Question:

Thanks Noah. Yes I am planning on starting out from Chokoloskee.  I will be paddling with the wife.  My friend and his wife will be going also.  He is familiar with the area and we will be traveling together, in separate canoes of course. Yes, you can catch Tarpon in a canoe.  Just tighten the drag down and let him pull you around for a while until he gets tired. Hopefully be there in March.  Thanks for the info.  The canoe is in my backyard as I type this.  Woo Hoo! Frosty – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sounds like a doable choice to me. I paddled around out there for about three weeks a couple Februaries ago and, although I don’t own a Chgamplain, a friend of mine does and I’ve done a couple overnighters with her in it (you know what I mean). I’ve found that the Champlain’s relatively low profile does well in the waves and wind and, if you’re planning on paddling at all on the outside down there, that’ll be most important. I gotta say that paddling solo in that wind might be quite a challenge. At 18′, even with a relatively low profile, you’ll get pushed around solo pretty good. The boat tracks very well, however, and if you really load it up, you’ll do as well as in any other. Are you gonna fish? I was almost afraid to, being a wimpy trout fisherman, the thought of a 35 pound tarpon on my fly rod was a bit intimidating. I know they do it on those fishing shows, but geez. Where are you going? I used Chokoloskee as a base and bumped around in the 10000 islands, stopping to get water every 6 days or so, of course there were two of us so solo you might not need to come out so often. If you haven’t been there before, make sure you reserve campsites with the rangers, try to get the chickees – lean-tos in the water, raised on stilts – ("land" sites are either mud pits or skeeter infested like you wouldn’t believe, worse than black flies in Quebec), and be careful about trying to stretch days – the campsites are relatively few and far between. Adios. Jealous. PS – I suggest reading Peter Matthiesson’s -Lost Man’s River- while you’re out there. It can be a daunting hunk of book at times, but a good read while you’re in the midst of it all.

Response:

Considering buying the We-no-nah Champlain 18′ canoe in Kevlar with a gelcoat.  I am a large fellow (#240) and was wondering what the performance of this boat would be.  Mainly planning on paddling the Everglades where you have to take your water with you also.  This will carry a large load according to the manufacturer, but was interested in comments. Anybody own one? Thanks, Frosty

Response:

Sounds like a doable choice to me. I paddled around out there for about three weeks a couple Februaries ago and, although I don’t own a Chgamplain, a friend of mine does and I’ve done a couple overnighters with her in it (you know what I mean). I’ve found that the Champlain’s relatively low profile does well in the waves and wind and, if you’re planning on paddling at all on the outside down there, that’ll be most important. I gotta say that paddling solo in that wind might be quite a challenge. At 18′, even with a relatively low profile, you’ll get pushed around solo pretty good. The boat tracks very well, however, and if you really load it up, you’ll do as well as in any other. Are you gonna fish? I was almost afraid to, being a wimpy trout fisherman, the thought of a 35 pound tarpon on my fly rod was a bit intimidating. I know they do it on those fishing shows, but geez. Where are you going? I used Chokoloskee as a base and bumped around in the 10000 islands, stopping to get water every 6 days or so, of course there were two of us so solo you might not need to come out so often. If you haven’t been there before, make sure you reserve campsites with the rangers, try to get the chickees – lean-tos in the water, raised on stilts – ("land" sites are either mud pits or skeeter infested like you wouldn’t believe, worse than black flies in Quebec), and be careful about trying to stretch days – the campsites are relatively few and far between. Adios. Jealous. PS – I suggest reading Peter Matthiesson’s -Lost Man’s River- while you’re out there. It can be a daunting hunk of book at times, but a good read while you’re in the midst of it all. Considering buying the We-no-nah Champlain 18′ canoe in Kevlar with a gelcoat.  I am a large fellow (#240) and was wondering what the performance of this boat would be.  Mainly planning on paddling the Everglades where you have to take your water with you also.  This will carry a large load according to the manufacturer, but was interested in comments. Anybody own one? Thanks, Frosty

Response:

Question:

I have a fly rod and have used it about twice fishing for trout in stocked lochs. What I require is some information about coaching or lessons if any in fly fishing, there are a few techniques that I really would like to get the hang of. Any response would be much appreciated (I really mean that!). Before you buy.

Response:

It would help if you told us where you are (I’m assuming Scotland?). Getting a response from somebody local to you would help better then me telling you we give lessons every Spring in West Springfield, MA. –Stan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a fly rod and have used it about twice fishing for trout in stocked lochs. What I require is some information about coaching or lessons if any in fly fishing, there are a few techniques that I really would like to get the hang of. Any response would be much appreciated (I really mean that!). Before you buy.

Response:

I do have some knowledge of loch fishing techniques.  If you don’t want to send me a ticket and put me up for two or three weeks, I suggest you take the winter off and study.  Then go to the Chatsworth Angling Fair at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire in March.  You will meet an incredible number of people who will be more than glad to teach you (for a fee and for free).  You can buy equipment and hang out in fly fishing’s largest candy store.  Wear your wellies as its in a sheep pasture.  You might also want to post to the uk usenet "rec — game" (help me out here folks, what is the name of the Uk fly fishing usenet?).          Cheers               Frank Reid – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It would help if you told us where you are (I’m assuming Scotland?). Getting a response from somebody local to you would help better then me telling you we give lessons every Spring in West Springfield, MA. –Stan I have a fly rod and have used it about twice fishing for trout in stocked lochs. What I require is some information about coaching or lessons if any in fly fishing, there are a few techniques that I really would like to get the hang of. Any response would be much appreciated (I really mean that!). Before you buy.

Before you buy.

Response:

I have a fly rod and have used it about twice fishing for trout in stocked lochs. What I require is some information about coaching or lessons if any in fly fishing, there are a few techniques that I really would like to get the hang of.

You could purchase or rent vidoes from a fly shop.  Those with Mel Krieger or Lefty Kreh are fairly good.  Some fly shops offer simple free lessons in their yard or parking lot.  Another good place to go is a local fly fishing club.  You make no mention of where you so it’s difficult to offer more precise advice. Mu

Response:

I have a fly rod and have used it about twice fishing for trout in stocked lochs. What I require is some information about coaching or lessons if any in fly fishing, there are a few techniques that I really would like to get the hang of.

Hi Sounds like you are in Scotland. If you would care to buy a copy of the Trout and Salmon magazine you will find a number of instructors advertising in the classifieds. If you do not find one near you, contact the nearest and he or she will be able to put you in contact with the nearest registered APGAI, REFFIS or STANIC instructor to you. There are also a number of excellent instructional videos available, again see the Trout and Salmon mag. Pleas for help like this are more easily answered if you give a closer indication as to your whereabouts. Tight lines Chris

Response:

Check out www.letsflyfish.com Ally

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a fly rod and have used it about twice fishing for trout in stocked lochs. What I require is some information about coaching or lessons if any in fly fishing, there are a few techniques that I really would like to get the hang of. Any response would be much appreciated (I really mean that!). Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

My personal, if rarely met, standard is that it is a real vacation if my contribution to the housekeeping is tipping the staff.

YES — my thoughts precisely.  I have told DH numerous times that if I have to make a bed, wash a dish or cook anything besides nuked popcorn, then I am NOT on holiday!!!!!   The only exception to this was when we still lived in Lizard Land and we would go to the cabin in the mtns for the weekend.  ANYTHING that got me out of that *$*%*&%^ heat was a holiday — LOLOLOL!   For the ultimate in "do nothing" holidays, take a cruise — talk about sybaritic pleasure!!!   CiaoMeow ^;;^< . PAX, Tia Mary   ^;;^<     Angels can’t show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!!     Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs — and they make the BEST specialty fibers too! No husband was ever shot doing dishes!

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For a quarter?!?  Wow I am envious. I won’t be able to go garage saling until next week.     Deb Wise – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I had a bit of good luck at a yardsale yesterday.  For a quarter I bought a shopping bag of cross stitch supplies.  In it was a scroll frame with an assortment of bars, a Lo-ran thread holder with cards, a magnetic pattern board, somewhere around a hundred and fifty skeins of DMC, about ten odd pieces of fabric and a couple of booklets.   I am feeling quite smug at the moment. LOL!   I also found eight books on crafts and a cookbook that I didn’t have, but they weren’t such a bargain- I paid fifty cents each for those. Nan Scott

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My idea of roughing it is the Hilton with room service!! LOL Donna

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I wouldn’t trade my camping trips for a cruise any day.  There are so many priceless moments with the kids!  Just picture my little girl, learning fly-fishing on the beach of a lake last year.  She was doing really good, and she got a bite.  My DH had told her to give it a tug and set the hook.  Well, the poor dear pulled like she’d hooked a shark, and a very surprised little girl had a little bluegill fly past her head and land about 20 feet behind her.  She caught it!  She was pleased, then asked if this 4 inch fish was too small to eat.  We quickly let the poor thing go, but what a memory!  Huddled together in a tent in the thunderstorm is another matter.  Lovin’ the great outdoors, Greta

Response:

My idea of roughing it is the Hilton with room service!! LOL Donna

Me too!!  I wasn’t raised *roughing it* but my husband was.  Guess who had to change!!!! Candi

Response:

    I agree!  DH wants to go camping for vacation.  I told him to drop me at the nearest Motel 6 (or preferably Marriott), and pick me up on the way back.   Sleeping on the ground and cooking over a campstove (or fire) are not my idea of a nice vacation!         Di’mn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My personal, if rarely met, standard is that it is a real vacation if my contribution to the housekeeping is tipping the staff. YES — my thoughts precisely.  I have told DH numerous times that if I have to make a bed, wash a dish or cook anything besides nuked popcorn, then I am NOT on holiday!!!!!   The only exception to this was when we still lived in Lizard Land and we would go to the cabin in the mtns for the weekend.  ANYTHING that got me out of that *$*%*&%^ heat was a holiday — LOLOLOL!   For the ultimate in "do nothing" holidays, take a cruise — talk about sybaritic pleasure!!! CiaoMeow ^;;^< . PAX, Tia Mary   ^;;^< Angels can’t show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!! Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs — and they make the BEST specialty fibers too! No husband was ever shot doing dishes!

Response:

This is what you need to tell him. You’ll go camping WHEN you have a FULLY loaded class A motor home, with a full bath, complete working kitchen and a closet JUST for your stash. And that he’s cooking and cleaning while you are on vacation <G.  It works sometimes! We got a 1978 motorhome, but it has a stove, oven and microwave, a bathroom with shower and a closet with MY stash for stitching in the afternoons <VBG. It also has a TV and VCR!                         Cindy  - who refuses to sleep on the ground after it rained and the whole tent tried to float away!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     I agree!  DH wants to go camping for vacation.  I told him to drop me at the nearest Motel 6 (or preferably Marriott), and pick me up on the way back.   Sleeping on the ground and cooking over a campstove (or fire) are not my idea of a nice vacation!         Di’mn My personal, if rarely met, standard is that it is a real vacation if my contribution to the housekeeping is tipping the staff. YES — my thoughts precisely.  I have told DH numerous times that if I have to make a bed, wash a dish or cook anything besides nuked popcorn, then I am NOT on holiday!!!!!   The only exception to this was when we still lived in Lizard Land and we would go to the cabin in the mtns for the weekend.  ANYTHING that got me out of that *$*%*&%^ heat was a holiday — LOLOLOL!   For the ultimate in "do nothing" holidays, take a cruise — talk about sybaritic pleasure!!! CiaoMeow ^;;^< . PAX, Tia Mary   ^;;^< Angels can’t show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!! Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs — and they make the BEST specialty fibers too! No husband was ever shot doing dishes!

Response:

Have to laugh because we are getting ready to head out for a Civil War reenactment at Wilson’s Creek, Missouri and not only will I be camping, it will be 1861 for the wekend – water in wooden casks (and don’t ask who’ll be using wooden buckets to haul it into camp), open fire cooking, and candles for lighting.  And all this as a proper 19th century lady, petticoated and corsetted.  Needless to say I am NOT bringing good needlework projects to camp – they aren’t period and they are too expensive to risk in the outdoors – it will be knitting and quilting for me this weekend. — Janet Rice

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     I agree!  DH wants to go camping for vacation.  I told him to drop me at the nearest Motel 6 (or preferably Marriott), and pick me up on the way back.   Sleeping on the ground and cooking over a campstove (or fire) are not my idea of a nice vacation!         Di’mn My personal, if rarely met, standard is that it is a real vacation if my contribution to the housekeeping is tipping the staff. YES — my thoughts precisely.  I have told DH numerous times that if I have to make a bed, wash a dish or cook anything besides nuked popcorn, then I am NOT on holiday!!!!!   The only exception to this was when we still lived in Lizard Land and we would go to the cabin in the mtns for the weekend.  ANYTHING that got me out of that *$*%*&%^ heat was a holiday — LOLOLOL!   For the ultimate in "do nothing" holidays, take a cruise — talk about sybaritic pleasure!!! CiaoMeow ^;;^< . PAX, Tia Mary   ^;;^< Angels can’t show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!! Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs — and they make the BEST specialty fibers too! No husband was ever shot doing dishes!

Response:

We have 1992 motorhome, which was our ONLY home for four years, while we wandered the United States.My husband considered it "roughing it" if the microwave broke, or trees blocked out the satellite dish! Nowadays, roughing it is when he gets to a campground, and there is nowhere to plug in his laptop, and download mail!! Gillian in Polk City, FL "Cindy

Response:

I miss camping, but DH & I have an RV.  It’s only 24 feet long, so we can still go down some interesting roads to neat campsites, but I must admit that it beats sleeping on the ground. )  When we go, though, BOTH of us are on vacation, so food usually consists of canned stew or beans, hot dogs and sandwiches.  I’m happy as a clam stitching or reading, but DH get bored easily & isn’t a reader, so the TV & VCR are nice.  The free campgrounds or rest stops are nice because we can use the generator (for an hour or two), but the "organized" campgrounds are nice too, where we can plug into the power and water and not have the noise of the generator (or the cost of the propane to run it).  I’m just toooo cheap to enjoy staying in an expensive motel when all I do in it is sleep.  I’d rather save my money for food, S.E.X. or, or, or….well, what else is there??? )) This is what you need to tell him. You’ll go camping WHEN you have a FULLY loaded class A motor home, with a full bath, complete working kitchen and a closet JUST for your stash. And that he’s cooking and cleaning while you are on vacation <G.  It works sometimes! We got a 1978 motorhome, but it has a stove, oven and microwave, a bathroom with shower and a closet with MY stash for stitching in the afternoons <VBG. It also has a TV and VCR! Cindy  - who refuses to sleep on the ground after it rained and the whole tent tried to float away!

Liz from Humbug

Response:

This sounds so familiar, I can curl up and stitch or read for hours, while he walks around muttering that there’s nothing to do!  Campground this year has a fishing creek, I got him a license and a rod and reel, and let him go looking for fish. (he hasn’t found any yet, but it keeps him busy!                                 Cindy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I miss camping, but DH & I have an RV.  It’s only 24 feet long, so we can still go down some interesting roads to neat campsites, but I must admit that it beats sleeping on the ground. )  When we go, though, BOTH of us are on vacation, so food usually consists of canned stew or beans, hot dogs and sandwiches.  I’m happy as a clam stitching or reading, but DH get bored easily & isn’t a reader, so the TV & VCR are nice.  The free campgrounds or rest stops are nice because we can use the generator (for an hour or two), but the "organized" campgrounds are nice too, where we can plug into the power and water and not have the noise of the generator (or the cost of the propane to run it).  I’m just toooo cheap to enjoy staying in an expensive motel when all I do in it is sleep.  I’d rather save my money for food, S.E.X. or, or, or….well, what else is there??? )) This is what you need to tell him. You’ll go camping WHEN you have a FULLY loaded class A motor home, with a full bath, complete working kitchen and a closet JUST for your stash. And that he’s cooking and cleaning while you are on vacation <G.  It works sometimes! We got a 1978 motorhome, but it has a stove, oven and microwave, a bathroom with shower and a closet with MY stash for stitching in the afternoons <VBG. It also has a TV and VCR! Cindy  - who refuses to sleep on the ground after it rained and the whole tent tried to float away! Liz from Humbug

Response:

I had a bit of good luck at a yardsale yesterday.  For a quarter I bought a shopping bag of cross stitch supplies.  In it was a scroll frame with an assortment of bars, a Lo-ran thread holder with cards, a magnetic pattern board, somewhere around a hundred and fifty skeins of DMC, about ten odd pieces of fabric and a couple of booklets.   I am feeling quite smug at the moment. LOL!   I also found eight books on crafts and a cookbook that I didn’t have, but they weren’t such a bargain- I paid fifty cents each for those. Nan Scott

Response:

I had a bit of good luck at a yardsale yesterday.  For a quarter I bought a shopping bag of cross stitch supplies.  In it was a scroll frame with an assortment of bars, a Lo-ran thread holder with cards, a magnetic pattern board, somewhere around a hundred and fifty skeins of DMC, about ten odd pieces of fabric and a couple of booklets.   I am feeling quite smug at the moment. LOL!   I also found eight books on crafts and a cookbook that I didn’t have, but they weren’t such a bargain- I paid fifty cents each for those. Nan Scott

Lucky you!!!  You made quite a haul! Candi

Response:

Oh, my.  For a QUARTER?!!!  I’m coming yard saling with you.  I’ve never found XS supplies at any yard sale.  Though I have been able to talk people into giving me entire boxes of scrap yarn for a buck by telling them that I use it to make afghans for charity. Finished 2/24/2000 – Sweet 16 (Silver Lining) WIP:Twins Sampler, Holiday Snowglobe, Teen Creed, California Sampler, America the Beautiful (Nimble Needle), antique green doll (Vervaco) Don’t risk your on-line privileges!  I report all Spam.

Response:

Oh, my.  For a QUARTER?!!!  I’m coming yard saling with you.  I’ve never found XS supplies at any yard sale.  Though I have been able to talk people into giving me entire boxes of scrap yarn for a buck by telling them that I use it to make afghans for charity.

This is my best haul yet at least in items/cost, but I find cross stitch and needlepoint things quite regularly.  Unopened kits seem to average between fifty cents and a dollar,  booklets and magazines fifteen to twenty five cents and books fifty cents to a dollar.  Threads, fabric and misc. stuff tend to be sold bagged up in a sort of grab bag style.   An amazing number of people seem to buy very elaborate needlework projects for beach vacations and then never get them started.   Probably a reflection of the area.   From a purely mercenary point of view, if the items are unpriced, look for the husband to ask how much.  On the other hand, I find that the asking price on yarn here is close enough to retail that it isn’t worth even bargaining for unless it is a slow day without many sales. Nan Scott

Response:

Where do you go yardsaling? I think I’ll have to make it part of a holiday some year!! Gillian in Vancouver – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Oh, my.  For a QUARTER?!!!  I’m coming yard saling with you.  I’ve never found XS supplies at any yard sale.  Though I have been able to talk people into giving me entire boxes of scrap yarn for a buck by telling them that I use it to make afghans for charity. This is my best haul yet at least in items/cost, but I find cross stitch and needlepoint things quite regularly.  Unopened kits seem to average between fifty cents and a dollar,  booklets and magazines fifteen to twenty five cents and books fifty cents to a dollar.  Threads, fabric and misc. stuff tend to be sold bagged up in a sort of grab bag style.   An amazing number of people seem to buy very elaborate needlework projects for beach vacations and then never get them started.   Probably a reflection of the area.   From a purely mercenary point of view, if the items are unpriced, look for the husband to ask how much.  On the other hand, I find that the asking price on yarn here is close enough to retail that it isn’t worth even bargaining for unless it is a slow day without many sales. Nan Scott

Response:

Hey Nan– Are you sure all this S.E.X. didn’t upset your budget? BEG  Anyway,  enjoy it all! Tobie — WIP:  Silhouette of Bride & Groom (NP); Tallit Bag Cover (NP); Lace Border & Name (Endearments Old & New NP); Picture of 5 clowns (NP);  Ocean Princess (James Himsworth XS); Hanukkah Dreidel (NP)

Response:

It’s interesting that with yard sales you tend to do better on different items in different geographic areas.  Having lived in a lot of different places, my conclusion is that this type of yard sale find is most common in areas where people have or regularly rent vacation cottages near their homes, like within driving distance of a beach or mountains.  Women live with the delusion that they will get to the holiday place and have the time to do needlework when in point of fact they keep house in a different location with fewer "mod cons."   My personal, if rarely met, standard is that it is a real vacation if my contribution to the housekeeping is tipping the staff. Nan Scott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Where do you go yardsaling? I think I’ll have to make it part of a holiday some year!! Gillian in Vancouver Oh, my.  For a QUARTER?!!!  I’m coming yard saling with you.  I’ve never found XS supplies at any yard sale.  Though I have been able to talk people into giving me entire boxes of scrap yarn for a buck by telling them that I use it to make afghans for charity. This is my best haul yet at least in items/cost, but I find cross stitch and needlepoint things quite regularly.  Unopened kits seem to average between fifty cents and a dollar,  booklets and magazines fifteen to twenty five cents and books fifty cents to a dollar.  Threads, fabric and misc. stuff tend to be sold bagged up in a sort of grab bag style.   An amazing number of people seem to buy very elaborate needlework projects for beach vacations and then never get them started.   Probably a reflection of the area. From a purely mercenary point of view, if the items are unpriced, look for the husband to ask how much.  On the other hand, I find that the asking price on yarn here is close enough to retail that it isn’t worth even bargaining for unless it is a slow day without many sales. Nan Scott

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Question:

I’ve bought some stuff from West Marine and had good service. Their catalog is excellent, although it leans more heavily to boating and less to fishing. Still, it’s a catalog worth having, it makes quite a wish book. Their prices are very competitive. Their phone is 1-800-BOATING says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – switch to E&B ,  they are top-notch Excuse my ignorance, who is E&B?? Do you have an 800 number to order catalog?? Thanks E&B is now West Marine.  They bought them last year.

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Cabelas is ok with me – I had a pair of neoprenes that had a slight leak in one foot. I contacted them and  received the information on sending it back. They promptly sent a replacement pair which i’ve been using this Summer with zero problems. Other products are # 1 as well – I feel their service is as good as anyone can offer! Keith Piercey

Response:

Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them? Mike

I haven’t had any problems in the 10 +  years I’ve been dealing with them !!

Response:

I recently broke a fish eagle FT fly rod that I bought as blank from CAbelas..the rod was two year old and they not only replaced my blank but the handle, guides and reel seat….all for nothing.  I talked to one of thier area speciallists in Sidney and after he recieved my rod he called me and worked out the details of what I needed. Needless to say I’m totally impressed and I’m going to be a customer for another ten years at least. Rocky Smith

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A friend of mine called Cabela’s to order a drift sock (otherwise known as a "sea anchor").  The customer service rep asked him, "and how many pairs would you like?"  You figure the $40 price tag would have tipped her off! Maybe she thought they were just Really Good Socks.  :-) — Bob Jarvis Mail address hacked to foil spammers!

Response:

Tom,I too have had many totally satisfactory experiences with Cabela’s. Some three years ago I picked up two disparate hobbies – blackpowder shooting and flyfishing. Through many orders Cabela’s has supplied all my black powder needs and most of the flyfishing gear.  All orders were by phone and I found always the sales folk tolerant of my ignorance in both disciplines and helpful in making selections.  On one occasion involving a multipiece order they sent a fly jacket instead of a fly line… they made the switch promptly and without cost to me.   I suspect there are other providers just as good but I certainly can find no fault with Cabela’s. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Mike,     No, every experience I’ve had with them was of the first order. Tom                         <snip Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be goin downhill? any problems with them? Mike

Response:

As much as we should ALWAYS support the local tackle guys, there’s just some things that you can’t buy were you are.  Take me, for instance.  I use a fair amount of bass baits for Pike, but you can’t get Lunker City Plastics, flipping jigs, or spinnerbaits ups here.

Where in Canada are you?  Fishing Plus in Etobicoke has a fantastic selection of soft plastics (Lunker City, Zoom, Gambler, Yamamoto, Phenix, Berkley, Guido Hibdon’s brand, Don Iovino’s brand, and more).  Lots of spinnerbaits, including the Terminator, Stanley, Bulldog, Strike King, Pro-Line, etcetcetc.  Lots and lots of flipping jigs too.  Great service, excellent and most importantly *informed* advice too. Peace, Charles

Response:

A friend of mine called Cabela’s to order a drift sock (otherwise known as a "sea anchor").  The customer service rep asked him, "and how many pairs would you like?"  You figure the $40 price tag would have tipped her off!

Maybe she thought they were just Really Good Socks.  :-) — Bob Jarvis Mail address hacked to foil spammers!

Response:

Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them? Mike

My wife ordered me a bunch stuff for Christmas from Cabela’s and she was _extremely_ frustrated with the service. They were really uncooperative and did not fill orders completely or handle returns properly. When she threatened to take her business elsewhere, the response was apathetic and she ended up cancelling all her outstanding business and purchased the items through Bass Pro (who she felt did a superb job). Fortunately, she starts shopping in like September, so Christmas wasn’t ruined. I was really shocked at what a shitty job Cabela’s did on her stuff. Now I only buy from them when I get a chance (about once a year) to actually go to their store in Sidney. For mail order I’ve been able to get the items I need from BPS and Netcraft.

Response:

Do you mean Gander Mountain’s mail order business?  Because we have at least 3 Gander Mountain stores here in Michigan. I noticed the mail order business went away shortly after opening the stores. Mushrat Unfortunately, Cabela’s gobbled up Gander Mountain.  I guess now it’s Cabela’s vs. Bass Pro.  Time to do business with the local guys! Bob Scott

As much as we should ALWAYS support the local tackle guys, there’s just some things that you can’t buy were you are.  Take me, for instance.  I use a fair amount of bass baits for Pike, but you can’t get Lunker City Plastics, flipping jigs, or spinnerbaits ups here. As for the Cabela vs Bass Pro Shops, if you can fish for Muskies or Pike, try Reeds for a cat.  I’ve been fairly pleased so far.  Also, here in Canada, there is the Fishing Hole Cat and the Whole Sale Sports Cat.

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A friend of mine called Cabela’s to order a drift sock (otherwise known as a "sea anchor").  The customer service rep asked him, "and how many pairs would you like?"  You figure the $40 price tag would have tipped her off! Pete C

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FWIW, we have had the same good service for many years, with no glitches.  We get about two orders/year. SL – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? <snip out of the items I had originally ordered.  Two weeks after the call I finally got written notice that the items were out of stock. That was not the Cabelas I have come to expect. Mark Faulkner

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them? Mike In May, two items out of about a 10 item order were wrong – and not even close.  I got two fleece jackets instead of two sets of rain gear pants. First time in many years of Cabela’s orders that that has happened.  I immediately returned them with the appropriate form, requesting the original items.  Weeks passed.  I finally called, and by then they were out of the items I had originally ordered.  Two weeks after the call I finally got written notice that the items were out of stock. That was not the Cabelas I have come to expect. Mark Faulkner

I have never (I try occasionally every couple of years) had quick response to an exchange request. The only way I have found that works is to reorder what I want and return what I didn’t want for credit. I buy almsot nothing from Cabela’s anymore because they are so bad about listing sizes, weights, and strengths. Bass Pro is much better.                                 Erik from SF/Boston

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I haven’t bought too much from Cabela’s in the past but this year I ordered a lot of stuff in several orders.  I had numerous conversations with "product specialists" , sometimes for my ignorance on superlines or more info about a rod or lure and I was always satisfied.  When it was a dimension not in the catalog they would run off and get me an immediate answer. I returned about four things for exchange or refund for reasons varied from broken to not what I expected.  Always prompt and no problems.  So far I like Cabela’s. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill?

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Now that they’ve grown HUGE, I would imagine this kind of thing would start to be a problem.  As Cabela’s got bigger and bigger, I liked doing business with Gander Mountain a lot more.  The no.2 guy is usually trying harder, and customer service is a sure-fire way to pick up repeat customers. Unfortunately, Cabela’s gobbled up Gander Mountain.  I guess now it’s Cabela’s vs. Bass Pro.  Time to do business with the local guys! Bob Scott

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switch to E&B ,  they are top-notch – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them? Mike

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Dear Mike,      No, every experience I’ve had with them was of the first order. Recently I unpacked an anchor rode I had purchased nine months ago, but had not used.  I found a flaw in the rope, called them, they offered to replace the rode without hesitation.  That’s beyond the call of duty. Take care, Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them? Mike

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – FWIW, we have had the same good service for many years, with no glitches.  We get about two orders/year. SL Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? <snip out of the items I had originally ordered.  Two weeks after the call I finally got written notice that the items were out of stock. That was not the Cabelas I have come to expect. Mark Faulkner

what is cabela’s address or phone so i can get a catalog please thanks

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E&B is now West Marine.  They bought them last year.

West Marine is primarily a boating store so you might not find the clerks as knowledgable as those of Cabela’s, as well as having a smaller selection, their prices on lures and such are outrageous.  Walmart is much more affordable. Marcus Ward 505 US 7569 "Voodoo" International 505 Class Yacht Racing Association Central Missouri State University – Department of Psychology http://www.throb.net/mward/

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Go to:       http://www.cabelas.com for a free catalog. BTW I have been buying from them for four years and they treat me like a valuable customer. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – FWIW, we have had the same good service for many years, with no glitches.  We get about two orders/year. SL Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? <snip out of the items I had originally ordered.  Two weeks after the call I finally got written notice that the items were out of stock. That was not the Cabelas I have come to expect. Mark Faulkner what is cabela’s address or phone so i can get a catalog please thanks

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what is cabela’s address or phone so i can get a catalog please thanks

www.cabelas.com or (800) 237-4444.  I’ve had good service frim them so far.

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Do you mean Gander Mountain’s mail order business?  Because we have at least 3 Gander Mountain stores here in Michigan. I noticed the mail order business went away shortly after opening the stores. Mushrat – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Unfortunately, Cabela’s gobbled up Gander Mountain.  I guess now it’s Cabela’s vs. Bass Pro.  Time to do business with the local guys! Bob Scott

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<snip  Time to do business with the local guys! Bob Scott

It always has been! — Steve Vaughn Kodak Park Health, Safety & Environmental Services Eastman Kodak Company – http://www.kodak.com Phone: (716)722-4744 Fax:   (716)722-3695

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Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them?

I haven’t ordered from them since about February, but every time I’ve had to deal with their customer service people I’ve been happy.  Last fall I placed an order and when it showed up the box had been damaged and most of the stuff was gone.  They replaced everything, no problem.  In February I ordered some peacock sword from them, and the catalog said there were six swords per package.  When it showed up there were only four swords in the package.  I called and they sent another package (of four swords to make it right.  So I’m pretty happy when it comes to dealing with Cabelas. — Bob Jarvis Mail address hacked to foil spammers!

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Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them? Mike

Response:

Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them? Mike

In May, two items out of about a 10 item order were wrong – and not even close.  I got two fleece jackets instead of two sets of rain gear pants. First time in many years of Cabela’s orders that that has happened.  I immediately returned them with the appropriate form, requesting the original items.  Weeks passed.  I finally called, and by then they were out of the items I had originally ordered.  Two weeks after the call I finally got written notice that the items were out of stock. That was not the Cabelas I have come to expect. Mark Faulkner

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Fly Fishers, Since fishing the winter season in SE Minnesota I have encountered a problem with ice formation along the fly line and leader and in the line guides of the fly rod.  I’m sure this must be a common problem. Has anyone worked out a solution?  Please write. The absolute best way to avoid ice formation on your guides during winter is to travel far enough south to where the only ice that forms is meant for "pina coladas". I used to try flyfishing in winter too, until a bad fall caused by frozen felts on the shelf ice dumped me in the river. It was days before I finally got the chill out and weeks before my back quit aching. Since then, I wait until it warms up several degrees above freezing before venturing out. Tight lines! Guy

I guess you don’t go winter steelheading then???

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Dear Fly Fishers, Since fishing the winter season in SE Minnesota I have encountered a problem with ice formation along the fly line and leader and in the line guides of the fly rod.  I’m sure this must be a common problem. Has anyone worked out a solution?  Please write.  

The absolute best way to avoid ice formation on your guides during winter is to travel far enough south to where the only ice that forms is meant for "pina coladas". I used to try flyfishing in winter too, until a bad fall caused by frozen felts on the shelf ice dumped me in the river. It was days before I finally got the chill out and weeks before my back quit aching. Since then, I wait until it warms up several degrees above freezing before venturing out. Tight lines! Guy  

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Dear Fly Fishers, Since fishing the winter season in SE Minnesota I have encountered a problem with ice formation along the fly line and leader and in the line guides of the fly rod.  I’m sure this must be a common problem. Has anyone worked out a solution?  Please write.   Thank you Renner Anderson

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: Since fishing the winter season in SE Minnesota I have encountered a : problem with ice formation along the fly line and leader and in the : line guides of the fly rod.  I’m sure this must be a common problem. No kidding.  I will often hold the rod in the river for awhile, working the line in-and-out.  If the water’s cold this is not enough and I have to break it off the rod and line by hand.  Bummer.  I advise: be sure to keep the line and tip-top fairly clean otherwise you may be unable to reel the fatter part of the line in when mr. big is on.  I may be sensitive, but I’ve felt stupid breaking the ice off the rod while the steelie is jumping around at the other end.  Keeping the line well-treated helps.   I am ready to learn a better way,   rork.

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Dear Fly Fishers, Since fishing the winter season in SE Minnesota I have encountered a problem with ice formation along the fly line and leader and in the line guides of the fly rod.  I’m sure this must be a common problem. Has anyone worked out a solution?  Please write. Thank you Renner Anderson

heat tapes works good for me…run it off a 9volt battery pack.

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Question:

Steve, It sounds an awful lot like a trermocline to me. Did your friend  try to look below this light line? Whenever I have seen the thermocline I am always able to see bottom also and im sure he to should have been able to see bottom.  I guess you will have to ask him but to answer your question yes sonar does pick up thermoclines,but remember not every lake will develope one every year! It just depends on the conditions Good Luck Weedjig

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anybody clear up an issue.  A friend fished a couple of fly-in Canadian lakes last year and said that the edges sloped off fairly steeply, lots of rocks, etc., but that at about 20-25 feet the bottom became uniformly flat across the basin, with a weak echo return.  He assumed that this indicated an old lake bottom that had silted in, so there was just a featureless expanse of mud. These weren’t tiny lakes and I have some difficulty imagining that kind of siltation.  I seem to recall reading something about sonar echoes being intercepted and bounced back by the thermocline (epilimnion or hypolimnion, I’m not sure) when a lake has stratified (In-Fisherman, I think).  This was the beginning of July and the weather had been hot and dry.  The water was warm enough to swim in. Could this be a cuase of the aforementioned sonar readings?  We are going up again this year and I would really like to know if this might be the case? Thanks loads.

With a paper graph (Eagle or Lowrance X-16) it is very easy to adjust the unit to see the thermocline and the bottom at the same time.  To support your theory, 20 to 25 feet deep seems to be a realistic depth for a thermo- cline in mid summer that far north. Easiest way to test — use a hand line with depth markings or mark your fishing line with a permanent marker ko

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The flat ‘bottom’ reading could certainly be the thermocline.  It is very rare for any lake to have a uniformly flat bottom, especially Canadian shield lakes. Try adjusting the sensitivity up and down (mostly down in this case) to filter out unwanted signal and returns.  Also, be sure and turn the fish ID feature off if your unit has one.  Fish ID is not reliable for recognizing fish signals.  Any return not close to the bottom will show up a a "fish", and it may not be.  Some units also loose much detail in the displayed signal when the fish ID is on. Enjoy your Canadian trip!  I have to skip my Canada trip this summer and will be going through severe withdrawl!  I guess I’ll just have to fish more at home instead CHPeil!

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Can anybody clear up an issue.  A friend fished a couple of fly-in Canadian lakes last year and said that the edges sloped off fairly steeply, lots of rocks, etc., but that at about 20-25 feet the bottom became uniformly flat across the basin, with a weak echo return.  He assumed that this indicated an old lake bottom that had silted in, so there was just a featureless expanse of mud. These weren’t tiny lakes and I have some difficulty imagining that kind of siltation.  I seem to recall reading something about sonar echoes being intercepted and bounced back by the thermocline (epilimnion or hypolimnion, I’m not sure) when a lake has stratified (In-Fisherman, I think).  This was the beginning of July and the weather had been hot and dry.  The water was warm enough to swim in. Could this be a cuase of the aforementioned sonar readings?  We are going up again this year and I would really like to know if this might be the case? Thanks loads.  

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Question:

I try to bring a rod/reel with me when I backpack (my friend always brings his).  I mainly bring a few flys with me.  I think a good time to fish is when the mosquitos come out.  If you look at a lake you’ll see if fish are in there when the mosquitos are out (feeding time). Harold. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Alright, the truth has to come out sooner or later.  Why is there never a post on fishing and backpacking?  Don’t ask me to go to the alt.fishing newsgroup–those people are dedicated.  I am not.  I just want to know what I can expect if I carry a very small collapsible rod and mini-reel.  Whenever I try to fish in the backcountry, I come across tiny streams that look like there is no hope or mountain lake that is snow-free for all of two months a year and you can see to the bottom of and personally verify there are no fish in its sterile environment.  In 25 years of mountain backpacking, I have never caught a fish–although I do pretty good in the stocked lowlands. Does anyone have any wilderness fishing secrets to share with us?   Who packs a rod and are glad they did?  Secret bait?  Techniques? Equipment?  Eggs, worms, lures?  Just give it up?  Hunt for crawdads instead?  Catching local bait?  Set a line overnight?  Anything . . . — John Kiljan

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – An interesting thread. I’d like to ask a question of the experienced mountain fishermen out there : Is there a "fish line" analogous to timberline ? i.e. an altitude above which you will not find fish ? We’re heading for CO next week and I know of a gorgeous little lake way up around 13,000. Any chance there’ll be fish in it ? I don’t know the answer but the highest lake I have fished at with success is the Upper Hancock Lake (near the ghost town of St. Elmo) and it is, if memory serves me, just over 11,000 feet. One other lake (where I had the best fishing day of my life) is also just over 11,000 feet. Geez, 13,000 feet seems pretty high up there for fishing?

To the best of my knowledge,  trout are not native to most alpine lakes.  There is always a fall or bad rapids that prevents upstream migration.  If there are fish in high country lakes, they probably are stocked.  You’ll just have to ask.  the best place is a local fly shop. …… Seek harmony and balance in the mountains, find harmony and balance within…..

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Alright, the truth has to come out sooner or later.  Why is there never a post on fishing and backpacking?  Don’t ask me to go to the alt.fishing newsgroup–those people are dedicated.  I am not.  I just want to know what I can expect if I carry a very small collapsible rod and mini-reel.  

Well, here is an answer from a dedicated fisherman who backpacks. Whenever I try to fish in the backcountry, I come across tiny streams that look like there is no hope or mountain lake that is snow-free for all of two months a year and you can see to the bottom of and personally verify there are no fish in its sterile environment.  In 25 years of mountain backpacking, I have never caught a fish–although I do pretty good in the stocked lowlands.

Hard to say why you have never seen a fish up in the mountains… They are harder to see because they are wild and blend in with the bottom better, and they tend to be a lot smaller due to the restricted growing season. Does anyone have any wilderness fishing secrets to share with us?   Who packs a rod and are glad they did?  Secret bait?  Techniques? Equipment?  Eggs, worms, lures?  Just give it up?  Hunt for crawdads instead?  Catching local bait?  Set a line overnight?  Anything . . .

The secret? Flies. Pure and simple. Wild trout feed on insects. Learn how to fly fish. I rarely fail to catch at least a few in most of the high mountain streams and lakes. At least in the California Sierra Nevada Moutains. Darryl Hayashida

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snip Does anyone have any wilderness fishing secrets to share with us?   Who packs a rod and are glad they did?  Secret bait?  Techniques? Equipment?  Eggs, worms, lures?  Just give it up?  Hunt for crawdads instead?  Catching local bait?  Set a line overnight?  Anything . . . — John Kiljan

Hi John,         I do a lot of solo hiking and always carry fishing equipment which pays for the space and weight.  Most of my experience is in Yosemite and Sequoia, and I’ve never failed to catch small native trout.  I know there are a lot of purist who’ll object, but this is food, and I eat every one.         I carry a collapsible 7′ rod, a mini spinning reel with 4# mono line.  I use #18 bronze treble hooks and carry a black film canister filled with fresh velveta.  I barely cover the hook, this is small, like the head of a book match.  More will work, not any better though, and the fish are usually small anyway.         I fly fish some, so I understand a little about reading water.  I found fish in 4" slow runs, places too small to hide a canteen, places you’d swear wouldn’t hold a 6" trout.  I don’t cast, just drop it in and let the water pull off some line, and when it stops I reel in the slack.  Never counted how many tries to catch a fish, but I’ve never gotten bored or hungry.         Landing the fish is no problem.  I use the 2" blade on my Swiss Army knife to clean them per the Rappalla book.  I rinse them well and nestle them head to tail, wrap them in aluminum foil, and place them in the hot embers.  They have a lot of flavor.         Other things in my fishing kit:                 Red plastic hook disgorger with the big end cut off and                         the shaft roughened                 A clean plastic super market vegetable bag which I rinse                         and use again to put the dispatched fish on my                         belt                 1/4 of an old facecloth for picking up wigglin’ fish         Guess there are some other things I carry, sliding sinkers for lakes, a couple of small casting lures to amuse myself with, and a couple  plastic look-alike bugs.  Hope this helps. –Charleroi

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Do you really think that experienced people are going post their favorite fishing spot? Would you like by some land which occasionally above water? I don’t fish, so I won’t suggest that people fish at the V. place. But others can.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The secret? Flies. Pure and simple. Wild trout feed on insects. Learn how to fly fish. I rarely fail to catch at least a few in most of the high mountain streams and lakes. At least in the California Sierra Nevada Moutains. I like fly fishing too, but I doubt that it is "the secret". I have used a lightweight (4 lb test) with 1/16 oz. spinners and never failed to bring home fish for dinner in Colorado. I go for the fly fishing also.  But, the learning curve can be brutal. For someone not into fly fishing, I recommend spinners (ie: Mepps ‘0′) on a high quality 2 lb test line, -or- Power Bait fished 6 to 9 inches off the bottom with a tight line. Nothing to be proud of but they will catch fish. — I find that most people fall into one of two groups.  Those that are quick to tell you that it can’t be done, and those who are quick to try to make it work.  When all is said and done, I hope to be counted in the second group.  -  George  POWER BAIT??? That’s as bad as baiting bears!!! Shame on you.

I thought they were talking about trout.  When I go for bear I use a much heavier line.  2lbs test is just not strong enough for bear. My mistake. — I find that most people fall into one of two groups.  Those that are quick to tell you that it can’t be done, and those who are quick to try to make it work.  When all is said and done, I hope to be counted in the second group.  -  George

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The secret? Flies. Pure and simple. Wild trout feed on insects. Learn how to fly fish. I rarely fail to catch at least a few in most of the high mountain streams and lakes. At least in the California Sierra Nevada Moutains. I like fly fishing too, but I doubt that it is "the secret". I have used a lightweight (4 lb test) with 1/16 oz. spinners and never failed to bring home fish for dinner in Colorado. I go for the fly fishing also.  But, the learning curve can be brutal. For someone not into fly fishing, I recommend spinners (ie: Mepps ‘0′) on a high quality 2 lb test line, -or- Power Bait fished 6 to 9 inches off the bottom with a tight line. Nothing to be proud of but they will catch fish. — I find that most people fall into one of two groups.  Those that are quick to tell you that it can’t be done, and those who are quick to try to make it work.  When all is said and done, I hope to be counted in the second group.  -  George  POWER BAIT??? That’s as bad as baiting bears!!! Shame on you.

Actually, I thought they were walking about trout.  When I go for bear I use a much heaver line.  2 lbs test is just too light for bear. — I find that most people fall into one of two groups.  Those that are quick to tell you that it can’t be done, and those who are quick to try to make it work.  When all is said and done, I hope to be counted in the second group.  -  George

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The secret? Flies. Pure and simple. Wild trout feed on insects. Learn how to fly fish. I rarely fail to catch at least a few in most of the high mountain streams and lakes. At least in the California Sierra Nevada Moutains. I like fly fishing too, but I doubt that it is "the secret". I have used a lightweight (4 lb test) with 1/16 oz. spinners and never failed to bring home fish for dinner in Colorado. I go for the fly fishing also.  But, the learning curve can be brutal. For someone not into fly fishing, I recommend spinners (ie: Mepps ‘0′) on a high quality 2 lb test line, -or- Power Bait fished 6 to 9 inches off the bottom with a tight line. Nothing to be proud of but they will catch fish. — I find that most people fall into one of two groups.  Those that are quick to tell you that it can’t be done, and those who are quick to try to make it work.  When all is said and done, I hope to be counted in the second group.  -  George

  POWER BAIT???  That’s as bad as baiting bears!!! Shame on you.

Response:

The secret? Flies. Pure and simple. Wild trout feed on insects. Learn how to fly fish. I rarely fail to catch at least a few in most of the high mountain streams and lakes. At least in the California Sierra Nevada Moutains. I like fly fishing too, but I doubt that it is "the secret". I have used a lightweight (4 lb test) with 1/16 oz. spinners and never failed to bring home fish for dinner in Colorado.

I go for the fly fishing also.  But, the learning curve can be brutal. For someone not into fly fishing, I recommend spinners (ie: Mepps ‘0′) on a high quality 2 lb test line, -or- Power Bait fished 6 to 9 inches off the bottom with a tight line. Nothing to be proud of but they will catch fish. — I find that most people fall into one of two groups.  Those that are quick to tell you that it can’t be done, and those who are quick to try to make it work.  When all is said and done, I hope to be counted in the second group.  -  George

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writes: The secret? Flies. Pure and simple. Wild trout feed on insects. Learn how to fly fish.

I use flies, but I don’t know how to fly fish in the traditional sense. I use a spinning rod and reel. About 2-3 feet from the end of the line I attach a elongated teardrop-shaped bobber. It has a rubber tube inside that the line slides through, then to secure it, I just give it a few twists. A plug opens on one end that I can fill with water; too much and it’ll sink, too little and I can’t cast far. Simple! Then I just tie on a fly on the end of the line and, wallah, flyfishing for people like me! My knowledge is that most high lakes in Washington state are stocked. I’m not sure how to tell the difference between wild and harvested fish. Anyone know? Jason R. wherever you go, there you are – HDT

Response:

: An interesting thread. I’d like to ask a question of the : experienced mountain fishermen out there : Is there : a "fish line" analogous to timberline ? i.e. an altitude : above which you will not find fish ? : We’re heading for CO next week and I know of a gorgeous : little lake way up around 13,000. Any chance there’ll : be fish in it ? I’ve fished Ice Lake in the Eagle Cap Wilderness and caught many 6 – 8 inch trout.  Ice Lake is at 8,000 ft.  That’s the highest lake with fish that I know of, but it was stocked back in the ’20s.

Colorado has excellent fishing in alpine lakes above 9000′ primarily as a result of aerial stocking begun in the 1950’s. Cutthroat trout are the most common with brook and rainbow trout doing well also.Due to the pristine environment, abundant aquatic insect population and light fishing pressure these trout can grow larger than their cousins in low altitude streams and rivers. The dramatic changes in water temperature of high lakes probably has the greatest effect on fishing success. As the sun warms water close to shore the fish will migrate to the center or to deeper areas of the lake. Not very productive for a fisherman stuck on the shore. For this reason the higher the lake is the better, especially as summer wears on and the lower lakes gradually become warmer. Regards,  Brian

Response:

Third, the biggest mistake that people make when they fish alpine lakes is that they do not fish deeply enough.  Most of my fly fishing is with an extra-fast sinking shooting head (this will mean something to flyfishers), at depths of 20-40 ft.  Fishing deep is easy with spinning gear; you just need to let your spinner sink.

Would you mind terribly to expound a little bit on "extra-fast sinking shooting head" for us novice fly fishers? I mean, this is some sort of wet fly? Do you need a sinking line (maybe that is obvious but I will ask anyway). Thanks, Lawrence Kennon

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Alright, the truth has to come out sooner or later.  Why is there never a post on fishing and backpacking?

There are: In "rec.outdoors.fishing.fly"  Virtually all of my backcountry travel centers on fly fishing.  I usually make one trip a year into the GSMNP and one trip into the Wind River Range.  The former is stream fishing, the latter almost exclusively lake fishing.  Most of these lakes are at or above timberline.  I don’t want to rub it in, but we always catch fish; lots of them too. Let me take the liberty to answer some questions and clarify some misconceptions: First, just because you can’t see fish does not mean they aren’t there. You have to look VERY carefully to see fish, must have a trained eye, and you must have polarized glasses (to reduce glare).  Keep in mind that trout are prey for many beasts of the wild, and if you can see them, they can almost certainly see you.  On many occasions, the only fish I ever see are those in my hand when I’m releasing them!   Second, there are few lakes of any size in the U.S. that really have only a 2-month ice out.  There are lots of lakes, however, that may be completely iced out for only 3 months or so.  This does not preclude a productive fishery.  I have fished lakes in the Wind River Range that are ice free for at most 4 months a year (July-Oct), and yet are extremely productive.  I fished a lake last year at 11,000 ft that held cutthroats up to nearly 30 inches (yep, 30 inches, not 30 centimeters).  This lake was still 1/4 iced-in the first week of August!  There probably is a limit to how high a lake can be and still support fish, but it is probably about the same limit as for people, which is higher than 13,000 ft (I think it is between 15K and 18K, but can’t remember). Third, the biggest mistake that people make when they fish alpine lakes is that they do not fish deeply enough.  Most of my fly fishing is with an extra-fast sinking shooting head (this will mean something to flyfishers), at depths of 20-40 ft.  Fishing deep is easy with spinning gear; you just need to let your spinner sink. Fourth, although it is true that few alpine lakes outside of the Sierras have native trout, many alpine lakes have self sustaining populations of wild trout.  For example, none of the lakes in the Winds originally had fish.  Much of the stocking was done by Finis Mitchell and his family in the 1920s and 1930s.  Many of these lakes have received no fish since then. Fifth, there are fishless alpine lakes out there, no doubt about it.  Lakes can be too shallow (they freeze solid, or nearly so); they can become oxygen depleted in the winter (esp. a problem if there is no inlet or outlet); and the water can be so sterile that there aren’t enough nutrients to feed the bugs that feed the fish (typically a problem for the first lake immediately below glaciers, etc.). If you have any questions, I’d be happy to try to answer them, except for the names of the lakes .  2-3 months of the year, and yet are extremely productive fisheries. are ice free for

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The secret? Flies. Pure and simple. Wild trout feed on insects. Learn how to fly fish. I rarely fail to catch at least a few in most of the high mountain streams and lakes. At least in the California Sierra Nevada Moutains. I like fly fishing too, but I doubt that it is "the secret". I have used a lightweight (4 lb test) with 1/16 oz. spinners and never failed to bring home fish for dinner in Colorado. lk

Spinners would be my second choice if I didn’t have my fly fishing gear with me. I fished spinners for ten years before I started fly fishing. It isn’t that one is more successful than the other, I just enjoy fly fishing, especially dry fly fishing more than spin fishing. My favorite spinner was (still is on the rare occasion that I spin fish) a size 1 or 2 (small) Panther Martin black body with yellow spots, gold blade. Darryl Hayashida

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: An interesting thread. I’d like to ask a question of the : experienced mountain fishermen out there : Is there : a "fish line" analogous to timberline ? i.e. an altitude : above which you will not find fish ? : We’re heading for CO next week and I know of a gorgeous : little lake way up around 13,000. Any chance there’ll : be fish in it ? I’ve fished Ice Lake in the Eagle Cap Wilderness and caught many 6 – 8 inch trout.  Ice Lake is at 8,000 ft.  That’s the highest lake with fish that I know of, but it was stocked back in the ’20s.

As someone else commented, most of the alpine lakes in CO were stocked at some time.  My father-in-law worked for Colorado Fish and Game, and one of his jobs was stocking wilderness lakes. He’d ride a horse and lead a pack string with panniers filled with fingerlings!  Lakes that were farther than a day’s ride, or inaccessible by horseback, were stocked by helicopter.  That must have been a sight! We’ve caught trout in lakes at 12,160 feet.  Most very high lakes are small and freeze thickly in the winter, so many are sterile unless there is ongoing stocking.  Trout are able to swim through some pretty impressive falls, though, so there is some migration, and if the lake is big enough the fish will be ok through the winter. Most of the lakes I’ve backpacked to in the Colorado high country have fish in them.  This doesn’t guarantee dinner, though. —   _][   Data Support Section * National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)       __PO Box 3000, Boulder, Colorado 80307 * 303/497-1214 * 303/497-1298 fax

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: An interesting thread. I’d like to ask a question of the : experienced mountain fishermen out there : Is there : a "fish line" analogous to timberline ? i.e. an altitude : above which you will not find fish ? : We’re heading for CO next week and I know of a gorgeous : little lake way up around 13,000. Any chance there’ll : be fish in it ? I’ve fished Ice Lake in the Eagle Cap Wilderness and caught many 6 – 8 inch trout.  Ice Lake is at 8,000 ft.  That’s the highest lake with fish that I know of, but it was stocked back in the ’20s. greg rose

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The secret? Flies. Pure and simple. Wild trout feed on insects. Learn how to fly fish. I rarely fail to catch at least a few in most of the high mountain streams and lakes. At least in the California Sierra Nevada Moutains.

I like fly fishing too, but I doubt that it is "the secret". I have used a lightweight (4 lb test) with 1/16 oz. spinners and never failed to bring home fish for dinner in Colorado. lk

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It’s not hidden, you didn’t bother looking: Panel 26: Fishing         alt.fishing         alt.archery         rec.outdoors.fishing         rec.outdoors.fishing.fly         rec.boats Just like the white water paddlers. Like Muir said, Fishing is boring.

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An interesting thread. I’d like to ask a question of the experienced mountain fishermen out there : Is there a "fish line" analogous to timberline ? i.e. an altitude above which you will not find fish ? We’re heading for CO next week and I know of a gorgeous little lake way up around 13,000. Any chance there’ll be fish in it ? Gary

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An interesting thread. I’d like to ask a question of the experienced mountain fishermen out there : Is there a "fish line" analogous to timberline ? i.e. an altitude above which you will not find fish ? We’re heading for CO next week and I know of a gorgeous little lake way up around 13,000. Any chance there’ll be fish in it ?

I don’t know the answer but the highest lake I have fished at with success is the Upper Hancock Lake (near the ghost town of St. Elmo) and it is, if memory serves me, just over 11,000 feet. One other lake (where I had the best fishing day of my life) is also just over 11,000 feet. Geez, 13,000 feet seems pretty high up there for fishing? You will let us know how this turns out, won’t you? Lawrence Kennon

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alt.fishing newsgroup–those people are dedicated.  I am not.  I just want to know what I can expect if I carry a very small collapsible rod and mini-reel.  Whenever I try to fish in the backcountry, I come

I always do the same thing.  Most of my hiking  is done around larger bodies of water (lakes and such) Does anyone have any wilderness fishing secrets to share with us?   Who packs a rod and are glad they did?  Secret bait?  Techniques?

I’m always glad I packed the rod.  Even if I don’t catch anything (most of the time) I like to fish anyway.  Gives me an excuse not to do the dishes after supper! Andrew Roberts

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Does anyone have any wilderness fishing secrets to share with us?   Who packs a rod and are glad they did?  Secret bait?  Techniques? Equipment?  Eggs, worms, lures?  Just give it up?  Hunt for crawdads instead?  Catching local bait?  Set a line overnight?  Anything . . . I’ve had reasonable success in the last few years in fishing the

backcountry.  My buddy and I mostly catch-and-release (e.g. last year in Colorado we landed over 30 in an afternoon), but we sometimes keep enough to "have a feast."  I guess I could say that the secret is to be prepared for a "hunt" to find what the fish are interested in.  Last year, it was easy enough because they were hitting small spinners (e.g., Panther Martin’s and Mepps) on very light line (e.g. 2 lb.).  However, the previous year (in New Mexico), the fish just weren’t interested in anything in our "tackle box."  So, we resorted to using little grubs found in the stream bed (helgromites (sp), I believe they are called), and the fish went nuts.  We used a very small hook and "bobbed" the bait up and down.  Actually, it was more like try to get the hook into the water and out again before one latched on.  (I actually had one fish–they were native cut-throat–jump out of the water to get the bait).  So, a lot of trial-and-error will probably be necessary to find what they are attracted to.  However, it has been load of fun.  BTW:   These cases were both streams above 9000 feet.  My only recent experience with mountain lakes was a small lake in Apache-Setgreaves (Arizona), which had obviously been stocked with Artic Grayling (and "interesting" fish to pull out of the water in Arizona!).

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Does anyone have any wilderness fishing secrets to share with us?   Who packs a rod and are glad they did?  Secret bait?  Techniques? Equipment?  Eggs, worms, lures?  Just give it up?  Hunt for crawdads instead?  Catching local bait?  Set a line overnight?  Anything . . .

In Colorado I have had very good luck with a small spin casting rod/reel (4 lb test) using little 1/16 ounce spinners (Wooters, or Hooters, or something like that are my favorite). I have caught trout in lakes over 11,000 feet while standing on old snow on the bank and icebergs floating in the lake. Most of the lakes _do_ have edible (_very_ edible) trout in them. Have never had any luck on streams (haven’t really tried) but have seen fly fisherman catch them in streams. There is the little lake around Garfied (sorry, can’t tell you the name, that is my secret!) up about 11,000 feet or so, very small and fishable only at one end where it is deep enough. I had the best fishing day of my life there a couple years ago. We set up the tent and left the wife and kids to go look for a place to fish on this lake (first time there) and I found this little "hole" at one end. In a few minutes with approx. 7-8 casts I caught 5 great trout, several of them quite big. Needless to say we feasted that night. The bad news is that it is quite a hike off the beaten path to get there. Perhaps that is why there were a lot of hungry and unwary fish. Look for a lake like that, one that is _hard_ to get to, one that isn’t visited often. lk

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Alright, the truth has to come out sooner or later.  Why is there never a post on fishing and backpacking?  Don’t ask me to go to the alt.fishing newsgroup–those people are dedicated.  I am not.  I just want to know what I can expect if I carry a very small collapsible rod and mini-reel.  Whenever I try to fish in the backcountry, I come across tiny streams that look like there is no hope or mountain lake that is snow-free for all of two months a year and you can see to the bottom of and personally verify there are no fish in its sterile environment.  In 25 years of mountain backpacking, I have never caught a fish–although I do pretty good in the stocked lowlands. Does anyone have any wilderness fishing secrets to share with us?   Who packs a rod and are glad they did?  Secret bait?  Techniques? Equipment?  Eggs, worms, lures?  Just give it up?  Hunt for crawdads instead?  Catching local bait?  Set a line overnight?  Anything . . . — John Kiljan

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Question:

I am going to be in the Santa Fe, Las Vegas areas for a few days in July and would like to spend a day on a trout stream while I’m there. I would appreciate very much any recommendations anyone would be willing to share regarding places as well as fly patterns. Thanks.

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I am going to be in the Santa Fe, Las Vegas areas for a few days in July and would like to spend a day on a trout stream while I’m there. I would appreciate very much any recommendations anyone would be willing to share regarding places as well as fly patterns. Thanks.

Jerry, the pecos river is pretty good in july esp if you don’t mind hiking into the pecos wilderness 4-5 miles(beattys cabin area). It is also decent fishing just outside of the wildeness. Terrestrials, elk hair caddis, royal wulffs + zug bugs, prince nymphs have worked well for me. we had a poor snow pack this year, so water levels will be lower than normal. good fishing zane rakes

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Question:

I will be in Galveston, Tx in the 2nd week of october.  Any good sight fishing in the shallows for redfish?? Is there wading access from shore? Do I need a boat??

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Call ANGLER’S EDGE in Houston and ask them to help you set up a guide for the Galveston area. Or you may want to head two hours south for Port O’connor flats fishing, or Rockport, for even clearer water. If you are going to Rockport, fish with Chuck Naiser – a fly-fishing-only guide who will do a great job for you. You can see Naiser on the full page SAGE ads in the saltwater fly fishing magazine. Naiser’s # is 512-729-9314.

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Can anyone give me any advise re using float tubes for fishing ? Anyone with any experiences pro or con would be appreciated. Thanks, Ron Ronald W Becker California " looking here and there for an interesting sight or two"

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Can anyone give me any advise re using float tubes for fishing ? Anyone with any experiences pro or con would be appreciated. Thanks, Ron

    My advise, as both a warm and cold water tuber, is to borrow one and fish the waters where you will want to spend most of your time. Find out as cheaply as possable if it is for you. Ask your fishing buddies or the tubers that you see at your lake. Folks love to share their experiences!     You will hear that one type of geer is best or that you will need such and such a thing, unless you have money to burn go slow. Some of the young guys like to use big hard fins that would kill me. So what is perfect for others is not always right for you. I started out with the cheapest, bare bones tube that I could find. Fished it for large mouth bass in warm water for a spring/summer and was quite happy with what I could do with it. So, the next spring I took it up into the mountains, 10,000 feet, high and cold. Found out that I needed more stuff, neophrene waiders, thermals, and an air pump. My point is, to not buy everything that you think that you could possiably ever need when you start. Grow into it.     Also, after a couple tubes, I found that the delux, high priced models, didn’t really improve the experience for me and infact made it somewhat more difficult because I tended to fill up all the pockets with stuff and then had to carry/kick the added weight. Though for equipment junkies the added features is just great.      Tubes are great in my opinion, and if you think that you are interested in the quiet, solitude, control, and exercise, go for it! brian

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Can anyone give me any advise re using float tubes for fishing ? Anyone with any experiences pro or con would be appreciated. Thanks, Ron

I was thinking of picking up a tube for river and pond fishing around Central Ohio late this summer, but decided on what is known as a kickboat.  If you don’t know, a kickboat is generally a small dual-pontoon type craft, with a fixed seat between the two pontoons.  Advantanges over tubes are that they are more stable, more comfortable, offer more storage, and you can add oar kits and even trolling motors to some.  Disadvantages are that they are slightly bigger, take more time to assemble, and are generally more expensive. I bought a J&R Outfitters Kingfisher III.  It’s a nice boat: the length is about 9′, very well constructed, and assembles very quickly.  I was also able to fit it in the back of my Eagle Talon!  I purchased mine with the optional oar kit (this is a fixed-oar kit with a kick bar to rest your feet), and a rear storage/cooler rack (will support up to 50 pounds).  The boat supports a total of 450 pounds, and again, is very stable.  I plan to buy the trolling motor when it’s ready in January. Again, they are expensive (I paid a total of 600.00 for the boat, oar kit, and storage rack, and the trolling motor kit will run 400.00), but I think they are better than tubes for a couple of reasons: one, you get a fixed seat with backrest and armrests. Secondly, you can get an oar kit, which is much better than kick-fins in most occassions.  Third, they hold more gear.  Lastly, you can keep your butt dry and not necessarily need waders!  They take a little while to assemble if you don’t put them together before leaving home (mine takes about 20 minutes including the 10 it takes to inflate the pontoons with a hand pump), and are heavy to lug around (although mine is a deluxe: you can get smaller, less expensive units that also weigh less), but I do like mine.   It was great catching the largest smallmouth I’ve ever caught (a little over 4 pounds) on it’s maden voyage! In all honesty, I’ll probably buy a tube this spring for the times I don’t need to cover a lot of water!

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: Can anyone give me any advise re using float tubes for fishing ? : Anyone with any experiences pro or con would be appreciated. : Thanks, Ron : Ronald W Becker : California : " looking here and there for an interesting sight or two"         Hey Ron,         Don’t use them in shark infested waters or in lakes with six foot snappin turtles!! Seriously, I’ve been fly fishing out of one for 2 years and love it. If fly fishing, I recomend at least an 8 ft rod. Also pisses the landlocked guys off when you haul in a trophy right out of their casting range!! Kinda fun!                                         dale — End of network mail

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Can anyone give me any advise re using float tubes for fishing ?

I would like to try this. But I don’t feel comfortable flowing down the river in a tube with myself somewhat tangled in it.  Can someone provide some statistics on the safety issue.  Thanks, Simon  

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