Penn's questions
 

"Allen Epps" wrote in message
...
In article , Roger Ohlund
wrote:

Here's a link to Jonas's shop. Although it looks a bit dormant right
now it's a wealth of information on conditions as the trip gets closer
http://www.twd.net/feathrhk/

Good information!
I especially liked the hatch chart. Gives me an idea on what to bring.

During the clave, will anyone be likely to fish the surounding waters?
(Pine, Elk, Big fishing and/or Spring creek?)
It would be nice to see more than one water. After all, I will have gone a
long way to get there.

/Roger

Penn's questions
 

"Wayne Harrison" wrote in message
r.com...

"Roger Ohlund" wrote in message
...
Well,

the ticket is booked and paid for. With the connection flight it was US$
740.

Some questions:


roger, my fishing experiences have primarily been on relatively small,
freestone streams in the southern appalachians, and i must say that
successful fishing at penn's creek requires an entirely different set of
skills. fishing is very technical. by that, i mean that most of the
time,
selection of the right fly is far more important than any other factor.
of
course, you must be able to lay out a little line, and mend a little, but
expertise in the use of rod and line is far less important than choosing
which fly to use: wet, dry, nymph, pattern, size---very technical.

Sounds very much like what I'm used to.

but the
up side is that the guys who are really good at this sort of thing (tom
littleton, mike makela, handyman mike, dave pa, louie lacourse, and
similar
thieves) are very helpful to the uninitiated. makela actually spoke to me
one evening. :) really, though, the overall experience is the heart of
the
trip. some fascinating folks and beautiful countryside. oh, it ain't the
southern part of heaven (the old north state), but it's ok.
you really won't need to bring a single fly. you can buy a few of the
patterns that the experts suggest, and your 9foot4weight is perfect for
the
water. i would figure on a daily expense of about $50, not counting major
equipment madness.

Uhuh, I'm starting to feel scared of this Feathered Hook fly shop. Perhaps I
better not set my foot in there, knowing myself and all. ;-) Or maybe bring
more money.....hmmm.....better not.

if i am there, you will be treated to a performance at the hearts
table
that can only be described as awesome, and impromptu folk rock concerts
that
have ...changed... some of the attendees. other than that, i'm just a
regular guy.

I'm not sure that I'm doing the right thing here.....but I have to confess
that I don't know how to play hearts. Poker on the other hand "I have never
played" ;-)

/Roger

Penn's questions
 

Roger writes:

During the clave, will anyone be likely to fish the surounding waters?
(Pine, Elk, Big fishing and/or Spring creek?)
It would be nice to see more than one water. After all, I will have gone a
long way to get there.


Most definitely. Dave PA is the man to see. He knows the local waters very
well and I am sure would lend a hand showing them to you. He may even bring
you to the small restaurant that serves the best french fries in PA.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Penn's questions
 

During the clave, will anyone be likely to fish the surounding waters?
(Pine, Elk, Big fishing and/or Spring creek?)
It would be nice to see more than one water. After all, I will have gone a
long way to get there.

/Roger

Take your pick on the day, some one will be probably going to each of
these during the week. If the weather changes, we pick the water thats
clearest. If the cell phone rings and some one is screaming HATCH!, we
run like hell to that stream.
Frank

Penn's questions
 

Roger Ohlund wrote:

Well,

the ticket is booked and paid for. With the connection flight it was US$
740.

there is something rotten in denmark... i can't find a ticket
originating from this side of the pond for under 1100.


Some questions:

What are the waters that we fish? Small creek(s)? Big river?

some of the waters you fish, based on photos you have posted, seem about
the same size as penns. penns has all the variety and character in a
trout stream you could want... i'm sure you'll find a stretch of penns
that reminds you of many other trout streams you've fished. the other
streams in the area are smaller. we'll assure that you find the type of
water you prefer and sample others you might like. most of the group
sit on the productive pools or runs, fishing only the peak hours.
others like to hike and move about a good bit. you'll have plenty of
choices and opportunities with this crowd of very enthusiastic and
accommodating anglers.

Any special flies that are a must?

yup...but, it's hard to predict. bring some of what you have confidence
with, but you'll probably do better just to wait til you're there and
then buy from jonas' shop or bum some from makela and littleton. if the
hatches are on, it's just a phenomenal sight and you do your best to
match it. i've only seen it in full form one of the three years i've
been at penns. but, that and the big penns' browns keep me returning
each year. march browns, sulphurs, and stoneflies seem standards each
year, and always catch fish. but, i've caught fish on an elk hair
caddis, stimulator, parachute adams, and hares ear. it's technical
fishing, no doubt, but even i land a few. the match the hatch gurus and
the dredgers always seem to do well.

Do I bring my own deck of cards or will you bring your marked ones? ;-)

cards are at the cabin.

Do I need to shop for food in advance or is there a place nearby that I can
get what I need?

we'll get victuals there... if dave is bringing you, he'll know where to
stop on the way. we'll shop at some point during the week, but usually
pick up stuff as needed or when we feel like it
..
Do you plan dinner in groups or each and everyone to himself?

groups usually form for meals... you'll have plenty of hosts.

Whats lobster night? An excuse to get drunk?

.... the milheim inn offers a good deal on lobster one night a week, and
a crowd usually likes to eat there. they have a good bar.

What will the climate be like?

hard to tell. it varies. best guess is warm during the day 60s-70s, cool
at night 40s-50s. might rain...might not, but usually does rain some.
the first year was beautiful weather with incredible hatches; second
year was a monsoon; last year there was some rain, but mostly just
overcast skies and a bit chilly.

Lou, is it OK if I accept your offer on a sleeping bag and mattress?

sure g

I have a four piece rod Sage 490-4LL, will that cover my needs or do I bring
a heavier classed rod?

9 ft 4 weight will be perfect for penns. there will be plenty of other
rods available if you want a different rig.

What will we be fishing for? (Brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat or
what?)

in penns, mainly big browns... some rainbows... very few brookies. we've
caught some smallmouth bass too...and wally caught a carp. i'll e-mail
you some pictures.

jeff

Penn's questions
 

Uhuh, I'm starting to feel scared of this Feathered Hook fly shop. Perhaps
I
better not set my foot in there, knowing myself and all. ;-) Or maybe
bring
more money.....hmmm.....better not.

The problem with the Feathered Hook is that it is a fully stocked fly shop,
run by a guy who is immediately likable. You spend 5 minutes talking to him
and he's already figured out your current needs, future needs, a couple of
long range desires and your ability to pay. He then shows you a few items
that are within your budget. Problem is, one or two are within the budget,
but you look at all he offers and end up picking up enough to cover the cost
of one of those long range desires. Then he does things like sell you
waders (by noticing that your in the shop with wet pants), and then says to
bring them back next year and he'll upgrade you to the next level of waders
for the price difference. Just go there, throw open the door, throw in your
wallet and step in afterwards. He will then know your credit history so you
can avoid the first 5 minute talk.
I have to admit, there are few local fly stores that equal his level of
service. One's in North Carolina, one's in St Louis, and I know of three in
California. With the current dollar to krona rate, you're in for a treat.
As an aside, when I was in California last month, I went into Bob Marriotts
in Orange. I told them where I was going fishing. I also said I needed a
license. The store had already sent all of their 2003 licenses back to the
state, so the clerk just got on the phone, called up three stores where I
was going, found one that opened early that had licenses on hand, got a
fishing report on the local river and proceded to walk me around the store
to ensure I had every thing that I needed for the conditions 250 miles away
on a river he'd not been on in 20 years.
Frank Reid

Penn's questions
 

Dave LaCourse wrote:

What will we be fishing for? (Brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat or
what?)


Browns and rainbows. If Waldo goes, follow him and you'll catch lots of
suckers. d;o)

oh the pain.

roger, if i make it this year, i'll be happy and pleased to share
a spot on "wally's run" with ya. big discriminating fish for the
patient and talented angler, which of course, lacourse, ain't. ;-)

wherebegone wally

Penn's questions
 

Jeff Miller wrote:

in penns, mainly big browns... some rainbows... very few brookies. we've
caught some smallmouth bass too...and wally caught a carp. i'll e-mail
you some pictures.


the indignity..... oh the pain.

wally, i also caught a rock

Penn's questions
 

Roger Ohlund wrote:
Well,

the ticket is booked and paid for. With the connection flight it was US$
740.

cool.

Some questions:

What are the waters that we fish? Small creek(s)? Big river?

you can fish either. penns is large by eastern standards. there
are some very nice streams within a 5 to 60 minute drive. one
that i really like is about 15 minutes from the cabin.

Any special flies that are a must?

mushmouth...

seriously.... on the dry i've used march browns, sulphurs, adams,
black caddis, hoppers, and yes, yellow humpies with good success.
teched fished some small bwo midges one evening the first
year.... way cool.

i really enjoy swinging wet flies on penns. tom littleton ties up
some awesome march brown patterns.

the largest fish on penns creek (except one darlin' last year on
a mb dry) i have caught all have been on large buggers or nymphs.

Do I bring my own deck of cards or will you bring your marked ones? ;-)

the simpletons play hearts. i'm at the poker table. (just kiddin'
wayno and blackbeard)

Do I need to shop for food in advance or is there a place nearby that I can
get what I need?

no need to shop in advance unless you care to bring over some
swedish delicacies for us per.... err, gourmands.

Do you plan dinner in groups or each and everyone to himself?

groups most nights....

Whats lobster night? An excuse to get drunk?

of course. and the lobstah' ain't bad either.

What will the climate be like?

ya dun wanna ask me....

Lou, is it OK if I accept your offer on a sleeping bag and mattress?

ok, but please keep this to yalllselves.

I have a four piece rod Sage 490-4LL, will that cover my needs or do I bring
a heavier classed rod?

that rod will serve you very well roger.

What will we be fishing for? (Brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat or
what?)

i fish for browns. i catch a multitude of everything else ;-)


Anyone wish to buy something from Sweden? Loop reel or anything like that?

err, see food ? above.

i'm looking forward to your acquaintance roger.... i sure hope i
can make pa this year.

woebegone wally

Penn's questions
 

"Frank Reid" moc.deepselbac@diersicnarf wrote in message
...
Uhuh, I'm starting to feel scared of this Feathered Hook fly shop. Perhaps
I
better not set my foot in there, knowing myself and all. ;-) Or maybe
bring
more money.....hmmm.....better not.

The problem with the Feathered Hook is that it is a fully stocked fly shop,
run by a guy who is immediately likable. You spend 5 minutes talking to him
and he's already figured out your current needs, future needs, a couple of
long range desires and your ability to pay. He then shows you a few items
that are within your budget. Problem is, one or two are within the budget,
but you look at all he offers and end up picking up enough to cover the cost
of one of those long range desires. Then he does things like sell you
waders (by noticing that your in the shop with wet pants), and then says to
bring them back next year and he'll upgrade you to the next level of waders
for the price difference.

THAT'S THE GUY!

I have to admit, there are few local fly stores that equal his level of
service.

Seriously, Roger, you would be hard pressed to find a shop owner half as
likeable as Jonas (present roff company excepted, of course.) He really doesn't
TRY to sell you anything. When you tell him you're shopping for something in
particular, he'll take the time to ask a few questions first to make sure he's
giving you proper advice. In my case, I spent about ten minutes in the shop
buying a few flies, gadgets, etc., and then a few other fly fishers, Jonas and I
sat on the front porch of the shop and just swapped stories. I found him so
likeable that I WANTED to spend more of my money in his shop. Frank should also
retell the 2002 story of the lost rod, which truly shows this man's character.
He's a gem in the world of lesser men. When I find my way back there again in
the future I would gladly part with more of my money to make sure he's around in
the future.
--
TL,
Tim
who has no affiliation with The Feathered Hook. :)
http://css.sbcma.com/timj