Question:

Just wondering if anybody know the average strength of a fly line, I know the tippet will break long before the fly line but going fishing for pike, having wire leader.. I found that if you pull to hard on a nail knot, the coating let go quite easily. so I am assuming a loop connection will be stronger. Thanks Claude

Response:

Just wondering if anybody know the average strength of a fly line, I know the tippet will break long before the fly line but going fishing for pike, having wire leader.. I found that if you pull to hard on a nail knot, the coating let go quite easily. so I am assuming a loop connection will be stronger.

Don’t know, but took some old fly line and it broke surprisingly easily. The thing is, longer sections of fly line have an amazing amount of stretch in them.  Tie 60 feet to a tree someday and see if you can break it. I think the nail knot holds only because it digs into the coating.  If the coating is breaking free, then I don’t know – is it cheap fly line?

Response:

No just brand new top of the line flyline. Like you said if the pike or any other big fish is strong enough and you have, let says 20 pound test leader, I am not sure that the coating will hold. It never happened to me because we use the drag etc, but let say your fly is stuck on a branch and you want to pull it out. I think the tip of the fly line will brake first but you lose just couple of inches. Thanks for you thought Claude  I think the nail knot holds only because it digs into the coating.  If the – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – coating is breaking free, then I don’t know – is it cheap fly line?

Response:

Just wondering if anybody know the average strength of a fly line, I know the tippet will break long before the fly line but going fishing for pike, having wire leader.. I found that if you pull to hard on a nail knot, the coating let go quite easily. so I am assuming a loop connection will be stronger. Thanks Claude

Flyline breaking strength varies considerably, depending on the core material used.  The core is the same over the whole length of the flyline. The tip end is not thinner, it just has less coating. If you are using a 20 lb BS wire tippet on your leader, ( A ten lb wire leader is usually more than enough ), then use a ten pound bs nylon link to it. When fishing for very heavy fish, a nail knot is unreliable, Either use a proper needle knot ( which goes up the core of the line), or use a loop in the core itself. TL MC

Response:

Thanks for your input Mike Claude – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Flyline breaking strength varies considerably, depending on the core material used.  The core is the same over the whole length of the flyline. The tip end is not thinner, it just has less coating. If you are using a 20 lb BS wire tippet on your leader, ( A ten lb wire leader is usually more than enough ), then use a ten pound bs nylon link to it. When fishing for very heavy fish, a nail knot is unreliable, Either use a proper needle knot ( which goes up the core of the line), or use a loop in the core itself. TL MC

Response:

Just wondering if anybody know the average strength of a fly line, I know the tippet will break long before the fly line but going fishing for pike, having wire leader.. I found that if you pull to hard on a nail knot, the coating let go quite easily. so I am assuming a loop connection will be stronger. Thanks Claude

Assume incorrectly, but that’s alright. I did that once. This is why you want to use the needle to thread your butt section up the center of your fly line core, out the side and then finish off. George Gehrke

Response:

Hi Claude, I think that fresh water fly lines to about size #7 have at least a 20# test braided core. I think that #8 and larger have at least a 30# braided core. We use a "needle nail knot" on both ends of most freshwater flylines that have hollow braided cores. Braided mono loop connections are getting very popular for lines with solid mono cores. The coating will come off easier on off brand fly lines because they have not learned how to properly bond to the core. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just wondering if anybody know the average strength of a fly line, I know the tippet will break long before the fly line but going fishing for pike, having wire leader.. I found that if you pull to hard on a nail knot, the coating let go quite easily. so I am assuming a loop connection will be stronger. Thanks Claude

Response:

I’ve found that a well tied nail knot is very strong, at least 15 pounds, usually 25 before it pulls the coating off.  The key is that the loops all have to be working for you, not just one or two.  You have to be careful to fget the knot to snug up eavenly, and you need to get it tight before you test it.  I routinely tie a couple feet of 30# or 40# Maxima to the line with a nail knot, even on my ten weight lines I use in salt water.  I’ve broken 20# leaders when I’m snagged deep, but I’ve never pulled the nail knot out. The backing knot is different, as would the leader knot be if you used a lighter leader.  8# mono, and 20# or 30# backing pull into tighter loops, and can consentrate the pinch in one loop easily.  That pulls the coating off, sometimes with only 5 to 10 pounds of tension. Chas – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No just brand new top of the line flyline. Like you said if the pike or any other big fish is strong enough and you have, let says 20 pound test leader, I am not sure that the coating will hold. It never happened to me because we use the drag etc, but let say your fly is stuck on a branch and you want to pull it out. I think the tip of the fly line will brake first but you lose just couple of inches. Thanks for you thought Claude I think the nail knot holds only because it digs into the coating.   If the coating is breaking free, then I don’t know – is it cheap fly line?

Fix underscore in address to reply

Response:

I have tried 50 pound dumbells, no break on  some old Orvis line I replaced but can’t seem to throw away… Chris Fanning

Response:

I have tried 50 pound dumbells, no break on  some old Orvis line I replaced but can’t seem to throw away… Chris Fanning

Prefer weighted nymphs myself. TL MC

Response:

I have tried 50 pound dumbells, no break on  some old Orvis line I replaced but can’t seem to throw away… Prefer weighted nymphs myself. TL MC

Must make for difficult casting! :=}

Response:

I have tried 50 pound dumbells, no break on  some old Orvis line I replaced but can’t seem to throw away… Prefer weighted nymphs myself. TL MC Must make for difficult casting! :=}

Not to mention fly tying…

Response:

Question:

In reference to a thread by this title a week or so back….went over to the local stream yesterday(Weds) afternoon. Decent hatch of Grannoms, size 14 or 16, and a later hatch of pale green caddis in a size 16 or 18.  Streambred trout took wets or surface emerger types for a couple of us who were fly fishing amongst a few bait fishers. Every small hole seemed to hold a brown. Fish landed ranged from 7 to 13 inches. The locals claim no big hatch of Quill Gordons(the local spring mayfly hatch) yet, which is odd, as they generally precede the little green caddis. These guys I spoke with live on the creek and are as trustworthy as anglers can be<g. On other PA streams, I would expect some Blue Quills, Hendricksons and sometimes Black Quills.  All over the state, bright yellow craneflies are out in droves, and sometimes, the fish key on them exclusively. Use a sulfur in a pinch, about a size 16 or smaller.  Better still is a parachute style, with large, sparse hackle.                                                              Tom L

Response:

Tom Littleton’s <Tulpehocken TR snipped On other PA streams, I would expect some Blue Quills, Hendricksons and sometimes Black Quills.  All over the state, bright yellow craneflies are out in droves, and sometimes, the fish key on them exclusively. Use a sulfur in a pinch, about a size 16 or smaller.  Better still is a parachute style, with large, sparse hackle.                                                              Tom L

Tom, I can confirm that the bright yellow craneflies are out in force in Central PA, yesterday and today. Fished the ‘newly’ public water (Espy Farm’s ~1.25 miles) on the Little Juniata River yesterday (Friday)… tan caddis and bright yellow craneflies between 9am-3pm.  The ‘Espy Farm" outfitter is charging $100 per person/day to fish, unguided, this small stretch ($295 guided).  It is NOW freely accessible if you enter the river either above/below their property and traverse upon the river bed during your travels in the Espy Farm area.   Spring Creek is in pretty good shape and fishing well – midges and bright yellow craneflies.  The Little Lehigh Creek’s regulars captured a Sulphur dun today (Saturday), an early hatch? take care Dave

Response:

Dave,   Thanks for the update……Will you be going to Penn’s/Lil J area around Memorial Day??                              Tom

Response:

Tom – Thanks.  On Thursday the locals on the Brodhead said the Hendricksons had been coming for a week and that the Quill Gordons had gone by.  No bugs flying in the rain that day. Glenn << In reference to a thread by this title a week or so back….went over to the local stream yesterday(Weds) afternoon. Decent hatch of Grannoms, size 14 or 16, and a later hatch of pale green caddis in a size 16 or 18.  Streambred trout took wets or surface emerger types for a couple of us who were fly fishing amongst a few bait fishers. Every small hole seemed to hold a brown. Fish landed ranged from 7 to 13 inches. The locals claim no big hatch of Quill Gordons(the local spring mayfly hatch) yet, which is odd, as they generallyprecede the little green caddis. These guys I spoke with live on the creek and are as trustworthy as anglers can be<g. On other PA streams, I would expect some Blue Quills, Hendricksons and sometimes Black Quills.  All over the state, bright yellow craneflies are out in droves, and sometimes, the fish key on them exclusively. Use a sulfur in a pinch, about a size 16 or smaller.  Better still is a parachute style, with large, sparse hackle.                                                              Tom L GKT

Response:

Dave,   Thanks for the update……Will you be going to Penn’s/Lil J area around Memorial Day??                              Tom

Tom, I am planning on fishing Penns the weekend after Memorial Day.  Its a Green Drake thing.  Sort of like a fly fisherman’s Woodstock thingey. take care Dave

Response:

Dave,   Thanks for the update……Will you be going to Penn’s/Lil J area around Memorial Day??                              Tom Tom, I am planning on fishing Penns the weekend after Memorial Day.  Its a Green Drake thing.  Sort of like a fly fisherman’s Woodstock thingey.

I’ve never had the chance to fish a heavy, large Mayfly hatch. I’ve read that the fish get pretty satiated after a couple days and are no longer feeding very heavilly on the Duns. Is this true? Willi

Response:

I’ve never had the chance to fish a heavy, large Mayfly hatch. I’ve read that the fish get pretty satiated after a couple days and are no longer feeding very heavilly on the Duns. Is this true?

My experience has been just the opposite, that is, the first few days of the hatch will see sparse feeding on the surface, but as the hatch progresses, the fish will rise to the duns more freely. Yesterday, I fished a massive Hendrickson hatch on the Farmington river….a hatch that was actually too good because of the overwhelming number of naturals. The trout rose steadily for two hours, but few fish were caught during that period, most being taken at the beginning and end when fewer bugs were on the water. I wound up landing nine trout from  11 to 16 inches, but the only fish I caught at the hieght of the hatch were a few salmon smolts. As a point of reference, the Hendricksons started hatching on April 15, and the fish are still avidly feeding on them. 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:

Willi writes: I’ve never had the chance to fish a heavy, large Mayfly hatch. I’ve read that the fish get pretty satiated after a couple days and are no longer feeding very heavilly on the Duns.

In my experience, the fish continue to take advantage of nutrients and thus, feed through a hatch to the end. They may tend to become wary of surface items due to angling pressure as a hatch goes on. Also, feeding on duns varies with air temps and humidity, with fish rising more readily to duns when they have difficulty getting off water surface. The drake hatch, as a specific example on Penn’s, tends to be great fishing on Duns and emergers for the first couple days in any area, with wary fish by the end(6th or 7th day) of the hatch. Many times, it proves easier to take fish during the Drake hatch with other surface items, like sulfurs, caddis and spinners of Grey Foxes and March Browns.                               Tom

Response:

Question:

I’ve noticed that tippit and leaders are sold in two different ratings.  They are either given a pound rating or an X rating.  Does anybody have a conversion table for these different rating methods. I normally use a 2 or 3 lb. tippit for trout and a 4 or 5 lb. tippet for bass. I’d sure like to be able to see an X rating and know what the pound equivilant is, or the other way around. Thanks, Bob

Response:

Hi Bob and all you ROFFers out there, Bob, the pound test is suppose to be the breaking strength of the line and ‘X’ is relating to the diameter of the line. 0x = 0.011" 1x = 0.010" 2x = 0.009" 3x = 0.008" 4x = 0.007" 5x = 0.006" 6x = 0.005" 7x = 0.004" Old 6x tippet 30 years ago was 1 3/4 pound test. Now it is over 3 pound test? I think it is a good idea to go by diameter rather than pound test in relating to fly size or fishing conditions  because it is a constant. The manufacturer can put anything on the spool they want to as far as pound test goes unless it is special IGFA rated line. For trout, we use mostly 5x and 6x for tippet on dry flies around here in Nor Cal. Our most popular and average size dry fly is a #14. For wet flies/nymphs for trout we use mostly 3x, 4x and 5x depending on the fly size and fishing conditions. Again, our most popular, best selling and most useful size nymph is a #14. Early season we might use larger #6/8/10 nymph with a 3x tippet. Most of the time anglers are using #14s with 4x and then in late summer and on spring creeks the average is a #16 with 5x and smaller. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA http://www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve noticed that tippit and leaders are sold in two different ratings. They are either given a pound rating or an X rating.  Does anybody have a conversion table for these different rating methods. I normally use a 2 or 3 lb. tippit for trout and a 4 or 5 lb. tippet for bass. I’d sure like to be able to see an X rating and know what the pound equivilant is, or the other way around. Thanks, Bob

Response:

The biggest problem represented by leader diametres that are too thick is the impact the thick leaders have on the flies drift.

____  I had said this Tony.  That is why I opt for finer leaders.  It is a distinct advantage and does fool more fish.  Especially if your knots are tight and perfect. Mr. G. I too opt for as fine a leader as I can see, and there-in lies a problem. These 50 year old eyes have been tormented by the sun for too long, so tying tight and perfect knots, is an oxymoron. Probably why in recent times I have opted for a full leader length, with no taper. I do not know if Drennon is available in the US, but I have found it to have little or no ‘line flash’, and is very abrasion resistant. The only problem I have found is that it has little stretch, so if you are on a reasonable fish, say around five or six pound or more, you have to be really careful on the strike, or you will pop the leader. — Tony Bishop  New Zealand http://bishfish.co.nz

Response:

 snipped to save room: The biggest problem represented by leader diametres that are too thick is the impact the thick leaders have on the flies drift.

____  I had said this Tony.  That is why I opt for finer leaders.  It is a distinct advantage and does fool more fish.  Especially if your knots are tight and perfect. Mr. G. http://www.gink.com/gg_knotperfect.html

Response:

Hi Tony, I will tell Joe Shirshac that you are catching some good ones. Joe is taking a group of our customers to your area in May to fish with Tim McCarthy again. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA http://www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The line diametre and kilo rating is a problem when you add in very thin lines from Europe such as Drennon – primarily developed for chasing carp. The visibility thing in my experience is not as big a problem as some may think. A fish simply cannot connect the fact that the line is connected to the fly, and even if it does  you asking for us to believe the fish then somehow surmises the line represents some form of danger. To believe that moves us into the realm of anthropomorphism. And yes I have caught trout on black leaders. The biggest problem represented by leader diametres that are too thick is the impact the thick leaders have on the flies drift. By the way Bill K, the fishing is very good right now, in the North Island. Some wonderful rainbows and browns being taken in the Central North Island lakes and rivers. — Tony Bishop  Taupo, New Zealand http://bishfish.co.nz

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The line diametre and kilo rating is a problem when you add in very thin lines from Europe such as Drennon – primarily developed for chasing carp. The visibility thing in my experience is not as big a problem as some may think. A fish simply cannot connect the fact that the line is connected to the fly, and even if it does  you asking for us to believe the fish then somehow surmises the line represents some form of danger. To believe that moves us into the realm of anthropomorphism. And yes I have caught trout on black leaders. The biggest problem represented by leader diametres that are too thick is the impact the thick leaders have on the flies drift. By the way Bill K, the fishing is very good right now, in the North Island. Some wonderful rainbows and browns being taken in the Central North Island lakes and rivers. — Tony Bishop  Taupo, New Zealand http://bishfish.co.nz

ever fished over hard hitted waters such as found in certain places on this planet Tony? All forms of life can be conditioned to associate danger to some definite stimulus.  A leader line pattern that leads to a fly, recognized by a free rising trout that has been fooled and released many times does in fact, associate that ‘bug’ with a connection to danger.  I remember two particular free risers that you could not fool in a hundred years Tony because of the leader connection.  They would literally lift your fly upon their noses, lower it back into the water, swim to the right or left an inch or so and then take a natural. So in response to your question, yes!  There is proven, distinct connection to the realm of anthropomorphism.  This factor does not require logic but only based on conditioned reflex reactions due to EXPERIENCE.  It doesn’t necessarily need to be attributed to humans, but naturally, humans can be conditioned to respond to reflex experiences Tony. The eye of a trout is one of the better seeing mechanisms in the animal kingdom.  Of course there are better ones but underwater, the trout is indeed visually armed to the max! LOL! — Mr.G http://www.gink.com/  Updates http://www.gink.com/chat Flyfishing Conversations 6:00 PM PST till after midnight.

Response:

The line diametre and kilo rating is a problem when you add in very thin lines from Europe such as Drennon – primarily developed for chasing carp. The visibility thing in my experience is not as big a problem as some may think. A fish simply cannot connect the fact that the line is connected to the fly, and even if it does  you asking for us to believe the fish then somehow surmises the line represents some form of danger. To believe that moves us into the realm of anthropomorphism. And yes I have caught trout on black leaders. The biggest problem represented by leader diametres that are too thick is the impact the thick leaders have on the flies drift. By the way Bill K, the fishing is very good right now, in the North Island. Some wonderful rainbows and browns being taken in the Central North Island lakes and rivers. — Tony Bishop  Taupo, New Zealand http://bishfish.co.nz

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Bob and all you ROFFers out there, Bob, the pound test is suppose to be the breaking strength of the line and ‘X’ is relating to the diameter of the line. 0x = 0.011" 1x = 0.010" 2x = 0.009" 3x = 0.008" 4x = 0.007" 5x = 0.006" 6x = 0.005" 7x = 0.004" Old 6x tippet 30 years ago was 1 3/4 pound test. Now it is over 3 pound test? I think it is a good idea to go by diameter rather than pound test in relating to fly size or fishing conditions  because it is a constant. The manufacturer can put anything on the spool they want to as far as pound test goes unless it is special IGFA rated line. For trout, we use mostly 5x and 6x for tippet on dry flies around here in Nor Cal. Our most popular and average size dry fly is a #14. For wet flies/nymphs for trout we use mostly 3x, 4x and 5x depending on the fly size and fishing conditions. Again, our most popular, best selling and most useful size nymph is a #14. Early season we might use larger #6/8/10 nymph with a 3x tippet. Most of the time anglers are using #14s with 4x and then in late summer and on spring creeks the average is a #16 with 5x and smaller. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA http://www.kiene.com

_____  I can add to this in how to regard the information you’ve offered here Bill and I bow to your superior knowledge on what and why and how come customers usually order tippet materials.  Actually, it is one of the most incomplete subjects remaining in fly fishing, believe it or not. As materials get stronger, the diameters should have gone down to accommodate those who still desire to use 1.5 test tippets and not 3# tippets of the same diameter.  This is going to sound like a juggling act, but it holds water for me and many others out there across America. I am often asked, how does one determine what tippet size to use on any one hook size?  In the days of yore, when a .004 was still 1.5 LB test, I could advise with confidence that if you can put a tippet through the eye of the hook you’re using THREE times, its probably the right diameter tippet for that fly. Yet, I may not want a 3# test tippet of .004 thousands anymore because I may want to use a small fly that requires only a #24 or 26 hook and I may want only a 1# test tippet for very personal reasons.  Today, I would rather have the option to have a .003 diameter tippet or even a .002 diameter tippet for sippers while still enjoying the invisibility and the greater strengths for these super small diameters of .75 – 1 Pound test for very small flies. Invisibility is determined by tippet diameter, foremost.  Then color and refraction of light come next, but often . . . you can use even a pure black leader but if the diameter is very small . . . it will catch and fool fish.  Of course, this is a radical example but it is true. Diameter is foremost and poundage second in my book in how I fish but the two are a tight marriage required to fool fish who are keen of eye.   Smaller diameter leaders also allow flies to twist and turn more naturally on and under the water.  Given a choice between using a 3# test tippet of .004 or a 1.5# test tippet of only .003 I will opt for the 1.5/.033 tippet and I hope its Maxima. Mr. G. — http://www.gink.com/  Updates http://www.gink.com/chat Flyfishing Conversations 6:00 PM PST till after midnight.

Response:

Question:

Hi Farns, No I haven’t worked for a software company although I do derive my livelihood in a tougher hi-tech industry that survives (or not) when a company provides second class service or a product that just doesn’t work right first time.   I don’t possess a copy of Fly! so my comments are/were generic and aimed at no Publisher in particular.  There is one well known major publishing house that consistently thinks ‘close enough is near enough’ and their Ops Normal is to release today and patch tomorrow to get the cash. Such attitides pressure the developers into wrapping a product at a deadline regardless of build standard.  These guys usually respond to bug problems only after they get caught out and if people scream loud enough.  In some cases publishers stonewall, and keep their heads firmly embedded in their asses and pretend products are without fault. By any appraisal of the complaints, and some responses from the Publishers, some propblems were known at pressing and others are so obvious  it’s hard to figure out why they were let slip by.  Says a lot about the Beta Testers for different Publishers who – from my personal knowledge – are typically ‘yes men’ afraid to open their mouths and delay production.  Some Publishers just don’t like bad news and some Beta Testers just like the freebies.  Both do consumers a disservice. If you have continual ready access to on-line updates that takes much of the annoyance out of buying an untested product.  From what I read here Fly! has not made a lot of friends because of that philosophy.   The purpose of my posting was to say that a lot do not have what you and I take for granted.  It would be nice to believe that publishers would listen to these daily wake-up calls and show the consumers – who put food on their tables when it’s all said and done – a little more consideration.  Nobody is perfect – least of all moi but – but some just never learn from past mistakes. Let’s not forget that this is all about having fun.  When the crass commercialism makes it less fun and more stress, folks are more likely to go back to playing golf or fishing rgds, — Steve Small Canberra, Australia

Response:

regarding Re: Fly! Give’em a break: We understand, they work hard for a software in version 1.0 And first patch is already out.  They post announcements on www.avsim.com free site compared to their competitor (flightsim) –  wich is great since is open to everybody.

<SNIP The limited membership registration for www.flightsim.com is free, I’m using it and it works fine. So it is open to everybody , you just have to register. — Tomas Wil

Question:

I’m looking for a good paddling shoe with felt soles…so far, I’ve only found one shoe from the NRS, but I don’t like the style or color.  Any other suggestions? Also, I have a pair of Akona Racers that I love dearly (because they fit inside my RPM), but the sole is pretty slick on rocks…I’ve thought about getting one of those do-it-yourself felt sole kits that they sell for wading boots.  Any one with experience with that?

Check out the Chota zip-up with optional felt sole. A much nicer shoe than NRS and I think it’s less expensive. Cascade Outfitters carries them, had some on sale last month for $32.95. Ben

Response:

The Escalante from Adias has a felt and rubber sole.  You can also check wading boots for fly fishing, I got a pair from Cabella’s that I really like.  Also, most fly fishing shops sell replacement soles that you can glue to whatever shoes or sandals you want.  I glued felt to a pair of Alps that the soles were extremely wore, work wonderful. SYOTR John Sims – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m looking for a good paddling shoe with felt soles…so far, I’ve only found one shoe from the NRS, but I don’t like the style or color.  Any other suggestions? Also, I have a pair of Akona Racers that I love dearly (because they fit inside my RPM), but the sole is pretty slick on rocks…I’ve thought about getting one of those do-it-yourself felt sole kits that they sell for wading boots.  Any one with experience with that?

Response:

I’m looking for a good paddling shoe with felt soles…so far, I’ve only found one shoe from the NRS, but I don’t like the style or color.  Any other suggestions? Also, I have a pair of Akona Racers that I love dearly (because they fit inside my RPM), but the sole is pretty slick on rocks…I’ve thought about getting one of those do-it-yourself felt sole kits that they sell for wading boots.  Any one with experience with that?

Response:

Question:

    Lately I have been having the worst kind of luck.. the kind only a newbie can have I have attended some fly courses and been watching the videos and the river where I live (calgary and the bow river) I have meandered the river watching the hatches and notching the pools and riffles along the river but only sporadic luck so far..perhaps the ones I catch are mentally challenged?? I know that I am matching the hatches and when the water shows no surface action am trying nymphs that the local fly shop has on their board of recommendations…. any help would be appreciated from any seasoned fly folks..especially if you can pass on some advice on nymphing techniques.. I believe that i am doing something wrong but am not sure what thanks for the help .      Pierre

Response:

Have only fished the lovely Bow wilth a guide. (Dave Campbell, does any bodu know whats happed to him?)  The Bow only becomes productive thru and below Calgary, after it develops a food chain.  Divide the larger water into many smaller waters visually and fish these smaller divisions as if they were small waters.  Also strongly consider, streamers there .  Especially large 4-6 black wooly buggers to see if you can move some fish.  Oldies have exactly the same fishing experience you do, they just lie about it. Schuhfly

Response:

   Lately I have been having the worst kind of luck.. the kind only a newbie can have I have attended some fly courses and been watching the videos and the river where I live (calgary and the bow river) I have meandered the river watching the hatches and notching the pools and riffles along the river but only sporadic luck so far..perhaps the ones I catch are mentally challenged?? I know that I am matching the hatches and when the water shows no surface action am trying nymphs that the local fly shop has on their board of recommendations…. any help would be appreciated from any seasoned fly folks..especially if you can pass on some advice on nymphing techniques.. I believe that i am doing something wrong but am not sure what thanks for the help .     Pierre

Shoot Pierre…you’ve been occupying your time in and around flyfishing. This is not bad luck, this is exceptionally good luck.  Catching fish is such a small part of it….and it will come,  you’re just paying your dues… Bag the videos and courses though, IMO. — TimW – Halfordian Golfer Guilt replaced the creel…

Response:

Question:

I have time available for a one day & camping overnight stay in the Lake Placid area of up state New York. I intend to fly fish the whole day and camp that night.  Can anyone help we with the following: 1 – Where to fish on the Ausable since it sounds like that is the place of choice.  If not, other locations to fish but they must be relatively close to Lake Placid.   2.  Where to get and how much a one day license will cost. 3.  Where I may be able to find a primative campsite location – preferably near where I would be fishing.. Thank you in advance – I’ll let you know how I did! — David A. Laatz Information Systems Counsulting Group, Inc. 704 S. Wenonah ave. Oak Park, Il 60304-1034 Phone – 708.445.0396

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I have time available for a one day & camping overnight stay in the Lake Placid area of up state New York. I intend to fly fish the whole day and camp that night.  Can anyone help we with the following: 1 – Where to fish on the Ausable since it sounds like that is the place of choice.  If not, other locations to fish but they must be relatively close to Lake Placid.   3.  Where I may be able to find a primative campsite location – preferably

Head for Wilmington (actually on the river, 10 or 12 miles from Lake Placid.)  The Wilmington Notch state campsite may still be open (but there is frost at night by now) — "primitive" meaning cold water.  Camping is allowed only at organized and plumbed campsites.  Information can be got at Fran Betters fly shop on Hwy. 86 at the west end of Wilmington or Jones’ Outfitters on Main St., Lake Placid. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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I’m looking for a quiet weekend spot to camp that preferably isn’t in a campground, is relatively easily accessible by novice hikers and within a few hours drive from Boston or Providence (anywhere in RI, CT, western MA, southern NH, VT, or ME).  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Please mail

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I’m looking for a quiet weekend spot to camp that preferably isn’t in a campground, is relatively easily accessible by novice hikers and within a few hours drive from Boston or Providence

Jay, On my homepage click on "resources" and you will find a link to all of Vermont’s state parks. Good luck. James Ehlers Underhill, Vermont Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

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        There are five spring ponds on one of Alberta’s largest ranches which have just been opened to flyfishing. The ranch is bordered by the Belly and Waterton Rivers in the southwest of the province, not far from the Montana border.         The scenery is beautiful and so are the trout. Rainbows of over 20" are not uncommon and they cruise the ponds feeding on prolific mayfly, caddis and midge hatches.         If you like to stalk large trout, this is for your.         A friend, Matt Sparrow, is the keeper and he may be contacted by telephoning 403-626-3050. The cost is C$50 per day (for now) and food and lodging may be arranged at the comfortable bunkhouse. Guiding and local flies are also available.

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   There are five spring ponds on one of Alberta’s largest ranches which have just been opened to flyfishing. The ranch is bordered by the Belly and Waterton Rivers in the southwest of the province, not far from the Montana border.

So are those "poor ranchers" not making end meet on cows,that they have to jump into FF ?    The scenery is beautiful and so are the trout. Rainbows of over 20" are not uncommon and they cruise the ponds feeding on prolific mayfly, caddis and midge hatches.

I hope that all those Rainbows get whirling disease,just to take away any  possible profit out from all those  who want make    If you like to stalk large trout, this is for your.    A friend, Matt Sparrow, is the keeper and he may be contacted by telephoning 403-626-3050. The cost is C$50 per day (for now) and food and lodging may be arranged at the comfortable bunkhouse. Guiding and local flies are also available.

If your friend is trying turn this country into Europe or UK with "pay and fish" attitude maybe you should tell him about * Fishing License".How many times do you have to pay for a privilege to fish ?? How many greedy bastards do we have to feed?? Don’t support anybody who is trying to charge you for "just fishing" or you will find yourself in situation :"one day fishing $ 50.00 ,100.00 ,400.00 who knows where the end is *and you may keep the fish too* if you put "XY"amount of $ down. Please anybody from UK,or rest of Europe who can put more light into this ?Thank you. Have nice day Karel K.

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Maybe these fly fishing yuppies everybody likes to harangue are good for the sport. Although the Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers and state and local irrigation agencies aren’t building dams like they used to, there’s still lots of opportunity to ruin good streams, right? Who do you suppose is better positioned to fight a project that will ruin a particular stream: some misanthropic, authority-detesting fly fishing zealot who wields no power outside of his Sage 5-wt?; or an Orvis jeep-driving lawyer who’s been fly fishing since she saw A River Runs Through It? I’ll take the lawyer, thank you. I doubt the misanthrope knows much about how to organize and file for an injunction protecting the river. Maybe we should help these yuppies get *into* the club and with the program. Building a powerful, moneyed constituency for preserving our streams and rivers makes common sense.–Just my 2 cents. –Eric Robinson

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Make that .04  I think this yuppie-bashing is ludricrous.  Does the sport belong to the impoverished?  Anyone who is interested in flyfishing and all that it entails gets my nod, no matter what his/her economic bracket.  The rest is simple jealousy. — Jim Benenson                 Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA "To protect your rivers, protect your mountains"       Emperor Yu of China, circa 1600 B.C.

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Who do you suppose is better positioned to fight a project that will ruin a particular stream: some misanthropic, authority-detesting fly fishing zealot who wields no power outside of his Sage 5-wt?; or an Orvis jeep-driving lawyer who’s been fly fishing since she saw A River Runs Through It? I’ll take the lawyer, thank you. I doubt the misanthrope knows much about how to organize and file for an injunction protecting the river.

You should get to know more of the people you mistakenly term "misanthropes."  The backbone of any fight to save a particular stream and watershed  is always comprised of local plumbers, electricians, telephone repairmen and the like.  These blue-collar workers usually come to appeals board and conservation commission meetings well-prepared to quote the regs from memory when appropriate, and to work around the regs when necessary. They call in scientific consultants and legal advisors when needed, but they do the real work, for one simple, overriding reason: They need local waters on which to fish, and on which to take their kids fishing.  If local waters are ruined, the yuppie can always take a long vacation to an exotic fishery; the blue-collar worker doesn’t always have that option.  When an environmental struggle deals with large regions, international boundaries or anadromous fisheries, then wealthy professionals are indeed the leaders of such struggles: the fight to save the Atlantic salmon is a good example.  We need to work side by side with both types of people, but don’t sell short the people who’ll never own an Orvis Jeep. Woods Hole, MA   USA

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IF WE DON’T HANG TOGETHER, WE ALL HANG-TOGETHER! REGARDS MK

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