Question:

JeffC apparently wrote… I’ve heard this many times – when it’s drizzling or raining or snowing, the such-and-such really start hatching.  I remember the discussion of drying time for wings, but I’m wondering if there’s really something about a rain, even a light drizzle, that nymphs on the bottom can actually detect, and then be caused to respond to by hatching at that time.

Jeff, I don’t think anyone is saying it is the rain, snow or drizzle is what causes the hatch to kick in.  Think light levels during these periods and you should be able to get up to speed. — Warren change addy to yahoo for email Henry’s Fork Clave info and Bozeman, MT fishing info http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt3/HFclave.html

Response:

Got out for a couple of hours today. For the first hour, the fish were taken midges, landed one and stung a couple more. Then heavy cloud cover came out, it started to intermittently rain and the Olives started hatching. I got moved out of the best stretch of water by a couple kids who moved in when they saw me catch a fish. They were flinging bobbers the size of tennis balls over the fish that were rising in less than a foot of water. I told them they would do better in the deep pool under the bridge but….. The stretch that I fished usually doesn’t fish very well until the water levels rise. However, with the cloud cover and the drizzle, the fish had moved into a shallow run to feed on the Olives. Being early in the hatch, it seemed that most fish were taking emergers. I caught a couple fish, then the sun came out and although it continued to drizzle, the Olives and the fish stopped. The sun stayed out for about ten minutes and then it took about another ten before the Olives and the fish started up again. Took one more fish and then it was time to leave. I tried to watch for Olives on the water, both during periods of cloud cover and during the intermittent sunny periods. I could look over a large placid pool and easily see the Olives on the water. Although the hatch wasn’t heavy, during cloudy periods, there were always at least half a dozen  Olives on the pool but none during the sunny periods. It could be that the Olives were flying off more quickly under the sun, but even though the sun was out, it continued to drizzle. Now that Olive "season" has started, I’ll try and make a point of observing this. Willi

Response:

cut ….. Although the  hatch wasn’t heavy, during cloudy periods, there were always at least half a dozen  Olives on the pool but none during the sunny periods.

I’ve noticed this too. I’ve also noticed–especially in the early season leading up to high water and the salmon fly hatch (here in Montana) –that the fishing often turns on and off  semi-instantly, as the sun alternately hides and shows between dark,  early season cloud cover—–even when there is no apparent hatch of any kind. I’ve seen the fishing on the Big Hole go from spectacular to zip in just a few seconds, the minute a bright sun pops out from behind a cloud.  In the early season, I want to see those clam chowder skies…..and no wind.  Maybe that’s what they have in paradise:  60 degrees with fuzzy clouds and a soft rain, and no wind. And lots of trout streams.  On on my way.

Response:

Got out for a couple of hours today. For the first hour, the fish were taken midges, landed one and stung a couple more. Then heavy cloud cover came out, it started to intermittently rain and the Olives started hatching.

How could nymphs "know" that there was rain?  Sun vs. clouds, yes, barometric pressure, maybe, but in riffly water, how about rain?

Response:

How could nymphs "know" that there was rain?  Sun vs. clouds, yes, barometric pressure, maybe, but in riffly water, how about rain?

Impact of rain on surface, chemical change in water, change in surface interaction with "light", stick their heads out and look? GKT

Response:

Got out for a couple of hours today. For the first hour, the fish were taken midges, landed one and stung a couple more. Then heavy cloud cover came out, it started to intermittently rain and the Olives started hatching. How could nymphs "know" that there was rain?  Sun vs. clouds, yes, barometric pressure, maybe, but in riffly water, how about rain?

It was more in response to a comment that we see more Mayflies on the water during cloudy weather because it takes more time for them to dry (seems plausible). Later in my post I talked about not seeing many Mayflies when it was sunny, although it still continued to drizzle. Sun and drizzle at the same time wouldn’t seem to be too conducive to drying. Willi

Response:

It was more in response to a comment that we see more Mayflies on the water during cloudy weather because it takes more time for them to dry (seems plausible). Later in my post I talked about not seeing many Mayflies when it was sunny, although it still continued to drizzle. Sun and drizzle at the same time wouldn’t seem to be too conducive to drying.

I’ve heard this many times – when it’s drizzling or raining or snowing, the such-and-such really start hatching.  I remember the discussion of drying time for wings, but I’m wondering if there’s really something about a rain, even a light drizzle, that nymphs on the bottom can actually detect, and then be caused to respond to by hatching at that time.

Response:

I remember the discussion of drying time for wings, but I’m wondering if there’s really something about a rain, even a light drizzle, that nymphs on the bottom can actually detect, and then be caused to respond to by hatching at that time.

Well, maybe. But it could also be that the duns are on the surface for a longer time in cold drizzley weather, so the hatch seems heavier. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

Response:

Question:

Are there any good books that go into detail about the life cycle of midges with fly patterns for the various stages?  I am starting to wonder if maybe the cold water temps had the fish keying off larvae or pupae since they probably could have obtained these with less effort than the adults or emergers.

Try "Western Hatches" by Rick Hafele and David Hughes.  

Response:

Our rivers do occasionally freeze to an extent , but it is quite rare. Midges are my most important flies in winter. Trout are out of season here in winter, but they are still often caught when fishing for grayling.  In winter it is common to find trout and grayling in such places, in summer you will rarely find grayling there, and nowhere near as many trout either. There are one or two pools on my home stream that are full of fish in winter, simply because of the midges, and perhaps because of one other linked phenomenon ( see below ). In summer the fish redistribute themselves, as more insects become available.  In winter, midges are practically the only things moving at all. One other point which might be of interest, although it is difficult to check. The water flowing over silt/mud, and rotting detritus generally, is warmer than the other water in the area.  This is presumably because of the heat generated by the decomposition, and the insulating properties of the mud.  All the chironomid larvae I have found have been found in such conditions.  The temperature difference can be appreciable.  You need special equipment to check this, but we have measured a steadily decreasing water temperature gradient above such mud, the mud itself sometimes being ten or more degrees warmer than the water. As such deposits are only found in relatively slow moving areas, the water directly above the mud warms up. The water three feet above the mud ( in the water column), and ten feet below it ( in stream flow direction ), was up to four degrees warmer than the rest of the water flowing past, which in this particular stream is otherwise a fairly constant 8

Question:

 Anxious to try my new Diamondback All American 6.5 ft. 3 wt. rod I brought it into work today.  Fortunately I have a huge lake right out the back door of my office.  I don’t usually fish warm water but this was the first chance I would have to try the rod.  I started with a #16 Bead Head Hare’s Ear nymph.  The rod was a little slower than I remember it but felt great.  Line was a SA Mastery WF3F with about 4 ft. of the forward section removed.  I attached a Cortland loop tip and AirFlo 5 ft. light trout leader.  The tippet was 5X.  I felt the Fly Logic FLP 345 was a little heavy for the rod.  I will probably look for something lighter.  The cork was large for this small rod and filled my hand nicely.  The rod tip is soft enough to flip over just the tippet nicely and the butt has the stifness to pump out a 40 ft. cast effortlessly.  Diamondback uses unsanded blanks and first impression is of a rough finish.  Wrappings are well done in dark green and the rod has a pleasing appearance.  The ferrul lacks witness marks, I’ll remedy this later.  I threw the nymph and a #8 popper with rubber legs and hair tail in yellow (per Big Dale’s recommendation).  The rig let me pinpoint casts along the riprap to individual fish and gave me all the rod I needed for casts reaching beyond 50 feet into the lake. Considering I had my back against a steep bank and had to reach up to give the back cast room, I think this was excellent distance.  I don’t usually fish for bluegill but the little 1 and 2 pounders were a lot of fun on this rod.  As soon as I can get a weekend free I’m off to the mountain streams for some REAL fishing! — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

Response:

….  I don’t usually fish for bluegill but the little 1 and 2 pounders were a lot of fun on this rod.  As soon as I can get a weekend free I’m off to the mountain streams for some REAL fishing!

A 2 pound bluegill is NOT little and if you think there’s something more REAL than big bluegill on a 3wt, I can only surmise that you’ve suffered some sort of anal cranial inversion. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

 I don’t usually fish for bluegill but the little 1 and 2 pounders were a lot of fun on this rod.  As soon as I can get a weekend free I’m off to the mountain streams for some REAL fishing! A 2 pound bluegill is NOT little and if you think there’s something more REAL than big bluegill on a 3wt, I can only surmise that you’ve suffered some sort of anal cranial inversion.

I was about to say the same thing, but Ken beat me to it while I was looking up the Maryland state record bluegill.   It was 3 lb. 7 oz., caught in August 98.

Response:

"I don’t usually fish for bluegill but the little 1 and 2 pounders were a lot of fun on this rod.  As soon as I can get a weekend free I’m off to the mountain streams for some REAL fishing!" Gee Wayne, sorry you had to be stuck with such teeny,tiny fish to test the new rod.  Mostly it’s been my experience that those little ones just get hooked and give up right away- almost jump up on the bank to throw in the towel against one of those husky 3wt’s. BTW- mind sending along your business address if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, I don’t really have to take that trip to the AuSable – I mean it’s not written in stone or anything   Jim McCreary

Response:

I second that emotion, there ain’t nuthin much more fun than hit’n on a bunch of pound and half pumpkin seeds and blue gill on a 3wt. I’ll be doing it again in the morning. I enjoy both but don’t have the opportunity to really fish but maybe twice a year so I must REALLY fish each weekend. All in fun Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  I don’t usually fish for bluegill but the little 1 and 2 pounders were a lot of fun on this rod.  As soon as I can get a weekend free I’m off to the mountain streams for some REAL fishing! A 2 pound bluegill is NOT little and if you think there’s something more REAL than big bluegill on a 3wt, I can only surmise that you’ve suffered some sort of anal cranial inversion. I was about to say the same thing, but Ken beat me to it while I was looking up the Maryland state record bluegill.   It was 3 lb. 7 oz., caught in August 98.

Response:

1 to 2 pound Bluegill !!!  WHERE ?  I NEED TO KNOW NOW !!! Bill

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I second that emotion, there ain’t nuthin much more fun than hit’n on a bunch of pound and half pumpkin seeds and blue gill on a 3wt. I’ll be doing it again in the morning. I enjoy both but don’t have the opportunity to really fish but maybe twice a year so I must REALLY fish each weekend. All in fun Jim  I don’t usually fish for bluegill but the little 1 and 2 pounders were a lot of fun on this rod.  As soon as I can get a weekend free I’m off to the mountain streams for some REAL fishing! A 2 pound bluegill is NOT little and if you think there’s something more REAL than big bluegill on a 3wt, I can only surmise that you’ve suffered some sort of anal cranial inversion. I was about to say the same thing, but Ken beat me to it while I was looking up the Maryland state record bluegill.   It was 3 lb. 7 oz., caught in August 98.

Response:

around 6 lbs. as I recall, caught last year. Jim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -1 to 2 pound Bluegill !!!  WHERE ?  I NEED TO KNOW NOW !!! Bill I second that emotion, there ain’t nuthin much more fun than hit’n on a bunch of pound and half pumpkin seeds and blue gill on a 3wt. I’ll be doing it again in the morning. I enjoy both but don’t have the opportunity to really fish but maybe twice a year so I must REALLY fish each weekend. All in fun Jim  I don’t usually fish for bluegill but the little 1 and 2 pounders were a lot of fun on this rod.  As soon as I can get a weekend free I’m off to the mountain streams for some REAL fishing! A 2 pound bluegill is NOT little and if you think there’s something more REAL than big bluegill on a 3wt, I can only surmise that you’ve suffered some sort of anal cranial inversion. I was about to say the same thing, but Ken beat me to it while I was looking up the Maryland state record bluegill.   It was 3 lb. 7 oz., caught in August 98.

Response:

Bill, Lake Anna near Mineral Virginia.  I work at the nuclear power station on Lake Anna.  Our shoreline has areas of large rip-rap which grows VERY large bluegill and attracts a nice population of 1 to 3 pound bass as well.  I didn’t read the carp on a fly thread but we have 20 to 30 pounders in abundance ( our European members are having woodies by now). Wayne To fish is Human….To Release Divine.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -1 to 2 pound Bluegill !!!  WHERE ?  I NEED TO KNOW NOW !!! Bill

Response:

Bluegill is around 6 lbs. as I recall, caught last year.

Could someone please tell me why the hell I am going to Ennis next summer for the western clave when I could be going to South Carolina in a search for a six pound bluegill? Big Dale

Response:

Could someone please tell me why the hell I am going to Ennis next summer for the western clave when I could be going to South Carolina in a search for a six pound bluegill?

Because the NAACP has issued a tourism boycott of South Carolina ? Works for me. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Well let’s see, I have Virginia and South Carolina now.  Think I could make a weekend trip from Arizona? Times are getting desperate.  I got stuck in a job doing 65 hours per week and no weekends.  I decided an education was the only way out.  I just finished a BS degree in Information Systems and got certified in VB 6.0. Now if I can just find employment with weekends off I can chase those big Bluegill again.  Haven’t had a chance to breath in the last two years and if I don’t catch a good fish soon I’m going to lose it!  Major withdrawal symptoms taking effect. Bill

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Bill, Lake Anna near Mineral Virginia.  I work at the nuclear power station on Lake Anna.  Our shoreline has areas of large rip-rap which grows VERY large bluegill and attracts a nice population of 1 to 3 pound bass as well.  I didn’t read the carp on a fly thread but we have 20 to 30 pounders in abundance ( our European members are having woodies by now). Wayne To fish is Human….To Release Divine. 1 to 2 pound Bluegill !!!  WHERE ?  I NEED TO KNOW NOW !!! Bill

Response:

Fish was caught using a fly rod, but he had a spinning reel on it dropping a jig into shore cover in a tailrace canal. It was an ugly damn thing but man was it big…. Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Bluegill is around 6 lbs. as I recall, caught last year. Could someone please tell me why the hell I am going to Ennis next summer for the western clave when I could be going to South Carolina in a search for a six pound bluegill? Big Dale

Response:

Sheesh Big Dale, I can’t even conjur up an image of a 6# bluegill, it gives me the shakes to imagine that monster on my 3 wt.  Can you say "into the backing"? :-0 Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF RETIRED – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Bluegill is around 6 lbs. as I recall, caught last year. Could someone please tell me why the hell I am going to Ennis next summer for the western clave when I could be going to South Carolina in a search for a six pound bluegill? Big Dale

Response:

Bill, it will come with time, I spent 20 yrs in the navy and had no time, I’m now 54 and have averaged 104 days per year on the water for the last four years. I don’t do weekends or windows anymore. Jim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Well let’s see, I have Virginia and South Carolina now.  Think I could make a weekend trip from Arizona? Times are getting desperate.  I got stuck in a job doing 65 hours per week and no weekends.  I decided an education was the only way out.  I just finished a BS degree in Information Systems and got certified in VB 6.0. Now if I can just find employment with weekends off I can chase those big Bluegill again.  Haven’t had a chance to breath in the last two years and if I don’t catch a good fish soon I’m going to lose it!  Major withdrawal symptoms taking effect. Bill Bill, Lake Anna near Mineral Virginia.  I work at the nuclear power station on Lake Anna.  Our shoreline has areas of large rip-rap which grows VERY large bluegill and attracts a nice population of 1 to 3 pound bass as well.  I didn’t read the carp on a fly thread but we have 20 to 30 pounders in abundance ( our European members are having woodies by now). Wayne To fish is Human….To Release Divine. 1 to 2 pound Bluegill !!!  WHERE ?  I NEED TO KNOW NOW !!! Bill

Response:

i agree i might give up a few days of steelhead fishing for 6 pound bluegills!!! krombear I wonder if fish get thirsty

Response:

OK Guys, Come on down!  Access to this section of Lake Anna shoreline is with Virginia Power employee escort only.  I’ll lead the motorcade down to the parking area and assign beats to the fishermen.  At the recreation facility adjacent to the bluegill fishing we have restrooms, picnic shelters, grills, vollyball courts, and alcohol consumption is allowed.  Preferred beverages are Macallans and The Famous Grouse.  You buy. Wayne To Fish is Human….To Release Divine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "I don’t usually fish for bluegill but the little 1 and 2 pounders were a lot of fun on this rod.  As soon as I can get a weekend free I’m off to the mountain streams for some REAL fishing!" Gee Wayne, sorry you had to be stuck with such teeny,tiny fish to test the new rod.  Mostly it’s been my experience that those little ones just get hooked and give up right away- almost jump up on the bank to throw in the towel against one of those husky 3wt’s. BTW- mind sending along your business address if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, I don’t really have to take that trip to the AuSable – I mean it’s not written in stone or anything   Jim McCreary

Response:

OK Guys, Come on down!  Access to this section of Lake Anna shoreline is with Virginia Power employee escort only.  I’ll lead the motorcade down to the parking area and assign beats to the fishermen.  At the recreation facility adjacent to the bluegill fishing we have restrooms, picnic shelters, grills, vollyball courts, and alcohol consumption is allowed.  Preferred beverages are Macallans and The Famous Grouse.  You buy. Wayne To Fish is Human….To Release Divine.

An "ROFF ‘Gill Clave" in the making??  But will there be hats?? Little concerned ’bout those "glow in the dark" nuclear ‘gills though- is that what makes em so plentiful. Jim

Response:

… Little concerned ’bout those "glow in the dark" nuclear ‘gills though- is that what makes em so plentiful.

Don’t know anything about Lake Anna but here in central Illinois there’s a nuke plant on Clinton Lake and the warm water discharge does extend the growing season. Doesn’t make for more fish but bigger fish than you’d expect otherwise. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

You might even get to meet Strom himself, if you’re lucky enough to catch him between naps. jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Could someone please tell me why the hell I am going to Ennis next summer for the western clave when I could be going to South Carolina in a search for a six pound bluegill? Because the NAACP has issued a tourism boycott of South Carolina ? Yeah, but you’d get to hang out with people who voted for Strom Thurmond<g. — Charlie…

Response:

does anyone else think there may be a relationship between the "nuclear power plant" and the 3 lb bluegills???  wasn’t that a roger corman movie?? jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sheesh Big Dale, I can’t even conjur up an image of a 6# bluegill, it gives me the shakes to imagine that monster on my 3 wt.  Can you say "into the backing"? :-0 Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF RETIRED Bluegill is around 6 lbs. as I recall, caught last year. Could someone please tell me why the hell I am going to Ennis next summer for the western clave when I could be going to South Carolina in a search for a six pound bluegill? Big Dale

Response:

Wayne, I’d be interested taking you up on your offer and coming up there, perhaps for a one-day deal sometime this winter. There’s plenty good bluegill fishing within a few blocks of my house, but it would be fun anyway. There are several of us close enough to make it up there and back in a single day–I’ll bet that Tom Brown and my buddy Bill Crone would come along, and perhaps some of the other NC ROFFians. Perhaps one of the days between Christmas and New Years… Is the fishing still decent at that time of year? Steve Zimmerman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK Guys, Come on down!  Access to this section of Lake Anna shoreline is with Virginia Power employee escort only.  I’ll lead the motorcade down to the parking area and assign beats to the fishermen.  At the recreation facility adjacent to the bluegill fishing we have restrooms, picnic shelters, grills, vollyball courts, and alcohol consumption is allowed.  Preferred beverages are Macallans and The Famous Grouse.  You buy.

Response:

Steve, If you want to do this, let me know.  My only hesitation is that this guy is also an engineer and he survived several days fishing with Walt earlier this year and seemingly, escaped unscathed.  I’ve never managed more than one day with Walt, and was scared, even then.  Hell, I think Marie liked him, too.  We gotta be careful, here….. Tom — Tom Brown The Signal Group Wake Forest, NC HEATHEN, n. A benighted creature who has the folly to worship something that he can see and feel.                – Ambrose Bierce: The Devil’s Dictionary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wayne, I’d be interested taking you up on your offer and coming up there, perhaps for a one-day deal sometime this winter. There’s plenty good bluegill fishing within a few blocks of my house, but it would be fun anyway. There are several of us close enough to make it up there and back in a single day–I’ll bet that Tom Brown and my buddy Bill Crone would come along, and perhaps some of the other NC ROFFians. Perhaps one of the days between Christmas and New Years… Is the fishing still decent at that time of year? Steve Zimmerman OK Guys, Come on down!  Access to this section of Lake Anna shoreline is with Virginia Power employee escort only.  I’ll lead the motorcade down to the parking area and assign beats to the fishermen.  At the recreation facility adjacent to the bluegill fishing we have restrooms, picnic shelters, grills, vollyball courts, and alcohol consumption is allowed.  Preferred beverages are Macallans and The Famous Grouse.  You buy.

Response:

"nuclear power plant" and the 3 lb bluegills???  wasn’t that a roger corman movie??

Made me think of a Simpson’s show when Bart caught a 3 eyed fish while fishing below the neclear power plant. Do any of those 3lb. fish have three eyes? Big Dale

Response:

"nuclear power plant" and the 3 lb bluegills???  wasn’t that a roger corman movie?? Made me think of a Simpson’s show when Bart caught a 3 eyed fish while fishing below the neclear power plant. Do any of those 3lb. fish have three eyes? Big Dale

Of course not…….but the bigger ones do have two tails. jim

Response:

Question:

I’ve recently started flyfishing again after several years. Last week, while in a local flyfishing shop, I saw a stomach pump for trout. Has anyone ever used one of these? And if so, did it work well? How stressful was it on the trout? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I’ve never used one of these and frankly won’t. Some of these I’ve seen caution about possible injury to the fish if the fish is to be released. used improperly it could rupture the fishes gut. Would you pump your child’s stomach or take them to doctor? Better to kill the 1st fish and check the stomach contents. Ralph H remove "(take_this_out)" for email reply.

Response:

I’ve recently started flyfishing again after several years. Last week, while in a local flyfishing shop, I saw a stomach pump for trout. Has anyone ever used one of these? And if so, did it work well? How stressful was it on the trout? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. —                          webpage:   http://www.halcyon.com/macdanny/                         To email, remove anti-spam "XX" from address.

Response:

I’ve recently started flyfishing again after several years. Last week, while in a local flyfishing shop, I saw a stomach pump for trout. Has anyone ever used one of these? And if so, did it work well? How stressful was it on the trout? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. —                          webpage:   http://www.halcyon.com/macdanny/                         To email, remove anti-spam "XX" from address.

Danny boy, We locals will use one of those damned things on the day that we volunteer for an air contrast barium enema and prostate exam on the same day.  I don’t want to know that badly.  If you insist, use it only on large fish.  Probably crawdads and minnows anyway. Jack Morgan Sheridan, MT

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve recently started flyfishing again after several years. Last week, while in a local flyfishing shop, I saw a stomach pump for trout. Has anyone ever used one of these? And if so, did it work well? How stressful was it on the trout? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. —                          webpage:   http://www.halcyon.com/macdanny/                         To email, remove anti-spam "XX" from address. Danny boy, We locals will use one of those damned things on the day that we volunteer for an air contrast barium enema and prostate exam on the same day.  I don’t want to know that badly.  If you insist, use it only on large fish.  Probably crawdads and minnows anyway. Jack Morgan Sheridan, MT

I do not recommend using the stomach pump if you plan on releasing the fish and having it live.  Too much stress on the fish.  

Response:

I’ve recently started flyfishing again after several years. Last week, while in a local flyfishing shop, I saw a stomach pump for trout. Has anyone ever used one of these? And if so, did it work well? How stressful was it on the trout?

I think if used properly, it won’t harm fish much. First off, it’s not really a "stomach" pump, it’s more of a "gullet" pump.  It only sucks up stuff from the fishes throat, which is what you really want anyway – that’s what the fish has been eating most recently.  Even if you did jam the thing all the way into the poor fishes stomach, all you’d get is a slimy gob of mostly digested stuff the fish ate a day ago anyway. Second, you should only use one on larger fish, 14" and over. Third, use it quickly – compress the bulb, place swiftly at the back of the fishes throat, suck, and promptly remove. That said, I’m not sure how useful they are on a regular basis, but occasionally they can provide some insight into a fishes diet. — Jeff Benjamin                benji(at)fc.hp.com Hewlett Packard Co.      Fort Collins, Colorado (Direct reply won’t work:  use address in .sig) "Think!  It ain’t illegal yet." -George Clinton

Response:

I’ve recently started flyfishing again after several years. Last week, while in a local flyfishing shop, I saw a stomach pump for trout. Has anyone ever used one of these? And if so, did it work well? How stressful was it on the trout? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Of course the first problem is to catch the fish, and once you’ve done that you know at least one thing that works.   8^ Further, used improperly you will burst the fish’s stomach, and used properly you will at least steal all the food they’ve eaten in the last couple of hours.  Since a fish can’t spend more energy than it takes in or it dies, you more than stress the fish.  If you are going to release the fish, best not to use one.  If you are going to keep the fish, you may as well cut open the digestive tract to examine the contents.  In either case, IMO a stomach pump is not needed.                               Good Fishing,                                    Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Response:

Those that use them, especially for trout, find lots of specifics about insects and other creatures that have been eaten.  Stomach contents are very easily recognized as long as they have been consumed recently. One word of caution:  Many who do this on a regular basis recommend replacing the reduced stomach contents with an equal amount of water taken from the stream or body of water where the fish was caught. Although one bulb full might seem insignificant to us, relative to the fish’s size, it’s a huge amount.  Replacing the volume removed by pumping out the contents helps to equalize the fish’s body pressure . Best Regards, I’ve recently started flyfishing again after several years. Last week, while in a local flyfishing shop, I saw a stomach pump for trout. Has anyone ever used one of these? And if so, did it work well? How stressful was it on the trout? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. —                         webpage:   http://www.halcyon.com/macdanny/                        To email, remove anti-spam "XX" from address.

         Trent Roberson            Rx F Fish  For Your Good Health, Fly Fish URL=http://www.xnet.com/~rxffish

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think if used properly, it won’t harm fish much. First off, it’s not really a "stomach" pump, it’s more of a "gullet" pump.  It only sucks up stuff from the fishes throat, which is what you really want anyway – that’s what the fish has been eating most recently.  Even if you did jam the thing all the way into the poor fishes stomach, all you’d get is a slimy gob of mostly digested stuff the fish ate a day ago anyway. Second, you should only use one on larger fish, 14" and over. Third, use it quickly – compress the bulb, place swiftly at the back of the fishes throat, suck, and promptly remove. That said, I’m not sure how useful they are on a regular basis, but occasionally they can provide some insight into a fishes diet.

well dude, in my point of view, using this kind of stuff is for predators or non sport fishermans (real ones). If you realy want to know the fish diet is to look arround, spend 1 morning and 1 evening, and teher you are.. that’s all, so easy. On this way you can know what you want and realy enjoy the outdoor, and of course the fishing… — Simon Zlachevsky http://www.scc.puc.cl/~szlachev/ Trata a los demas como te gustaria que te trataran a ti!                 /)                       O      /(                       |     /                       |   /                      /                 /             **                         ‘ () ‘                    ” /”                               UuUuUuUuUuU  Fly fishing, enjoy the outdoors, release the fish

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Thought you all might be interested in a new Fly Fishing Loop of websites. The loop is just getting started, but already has been well received. It’s called the: Fly Fishing Loop Located at: http://homepage.interaccess.com/~tsteele/FlyFishingLoop/ Any fly fishing related website can be in the Loop. This can include, personal home pages, commercial websites (such as a manufacturers with products or services that are fly fishing related), fly tying sites, fly fishing clubs, organizations, links pages, fly fishing publications or periodicals, fly fishing guides, fly fishing shops etc. If it is fly fishing related and has a website, it can be in the Loop. You can get more information, and sign-up online. It takes about 2 mins. Everything you need to be in the Loop will be emailed to you automatically, after you sign-up. I hope that will take a moment to visit the Loop’s home page. The loop is devoted to fly fishing and all things related to the pursuit of fish on a fly. It needs your support. Website that are in the Loop will get increased traffic from the Loop. Visitors to the Loop will be interested in one thing…Fly Fishing. For commercial sites and those in the trade, the benfits are obvious, you get exposure to a specific audience of FF visitors to the Loop. Personal sites, organizations and clubs will get increased website exposure in the Loop, and can use the loop to get their word out, to the right audience as well! The Loop also benfits from the diversity and range of content that the various members have on their sites. Throught the Loop you can navigate all member sites, easily. I hope you will consider joining the loop. Tight lines and light leaders, Thomas Steele The Steelhead Site http://steelheadsite.com

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Thought you all might be interested in a new Fly Fishing Loop of websites. The loop is just getting started, but already has been well received. It’s called the: Fly Fishing Loop Located at: http://homepage.interaccess.com/~tsteele/FlyFishingLoop/

Hi, Just tried and got no connection. Could you verify that the above is correct. Thanks. Michael — Mit der Dummheit kampfen Gotter selbst vergebens -Schiller-

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Just tried and got no connection. Could you verify that the above is correct.

Works for me … must have been server trouble. Looks very cool and is a neat concept. Thomas Steele The Steelhead Site

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says… Hi, I’m planning a trip to the Banff/Lake Louise area in early Sept. Any info re: hotels, guides, expected conditions and how to escape the tourists would be appreciated. Thanks in advance JT

The Bow around Banff will be clear and low – blue winged olives will be the fly to try for rainbows or browns,  or cutthroats in the upper reaches. Rocky mountain whitefish are common, and the odd bull trout (Alberta’s provincial fish) is an interesting possibility.  Lake trout will be on deep trolling only that time of year – but can be a blast with a fly rod and a streamer on a downrigger (makes the purists scream too!) Brookies mainly in the beaverponds and oxbows of the Bow River. Hotels will still be charging high season rates – about double what they are at the end of the month. There is an excellent hostel in Banff, and another one in Lake Louise – you may want to check with your local International Hostel Association for membership/rates. You are (will be) a tourist. But there’s tons of backcountry to ‘escape’ to and a good guide will help.   Try Upper Bow Valley Fly Fishing in Banff- Dan Bell at (403) 760-7668 fax 762-8263 – he a super drift boat guide, has excxellent knowledge of area lakes, or can even arrange for a helicopter trip if you’ve got the budget. My close second choice would be the Green Drake Fly Shop in Canmore (403) 678-9525 fax (403) 678-2183  They do a lot of guiding, and have an excellent little shop that while difficult to find – is worth your while. Free and friendly and specific advise to c&r fishers. Tight lines & short strings Andrew Whittick   Banff Alberta

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Hi, I’m planning a trip to the Banff/Lake Louise area in early Sept. Any info re: hotels, guides, expected conditions and how to escape the tourists would be appreciated. Thanks in advance JT

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says… Hi, I’m planning a trip to the Banff/Lake Louise area in early Sept. Any info re: hotels, guides, expected conditions and how to escape the tourists would be appreciated. Thanks in advance JT

ps – almost forgot when fishing in Canada’s Mountain National Parks – you may not use lead weighted flys or lead weights less than 50 grams. No such restrictions outside of the parks though.  Floating the Bow River from Banff to Canmore will require a National Parl fishing license, and an Alberta license. Both are quite inexepensive (under $20 CDN) Andrew Whittick   Banff Alberta

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I’m new to the group but has anyone ever posted pictures of flies to this NG?  Plus what was the feedback from the College Park, MD FF Show last Weekend?

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no pics in this group but maybe rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying — Jan Geert Meents, Munich, Germany | I’m new to the group but has anyone ever posted pictures of flies to this | NG?  Plus what was the feedback from the College Park, MD FF Show last | Weekend? | |

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I’m new to the group but has anyone ever posted pictures of flies to this NG?  Plus what was the feedback from the College Park, MD FF Show last Weekend?

don’t do it.   post to alt.binaries.pictures.fishing see you there ! TimW

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Asking the usual question…looking for suggestions for best fly fishing in the general area of Lava Hot Springs in southern Idaho.  Appreciate it.  I might like to leave the family in the pool and seek my own kind of adventure for a day. P. Bowers

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Asking the usual question…looking for suggestions for best fly fishing in the general area of Lava Hot Springs in southern Idaho.  Appreciate it.  I might like to leave the family in the pool and seek my own kind of adventure for a day.

Check out the upper Portneuf River above Lava Hot Springs.  This river used to be pretty darn good, went downhill, and has recently undergone some stream improvement.  Ask for local directions to the old highway (not the one over Fish Creek Summit).  Try the area up around Pebble Creek.   Regards, George O. Jacox Boise, ID City of Trees

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Check out the upper Portneuf River above Lava Hot Springs.  This river used to be pretty darn good, went downhill, and has recently undergone some stream improvement.  Ask for local directions to the old highway (not the one over Fish Creek Summit).  Try the area up around Pebble Creek.  

P.S. Watch out for African lions.  <bg  Unfortunately, it’s too long a story to reproduce here.  Ask one of the locals and you’ll get an earful. Enjoy yourself on the Portneuf.  That’s the river I learned to flyfish on, many moons ago. Regards, George O. Jacox Boise, ID City of Trees

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Asking the usual question…looking for suggestions for best fly fishing in the general area of Lava Hot Springs in southern Idaho.  Appreciate it.  I might like to leave the family in the pool and seek my own kind of adventure for a day. P. Bowers

Upper Portneuf can be good. Kelly-Toponce area is best. Several access points along Rte 30 north of Lava. Downstream toward McCammon where the big bridge crosses the river there is an irrigation diversion, some swampy spots and several channels. Some decent browns there but very difficult to get to. You might also try tubing Chesterfield Reservoir (on upper Portneuf) or 24-Mile Reservoir. Both can be very good. Next few weeks might be tough though. The algae comes up off the bottom in big clumps a couple feet across and inches thick and clog the surface. It’s about that time. Should sink again or break up by mid-Sep. Another place you might consider that’s fairly close is the upper Blackfoot River. See the article in October Western Flyfishing mag. I was there last weekend. Lots of cutts, but mostly small. Still fun though. If you’re in Pocatello, stop at Jimmy’s All Seasons Angler and find out what’s what. There are a bunch of other reservoirs in the area that are pretty good. Luck & Tight Lines! Lance    web stuff at: www.primenet.com/~hankins

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There is only one place in Guatemala, Iztapa. Pangas go for $300 per day with lunch and drinks, 31′ Bertrams around $800. There are hotels at around $15/ person, but they’re pretty scuzzy. You’re much better off with the best places at around $75 per night, double. You can get there by renting a car, a hired van or a bus, but you’ll waste a whole day by taking the bus. If you want more details call me at 516 668 2019. I can set up everything for you.   Gene Kelly

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I just got back from Guatemala and caught one sail on the fly rod. We caught eight on standard tackle the first day but we had my wifes cousins with us and I didn’t try the light tackle. The second and third days were slower and we had trouble with too many dolphin around. I arrange trips throughout Central America and can help you out. Give me a call at 516 668 2019 and I’ll give you all the details about the cheap way to go as well as the moderate way to go.                                 Gene Kelly

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Looking for any info on opportunities in Guat, particularly Pacific side. Would appreciate any advice, contaacts, starting points etc.

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: Looking for any info on opportunities in Guat, particularly Pacific side. : Would appreciate any advice, contaacts, starting points etc. Ken Johnson at Guatemala Unlimited has all the info and can make the arrangements. Guatemala Unlimited http://members.aol.com/guatemala1/html/guatunl.htm good luck, james

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Does any one have a pattern for tying the viva fly an gif or jpg would also be nice thanks in advance Julian

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Does any one have a pattern for tying the viva fly an gif or jpg would also be nice thanks in advance Julian

hi julian hook: s/s 10 body: black chenille,ribbed silver tail: flou green floss wing: black marabou tight lines keith —  Your worst day fishing beats your best day at work

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