Question:

My wife arranged a ten day trip to the British Virgin Islands to combine some flyfishing with a 25th anniversary tropic island getaway.

i can’t believe you didn’t invite us….. <g –waldo…. your excitement is contagious….

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Outstanding trip reports and great photo’s!! Gary

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Good one, tripper.  A most appreciated report on a cold, wet Sunday in autumnal Melbourne.  I’m particularly please dto hear the SO seems to have had a good time as well … give’s me hope  :-) Steve

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fwiw, I posted a couple of shots on alt.binaries.pictures.fishing, one of a bone being brought to hand, followed by the obligatory hero shot.

Sounds like a great trip. Thanks for the report. TL MC

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[snip] – fishing the flats for bones is just a riot. I might be horribly spoiled by the experience. Only time will tell. I might try fishing the Rapid with a 2 weight to simulate the experience

Try fishing for stripers with a 2wt

Response:

fwiw, I posted a couple of shots on alt.binaries.pictures.fishing, one of a bone being brought to hand,

Fabulous report. I can sense your excitement. Jealous as Hell! Willi

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fwiw, I posted a couple of shots on alt.binaries.pictures.fishing, one of a /daytripper (Could’ve fooled me – I thought we were dead meat! =8-O

Daytripper, Thanx for the report. Adding it to my deranged fantasy folder today!  Best Wishes. DaveMohnsen Denver

Response:

fwiw, I posted a couple of shots on alt.binaries.pictures.fishing, one of a bone being brought to hand, followed by the obligatory hero shot. My wife arranged a ten day trip to the British Virgin Islands to combine some flyfishing with a 25th anniversary tropic island getaway.  We started at Anegada Reef, as I did half-days fishing the mangroves for bones with Dave "Clinton" Vanterpool, an outstanding guide and local legend. We followed that with a full week on Tortola, mixing tarpon fishing with beaching, sailing, and snorkeling. In short, it was a freakin’ blast of a trip – e-ticket stuff all the way. We came back with tans and smiles – and a couple of wicked line burns and sore knuckles. Anegada Island has roughly 120 people living on it at any given time. Total – including roughly 30 tourists spread out between the one hotel and the camping areas. There’s virtually nothing there from an economic view, save for the Anegada Reef Hotel where we stayed, a couple of beach bars on the north side, a couple of campgrounds, and a tiny general store. And the airport, of course. It is best known for diving opportunities on the 300 shipwrecks surrounding the reef, while the outstanding bonefish fishery is still just being "discovered" by outsiders. Thus I was the only person bonefishing while we were there. Which is simply unbelievable, given the size and quality of the flats, until one remembers where these flats are: surrounding an island with all of 120 people on it, somewhere in the BVI. If this place was in the Keys, it would be overrun. Bonefish are *unbelievably* strong – it is said a 16" bonefish has three times the strength and endurance of a 24" trout. I don’t doubt it – though none of the bones I caught was anywhere near that small. Even the runt of the trip was over 24 inches long and a good 6 pounds – and that fish stripped out over an honest 180 yards of line and backing on its first run against a strong drag. The largest rainbows I’ve ever caught couldn’t put anywhere near that kind of show even on a mere five weight rod – but these fish were putting the full flex on an 8 weight (a Winston BL5 5pc – lord, what a sweet sweet rod this one is, too). All the fish were caught on white Gotchas, cast to tailing bones and then stripped back with short strokes. After tying a bunch of Charlies, Crab Puffs, Velcro Crabs, Gotchas, and small Clousers, in at least three colors (white, pink, and green) I started and ended with white Gotchas. That is, after I realized the flies weren’t heavy enough relying on the hooks (Mustad 34007 #6 SS) and bead eyes alone, and wrapping on a chunk of copper wire scavenged from a wrecked truck. Like flipping a switch, once I added that weight to the Gotchas, the only way I’d miss a fish was to line it. Once I hooked up with a bone, the fish was off for the proverbial sunset. I was using 12# Mirage for tippet, and set the drag for the better part of that, putting a fine bend in the Winston, and could only hold on for dear life and be ready to gain line when the opportunity arose, all the while trying to keep the fish out of the mangroves and away from coral chunks. Wild. Most of the casts were between 60 and 80 feet out. Sometimes the bones would eat the fly after only a couple of short strips, other times they’d follow the fly halfway back to the boat before taking the fly. Getting rid of 40 feet of loose line in a hurry isn’t all that easy – I got a couple of good scorch marks for my slower efforts (and they hurted so good Anyway…I can’t say enough about that whole experience. It was a total gas that won’t be forgotten soon. The Anegada Reef Hotel is a simple but comfortable place with great food, a wicked beach bar, and is operated by wonderful people. And Dave Vanterpool kept me in fish and in stitches each day – he’s a funny sonofabitch who knows the flats with his eyes closed, and will keep you on bones for as long as your arms can take the pressure. Wrapping it all up: – fishing the flats for bones is just a riot. I might be horribly spoiled by the experience. Only time will tell. I might try fishing the Rapid with a 2 weight to simulate the experience – the Winston BL5 is simply a wonderful rod. This 5 piece casts as nicely as any two piece 7-9 weight I’ve ever used, and it is post-911 airline friendly. It might be cold to state it, but Winston was sitting in the catbird seat on 910. – spotting random bonefish is an acquired skill, but it isn’t that hard to acquire that skill. Good Polaroids are a must, and side shades help, imo. Looking for tails is obvious, looking for plumes of silt a little less so, but beyond that you’re looking for glints and moving shadows. But by the middle of the second morning I often spotted a fish before my guide saw it. – Don’t dismiss the 6 inch deep puddles along the shore. I missed what was probably a ten pound bone by striking too soon on my first shot of the first day. That fish was feeding with the upper third of its body out of the water, damnedest thing I’ve seen in a while. If I had hooked it I’d probably be wishing I’d brought the camera that day… – the Reddington AL9/10 stood up to as much abuse as I could give it. My reeling arm is still sore. The reel is fine. The drag system is the bees knees. – you *can* land a twin engine low-wing aircraft laden with 10 people and gear on a 2500 foot runway, and take off from the same field later. Really! I swear to God! Often! /daytripper (Could’ve fooled me – I thought we were dead meat! =8-O

Response:

Question:

Remember Herters? The case that finally dove them into bankruptcy was importing flies and fly tying material from India (and other countries).   I would think customs inspectors would see a red light when any thing like a feather showed up in the baggage of a traveler just back from India.  I don’t think the money saved would be worth the trouble.

I got the impression he was bringing a kit to tie with while he was *in* India which is why I recommended looking there for materials instead of bringing them *into* India. FWIW — Charlie…

Response:

I think your right.  It just sounded like the tread was evolving to the point where the guy was going to bring a cotton sack full of feathers back with him. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the impression he was bringing a kit to tie with while he was *in* India which is why I recommended looking there for materials instead of bringing them *into* India. FWIW — Charlie…

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Yes,  I was just after the most basic materials to take,  just in case I couldn’t find them there. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think your right.  It just sounded like the tread was evolving to the point where the guy was going to bring a cotton sack full of feathers back with him. I got the impression he was bringing a kit to tie with while he was *in* India which is why I recommended looking there for materials instead of bringing them *into* India. FWIW — Charlie…

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Remember Herters?  The case that finally dove them into bankruptcy was importing flies and fly tying material from India (and other countries).   I would think customs inspectors would see a red light when any thing like a feather showed up in the baggage of a traveler just back from India.  I don’t think the money saved would be worth the trouble. There are shops around here that sell crafts from third world countries.  I have not checked them out because they are mostly "pottery and useless things that women buy"..  If they sold fly I would consider buying from them. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Assuming that space is drastically limited  (i.e. business trip overseas), what limited flytying materials would you recommend? I’m off to southern India (Bangalore), What kind of fish? Since a good percent of the worlds commercially tied flies come from India there may be plenty of materials available there. — Charlie…

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Assuming that space is drastically limited  (i.e. business trip overseas), what limited flytying materials would you recommend? I’m off to southern India (Bangalore),  and I’m taking 2 rods 9′ #6 & 9′ #10 (both 4 piecers to go on plane with me).  I shall be taking a small travellers’ flytying kit with me,  and some crucial materials plus the hooks (large and small).  Space & weight is really limited (after all,  this is supposed to be a business trip),  so perhaps a black silk thread,  some fine copper wire, ~ but what else? What would you guys take?  I have semi made up my mind on the materials, but would like to hear some recommendations.

Response:

What species of fish will you be fishing for? How long will you be there? Are we talking fresh or salt water? 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:

Mike, I would definitely take some marabou and chenille as this is relatively light and flat so is easily packed. Are you still up for the fly swap. E-mail me if any problems. Chris

Response:

Assuming that space is drastically limited  (i.e. business trip overseas), what limited flytying materials would you recommend? I’m off to southern India (Bangalore),  

What kind of fish? Since a good percent of the worlds commercially tied flies come from India there may be plenty of materials available there. — Charlie…

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Are you Richard Cook ("RC")? I received an email from RC about a fly-swap, 12 contesters or something;  is this the fly swap you mention? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mike, I would definitely take some marabou and chenille as this is relatively light and flat so is easily packed. Are you still up for the fly swap. E-mail me if any problems. Chris

Response:

What species of fish will you be fishing for? How long will you be there? Are we talking fresh or salt water?"

I really don’t know what I’ll be after.  In fact it is a perfect mystery for me.  I have once stumbled over some writings by a British Army officer whilst posted in Bangalore.  He did in fact catch some tiny brownies in the streams in the hills there.  However,  I shall also be in Madras (Chennai) for a while,  and that is by the seaside.  I have only ever spent 1 week in India.  I saw the most numerous and humongous rats in Bombay; I enjoyed the relative leafy calm of Bangalore,  and I withered in the August heat of Delhi. My first day in Bangalore saw some kites from my car window in the suburbs/rural fringes.  I asked my agent what they were,  and he said that they were large predatory birds looking for "things" in the waterways.  We soon came across a bridge over one of these waterways.  Naturally I was keen to take a peek over the bridge walls.  I’ve never seen such pollution ever in my life; the water was literally a flowing mass of human waste.  God only knows what the kites were after.  There certainly were no fish in this particular stream. I will be in India on and off for some time to come.  I have already given instructions to my agent to research the topic of "fly fishing in southern India".  A topic on my agenda for "taxi from airport talk" will most definitely be "where are we going fishing then?"  "what will we be after", and (hopefully) so on. Anyway,  I’ve opted for: pheasant tail hare’s mask peacock herl starling breast feathers some seal’s fur some badger cock hackles ginger too tinsel small amount of yellow bucktail 2 starling secondaries (one from either wing) french partridge breast feathers duck flank What else should I take?

Response:

Michael, yes this is the fly swap. You sent me a message saying you wantyed to participate in the fly swap, sorry if this is not you. Please advise if you will be participating in the swap. Thanks Chris

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Must have been a while ago,  as I obviously must have forgotten.  Either that or bad memory.  Did I really mail a message saying I would?    Mmm, I’m getting to the point wherefrom  I forget how bad my  memory really is. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Michael, yes this is the fly swap. You sent me a message saying you wantyed to participate in the fly swap, sorry if this is not you. Please advise if you will be participating in the swap. Thanks Chris

Response:

You should be able to obtain more than sufficient tying supplies in India. Quite a lot of stuff is on offer there for tying.  A friend of mine brought back several hundred quite excellent capes from India, but that was over twenty years ago.  Might be worth having a good look around though. Be careful about CITES regulations if you bring anything back with you. I would probably take along a hares mask, a starling skin, and get the rest there.  I assume you will be fishing in hill streams for brownies, I vaguely remember reading something about this a long time ago, but I have forgotten where. I also recall reading that many rivers in India are so badly polluted that fishing is more or less a waste of time. Might even be worth while to concentrate on getting some good tying materials, and forget the fishing.  I recall my friend telling me he only fished twice while he was there, once for trout, and once for something like perch, the rest of the time he wandered around collecting materials. Got some magnificent stuff too. Whatever, hope you have a nice time there. TL MC — "Where fishing is concerned, most anglers are basically manic excessives" http://www.mikeconnor.de – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Assuming that space is drastically limited  (i.e. business trip overseas), what limited flytying materials would you recommend?

Response:

Check import of natural materials.  For example, I think Japan bans peacock. Don’t know anything about India.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Assuming that space is drastically limited  (i.e. business trip overseas), what limited flytying materials would you recommend? I’m off to southern India (Bangalore),  and I’m taking 2 rods 9′ #6 & 9′ #10 (both 4 piecers to go on plane with me).  I shall be taking a small travellers’ flytying kit with me,  and some crucial materials plus the hooks (large and small).  Space & weight is really limited (after all,  this is supposed to be a business trip),  so perhaps a black silk thread,  some fine copper wire, ~ but what else? What would you guys take?  I have semi made up my mind on the materials, but would like to hear some recommendations.

Response:

<< What species of fish will you be fishing for? How long will you be there? Are we talking fresh or salt water?"

I really don’t know what I’ll be after.  In fact it is a perfect mystery for me.  I have once stumbled over some writings by a British Army officer whilst posted in Bangalore.  He did in fact catch some tiny brownies in the streams in the hills there. << Michael"   A quick search under Mahseer, a species I remember from reading books by colonial British sportsmen, found the following, among 80 other sites.  I have no connection to this or any other fishing site and relay it only as a possible source of info. "Mahseer Fishing Holidays in India with Chandertal Tours The finest freshwater fighting fish in the world? The Mahseer is regarded by many anglers as simply the best sport available, and the first time you hook a sizeable one you will discover why! Today, it can be found mostly in India and Burma." http://www.adventure-mag.com/Default.asp?Adventure=14 I think I recall that Mahseer are the largest members of the minnow family, running well past 100 lbs.  Legendarily, one needs deep sea gear to land them. Probably horsehooey; in Indian rivers today you probably are casting for Coney Island Whitefish.  The Mahseer in the picture at that site is pretty impressive though. Keep us posted. Glenn GKT

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<< What species of fish will you be fishing for? How long will you be there? Are we talking fresh or salt water?"

I really don’t know what I’ll be after.  In fact it is a perfect mystery for me.  I have once stumbled over some writings by a British Army officer whilst posted in Bangalore.  He did in fact catch some tiny brownies in the streams in the hills there.   << Michael"   Forget my last post about a web site on Mahseer.  Look at the picture at this site http://www.indianwildlife.com/angling_mahseersouth.htm It would take a fish like that to convince me to stand half-naked in a river in India, and the sucker had better have fought like a tarpon.  Anyway, this site was under "southern" India and Bangalore.  Good luck. Maybe there are still exotic species tucked away in corners where people haven’t completely crapped up the world. GKT

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Assuming that space is drastically limited  (i.e. business trip overseas), what limited flytying materials would you recommend? I’m off to southern India (Bangalore),  and I’m taking 2 rods 9′ #6 & 9′ #10 (both 4 piecers to go on plane with me).  I shall be taking a small travellers’ flytying kit with me,  and some crucial materials plus the hooks (large and small).  Space & weight is really limited (after all,  this is supposed to be a business trip),  so perhaps a black silk thread,  some fine copper wire, ~ but what else? What would you guys take?  I have semi made up my mind on the materials, but would like to hear some recommendations.

Penicillin. And plenty of it.

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Question:

Hello all; I find myself in the Fargo, ND area next week and I have pretty much all day on Friday to fish.  Can someone please provide suggestions for an easy day on the water – be it trout, smallmouth (my favorite), pike or panfish?  I will be fishing solo and would prefer to either wade or rent a small boat or canoe.  Thanks in advance for the response. Joe C.

Response:

Joe,    You could fish the tail water of the Garrison Dam, I think there are trout there.  Or fish the river anywhere for other species. Ernie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all; I find myself in the Fargo, ND area next week and I have pretty much all day on Friday to fish.  Can someone please provide suggestions for an easy day on the water – be it trout, smallmouth (my favorite), pike or panfish?  I will be fishing solo and would prefer to either wade or rent a small boat or canoe.  Thanks in advance for the response. Joe C.

Response:

Hello all; I find myself in the Fargo, ND area next week and I have pretty much all day on Friday to fish.  Can someone please provide suggestions for an easy day on the water – be it trout, smallmouth (my favorite), pike or panfish?  I will be fishing solo and would prefer to either wade or rent a small boat or canoe.  Thanks in advance for the response. Joe C.

The Red River flows right through town, and has smallmouth, pike, walleye, and extremely large channel catfish.  I don’t think I would try to wade it, I think the bottom would be pretty soft. Here is a link to an article about the Red from the ND Game & Fish website: http://www.state.nd.us/gnf/divfish/Redbro.html Also try browsing around their fishing page (http://www.state.nd.us/gnf/fishing.html) There is a county-by-county listing of all of the lakes in the state, showing what fish are in each lake, and contour maps in PDF format for most of the smaller lakes. The Sheyenne River has pike and smallmouth (and a variety of other fish), and is small enough to be wadable, but it is a beautiful canoe river, especially in and aroung Ft. Ransom State Park. You can find North Dakota fishing reports at: http://www.fishingbuddy.com/ Hope this helps, Kevin

Response:

Joe,    You could fish the tail water of the Garrison Dam, I think there are trout there.  Or fish the river anywhere for other species. Ernie

There are in fact brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout and chinook salmon in the Garrison Tailrace, and pretty damn big ones too, but it isn’t exactly tailored for fly-fishing.  Occasionally you will see them feeding near the banks and you can catch them on dries. More typically, they are way down deep, and real hard to get to. Todays average flow is 23,000 cfs (way low, 40,000 would be more typical) and it is very deep, so wading is, well suicidal, and you are required to have a 10hp minimum motor to fish in a boat.  A productive strategy is to fish a crankbait (you could probably substitute a streamer) on heavy mono, with a 2 oz. lead sinker tied on a 4 lb. mono dropper.  The sinker gets it down and holds it where the fish can see it, and the light mono dropper is to make sure if the sinker hangs up on the bottom, then you only lose the sinker. Plus, it would be about a 4 to 5 hour drive from Fargo. Kevin

Response:

leaders, keep your backcast low or you’re apt to snag one of those B-52’s flying their VFR low level route right over your head. Frank (love them BUF’s!) Church

|Joe, |   You could fish the tail water of the Garrison Dam, I think there |are trout there.  Or fish the river anywhere for other species. |Ernie |

| Hello all; | | I find myself in the Fargo, ND area next week and I have pretty much |all day | on Friday to fish.  Can someone please provide suggestions for an |easy day | on the water – be it trout, smallmouth (my favorite), pike or |panfish?  I | will be fishing solo and would prefer to either wade or rent a small |boat or | canoe.  Thanks in advance for the response. | | Joe C. | | | |

Response:

The  east side of the Red River is Minnesota.  Check out the Minnesota DNR below.  It’s september now so it could snow any time. I think it was about this time of year the Chinooks & Cohos in Lake Sacajawea ( spelling is bad but it’s the lady on the new dollar coin). would show up in the lake at the east end of the dam.  I have always wondered if they could be caught on a fly.  They didn’t have a stream to spawn in but for some reason they would show up there. Probablly where they were dumped  in.   I would like to try it.  So many places, so many fish – so little time. Watch the B-52s.  There was a target range north of Bismark and they scored the BUFFs as they "bombed: Garrison Dam.  Tehy fly all over at tree top height, that if there were trees in NoDak. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all; I find myself in the Fargo, ND area next week and I have pretty much all day on Friday to fish.  Can someone please provide suggestions for an easy day on the water – be it trout, smallmouth (my favorite), pike or panfish?  I will be fishing solo and would prefer to either wade or rent a small boat or canoe.  Thanks in advance for the response. Joe C.

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Any opinions about Detroit Lakes?  I am staying at the Holiday Inn there – a lakeside room.  I figure that must mean water and perhaps a shorter drive to find a spot to fish?  Anyone know the area??? Joe

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Question:

Forgive me if this has been covered before, but….  what’s the shelf life of middle and premium grade fly lines (e.g., Cortland 333, Scientific Anglers Ultra 3)?  Do any of the chemical treatments in or on the line deteriorate from exposure to air, since the boxes they come in aren’t air tight?  I’m asking (obviously) because an area dealer has very good prices on old stock of Ultra 3 (original packaging — different from what it’s currently packaged in) and some other lines. Thanks very much for any insight. G. Weaver

Response:

Forgive me if this has been covered before, but….  what’s the shelf life of middle and premium grade fly lines (e.g., Cortland 333, Scientific Anglers Ultra 3)?  Do any of the chemical treatments in or on the line deteriorate from exposure to air, since the boxes they come in aren’t air tight?  I’m asking (obviously) because an area dealer has very good prices on old stock of Ultra 3 (original packaging — different from what it’s currently packaged in) and some other lines. Thanks very much for any insight. G. Weaver

This is an interesting question – may have missed it, but don’t recall that it’s been posed before.  No scientific or experience basis to make this statement, but I would say that if the line is stored out of the sun and away from excessive heat or cold, it ought to be in pretty good shape even after a number of years in storage. Mark Faulkner

Response:

Forgive me if this has been covered before, but….  what’s the shelf life of middle and premium grade fly lines (e.g., Cortland 333, Scientific Anglers Ultra 3)?

I don’t know about "premium grade," but a greart many years ago, when I was a a grad student (that was so long ago I’m now retired), I bought an HDH floating line from Herter’s for about three bucks. I used it for twenty or twenty five years, and it was still floating. As an off-topic but perhaps relevant aside:  I  had the good fortune to do some fishing and hunting with Ed Zern back in the 1960s.  In his other life he was Creative Director of Geyer, Morey, Madden and Ballard, a big-time New York ad agency. I asked him about those strange greenish plastic collars on his two Labs.  He said "Oh, those are some experimental flea collars one of our clients gave me to try out.  They’ve been keeping fleas off my Labs for at least two years.  I’m sure they have someone working on that problem." Sure enough.  When flea collars appeared on the market a bit later, they were good for a couple of months. Might the same be true for fly lines? vince norris  Do any of the chemical treatments in or on – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -the line deteriorate from exposure to air, since the boxes they come in aren’t air tight?  I’m asking (obviously) because an area dealer has very good prices on old stock of Ultra 3 (original packaging — different from what it’s currently packaged in) and some other lines. Thanks very much for any insight. G. Weaver

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UV light and heat are the killers if I understand things correctly.  The lines also loose their slick finish over time because there is friction from the guides.  My guess is that the lines should be fine as long as they haven’t been sitting next to a heater or left in the sun for a long time. << Do any of the chemical treatments in or on the line deteriorate from exposure to air, since the boxes they come in aren’t air tight?  I’m asking (obviously) because an area dealer has very good prices on old stock of Ultra 3 (original packaging — different from what it’s currently packaged in) and some other lines. Thanks very much for any insight. G. Weaver

  <<  I bought an HDH floating line from Herter’s for about three bucks. I used it for twenty or twenty five years, and it was still floating. I guess I am brutal on my fly lines.  I can get a sinking line to last for a lot of years but I kill my dry lines within about two years or less.  That is based on fishing 60+ days per year but I still tear through them fast. Mike

Response:

I have a fair collection of lines (more than I ever have mounted on reels). My solution has been to always put them away clean – coiled and tied with pipe cleaners – and in ziplock bags with all the air sucked out.  Figure that this will minimize effects of atmospheric polutants such as ozone. Keep them in dark color plastic tub (no light), and in a cool place.  Seems to have worked although I don’t have a control on this experement.  I keep even new lines in ziplock bags – cheap and figure it can’t hurt. air, since the boxes they come in – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -aren’t air tight?  I’m asking (obviously) because an area dealer has very good prices on old stock of Ultra 3 (original packaging — different from what it’s currently packaged in) and some other lines. Thanks very much for any insight. G. Weaver

Response:

Hi Vince, I have seen them 20 years old and still OK. Probably not used much? I have also seen some ‘Commando Anglers’ wear out a line in a season. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop http://www.kiene.com <snip I don’t know about "premium grade," but a greart many years ago, when – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was a a grad student (that was so long ago I’m now retired), I bought an HDH floating line from Herter’s for about three bucks. I used it for twenty or twenty five years, and it was still floating. vince norris  Do any of the chemical treatments in or on the line deteriorate from exposure to air, since the boxes they come in aren’t air tight?  I’m asking (obviously) because an area dealer has very good prices on old stock of Ultra 3 (original packaging — different from what it’s currently packaged in) and some other lines. Thanks very much for any insight. G. Weaver

Response:

Keep them clean and conditioned, and even the $10 specials from walmart will last a long time. eventually they will phyisically wear out, but that takes a lot of fishing. by then, you’ll feel like you’ve *earned* a new line. — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyo Before you buy.

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Question:

Hey, Sounds like you’ve found a niche.  I could recommend a couple of fly shops that I know quite well from my fishing experience.  I am not sure on the business details, but i’m a finance major and a quick learner.  I’ve grown up in Miami and fishing is my lifeline.   Write Back and tell me more maybe i can help TarponRoto

Response:

 We are tying flies in Thailand ! And we are looking for a serious distributor of our flies : we have been tying flies since 1949(and are the first company to use CDC feathers for fly tying) We are using exclusivelly Daiichi Hooks… wich we can sell at arr. 30 $ per thousand. We have also CDC at 350 to 450 $ per lbs. We have experienced tiers who use to work for Umpqua before joining our company ( We do not intend to copy Umpqua flies) Our requirements : 500 to 1,000 dozens orders ! happy to find out good tyiers who can set up an exclusive American collection our fax : 66.53.260.546…or E mail

Response:

We are tying flies in Thailand !… there is a good reason to that… and even more than one !….. -We have got the Daiichi hooks at a very good price… we can sell them at 30 $ per thousand – We have experienced fly tiers… who worked with Umpqua before joining us ! -We do have all the CDC we want … and we sell it at 350 to 350 $ per lbs. We are looking for a serious distributor, we can work on a package price basis …arr. 6$ per doz. We also want to find out good fly tiers who could create with us an American Collection Christian  ION

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Question:

I am going to buy a new 20 ft pontoon.  The manufacturer sells it with either 25 or 40 hp motors.  I have already decided to opt for the 40 but don’t know which brand to get.  They sell Force, Mariner, or Honda.  I understand that the quality of the Honda is excellent but have no experience with that brand.  Any comments would be appreciated.  Also, any comments about "add-ons"–I’m going to use the  boat for cruising as well as fishing. Bill

Hi Bill, I am looking for a 30 to 40 HP myself. I think that I might get a Honda 4 cycle. They are more money, heavier, but are quieter and get better gas milage. My next choice would be a Yamaha 2 cycle. What do others think? Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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Go for the Honda.  Much better engine from reliability and maintenance point of view.  If the Honda is too much, then go with the Mariner.  Stay away from the Force.  It is a stripped down version made solely for the low end price market, which means it is also a low end motor. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am going to buy a new 20 ft pontoon.  The manufacturer sells it with either 25 or 40 hp motors.  I have already decided to opt for the 40 but don’t know which brand to get.  They sell Force, Mariner, or Honda.  I understand that the quality of the Honda is excellent but have no experience with that brand.  Any comments would be appreciated.  Also, any comments about "add-ons"–I’m going to use the  boat for cruising as well as fishing. Bill

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Get the Mariner. It is more dependable and has a better garintee. I baught a Mariner 3 years ago. I had a small problem with the coil and they gave me a brand new motor no questions asked.

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:I am going to buy a new 20 ft pontoon.  The manufacturer sells it with :either 25 or 40 hp motors.  I have already decided to opt for the 40 but :don’t know which brand to get.  They sell Force, Mariner, or Honda.  I :understand that the quality of the Honda is excellent but have no :experience with that brand.  Any comments would be appreciated.  Also, Hey Bill, I’m new to this group and your post caught my attention. I just got back from Florida where i rented a 20 foot pontoon with a 30 horse. It was pushing to get 15 to 18 mph ! I rented the same size boat last year with a 60 i believe and i was passing runabouts that were on plane !  If you ever need to  cover some real distance you might opt for bigger motor. If your just out scooting around small lake the smaller one will do but dont expect to get anywhere fast with that 25 Kevin

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I am going to buy a new 20 ft pontoon.  The manufacturer sells it with either 25 or 40 hp motors.  I have already decided to opt for the 40 but don’t know which brand to get.  They sell Force, Mariner, or Honda.  I understand that the quality of the Honda is excellent but have no experience with that brand.  Any comments would be appreciated.  Also, any comments about "add-ons"–I’m going to use the  boat for cruising as well as fishing. Bill

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Question:

are there any schools that teach fishing with conventional tackle instead of pure flyrod?

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are there any schools that teach fishing with conventional tackle instead of pure flyrod?

I don’t know of any. I think that is why the fly fishing industry is doing so well.  There are lots of videos, books and schools on the sport of fly fishing. Most of the conventional tackle is sold by self service mass merchandizers like Walmart and Kmart. It is hard to get any service, help or fishing info from those stores. I have watched the tackle business change for the last 31 years that I have been involved in it. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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Question:

A friend of mine needs some information on fly fishing the Chesapeake, near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. He wants to know if anyone knows any good spots, how to access them, what flies to use, etc. Any information on guide services in the area would also be appreciated. Thanks!

Try Anglers Sport Center (410) 252-0556 in Annapolis, Tochtermans in Baltimore is at (410) 522-4237, Wolfs (410) 378-1112 in Ellicott City or The Fisherman’s Edge (Joe Bruce) is at (410) 719-7999 Catonsville.

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A friend of mine needs some information on fly fishing the Chesapeake, near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. He wants to know if anyone knows any good spots, how to access them, what flies to use, etc. Any information on guide services in the area would also be appreciated. Thanks!

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Question:

Anyone have the conditions on the stream.  I expect to be in Deposit in three weeks and sure would like to hear from someone who’s been there.

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east & west branches are very low ,as is the main branch. Right now march browns are hatching, in a week or so I expect to see Green drakes. The first release is not scheduled untl 6/15. If we don’t get some rain soon fishing will be seriously affected. I will be spending a few days there at the end of the week ,will report on conditiions

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: east & west branches are very low ,as is the main branch. Right now march : browns are hatching, in a week or so I expect to see Green drakes. The : first release is not scheduled untl 6/15. If we don’t get some rain soon : fishing will be seriously affected. I will be spending a few days there at : the end of the week ,will report on conditiions I was on the fly stretch just below Deposit last night.  Very low is right. We got there about 7:00pm, and there was a blizzard of caddis coming off in the riffle just below the main parking access.  Some hendricksons and march browns.  We got into one of our favorite spots and the fish were in a frenzy.  They seemed to be hitting on emergers, since swarms of fish would roil the surface, and you couldn’t see any flies.  Casting into the roils didn’t produce too well.  Eventually, we tried some no hackle hendricksons with a white parachute, and then the action was great until dark.  My partner had a better spot, I think, and is a better fisherman. He caught 5 in half an hour, I had 3.  Largest 16". Also, I heard that the march browns are hatching on the main branch where the water is a little warmer, but the hendricksons are still on the west branch. That’s only word of mouth though. -Jeff

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Question:

I am going to Cozumel, Mexico at the end of January and would like to find a guide or advice on where to fish there. I do not scuba dive. I would like to wade fish for bonefish if there are fishable flats. Anyone know a relable guide? Do I need a license in advance? Any other advice would be great… Thanks, Bill Schrader Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX

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| I am going to Cozumel, Mexico at the end of January and would like to find | a guide or advice on where to fish there. I do not scuba dive. | | I would like to wade fish for bonefish if there are fishable flats. | | Anyone know a relable guide? | | Do I need a license in advance? | | Any other advice would be great… | | Thanks, | Bill Schrader | Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX |         Haven’t been to Cozumel in a few years, but here are a couple of insights. When I was there shore fishing was permitted on the north side of the island, but much of the south side was a marine sanctuary. Anyways, from shore I found the best fishing to happen at night from the ‘Cabanas del Caribe’ (which may or may not still exist) north.I was using a fly rod and a white 1/0 deceiver, and had a blast with baby tarpon and horse eyed jacks (they’ll pull your arm off!) I saw some snappers further north, but didn’t have my rod at the time. I saw one bonefish, which I spooked, at the northernmost point of the beach, where everything turns to jungle. There are supposedly flats on either end of the island. The book "Fishing Atlas of the World" a big coffee table type book has some details on finding these flats as I recall. You are supposed to have a fishing license, which I believe is free for shore fishing, but I never could find the oficina de pesca and nobody gave me any trouble about it. The boat fishing is supposed to be great, but I didn’t try it. Oh, I was there in mid march. Not sure what January will bring, but it will definitely be better than the -10F I got up to this morning :-                                         john cloyd

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