot. Could just be my misinterpretation though (certainly wouldn’t be the first time). Dave If we didn’t have some bad days, they would call it ‘catching’, not ‘fishing’.

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You are describing the NAIL KNOT! It has always bothered me that the same knot gets different names depending upon how it is used. Nail knot Whip finish Snell They all are the same knot, even if made differently.

"Whipping" is NOT a nail knot.   It involves using a smaller diameter line or thread to secure a doubled-back portion of the main line. [Large lines (what non-sailors call "ropes") are whipped with heavy twine.]   In the case of whipping a loop in the end of a flyline, it involves stripping off a section of the coating, then folding it back and "whipping" the overlap with rod-wrapping or fly-tying thread. The "whip finish" refers to the way you end "whipping,"   It is not the same as a nail knot, either!   (See page 102, "Practical Fishing Knots II," Sosin and Kreh, 1991, Lyons and Burford, New York, NY) Bob Scott Ex-Navy

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How many of you use a whipped loop on your fly line to which you connect your looped leaders?

Me. Then loop to a surgeons loop in the bimini of 6′ of 20# flourocarbon. It isn’t a nail not, by the way. Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "Lie ? Me ? Never!  No, no, no, the truth is far too much fun !" – Captain Hook

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To others as well. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You are describing the NAIL KNOT! It has always bothered me that the same knot gets different names depending upon how it is used. Nail knot Whip finish Snell They all are the same knot, even if made differently. "Whipping" is NOT a nail knot.   It involves using a smaller diameter line or thread to secure a doubled-back portion of the main line. [Large lines (what non-sailors call "ropes") are whipped with heavy twine.]   In the case of whipping a loop in the end of a flyline, it involves stripping off a section of the coating, then folding it back and "whipping" the overlap with rod-wrapping or fly-tying thread. The "whip finish" refers to the way you end "whipping,"   It is not the same as a nail knot, either!   (See page 102, "Practical Fishing Knots II," Sosin and Kreh, 1991, Lyons and Burford, New York, NY)

These do describe the same mathematical topological entity as a nail knot. When you ignore such properties as the size of the various lines or ropes, the fundamental structure of all these knots is the same even though they may superficially look different. Bill

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Hi John, Give it a try and see if it works out for you. I have seen it on many anglers lines that have come though the stores that I have worked. 1) You can turn back the flyline and wip a loop with the core. 2) You can use some dacron line for the lopop too. 3) You can use a factory braided mono loop or make your own braided mono loop. I try to test all the different knots, connections and systems to see how they work. What you or I choose to use ourselves is meaningless as there are so many ways to do all of this. PS: I prefer to ‘needle nail knot’ the mono butt of my leader to the fly line and I do see it is very popular for fresh water fishing in the California.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many of you use a whipped loop on your fly line to which you connect your looped leaders? Seems like this makes a lot of sense … yet the books don’t really discuss it … at least the books I have read … tried it for shooting head system … works well there …. John

Response:

How many of you use a whipped loop on your fly line to which you connect your looped leaders? Seems like this makes a lot of sense … yet the books don’t really discuss it … at least the books I have read … tried it for shooting head system … works well there …. John

You are describing the NAIL KNOT! It has always bothered me that the same knot gets different names depending upon how it is used. Nail knot Whip finish Snell They all are the same knot, even if made differently. Bill

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Question:

Anyone using a fly line with sinking tip for nymphs or streamer fishing? If so, do you use weighted nymph? How long for the leader/tippet? In what circumstances should such lines be used? I have tested scientific angler class 3 and class 5 in a park near my home. Class 3 was hard to cast. Class 5 was very hard to cast. Comments and recommendation anyone?

I agree with the gentleman previous toi this thread. When you cast heavy line of any kind (above 7) the idea is to false cast NEVER, well maybe once if you have to. On the Roannoke in NC casting for those monster sex crazed stripers, I cast a seven wt with a fast sinker to get it down in the seams that would whip a weighted fly all over. The technique is to find  a pocket cast to the side, draw the line to the suface with a slow backcast, then just before the fly reaches the suface, load the rod by the surface tension of the water. even with this powerful back cast-not by the speed of it, but by loading the rod, you get the line in the air. Make your foreward cast count-and place your fly. If you back cast here, your line will drop,it s just too heavy. If you muff the cast, Start from the begining or suffer frustration. Good luck and tight lines! Thanks to Lefty for this tip, he deserves the credit. Steve

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Leader length of 3 or 4 feet work well for me. Weight the nymph as you see appropriate. Most cases an unweighted nymph is best. Some flies seem to benefit from weight of some sort. Casting sink tips requires a more carefull, slower stroke, don’t hold too much line in the air and keep false casting to a minimum. Ralph H – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone using a fly line with sinking tip for nymphs or streamer fishing? If so, do you use weighted nymph? How long for the leader/tippet? In what circumstances should such lines be used? I have tested scientific angler class 3 and class 5 in a park near my home. Class 3 was hard to cast. Class 5 was very hard to cast. Comments and recommendation anyone?

Response:

Jean, Try the AirFlo Fast Sink or Intermediate Sink leaders.  They cast extremely well and the Fast Sink really takes the fly down.  I have been using one this week to cast small Clousers to shad in the Rappahannock and it is working beautifully.  I use a heavier, stiffer (regular monofilament) tippet and keep it to under 3 feet.  The AirFlo leader comes in a 10 foot length for Fast Sink.  If they have the 5 foot model out now it might be a good bet depending on where and what you are fishing.  Another handy thing is they handshake to a line loop and a surgeon’s knot on one end of the tippet. Makes swapping between floating and sinking a matter of seconds and changing tippets the same. Wayne To fish is human…to release divine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone using a fly line with sinking tip for nymphs or streamer fishing? If so, do you use weighted nymph? How long for the leader/tippet? In what circumstances should such lines be used? I have tested scientific angler class 3 and class 5 in a park near my home. Class 3 was hard to cast. Class 5 was very hard to cast. Comments and recommendation anyone?

Response:

Anyone using a fly line with sinking tip for nymphs or streamer fishing? If so, do you use weighted nymph? How long for the leader/tippet? In what circumstances should such lines be used? I have tested scientific angler class 3 and class 5 in a park near my home. Class 3 was hard to cast. Class 5 was very hard to cast. Comments and recommendation anyone?

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Question:

I am a flyfishing newbie.  Can someone recommend a good video which teaches the basics of flycasting?  I’m mostly going to be fishing saltwater using 9 weight and heavier rods, casting streamers.  I would especially like to learn to "double haul" and "spey cast".  Thank you for your replies.                                                           Spy in Hawaii

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You might try http://www.troutangler.com and ask Zane or Tom about a video. I’m think they could recommend one to you. — happy trails, Mike & Vivian Foate Rocking Horse Ranch Arvada, Wyoming be sure mosey through our online/ranch bookstore and our music CDs and movies shop! http://www.rockinghorseranch.com

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Question:

Why is anyone bothering to answer questions about catfish BAIT? This is FLYFISHING. We don’t use BAIT.

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I have found that a ball of chicken liver on a medium size treble hook works well in most situations.

BBBbbbbbbut chicken liver flies right off the hook when you’re fly fishing.  Fresh pork skin is the best way for the fly fisherman —  * Center for Computational Biology  * Montana State Bozeman  (406) 994-7061  * http://www.nervana.montana.edu/~sandy */

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Hey…. Martha Stuart of Flyfishing <g <g <g Yuk Yuk Yuk !!! Are you still using the Hot Glue gun to tie your flies (I just came across your article from the Disco era) ?. I (obviously) found it amusing as hell….sorry…<g I also saw your foam nymphs in the Umpqua book…congratulations… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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We don’t use BAIT.

Gary C. "Lie ? Me ? Never!  No, no, no, the truth is far too much fun !" – Captain Hook

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Why is anyone bothering to answer questions about catfish BAIT? This is FLYFISHING. We don’t use BAIT.

    Some of us not only flyfish, but on occasion I personally enjoy sitting down on the old river bank and do some bait chucking while relaxing on a lawn chair…..     For catties, a ball of Valetta cheese works pretty good.  Nothing however beats the good old nightcrawler though for catching the greatest variety of all fish in local streams, lakes, and rivers…..     I guess I should thank who started this thread, the water is a little unwadeable at my favorite flyfishing stream, maybe I’ll have to get my spinning outfits out today and grab a can of worms and go drown some worms this weekend ) –Randy

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Beginning angler, need advice: What would be best live/artificial Baits to catch Catfish & Bass? What should be the best locations in the streams (no current, fast current, ponds, depths, etc…) where Catfish or Bass are concentrated? Thank you very much indeed.

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Brian, I haven’t done alot of catfishing but I ran across a guy the other day and he said he uses a product called junnies (do a search on the web). he said he bought the stuff off the internet and that a catfish guide told him about it he stated that the guide had the maker come fishing with him and they caught 10 to 1 (maker vs. guide). I do alot of creek fishing and catch alot of bass. I use a lure by rebel called a creek hopper. On a good day I catch and relese about 30 (1/2lb to 1 1/2lds) bass and no telling how many sunfish. you can also check: <A HREF="http:www.tn-outdoors.comtn-outdoors.com</A for other fishing and hunting articles. happy fishing Larry

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I have found that a ball of chicken liver on a medium size treble hook works well in most situations. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Beginning angler, need advice: What would be best live/artificial Baits to catch Catfish & Bass? What should be the best locations in the streams (no current, fast current, ponds, depths, etc…) where Catfish or Bass are concentrated? Thank you very much indeed.

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I have a question:  how do you get the chicken livers to stay on the hook.  I got some fresh chicken livers to use for bait and they were the consistancy of mush.  I would have had a better chance of trying to put grape jelly on the hook.  I have heard you can freeze them but this seems like a messy job.   Any suggestions you can give would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have found that a ball of chicken liver on a medium size treble hook works well in most situations. Beginning angler, need advice: What would be best live/artificial Baits to catch Catfish & Bass? What should be the best locations in the streams (no current, fast current, ponds, depths, etc…) where Catfish or Bass are concentrated? Thank you very much indeed.

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Question:

Anyone been to the MacKenzie Trail Lodge in B.C…… we saw the owner at the sportsman show in denver and are thinking about going next summer….would like some feedback on the place if anyone has been there.

Response:

Anyone been to the MacKenzie Trail Lodge in B.C…… we saw the owner at the sportsman show in denver and are thinking about going next summer….would like some feedback on the place if anyone has been there.

I have visited Tsasha Lake and stayed with Bill the last 4 years. The dry fly fishing on the Blackwater is excellent. I fished in June, July, and August and found the fishing good any month but I prefer June. The weather is cooler and it has a better chance of rain but the fishing makes up for it. Lots of fish-a 50 fish day on the Blackwater is probably below average if you spend any time and effort. I only counted fish one day (my first) and easily topped 100 fish. The real trick on the Blackwater is getting into larger fish 16". There are fly outs available and some of the lakes offer larger fish. Bill will steer you to the spot that will meet your needs. There are a few walk in lakes that offer good fishing. One has very nice fish but it is possible to get skunked. I always give it a shot and catch fish about 1/2 the time. I tie flies for Bill and give seminars after the feasts they call dinner. So factor in my biasis. Perhaps others will have more to say. — Vic Brockett Vic’s Fly-By-Night http://www.navicom.com/~vic

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Question:

Anyone know the Nooksak area around Mt Baker?I would like to check it out this month.Hot spots,tips.flys? Any hints would be helpful as I really dont know the area that well.Thanks.

Response:

Anyone know the Nooksak area around Mt Baker?I would like to check it out this month.Hot spots,tips.flys? Any hints would be helpful as I really dont know the area that well.Thanks.

The silvers are in…I talked to Michael Martin today at The Morning Hatch in Tacoma.  472-1072.  You might want to give him a call.   Steve Egge

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Question:

Just so you know, seminar fees are only $385; fishing and hunting portions of the trip are not deductible. With outfitters,lodges,speakers, materials to be paid, it is no more profitable than than any other legitimate business. Basically, it’s the same kind of deduction any business or profession can take for business-related expenses and available to just about anyone in any profession or business who qualifies. Requirements are tight -nobody is being taken advantage of.

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: Just so you know, seminar fees are only $385; fishing and hunting portions : of the trip are not deductible. With outfitters,lodges,speakers, : materials to be paid, it is no more profitable than than any other : legitimate business. Basically, it’s the same kind of deduction any : business or profession can take for business-related expenses and : available to just about anyone in any profession or business who : qualifies. Requirements are tight -nobody is being taken advantage of. Don’t try and doubletalk the good folks.  Travel and accomodations are tax deductible.  Fishing and hunting guide fees are probably not deductible.   (At least that is what a tax professional told me when I asked about some work related deducaitons.)  You didn’t address the objections raised about posting here.  Many of us would prefer blatant commercial posts with no content not be posted here. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Assistant professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

Response:

Don’t try and doubletalk the good folks.  Travel and accomodations are tax deductible.  Fishing and hunting guide fees are probably not deductible. (At least that is what a tax professional told me when I asked about some work related deducaitons.)  You didn’t address the objections raised about posting here.  Many of us would prefer blatant commercial posts with no content not be posted here. –Rick

I agree with you regarding the posting of this sort of commercial add.   Regarding travel and accomodations:  these expenses are deductable only if the primary purpose for which they were incurred relates to the educational seminar.  In other words, one cannot take a one day seminar in Montana, followed by 4 days of fly fishing and then write off the all of the travel and expenses.  I believe most of this topic is covered in 26 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Sec. 1.162-5 Expenses for education. A few examples from 26 CFR Sec 1.162-5 are set forth below, enjoy:     "Example (1). A, a self-employed tax practitioner, decides to take     a 1-week course in new developments in taxation, which is offered     in City X, 500 miles away from his home.  His primary purpose in     going to X is to take the course, but he also takes a side trip to     City Y (50 miles from X) for 1 day, takes a sightseeing trip while     in X, and entertains some personal friends.  A’s transportation     expenses to City X and return to his home are deductible but his     transportation expenses to City Y are not deductible.  A’s expenses     for meals and lodging while away from home will be allocated     between his educational pursuits and his personal activities.     Those expenses which are entirely personal, such as sightseeing and     entertaining friends, are not deductible to any extent.       Example (2). The facts are the same as in example (1) except that     A’s primary purpose in going to City X is to take a vacation.  This     purpose is indicated by several factors, one of which is the fact     that he spends only 1 week attending the tax course and devotes 5     weeks entirely to personal activities.  None of A’s transportation     expenses are deductible and his expenses for meals and lodging     while away from home are not deductible to the extent attributable     to personal activities.  His expenses for meals and lodging     allocable to the week attending the tax course are, however,     deductible.       Example (3). B, a high school mathematics teacher in New York     City, in the summertime travels to a university in California in     order to take a mathematics course the expense of which is     deductible under this section.  B pursues only one-fourth of a full     course of study and the remainder of her time is devoted to     personal activities the expense of which is not deductible.  Absent     a showing by B of a substantial nonpersonal reason for taking the     course in the university in California, the trip is considered     taken primarily for personal reasons and the cost of traveling from     New York City to California and return would not be deductible.     However, one-fourth of the cost of B’s meals and lodging while     attending the university in California may be considered properly     allocable to deductible educational pursuits and, therefore, is     deductible." If you realy want to see the rest of this code section, let me know. Andy

Response:

Andy What if you "attend" a meeting for 30 minutes each day and have the rest of the day off? Each day would be a training day! DB

Caveat;  I’m no tax attorney, but I’ll give my two cents. The regs require that the primary purpose of the travel, lodging, etc. be for the educational seminar before the costs can be deducted.  Were I the IRS agent (not an enviable position), I would have to conclude that the primary purpose of a trip composed of 30 mins of educational seminar per day, followed by as many hours as one can fit in the rest of the day for fishing, would be fishing not professional education. Accordingly, travel, lodging, etc. expenses would not be deductible.  Maybe you would be allowed to prorate the expense, however.  That is, deduct expense in proportion to time spent on legit pursuits.  Well, legit according to the IRS, anyway. Exactly how much time you must spend in seminars per dya to make all expenses deductible, I don’t know.  I imagine that would be evalauted on a case-by-case basis. Andy

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