Fly Fishing

[Bri]

Greetings

I've noticed in the profile section of this board, that quite a few members have listed fly fishing as one of their interests. Well, I must say, Fly Fishing is way better than setting tile...in fact if I could get paid to fly fish, I'd never touch a tile again. There isn't anything better than standing waist deep in a cool clear river, watching the line float back and forth over head, making the perfect presentation of the fly on the water, and watching a trout attack it like a swimmer in a Spielberg movie. If you haven't tried it, you should....you'll never want to fish out of a boat again...unless of course...you brought along your fly rod.

BRian

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[John Bridge]

Bri, I'm sure you're going to get better responses than this one, but anyway . . .

When I was a kid in the Pacific Northwest I really got into the idea of fly fishing, right to the point that I was collecting feathers and tying flies. Had a fly rod and reel, too.

Problem was I could never catch a fish with a fly, home made or store bought. I would start out with flies and end up with worms. After a while I just sort of skipped the fly segment and went right to the worms. Used to catch one hell of a bunch of rainbows that way.

[cx]

John:

If a fella's real hungry and is near trout water, ain't nothing like a fat worm or big grasshopper. That's called harvesting.

Fly fishing is not so much about fish as it is about fishing. Not to misunderstand, now, I make every effort to catch fish every time I go fly fishing, It's just not so important if I don't catch any. As I have often told the non-fly-fishers: "Sometimes we go fishing and catch a lot of fish and have a good time; sometimes we go fishing and have a good time. Ain't a lot of difference".

Brian:

I only take issue with one statement, that you'll never want to fish out of a boat again. I have the most beat-up looking, sorta camo painted, aluminum canoe you've ever seen, and some of the best fly fishing I've ever done has been out of that boat. Some people would likely be embarrased to be seen in it (some are embarassed to be seen in my truck when it's on top), but it will take you to some wonderous places. Great fishing buddy, too. Will ride around on the truck for weeks on end while you fish without it. Sit up on the bank for endless hours while you fish without it. Sit quietly on the glassy lake while you fish from it. Carry all your camping gear down the river for days without complaint (only occasionally taking a side trip down the river without you, but them's different stories - for the boat forum). Never whines about the weather or the fishing. When the canoe's on top of the truck, life is either good, or about to get better soon.

My favorite fly fishing places, though, require lots of walking. Backpacking into the mountains where the lake level is near 12,000 feet, the little streams comming out of them cold and crystal clear, the trout plentiful, and, best of all, not another human in sight unless you brought'em with. Just sky and clouds and mountains and trees and rocks and wildlife and quiet. If there is a God, that's where she lives.

[John Bridge]

One thing's for sure. You ain't talkin' 'bout Texas. Not even Mt. Houston is that tall.

[flatfloor]

You guys gotta try fly fishing for shark, like we do here on L.I. Let me know if you prefer a boat or wading.

[cx]

Now, Jim, me an' Bri was tryin' to be serious here.

Geeez!

Ain't nothin' sacred no more.

John:
Yes, you would be correct, 'twasn't Texas. But some of the nicest places I know aren't that far away. Southern Colorado, in the Sangre de Christo range has many nice high lakes. Gotta stay onna west side of the range though, east side ain't Wilderness.

And just guessing at the height of Mt. Houston, I'd wanna say the peak is prolly about 7,000 feet below where I usually park the truck.

[tileprof]

bri what about using nymphs? i like to belly boat for trout in some of the interior lakes here in B.C.(not in bc at present).Or what about catching steelhead on flies....hang on!or salmon!Definatly better than putting in stone/tile!!!!!!!!!!! tight lines
steven

[Harry]

I used to haul rainbow out of lakes and brooks in the Cariboo Mountains by the dozens using a lure called a "Panther Martin" ..... but I have no success at all here in Ontario. http://www.ontariotile.com/eek.gif

[John Bridge]

All right, Harry, you smart . . . You gonna tell us how to make that smiley? http://www.ontariotile.com/eek.gif

Never mind. I figured it out.

[Harry]

(hehe!) .... thought I could pull a fast one. :D

[Rob Z]

John

How can we get the blinking smiley face thingys like Harry has over at his site?


Rob

[John Bridge]

I gotta get really smart and import them. This could take time.

[cx]

Hell, I still wanna know how to pewt them ones we got!

I done axed afore and won't nobody tell.

Guess I call the CIA, they're good at findin' out secrets.

Uh Huh.

[John Bridge]

Dammit, Kelly, I think I done tole you how to do that the last time you axed. It's in the FAQ area up at the top right corner of this page.

Here, I'll save you the trouble of going to the FAQ. It's the second fact in the FAQ. http://johnbridge.com/vbulletin/index.php?action=showsmilies

I'll lead you by the hand. The first column tells you what to do with your fingers. You'll figure out the rest.

You get that all figured out and then I'll tell you how to steal that winking one from Harry's site.

[cx]

OK, OK, so I'm a slow learner. :o

[e3]

bumped it for ya ,but there's another one.I'll look.

[Eric Philson]

Fly fisher, that's me. Tie my own bugs, turn my own rods. Western Michigan, I have 8 blue ribbon trout streams within an hours drive. Biggest fish ever on a fly rod, 47 1/2 " 31 lbs. Chrome fresh king Salmon on the Pere Marquette river. 6lb. tippet. FISH ON!!!!!!

[e3]

Yeee ha...Thats where I fish...BBT!

[Eric Philson]

BBT forever! though the guys at Johnsons are cool too, at least to me , being a local and all. They're under new ownership, though, we'll see how that goes.

Eric

[e3]

One can hope the new owner can make it work.We have used their lodge for our last three Co.fish outings but hook up with Herb,Steve,Jim Johnson,Johnny Madson,and John Klusing to guide..My place is on the Baldwin River.Who bought the Lodge anyhow ,a local ??

[GraniteGirl]

Fly fishing?! Isn't that for Englishmen and sissies? :devil:

Best fishing is spearfishing. Nothing quite as thrilling as going somewhere where you are NOT at the top of the food chain, to try and stalk something that feels you coming a mile away! :crazy:

[boysmom]

when my husband i were dating, one of our first trips together was to yellowstone to fish the madison. it was snowing, freezing & i only had hip boots. it's a miracle we're still together! we went every fall till our older boy began school, then bill's still gone on his own, w/a few friends a couple years, i've been back a time or 2 & now our older son went last fall. nothing like fall there when almost all the yahoos have left the park & you can actually find a place to park down at the barnholes!
i personally prefer wooly buggers on the madison, while the all-around family preference is for a mink-tail caddis.
the boys are catching snook & jack off our dock w/their fly rods this time of year. they tie their own & some of their flies are really wild!!

[Hobbit]

There are quite a few of us around here. As Eric mentioned, there are several threads around that we "rehab" every so often. Actually, I just missed a trip to visit Eric last year. Don't know for sure what he had planned, but it probably would have been great!

:) :)

[Hobbit]

Oh shoot....

Too many Erics...should have said E3!!!! ;)

[Eric Philson]

Eric,

A group of "partners", three of em I guess. I've only met one of them, wasn't impressed. Seemed like some rich guys' brat kid. Supposedly they want to bring it back to life since the previous owner, some korean or Phillipino guy I think, bled it out. They called me to look at the fireplace in the lodge, which is trashed. Instead of re-doing it right, they want to do it on the cheap. Same old story. I have face recognition with the guys that work the shop. I get good deals from them on last years model reels as long as I'm not looking for something specific. I don't get on the BBT sight much anymore. Once in a while though. It just got too big. Way back there were some cool guys that were the genuine article. I used to be a more of a noodle rodder in the Dick Swan methodology. Only fished trout with light spinning gear. The old guys really got me having the bug to try a fly rod, and once I did I never looked back. Well,...ok, I look back sometimes. Them the sight became the most frequented outdoor sight on the net, and for a while it really went down hill. I should give it another try. If you're in town this spring/summer, you'll find me putting a new split fieldstone face on the Baldwin library.

So, tell me, where do I get one of those good jobs so I can have a place on the Baldwin river? :)

Eric

[e3]

heading for Miami in the am..Thought about sneeking down to the keys to chase some back water fish,snook,reds,tarpon,bones ect...but as it turns out not this time..

[Eric Philson]

OK, rub it in why don't ya. :)

[Eric Philson]

Now here's a catch!!
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43056

[Eric Philson]

Oops, wrong hit. try this insteadhttp://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-norway-big-fish%2C0%2C6273569.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines

[Eric Philson]

AAARGH!!! Well, I tried. It's about a guy that caught a 320 lb. Halibut on a rod and reel. It was too big to get into his boat.

[e3]

fishing trip coming up>>>Hopeing for some warm weather in Fla. to get the tarpon moving!!!!here fishy,fishy!!!

[Eric Philson]

Eric,

I've been working just West of Bowman's bridge. Yesterday morning the whole area surrounding the bridge was totally submerged. The water was nearly touching the bottom of the bridge. Snow is gone. Today the water is down significantly and at this rate will be fairly clear and very fishable by Monday. Just thought you'd like to know. Have fun :)

[e3]

Thanks! I saw how high it was on BBTs site! might have to get up there to check on the cabin,and since i'm there wet a line.My daughter and I both drew Turkey permits for the first season.I get home from Fla. and turn around and head north the next day..
Back to finish off 50 showers in a a prison job I'v been working on tuesday then Fla. here I come.

[tileguytodd]

Tarpon.........or Marlin..................hmmmmmmmmmmmm

Ive never fished Tarpon,but i do see a differance ;)

[tileguytodd]

And here is one of the 7 we caught in Cabo a couple years ago.

Are you sure you want to go Tarpon fishing Erik?? :D

[e3]

thats a baby Tarpon in the photo..Marlin are fun but driving around in a boat with 80 # line waiting for something to bite isnt my cup of tea...100-150# TARPON ON A FLY IN 6' OF WATER NOW THATS FISHING!!
I love any fishing!! I grew up in Mi. with Bass,Pike,Walleye ect.My grandpa lived in Ft.Lauderdale and had a boat so I used to fish there every year.Sails,marlin,mackel,dolphin ect. If I had to pick only one,it might be TROUT on a Dry Fly with a 3wt.

[e3]

Im out of here for VACATION !!!! <')))))))>~~~<

[flatfloor]

Have a great one, bring back some great experiences. :)

[Dave Taylor]

.......believe it or not....... Minnesota.

Just loved it. Had to give it up though... kept coming up with too much stuff on my back cast. Leaves, branches, a wild chicken. Bird caught my hair as it went past. never knew how well I could swim and dive with a chicken clawing at my ears. Brought lots of nice browns home that day. Fish crawled up on the bank and died laughing :--)

[tileguytodd]

:rofl:
Dave, we have some very good brook trout fishing along the lake superior tributories,particullarly good the further north along the shore you go.
Ive landed native brookies in the 18-19 " range and lost several in the 20-24" range.
Thats some good Spec fishing anywhere.

I still have a hankering to Visit Gods River Lodge in Canada though.
Now theres a trip Eric wouldnt want to pass up.Big Bucks,catch and release only,but 5-6 # avg weight brook trout fishing is likely as good as it gets anywhere in the world and they will definitly give that 3 weight a good test in the fast waters of Gods River.They reccomend medium to heavy fly gear and dry fly fishing the last 2 weeks of July is rated the best.
Also they have averages of:
12-15# lake trout
12-15# Northern Pike
3-4# walleye
(all these species are set up with slots due to the conservation nature of the lake).They have outposts along the river for the serious trout guy and cabins at the lake for those who prefer multispecies fishing.
Here are a couple examples of Gods river brook trout,a laker,Pike and walleye :)

[e3]

made it back!!! had some great fishing in the flats..hooked into Snook,Red fish,Sea Trout and a small Shark..My daughter again out fished me and caught a REAL NICE Snook..38" 15#! I was able to get a fly on some Red Fish which was fun ,for a up north trout fishermen throwing that big out 8wt tring to reach out there in the wind was a challange. I'm heading back after the Covering show to try for a 100# plus Tarpon on the fly rod!!! cannt wait!

[flatfloor]

What! No pichers? :)

[Hobbit]

C'mon Eric....

You know better than that! Anyone can talk about fishing. Let's see the proof.!!! :) You are using an 8 wt. in the Keys???? Surely not for large tarpon?? My last trip I used an 11 wt and it was very marginal on the big ones. In fact, I got tore up about half way through the last day. A large tarpon freight-trained me. Smoked the drag...useless after that. Had the reel rebuilt, but it was never the same. I borrowed some gear to finish out the day...exasperating...an exercise in futility. :rolleyes:

There is nothing like a large tarpon to really humble a guy.....Atlantic salmon in fast water is a close second!!

:) :)

[e3]

The 8wt. was for the Snook and Red Fish...Might get away with a 9 on baby Tarpon like in Todds photos but like you said not the big boy's!! When I go back in may (start of the peak run) I'll be using the guides rod.Most likely a Hardy since they sponser him!! I'll see if I can post photos of my daughters but have never done it!! Just dont any of you dirty old men ...oh never mind!!!

[boysmom]

almost anything on a mink tail caddis fly. the trout in yellowstone take those when they won't take anything else, even those egg-looking thingys the guides bring the yahoos down to the river to try.....

[e3]

fishing in fla. with my youngest! Snook- 38" 15#

[Hobbit]

Eric, I don't know what to say!!

Fish?? What fish?? :yeah:

:) :)

[e3]

she's quite a little deer hunter too! shot her first deer with a 50 cal. muzzel loader.

[Hobbit]

Congratulations Eric....

Sounds as if you have raised her right. Intelligent, respectful children are somewhat difficult to locate these days!

:) :)

[e3]

only strike against her is shes wants to be a lawyer !! no matter how hard you try sometime they turn to the dark side.

[flatfloor]

Lovely young lady Eric, we have some good lawyers around here none as pretty though. :)

[e3]

Well after the Covering show I made it over to Boca Grande Fla. looking for the Tarpon run. Hooked one but lost it after one jump.Spotted lots rolling but but they wanted nothing to do with feeding.Had two other hits ,landed two black tip sharks and three snook on the inside...Back to trout fishing this weekend.

[John Bridge]

Eric,

Apparently you didn't notice this when you posted the picture, but it looks to me like you might have snagged your daughter with a fish hook on one of your casts. It's lodged in her navel.

:D

Nice looking girl. :)