Question:

early June is prime but many lakes offer good fishing into the 1st half of July. Mid to late June into the 1st week of July is prime time for travelling sedges. The merrit area about 1 hour south west of Kamloops is also good and there is a very nice looking golf course just east of the town with a large modern resort. Salmon Lake, Glimpse, Peterhope, Plateau, the Lakes of the Douglas Lake Ranch and also Roche Lake and it’s many nearby lakes are all close by. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Prime time out of Kamloops for fly fishing is May/June as it is not very high elevation. July can be too late for the good fishing. For golf and fishing, I would pick a week in early June. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com What time of year? Can’t advise much on golf as I don’t. The Kamloops area is a good bet. My ex boss retired up there a few years back to engage his interest in both pursuits. It’s best known for it’s still water fishery with dozens of lakes within an hour or two’s drive. There is some fine stream fishing as well. Wanting to put together a fishing/golfing trip to BC. Any suggestions on an area we might find good prospects for both activities?

Response:

Great! Thanks much.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve golfed a lot in Kamloops and they have some real good courses. Dunes, Rivershore and one up on the plateau on the south side of #1 going east.  Forget the name but it’s a nice one as well.  Good fishing just south of Kamloops in the Logan lake area.  About 1 hour gets you to lots of fishing lakes. Wanting to put together a fishing/golfing trip to BC. Any suggestions on an area we might find good prospects for both activities?

Response:

Prime time out of Kamloops for fly fishing is May/June as it is not very high elevation. July can be too late for the good fishing. For golf and fishing, I would pick a week in early June. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What time of year? Can’t advise much on golf as I don’t. The Kamloops area is a good bet. My ex boss retired up there a few years back to engage his interest in both pursuits. It’s best known for it’s still water fishery with dozens of lakes within an hour or two’s drive. There is some fine stream fishing as well. Wanting to put together a fishing/golfing trip to BC. Any suggestions on an area we might find good prospects for both activities?

Response:

Thanks for the additional information. k

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Prime time out of Kamloops for fly fishing is May/June as it is not very high elevation. July can be too late for the good fishing. For golf and fishing, I would pick a week in early June. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com What time of year? Can’t advise much on golf as I don’t. The Kamloops area is a good bet. My ex boss retired up there a few years back to engage his interest in both pursuits. It’s best known for it’s still water fishery with dozens of lakes within an hour or two’s drive. There is some fine stream fishing as well. Wanting to put together a fishing/golfing trip to BC. Any suggestions on an area we might find good prospects for both activities?

Response:

I’ve golfed a lot in Kamloops and they have some real good courses. Dunes, Rivershore and one up on the plateau on the south side of #1 going east.  Forget the name but it’s a nice one as well.  Good fishing just south of Kamloops in the Logan lake area.  About 1 hour gets you to lots of fishing lakes. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wanting to put together a fishing/golfing trip to BC. Any suggestions on an area we might find good prospects for both activities?

Response:

Wanting to put together a fishing/golfing trip to BC. Any suggestions on an area we might find good prospects for both activities?

Response:

What time of year? Can’t advise much on golf as I don’t. The Kamloops area is a good bet. My ex boss retired up there a few years back to engage his interest in both pursuits. It’s best known for it’s still water fishery with dozens of lakes within an hour or two’s drive. There is some fine stream fishing as well. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wanting to put together a fishing/golfing trip to BC. Any suggestions on an area we might find good prospects for both activities?

Response:

We’re thinking June or July.  Will check out Kamloops. Thanks. karen

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What time of year? Can’t advise much on golf as I don’t. The Kamloops area is a good bet. My ex boss retired up there a few years back to engage his interest in both pursuits. It’s best known for it’s still water fishery with dozens of lakes within an hour or two’s drive. There is some fine stream fishing as well. Wanting to put together a fishing/golfing trip to BC. Any suggestions on an area we might find good prospects for both activities?

Response:

Question:

It REALLY isn’t necessary to take the entire six ounce tub in the stream with you.  The world is full of containers of all sizes and shapes.  Transferring Albolene from its original container to something more convenient for use in the stream is any easy task.

Film canisters work – used one for abolene for years.  Still carry one as a spare in my wader bag. Peter

Response:

 …..I take the albolene and put some into one of those little "Brand X" bottles thats almost empty! What do you think boys and girls?…..

Actually, I think the "Brand G" would be a better choice.  I hear there’s billions of em out there.

Response:

Hey, I’ve just had a brainstorm.

<Snipped, plan to undermine our glorious capitalist economy Good God man !   Are you trying to undermine the economics of the industry ? Shame on you !  It is mandatory for a flyfisherman to carry several extremely expensive bottles of various substances of doubtful value, and hardly ever to use them.  Ideas like yours, though probably economically sound, and eminently practical, might be the death knell of the industry. Some bugger will be advising us to use cheap rods as well next !  What is the world coming to ? TL MC

Response:

Got to be me! Dave

Response:

   sound advice, as usual, from a man whose ability to discern the truth of a matter is legendary.

Legend has it he did once<g. — Charlie…

Response:

Fished the Big Quilecene river this pm. Lots of summer run Dog salmon carcasses in river. Very few trout. Fished an Orange stimulator, #6 on a 4x, as an October Caddis. You skitter the October caddis, and bob it under the surface to emulate egg laying. Caught handful of little Cutts and 2 chunky sea brite "rainbows" of about 14"  Strong fish. Had tied up a dozen stimulators and dressed all in Albolene nite before. Tried lite and heavy dressings. Both floated the fly, but the heavier dressing of Albolene did better, and still worked after being mouthed by caught fish. Stayed a little too long and went a little too far so had to hoof it back a couple of miles thru dark pastures and highway 101. Luckily my route went by the Laughing Oyster bar. Classic timber town bar. Thankfully no spotted owl on the menu Sunday nights. Dave

Response:

Saturday, October 16, 1999 Wolfgang, …you seem to be an intelligent writer and you find it a point to seek out people at a public board and criticize.  Please, could you explain to me your idea of the ROFF, what it is in your words, and how you contribute?

Why yes, actually I’d be delighted.  ROFF is a public forum to which many people come to exchange ideas and information related to fly fishing and a host of other topics.  I contribute by posting on topic messages whenever I feel that they may satisfy one or more of the following criteria; they must be informative, unique, insightful, amusing, illustrative, or in some other way useful.  I use the same criteria for off topic posts. Now, since there are many regular contributors here whose knowledge of matters related to fly fishing is vastly greater than my own I leave most of the informative answers to fly fishing questions to them.  Given the wide ranging interests of the people who post here it stands to reason that certain topics will come up about which I am in a position to say something worthwhile by virtue of the fact that I am a unique human being with experiences different from anyone else’s.  When that happens I contribute as I can and when the spirit moves me. As for being critical, I plead guilty as charged.  So what?  Early in my career on this NG I was taken to task for daring to offer a definition of a scientific term which many others found lacking, and this is as it should be.  What, after all, is the purpose of a public forum?  Is it not to sift through the dross of ill considered and sloppily propounded opinions in search of the truth?  Or, if you will allow me to switch metaphors, what we are about here is a process of distillation.  We are looking for the pearls of wisdom hidden in the sow’s ear or some such. But enough of that. Let’s get to the point of your criticism so cleverly hidden in what appears to be a question.  So, you don’t like my tone.  Evidently you see me as being unnecessarily quarrelsome or even unkind.  Again, guilty as charged…at least in some cases.  I don’t find this particularly difficult to justify though.  The great beauty of the usenet is that it affords anyone with access the opportunity to say whatever he or she wishes with a guarantee that the message will be available to a wide audience.  The great shortcoming of the usenet is that it affords anyone with access the opportunity to say whatever he or she wishes with a guarantee that the message will be available to a wide audience.  We live in what is called the information age.  Unfortunately a lot of what passes as information is in fact, shit.  And not everyone who passes information via this forum is pure of motive.  All too often some sanctimonious asshole shows up with an agenda that has nothing to do with sharing information or camaraderie.  It’s all about demonstrating that he is a superior being, some kind of Nietzchean Ubermensch.  I suspect that more often than not the underlying motivation is really an attempt to convince himself that he is in fact something more than a waste of valuable space, but that is neither here nor there.  Whenever this occurs I will, in my own humble way, do whatever I can to convince him that this is not a friendly place for such as he.  I am of course aware that others see matters differently than I do and that they have different means of dealing with miscreants.  This too is as it should be.  We have several regulars here who are the very soul of kindness and forbearance. And while I admire their measured responses to people who are not worthy of their attention I cannot be who they are nor act as they do.  Different strokes…. I hope I have cleared up this matter for you.  If not, let me know via email and I’ll expand.    One thing has makes me curious though.  The post to which you responded with your criticism of my criticism was a plea for Kathy not to give up on ROFF.  There was nothing critical in anything I said in that post. In fact, I even pointed out your "small stream fly fishing part III" as an example of a good reason for staying!  It seems to me there would be more appropriate places for you to voice your complaints.  It shouldn’t be at all difficult for you to find a thread in which I took a swipe at someone. Cheers!

Response:

Saturday, October 16, 1999 Wolfgang, …you seem to be an intelligent writer and you find it a point to seek out people at a public board and criticize.  Please, could you explain to me your idea of the ROFF, what it is in your words, and how you contribute? Why yes, actually I’d be delighted.

        (remarkably intelligent response deleted) Cheers!

        who loves ya, baby. wayno

Response:

Albolene.   Costs about eight dollars ( American ) for a big jar. Sorry, forgot source !   Most drugstores and similar.

Hi all, Funny thing – if I say GINK is a terrific floatant  - that is not spam it’s the truth! If George says it, all hell breaks loose! — Bill http://www.graigroad.demon.co.uk

Response:

Bill Grey: <<Hi all, Funny thing – if I say GINK is a terrific floatant  - that is not spam it’s the truth! It is a terrific floatant.  I don’t think any one has a problem with that. Dave L.

Response:

For some stupid reason I actually scrolled through this trash. This is the entire reason why I have stopped wasting my time with this group. EGAD!!

Response:

For some stupid reason I actually scrolled through this trash. This is the entire reason why I have stopped wasting my time with this group. EGAD!!

here and say, "Hey!  Come on over to the Camp Site and join into the discussion about spamming!"  (?) Okay Kathy, I think we understand why you actually scrolled through this question.  Thanks for our opinion. Mr. G.

Response:

Hey Ernie, or whoever remembers Whats the name of that hand cream you said was a great floatant? Where can you buy it? How much does it cost? Dave

Response:

Im going to give this stuff a try. Just found out you can order Albolene floatant on the web for $6 a 6 oz jar. Fact is they sell it in case lots, and probably by the carload. Just in case anyone else is interested, here is their web address. http://cdesb.com/ Dave

Response:

Hey Ernie, or whoever remembers Whats the name of that hand cream you said was a great floatant? Where can you buy it? How much does it cost? Dave

Albolene.   Costs about eight dollars ( American ) for a big jar. TL MC

Response:

Albolene.   Costs about eight dollars ( American ) for a big jar.

Sorry, forgot source !   Most drugstores and similar.

Response:

oh, come on, isn’t worth $2.49  for you to have the convenience of an applicator bottle ? Or do you ant to go streamside with a 6 oz. jar hanging from your vest ? BTW, George when you coming out with a upside down applicator ?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Im going to give this stuff a try. Just found out you can order Albolene floatant on the web for $6 a 6 oz jar. Fact is they sell it in case lots, and probably by the carload. Just in case anyone else is interested, here is their web address. http://cdesb.com/ Dave

Response:

oh, come on, isn’t worth $2.49  for you to have the convenience of an applicator bottle ? Or do you ant to go streamside with a 6 oz. jar hanging from your vest ?

Can’t you fill an applicator bottle from the jar? I have never seen the stuff so I have no idea if it can be done or not, but I am sure someone out there already has (or tried).  Info? Tips? Warren Remember, men will come and men will go, but the streams and mountains go on forever. -Bob Carmichael

Response:

Somewhere along the way I picked up a little holster thingy that holds the Gink bottle upside down, clipped to a zinger on my vest.  Label says "Gus’s Original Montana Flot-Pak".  Damned if I know where I picked it up at, but it works fine. — Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF RETIRED – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – oh, come on, isn’t worth $2.49  for you to have the convenience of an applicator bottle ? Or do you ant to go streamside with a 6 oz. jar hanging from your vest ? BTW, George when you coming out with a upside down applicator ? Im going to give this stuff a try. Just found out you can order Albolene floatant on the web for $6 a 6 oz jar. Fact is they sell it in case lots, and probably by the carload. Just in case anyone else is interested, here is their web address. http://cdesb.com/ Dave

Response:

For some stupid reason I actually scrolled through this trash. This is the entire reason why I have stopped wasting my time with this group. EGAD!!

Don’t leave Kathy!  Lots of reasons to stay.  For example, see Adam’s "small stream fly fishing Part III" above.  In addition Mu shared a lovely story with us just yesterday.  Mike is back with with his valedictorian versification…….the list goes on.  Life goes on and ROFF is still the last best place around!

Response:

oh, come on, isn’t worth $2.49  for you to have the convenience of an applicator bottle ? Or do you ant to go streamside with a 6 oz. jar hanging from your vest ?

It REALLY isn’t necessary to take the entire six ounce tub in the stream with you.  The world is full of containers of all sizes and shapes.  Transferring Albolene from its original container to something more convenient for use in the stream is any easy task.

Response:

 Somewhere along the way I picked up a little holster thingy that holds the Gink bottle upside down, clipped to a zinger on my vest.  Label says "Gus’s Original Montana Flot-Pak".  Damned if I know where I picked it up at, but it works fine.

     If you are a real cheapskate (I am) you can make your own bottle holder. All the hardware stores sell black plastic 1" table leg end caps, they are usually come packaged four for a buck. These will snugly hold most of the gooey floatants (if you still use the stuff), most brands come in the same size bottle. Burn two holes in the base with a hot dubbing needle and tie in a loop of leader butt material. Voila- make one for yourself and impress three friends for a buck.

Response:

For some stupid reason I actually scrolled through this trash. This is the entire reason why I have stopped wasting my time with this group. EGAD!!

Filter all but those from A. Wayne Harrison….he is the young Marlon Brando. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

Response:

For some stupid reason I actually scrolled through this trash. This is the entire reason why I have stopped wasting my time with this group. EGAD!! Filter all but those from A. Wayne Harrison….he is the young Marlon Brando. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

    sound advice, as usual, from a man whose ability to discern the truth of a matter is legendary. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Hey, I’ve just had a brainstorm.  OK ready?  What about this:  I take the albolene and put some into one of those little "Brand X" bottles thats almost empty! What do you think boys and girls? Will this work? Betcha it will. Dave

Response:

Question:

Also try http://www.floridaflyfishing.com Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any local info on fishing with Fly in Florida ? Out of towner (Actually out of country – London England) is trying to plan some Saltwater Fly fishing from Skiffs in Florida – any info or help appreciated. I need to identify region, accomodation & a guide with a boat .. Everything in fact !

Response:

This is a good start. I’ve fished with this guide several times on West Coast of Florida. He knows his stuff. rgill http://www.gianttarpon.com/fishingguide.htm Any local info on fishing with Fly in Florida ? Out of towner (Actually out of country – London England) is trying to plan some Saltwater Fly fishing from Skiffs in Florida – any info or help appreciated. I need to identify region, accomodation & a guide with a boat .. Everything in fact !

– How very simple life would be if only there were two of me A restless me to drift and roam a quiet me to stay at home.                    from "The Double Life" by Don Blanding

Response:

I am not a fly-fisherman, but I do have a site that includes a list of over 100 South Florida guides on the internet, including many who specialize in flyfishing trips. The guides list is at http://inshore.com/f-guides.html. On a more personal note; I have fished with Capt. Chris Asaro several times and while he allows me to use spinning tackle, he really does prefer fly. He has his own site at http://www.sightfish.net/ . Jim Sawyer www.inshore.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any local info on fishing with Fly in Florida ? Out of towner (Actually out of country – London England) is trying to plan some Saltwater Fly fishing from Skiffs in Florida – any info or help appreciated. I need to identify region, accomodation & a guide with a boat .. Everything in fact !

Response:

Any local info on fishing with Fly in Florida ? Out of towner (Actually out of country – London England) is trying to plan some Saltwater Fly fishing from Skiffs in Florida – any info or help appreciated. I need to identify region, accomodation & a guide with a boat .. Everything in fact !

Response:

Question:

I don’t know why the thought of asking the group this question didn’t occur to me until now, but I’m supremely confident that you all (that would be y’all) can set me straight. I’m not sure, but I seem to be putting too much power into my casts.   On my forward cast, the line & leader will occasionally straighten out then recoil into a less than beautiful wiggle on the surface.   When I concentrate (admittedly my weak point), I can lower my rod tip as the line goes forward and that seems to take the jerk out of it (at the other end, that is). This is difficult to control, though; and sometimes I take away too much and the leader never straightens.   Still, I think this is only coping with the symptom, not the cause. Am I in fact overpowering the cast?   Do I just need to ease up a little on the forward stroke?   What else could I be doing wrong?   At present, this is my major flaw in presentation.   I have no problem with practice, practice, practice; but I fear I may develop worse habits if I continue to practice a bad motion. Joe F.

Response:

Could be your line is one weight too light for the rod or your leader is too short OR the leader(tippet) is too light for the fly you’re casting…. Without seeing you cast, it’s tough to diagnose….kinda like tellin a mechanic "every time I drive my car it makes a sound like WHIRR WHIRR CLICK CLAK…do you know what it is????" I’d try by process of elimination to determine if any of the above work for you. Larry #:)#

Response:

Joe F. writes:

<<I’m not sure, but I seem to be putting too much power into my casts.   On my forward cast, the line & leader will occasionally straighten out then recoil into a less than beautiful wiggle on the surface. Could be you *are* overpowering your casts.  I had (and still do a lot of time) the same problem,  I believe it was Peter Charles that told me to try putting my extended index finger on the grip instead of my thumb.  It worked wonderfully.  It seems it is difficult to overpower your cast with your hand so placed. Give it a try and come back and report, or else wait for Peter to chime in.  <g  He’ll have the answer for sure. Dave LaCourse

Response:

I don’t know why the thought of asking the group this question didn’t occur to me until now, but I’m supremely confident that you all (that would be y’all) can set me straight. I’m not sure, but I seem to be putting too much power into my casts.   On my forward cast, the line & leader will occasionally straighten out then recoil into a less than beautiful wiggle on the surface.  

You are "over powering" your cast but if you’re fishing dries, "over powering" is one technique to help get a drag free drift. That "wiggle" on the surface is good (as long as it isn’t too excessive) because it will allow for a longer drag free float than with a perfectly straight leader. Willi

Response:

I also cast with my index finger on the grip and this works nicely for me.  One of the easiest things to do when trying to make that little extra further cast is to apply too much power to the rod.  Good timing seems more important to me when making these "longer" casts.  And as you mentioned; Practice, practice, practice, and listen to what many of the regular posters suggest here~~They really know their stuff. Jeff Boks Fly Fishing~~~~~Just Do It

Response:

Joe: You’re getting some good advice.  I’ll add that even a perfect cast will have leader recoil if you check up on the rod tip hard at the end of the forward stroke.  That’s why it doesn’t happen when you lower the rod tip.  But as Willi has noted, that is exactly what you want to do if you want all those curves on the water to give you a better dry fly float. Mark Faulkner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know why the thought of asking the group this question didn’t occur to me until now, but I’m supremely confident that you all (that would be y’all) can set me straight. I’m not sure, but I seem to be putting too much power into my casts.   On my forward cast, the line & leader will occasionally straighten out then recoil into a less than beautiful wiggle on the surface.   When I concentrate (admittedly my weak point), I can lower my rod tip as the line goes forward and that seems to take the jerk out of it (at the other end, that is). This is difficult to control, though; and sometimes I take away too much and the leader never straightens.   Still, I think this is only coping with the symptom, not the cause. Am I in fact overpowering the cast?   Do I just need to ease up a little on the forward stroke?   What else could I be doing wrong?   At present, this is my major flaw in presentation.   I have no problem with practice, practice, practice; but I fear I may develop worse habits if I continue to practice a bad motion. Joe F.

Response:

Could be you *are* overpowering your casts.  I had (and still do a lot of time) the same problem,  I believe it was Peter Charles that told me to try putting my extended index finger on the grip instead of my thumb.  It worked wonderfully.  It seems it is difficult to overpower your cast with your hand so placed.

Dave (and Pete): that is indeed a sure way to under-power a casting stroke. Unfortunately, it’s also a sure way to develop RSI in your wrist and forearm. There are less injurious ways to deal with a power & timing problem… As for the resulting wiggles providing a benefit: better to learn the proper, bread-and-butter wiggle-free cast, then learn a proper "pile" cast for when it’s needed. A good "pile" will one hell of a lot of wiggles into the line and provide a much longer drag-free drift than an overpowered cast ever will. /daytripper

Response:

No wonder he doesn’t fish anymore.  He’s gone blind. – Mu – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <<I had this problem until I started wanking with the other hand to compensate….hell I was getting a 22 inch forearm. Is that why they call you "Stubby"?  <g Dave & co., I don’t understand T-Bonics.  Please explain using clinical terms. It’s what he became a master at before becoming a master angler. — Charlie…

Response:

Mu: <<No wonder he doesn’t fish anymore.  He’s gone blind. Brings new meaning to the term "catch and kill". <g Dave LaCourse

Response:

Al:  is it really you?  man it’s good to see you back.  If you get a chance, drop me a note as to your whereabouts these days. And to the newer ROFFians, Al has been a great help to many of us with advice on all topics.  Not to worry, Al – that stretch of the _____ you put me on a couple years ago in M_____ will always be safe with me! Mark Faulkner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Joe, For years I had trouble with my casting and practice did not seem fix it because I was doing exactly like you were concerned about – practicing my mistakes. One day I was testing rods at a fly fishing show and a gentleman walked over and offered a bit of advise. In ten minutes I knew what I was doing wrong (it took a couple of years to permanently correct the problem). That man was Mel Kreiger. I suggest you invest one hour with a competent professional. If you don’t know of one in your area call the Federation of Fly Fishers at 406-585-7592 and ask them for the name of a Certified Instructor near you. Good luck & … Tight Lines – Al Beatty http://www.btsflyfishing.com

Response:

Aww…..TBone… So it’s not true?  In the past you used to boast about being able to switch hands without dropping a stroke…..or were you talking about GOLF then, too???? =8^)

Response:

T-Bone: <<I had this problem until I started wanking with the other hand to compensate….hell I was getting a 22 inch forearm. Is that why they call you "Stubby"?  <g Dave LaCourse

Response:

T-Bone: <<I had this problem until I started wanking with the other hand to compensate….hell I was getting a 22 inch forearm. Is that why they call you "Stubby"?  <g

Dave & co., I don’t understand T-Bonics.  Please explain using clinical terms. Mu

Response:

T-Bone: <<I had this problem until I started wanking with the other hand to compensate….hell I was getting a 22 inch forearm. Is that why they call you "Stubby"?  <g Dave & co., I don’t understand T-Bonics.  Please explain using clinical terms.

Man, am I ashamed of starting the thread that led down this road!    d:-o Joe F.

Response:

I’m not sure, but I seem to be putting too much power into my casts.

I had this problem until I started wanking with the other hand to compensate….hell I was getting a 22 inch forearm. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

Response:

Hi Joe, For years I had trouble with my casting and practice did not seem fix it because I was doing exactly like you were concerned about – practicing my mistakes. One day I was testing rods at a fly fishing show and a gentleman walked over and offered a bit of advise. In ten minutes I knew what I was doing wrong (it took a couple of years to permanently correct the problem). That man was Mel Kreiger. I suggest you invest one hour with a competent professional. If you don’t know of one in your area call the Federation of Fly Fishers at 406-585-7592 and ask them for the name of a Certified Instructor near you. Good luck & … Tight Lines – Al Beatty http://www.btsflyfishing.com

Response:

For years I had trouble with my casting and practice did not seem fix it because I was doing exactly like you were concerned about – practicing my mistakes. One day I was testing rods at a fly fishing show and a gentleman walked over and offered a bit of advise. In ten minutes I knew what I was doing wrong (it took a couple of years to permanently correct the problem). That man was Mel Kreiger.

I concur.  I recently got a free casting class with the Becks and found out a couple of problems with my casting.  I always had a hook in my line when I cast and found out it was because I was twisting my wrist.  I also learned how to double haul, ect.  An hour class and a little practice makes all of the difference in the world. Warren

Response:

I don’t know why the thought of asking the group this question didn’t occur to me until now, but I’m supremely confident that you all (that would be y’all) can set me straight. I’m not sure, but I seem to be putting too much power into my casts.   On my forward cast, the line & leader will occasionally straighten out then recoil into a less than beautiful wiggle on the surface.

Thanks to all for the advice; all of which sounds pretty good.   I’ll add that my overall problem is probably consistency.   I can cast pretty well on occasion, using roll casts, reach casts, and even throwing a nice straight line.   Sometimes, though, it just ain’t working; and finesse and delicacy act as if they don’t know me.   With my relative inexperience, I have difficulty figuring out why.   For one thing, I just need to fish more often. I’ve been "in the groove" a few times when my touch and timing were right on, and it was a beautiful thing. I’d have posted this thanks sooner, but too much good advice was pouring in. Thanks again. Joe F.

Response:

A natural hook? And I’ve been trying to learn how to fish around corners?

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May not be the root of the problem but try releasing a loop of line in front of the reel toward the end of your forward cast. That will prevent some recoil. Steve

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know why the thought of asking the group this question didn’t occur to me until now, but I’m supremely confident that you all (that would be y’all) can set me straight. I’m not sure, but I seem to be putting too much power into my casts.   On my forward cast, the line & leader will occasionally straighten out then recoil into a less than beautiful wiggle on the surface.   When I concentrate (admittedly my weak point), I can lower my rod tip as the line goes forward and that seems to take the jerk out of it (at the other end, that is). This is difficult to control, though; and sometimes I take away too much and the leader never straightens.   Still, I think this is only coping with the symptom, not the cause. Am I in fact overpowering the cast?   Do I just need to ease up a little on the forward stroke?   What else could I be doing wrong?   At present, this is my major flaw in presentation.   I have no problem with practice, practice, practice; but I fear I may develop worse habits if I continue to practice a bad motion. Joe F.

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Joe, I’m not the expert but here are two things that have helped me. First, taking out a whole day and fly fishing for hours on end helped me find a groove. Consistency is my problem too as I typically only fish for short periods of time when I can get away here and there.  Next, have your wife photograph (hi-speed) or videotape your stroke.  There are plenty of things which become apparent when you are watching from outside of your own body. For example, I found out that instead of drifting the rod backwards with the line after the power stroke, I was letting the tip drop below the fly line.   Of course you’ll need the discipline to consciously adjust your motions based on what you see in the video.  This is not so easy to do because unless you are used to interacting with yourself, it quickly gets boring.  I suppose having a casting instructor by your side, who engages you on a one-to-one level is of great benefit in that regard. Mu, waiting for the risers – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks to all for the advice; all of which sounds pretty good.   I’ll add that my overall problem is probably consistency.   I can cast pretty well on occasion, using roll casts, reach casts, and even throwing a nice straight line.   Sometimes, though, it just ain’t working; and finesse and delicacy act as if they don’t know me.   With my relative inexperience, I have difficulty figuring out why.   For one thing, I just need to fish more often. I’ve been "in the groove" a few times when my touch and timing were right on, and it was a beautiful thing.

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The best thing to do is to take a casting lesson from someone you know who is good, or from a good pro. The postal diagnosis of casting faults may be likened to correspondence courses in brain surgery, and the results are likely to be similarly catastrophic. An absolutely brilliant caster and fly-fisher ( the two are not necessarily synonymous ) once told me that one should practice until one could cast a perfectly straight line and leader, and having achieved this, to never ever do it again.  This applies to dry fly fishing of course, where a slack wavy leader is far better than a straight  tight one. Practising is only of use if you are practising correctly, practising incorrectly will usually result in you acquiring muscle memory for bad habits, which are then extremely difficult to get rid of.  Take a lesson and save yourself a lot of grief. TL MC

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        which leads me to ponder:  what is the sound of one fish flopping? wayno the zen master – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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wayno writes:

<<which leads me to ponder:  what is the sound of one fish flopping? It goes sorta like this: "I didn’t do it, counselor.  I *swear* I didn’t do it.  I was in church.  They’re out to get me." davo

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Question:

Watched the temp go up to 50 degrees today.  Out to the back porch and cleaned my fly line, new leader, a couple of casts into the snow in my yard, and smoked an LGC Corona Gorda.  Sunday on to the Malad River for some march(spring) fishing!!  God, it’s great to see the sun shine and the snow start to melt.  And yes it was a good cigar! Doug

        well, ol doug, it was just about the same temp here in the old north state, several degrees in latitude to your south; but the feelings were just the same.  the phoenix.  here we go again, by god.         wayne harrison

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Watched the temp go up to 50 degrees today.  Out to the back porch and cleaned my fly line, new leader, a couple of casts into the snow in my yard, and smoked an LGC Corona Gorda.  Sunday on to the Malad River for some march(spring) fishing!!  God, it’s great to see the sun shine and the snow start to melt.  And yes it was a good cigar! Doug — Doug & Tammy Stephens Bear Lake Valley, Idaho

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Question:

Lost set up, hard drive kaput. need name of the usenet fly tying group. Any help appreciated. —  *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *       *  *  Skip Summer             From somewhere in the Huron River, *  *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *       *

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Lost set up, hard drive kaput. need name of the usenet fly tying group. Any help appreciated.

rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying — Charlie…

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Question:

I’m heading for Tahoe for a week at the end of September. I am a total beginner (one weekend class in Mass), and would love to hook up with a guide for a day somewhere in the area. I will have a car.  Any advice on guides, fishing outfitters, places I shouldn’t miss, etc.  would be very much appreciated. -Ruth

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I’m heading for Tahoe for a week at the end of September. I am a total beginner (one weekend class in Mass), and would love to hook up with a guide for a day somewhere in the area. I will have a car.  Any advice on guides, fishing outfitters, places I shouldn’t miss, etc.  would be very much appreciated. -Ruth

The Truckee river is at the north end of lake Tahoe. I would call the Reno Fly shop for a guide. South of lake Tahoe is the east Carson river. You might call the Fly Fishing and Outdoor Store at South Tahoe for a guide. If you need more info you can call us at 800/4000FLY Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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Question:

Anybody out there had any experience on Kelly Creek?  We’re planning a trip in early September and were wondering about fly patterns, sizes, etc.  Any tips? Thanks!

I haven’t fished Kelly since 1972, but back then, in Aug. and Sept. you couldn’t go wrong with any kind of hopper pattern. It’s possible that the fish are more sophisticated now, however. Jim

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Anybody out there had any experience on Kelly Creek?  We’re planning a trip in early September and were wondering about fly patterns, sizes, etc.  Any tips? Thanks!

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Anybody out there had any experience on Kelly Creek?  We’re planning a trip in early September and were wondering about fly patterns, sizes, etc.  Any tips? Thanks!

Hi Kelly creek is great that time of year. The normal flies work well like Wulffs, renegades, para-Adams, EHC, bead heads, compara-duns, H&L, etc. I particularly like an H&L with a renegade on a dropper. Don’t forget hopper for that time of year. Good luck and let us know how things turn out. — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Catalog,Tips & Tricks, Fishing Reports, & NeverSink at: http://www.btsflyfishing.com

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Question:

You should really do your homework befor going to the devils river. Legally, your cannot step on the streambed due to mexican land grants. You might wan’t to check out the water temperatures as well. Jeff goodwin **  Ashley Laurent,Inc. **  Software Development  **     Consulting          ** *                                   *                                         * * 10,000 Research Blvd, Suite 128   *     voice: 512-478-0776                 * * Austin, Texas 78759               *     fax  : 512-478-0803                 * *                                   *                                         * * Microsoft Solution Provider       *     Complete Systems Design/Development * * OS/2 Premier Developer            *     Workflow and Workgroup Solutions    * * Novell Professional Developer     *     Industrial Appl./Device Drivers     * – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m heading to Texas in late March to flyfish for smallmouth on Devil’s River.  I’ve never been there before, nor have I done much fly-fishing for smallmouth.  Can anyone recommend flies or provide any other useful advice?  I was thinking of just tying some muddlers and wooly buggers, and maybe some ghosts.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Ashley: I live in south-central Texas and have fished the Devil’s on several occasions. Right now the river is going to be low because of the drought along the border. Generally speaking the best source of information is probably from Jim Kuper at The Tacklebox Outfitters in San Antonio, Tx. Jim is knowledgeable about floating the Devil’s from Baker’s Crossing to Lake Amistad. Contact Jim at (210) 821-5806. As I said, I’ve fished the Devil’s several times over the last 3 years. Because of the draught each year seems to get worse. Last summer I decided not to go back until the draught broke… I’m still waiting. DNW

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Question:

: I’m thinking about a first trip to the San Juan this fall or next spring. : When’s the best dry fly fishing? Chris, Absolutely the best dry fly fishing I ever had on the San Juan was in mid-September a few years back over a Pale Morning Dun hatch.  I have been back a few years at the same time but have never caught it that way again. Baetis and midges hatch pretty much anytime conditions are right (overcast) regardless of time of year. Plan to fish some nymphs. Chuck

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I’m thinking about a first trip to the San Juan this fall or next spring. When’s the best dry fly fishing? Chris Long Long Island, New York

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