Which comes first?
 

When you cast, should the line hit the water first, followed by the
fly?

Or should the fly hit the water first, followed by the line?

Steve Thomas

Which comes first?
 

"Steve Thomas" wrote in message
...
When you cast, should the line hit the water first, followed by the
fly?

Or should the fly hit the water first, followed by the line?

Steve Thomas

The overhead cast, the fly should hit the water first.
On the rollcast there are three variations of cast.
1. The low rollcast, where the line glides along the water, therefore
the line hits the water first.
2. Medium rollcast, line glides in the airs, almost in a straight line,
in this case the fly hits the water first.
3. Arialized rollcast, the fly hits the water first.

To get the fly to land on the water first, it's important to follow
through on the forward cast. By following through, that is to
stop the rod between 10-11 o'clock, then follow the rod to
the water without touching the surface. I usually lower the fly-rod
after the stop to about a foot off from the surface.
fwiw,
-tom

Which comes first?
 

Steve Thomas wrote:

When you cast, should the line hit the water first, followed by the
fly?

Or should the fly hit the water first, followed by the line?

Your line is supposed to hit the water?


Chuck Vance (damn, I've been doing it wrong all along)

Which comes first?
 

Which comes first?
 

On Mar 1, 2:26 pm, (Steve Thomas) wrote:
When you cast, should the line hit the water first, followed by the
fly?

Or should the fly hit the water first, followed by the line?

Steve Thomas

Too many variables. Air resistance of the fly, length of the leader,
size of the tippett. As long as you aren't slamming the line down on
the water, I wouldn't worry about it.

Which comes first?
 

"George Adams" wrote in message
ps.com...
On Mar 1, 2:26 pm, (Steve Thomas) wrote:
When you cast, should the line hit the water first, followed by the
fly?

Or should the fly hit the water first, followed by the line?

Steve Thomas

Too many variables. Air resistance of the fly, length of the leader,
size of the tippett. As long as you aren't slamming the line down on
the water, I wouldn't worry about it.

The objective for many dry-fly anglers is to practice good
presentation skills. Matching the leader/tippet size and length to
the size of the fly is indeed very import. It's good to have these
skills because you may need to use them.

I fish a little different from most of my friends. They seem to enjoy
rushing to wader-up, jump right into the water Some even have
cigars dangling from their mouths as they forcefully wade through
the water to get to their spot only to blind cast.

I like to scout the area first, look for prime fishing areas, and watch
for fish on the rise, even before I get my waders on. I would also
observe the hatch, or surrounding flies that I think fish are hitting on.
I look for the closet fly I have in size and color. I also enjoy fishing
from the bank so I have a less chance of disturbing or spooking the fish.

There were times when I had my gear ready to cast, saw a fish on the rise
and cast within a two foot circumference of that area. Fly touching down
first and a fish hitting it before a second ticked off.

I'm fortunate enough to have an outdoor casting pond near by to practice
these skills. I've been practicing presentation of the fly for quite awhile
now, trying to get the fly to land as softly as I can without a hint of
splash and fly hitting the water before the line. It's more difficult than
one could imagine. One of the things I've learned, and why I emphasized the
follow-through, is if you don't follow-through, there's a slight pull back
on the fly when it lands on the water and it causes a tiny wake, enough to
spook the fish. Probably not as critical if you're casting up stream and
letting the fly drift, but in the cases I described above, it may be
critical.

Usually when I'm practicing my presentation skills at the casting pond, I
see many anglers trying to cast as far as they can. I suppose they think the
farther they can cast the better fly-fisherman they are.
However it's very difficult to get the fly to land correctly at 90 feet or
so. A poor presentation of a fly splashing at 90' isn't any better than
splashing a fly at 30'.

Don't get me wrong, I not one who catches fish every time I go out, I really
have to work at it, but I try to give myself the best opportunity to catch a
fish.
fwiw,
-tom

Which comes first?
 

Tom Nakashima typed:
snip
I fish a little different from most of my friends. They seem to enjoy
rushing to wader-up, jump right into the water

Okay. . . I'm with you so far . . .
Some even have cigars dangling from their mouths as they forcefully wade
through the water to get to their spot only to blind cast.

Nope. . . I lost you on this one. Do the cigars have something to do with
the sloppiness of the approach?

I like to scout the area first, look for prime fishing areas, and
watch for fish on the rise, even before I get my waders on. I would also
observe the hatch, or surrounding flies that I think fish are hitting on.

Okay, we're back on track, but I like a good cigar in my mouth while doing
so. ;-)
--
TL,
Tim
-------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

Which comes first?
 

"Tim J." wrote in message
...
Tom Nakashima typed:

Okay. . . I'm with you so far . . .
Some even have cigars dangling from their mouths as they forcefully wade
through the water to get to their spot only to blind cast.

Nope. . . I lost you on this one. Do the cigars have something to do with
the sloppiness of the approach?

I don't do cigars because I believe it was our 42nd President who said;
"Cigars are for pussys!"
On a serious note, it's not so much the downwind smoke, but tying your
fly to the tippet after touching the stogie. Fish have a keen sense of
smell.
It was Dave Whitlock who taught me to pick up a rock from the river
and rub the fly in the moss to kill the scent from your hands before making
a presentation to the fish. What this does is actually pick up a natural
scent from the river. Dave does this everytime he fishes. Even hand tied
flies have an odor to them from just the materials used as he put it.
fwiw,
-tom

Which comes first?
 

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...

It was Dave Whitlock who taught me to pick up a rock from the river
and rub the fly in the moss to kill the scent from your hands before
making
a presentation to the fish.

Dries, wet or all flies?

JT

Which comes first?
 

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message news:es9fdk$cj0
Don't get me wrong, I not one who catches fish every time I go out, I
really have to work at it, but I try to give myself the best opportunity
to catch a fish.

Like Tim, I'm in agreement with you all the way, except that I do enjoy a
good cigar from time to time. As for the approach (and I'm anything but a
great fisherman), I am usually very patient and stealthy as you descibe.
(and for that I owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Miller's company on Wilson's
Creek a while back.) Not only to scout out the river, but also because all
of the aspects of the experience are as valuable as the actual fishing. I'm
not there to catch fish, and I'm in no hurry to do so. I'm there to go
fishing, and the streamside observations and approach are part of that; to
be enjoyed, not rushed through. And frankly, if the trout don't like the
smell of a good Montecristo, it doesn't lessen my enjoyment of either.

Joe F.

Which comes first?
 

"JT" wrote in message
...

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...

It was Dave Whitlock who taught me to pick up a rock from the river
and rub the fly in the moss to kill the scent from your hands before
making
a presentation to the fish.

Dries, wet or all flies?

JT

Dave does this on dries, wets and nymphs, so I'm assuming all flies.
I also read it in one of Whitlock's books I have at home, I'll see if I can
dig it up again over the weekend. When I saw Dave at the ISE show I
questioned him on this, and he told me it's a very important step before
the presentation to the fish. Makes good sense to me.

I love reading and talking to experts about fishing techniques, and
sometimes it surprises me the little things that these well established
anglers do.
fwiw,
-tom

Which comes first?
 

"rb608" wrote in message
news:51_Fh.16$mI6.2@trndny08...
"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message news:es9fdk$cj0
Don't get me wrong, I not one who catches fish every time I go out, I
really have to work at it, but I try to give myself the best opportunity
to catch a fish.

Like Tim, I'm in agreement with you all the way, except that I do enjoy a
good cigar from time to time. As for the approach (and I'm anything but a
great fisherman),

As one of my friends at the casting pond says, "We're always learning."
And enjoying the sport as well.

I am usually very patient and stealthy as you descibe.

Yes, I'm a firm believer that patients is the key in fly-fishing.

(and for that I owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Miller's company on
Wilson's Creek a while back.) Not only to scout out the river, but also
because all of the aspects of the experience are as valuable as the actual
fishing. I'm not there to catch fish, and I'm in no hurry to do so. I'm
there to go fishing, and the streamside observations and approach are part
of that; to be enjoyed, not rushed through. And frankly, if the trout
don't like the smell of a good Montecristo, it doesn't lessen my enjoyment
of either.
Joe F.

I have a friend who really gets ****ed when he doesn't catch fish. Sort of
ruins the whole trip if he's dwelling on it the whole time. Me, I could care
less, I'm still going to eat good. I don't mind how my friends fish, or what
they smoke, or how many fish they catch, or how big the fish is. I sort of
do my own thing and enjoy the sport.

I just met another angler at the Pleasanton show last week, found out we
live near by. We're going to hook up on the Yuba river next week if it isn't
blown out.
fwiw,
-tom

Which comes first?
 

rb608 typed:
snip
I'm there to go fishing,
and the streamside observations and approach are part of that; to be
enjoyed, not rushed through. And frankly, if the trout don't like
the smell of a good Montecristo, it doesn't lessen my enjoyment of
either.

You da man, Joe. Pick up a Hoyo de Monterey Dark Sumatra - the bigger, the
better. You won't be disappointed, and you'll have enough left in your
pocket to buy that club for clubbing the water as you dash into the river
just upstream from Jeff. And if upstream just happens to be upwind, all the
better. ;-)
--
TL,
Tim
-------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

Which comes first?
 

Tim J. wrote:
Tom Nakashima typed:
snip

I fish a little different from most of my friends. They seem to enjoy
rushing to wader-up, jump right into the water


Okay. . . I'm with you so far . . .

Some even have cigars dangling from their mouths as they forcefully wade
through the water to get to their spot only to blind cast.


Nope. . . I lost you on this one. Do the cigars have something to do with
the sloppiness of the approach?


I like to scout the area first, look for prime fishing areas, and
watch for fish on the rise, even before I get my waders on. I would also
observe the hatch, or surrounding flies that I think fish are hitting on.


Okay, we're back on track, but I like a good cigar in my mouth while doing
so. ;-)

Ah, so you are that Tim J. who posts to that stinky cigar group. ;-)

brians

Which comes first?
 

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...

I don't do cigars because I believe it was our 42nd President who said;
"Cigars are for pussys!"
On a serious note, it's not so much the downwind smoke, but tying your
fly to the tippet after touching the stogie. Fish have a keen sense of
smell.

Some fish have a keen sense of smell. Some don't. Among those that do, it
is by no means always what they key on in deciding whether or not to eat
something.

It was Dave Whitlock who taught me to pick up a rock from the river
and rub the fly in the moss to kill the scent from your hands before
making
a presentation to the fish. What this does is actually pick up a natural
scent from the river. Dave does this everytime he fishes.

This is a very bad idea when using most dry flies.

Even hand tied flies have an odor to them from just the materials used as
he put it.

Well, there's your problem. I always stick to machine tied flies.

fwiw,

You should stop putting that at the end of each post. It belies the brash
certainty with which you present everything. Besides, people will likely
decide for themselves what they think it is worth without coaching.

Wolfgang

Which comes first?
 

Tom Nakashima typed:
"Tim J." wrote in message
...
Tom Nakashima typed:

Okay. . . I'm with you so far . . .
Some even have cigars dangling from their mouths as they forcefully
wade through the water to get to their spot only to blind cast.

Nope. . . I lost you on this one. Do the cigars have something to do
with the sloppiness of the approach?

I don't do cigars because I believe it was our 42nd President who
said; "Cigars are for pussys!"
On a serious note, it's not so much the downwind smoke,

.. . . I smell San Fran bicycle-nut smoking nazi . . .

but tying your
fly to the tippet after touching the stogie. Fish have a keen sense
of smell.

It's probably just crappy fishing technique, but I've never caught more or
less fish after the cigar. Well, maybe less fish, but there's not much doubt
in my mind that I can't blame that on the cigar.
--
TL,
Tim
-------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

Which comes first?
 

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...
snip

Yes, I'm a firm believer that patients is the key in fly-fishing.
snip

I thought that you worked in high tech. That statement would make more sense
if you were a Dr.or dentist. 8)

Bob Weinberger - Snowed in in La Grande, OR and bored to the point of nit
picking spelling & math errors in posts.

Which comes first?
 

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...

"JT" wrote in message
...

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...

It was Dave Whitlock who taught me to pick up a rock from the river
and rub the fly in the moss to kill the scent from your hands before
making
a presentation to the fish.

Dries, wet or all flies?

JT

Dave does this on dries, wets and nymphs, so I'm assuming all flies.
I also read it in one of Whitlock's books I have at home, I'll see if I
can
dig it up again over the weekend. When I saw Dave at the ISE show I
questioned him on this, and he told me it's a very important step before
the presentation to the fish.

Very important? Unmitigated crap. Billions of fish caught by millions of
people who never rubbed anything on a fly say otherwise.

Makes good sense to me.

A highly subjective and idiosyncratic judgement.

I love reading and talking to experts about fishing techniques, and
sometimes it surprises me the little things that these well established
anglers do.

There is good reason to be surprised by much of what they do.

I have NEVER used anything from a stream to mask whatever scent might be on
a fly. I catch roughly 2.5 times as many fish as Whitlock and 7 times as
many as you.

Wolfgang

Which comes first?
 

Tim J. wrote:

It's probably just crappy fishing technique, but I've never caught more or
less fish after the cigar. Well, maybe less fish, but there's not much doubt
in my mind that I can't blame that on the cigar.

As someone who is known to enjoy a cigarette by the stream, I can
honestly say that my best fish have been caught right after taking a
smoke. When I was in western NC, I adopted the practice of approaching
the stream and sitting down for a smoke before I cast to any really
promising-looking water.

I did it to slow myself down and really savor my surroundings, and
the fish seemed to like it, too. And the fact that I had smoke on my
hands/breath/whatever didn't cause any refusals on their part.

Of course they were just dumb, mountain hillbilly fish, not urbane,
discriminating, west-coast fish, so they probably just didn't know any
better.


Chuck Vance (heck, they probably smoked as well)

Which comes first?
 

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...

Dries, wet or all flies?

JT

Dave does this on dries, wets and nymphs, so I'm assuming all flies.
I also read it in one of Whitlock's books I have at home, I'll see if I
can
dig it up again over the weekend. When I saw Dave at the ISE show I
questioned him on this, and he told me it's a very important step before
the presentation to the fish. Makes good sense to me.


I can see it with wet flies and nymphs, but doing so to a freshly dressed
dry fly would seem to defeat the purpose....


I love reading and talking to experts about fishing techniques, and
sometimes it surprises me the little things that these well established
anglers do.

Yes and very true,
JT

Which comes first?
 

"Bob Weinberger" wrote in message
news:e5%Fh.13$1C6.12@trndny04...

Bob Weinberger - Snowed in in La Grande, OR and bored to the point of nit
picking spelling & math errors in posts.


I hear that Bob!

17 inches of the white crud over the last week, not a lot compared to others
over that length of time, however we have had over 100 inches fall this year
so far...

Whiteout in the N.W.,
JT
Does the "O" do anything this time of year, wonder what kind of shape it
will be in after last years high water?

Which comes first?
 

briansfly typed:
Tim J. wrote:
Tom Nakashima typed:
snip

I fish a little different from most of my friends. They seem to
enjoy rushing to wader-up, jump right into the water

Okay. . . I'm with you so far . . .

Some even have cigars dangling from their mouths as they forcefully
wade through the water to get to their spot only to blind cast.

Nope. . . I lost you on this one. Do the cigars have something to do
with the sloppiness of the approach?

I like to scout the area first, look for prime fishing areas, and
watch for fish on the rise, even before I get my waders on. I
would also observe the hatch, or surrounding flies that I think
fish are hitting on.

Okay, we're back on track, but I like a good cigar in my mouth while
doing so. ;-)

Ah, so you are that Tim J. who posts to that stinky cigar group. ;-)

Hey, aren't you that brians who reads that stinky cigar group?
What gave it away? The same identical sig in both groups?
--
TL,
Tim
-------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

Which comes first?
 

"JT" wrote in message
...
snip
Does the "O" do anything this time of year, wonder what kind of shape it
will be in after last years high water?
I've heard reports of some spotty BWO & Midge action and even a rumor of
some caught on Skwala Dries. Some but not all the fish are reportedly quite
skinny (probably those recovering from the spawn). I'll probably head over
there with the next warmer weather & decent road conditions.

Bob Weinberger La Grande, OR

Which comes first?
 

Tim J. wrote:

briansfly typed:

Tim J. wrote:

Tom Nakashima typed:
snip

I fish a little different from most of my friends. They seem to
enjoy rushing to wader-up, jump right into the water

Okay. . . I'm with you so far . . .


Some even have cigars dangling from their mouths as they forcefully
wade through the water to get to their spot only to blind cast.

Nope. . . I lost you on this one. Do the cigars have something to do
with the sloppiness of the approach?


I like to scout the area first, look for prime fishing areas, and
watch for fish on the rise, even before I get my waders on. I
would also observe the hatch, or surrounding flies that I think
fish are hitting on.

Okay, we're back on track, but I like a good cigar in my mouth while
doing so. ;-)

Ah, so you are that Tim J. who posts to that stinky cigar group. ;-)


Hey, aren't you that brians who reads that stinky cigar group?

Yes. I was active for several years, but mostly lurk now.

What gave it away? The same identical sig in both groups?

Didn't really dawn on me till just a few weeks ago. FWIW, I had an
Upmann, Monarch while checking out a old favorite spot of mine.

enjoy
brians

Which comes first?
 

On Fri, 2 Mar 2007 10:32:07 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:


"JT" wrote in message
...

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...

It was Dave Whitlock who taught me to pick up a rock from the river
and rub the fly in the moss to kill the scent from your hands before
making
a presentation to the fish.

Dries, wet or all flies?

JT

Dave does this on dries, wets and nymphs, so I'm assuming all flies.
I also read it in one of Whitlock's books I have at home, I'll see if I can
dig it up again over the weekend. When I saw Dave at the ISE show I
questioned him on this, and he told me it's a very important step before
the presentation to the fish.

Oh, it is, it is...it's almost as very important as making sure your fly
touches the water before your line...that's why only rock-rubbing
line-suspenders manage to catch fish...

Makes good sense to me.

OK.

I love reading and talking to experts about fishing techniques, and
sometimes it surprises me the little things that these well established
anglers do.

And it never surprises me what people will fall for...for example, the
late, great angler Reilly I. Schittuknott told folks that he always sat
on his fly box and farted before fishing. Of course, as great a
fisherman as Reilly was, most of his innovations stunk...

HTH,
R
....of course, Dave may just like to see greenhorns out looking for a
good rock to rub...

Which comes first?
 

On Fri, 2 Mar 2007 09:18:42 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:


"Tim J." wrote in message
...
Tom Nakashima typed:

Okay. . . I'm with you so far . . .
Some even have cigars dangling from their mouths as they forcefully wade
through the water to get to their spot only to blind cast.

Nope. . . I lost you on this one. Do the cigars have something to do with
the sloppiness of the approach?

I don't do cigars because I believe it was our 42nd President who said;
"Cigars are for pussys!"
On a serious note, it's not so much the downwind smoke, but tying your
fly to the tippet after touching the stogie. Fish have a keen sense of
smell.
It was Dave Whitlock who taught me to pick up a rock from the river
and rub the fly in the moss to kill the scent from your hands before making
a presentation to the fish. What this does is actually pick up a natural
scent from the river. Dave does this everytime he fishes. Even hand tied
flies have an odor to them from just the materials used as he put it.

Did he tell you what he rubs his worms on?

HTH,
R
fwiw,
-tom

Which comes first?
 

Which comes first?
 

On Fri, 2 Mar 2007 07:21:23 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:


and fly hitting the water before the line. It's more difficult than
one could imagine.

Yeah, I bet it is. Any chance of video clip of a few low 20-plus
yard/meter casts of you managing this?

For the original poster, it depends - with some casts (a drop or tuck),
the fly _will_ land first, with others (a wiggle), the line _should_
land first and most times, how "softly" the fly lands really isn't
important. "Presentation" is not just the fly landing.

R

Which comes first?
 

Tom Nakashima wrote:
fish.
fwiw,
-tom





though it's agin my nature to decide much about folks from their posts
here, tom...please, one day before i'm too old to keep up with you,
please...come over to nc and fish a few "creeks" with us. i think you'll
enjoy the postgraduate course on carolina mountain trout fishing by
profaner...uh, professor jim roberts.

jeff

Which comes first?
 

Conan The Librarian wrote:

Tim J. wrote:

It's probably just crappy fishing technique, but I've never caught
more or less fish after the cigar. Well, maybe less fish, but there's
not much doubt in my mind that I can't blame that on the cigar.


As someone who is known to enjoy a cigarette by the stream, I can
honestly say that my best fish have been caught right after taking a
smoke. When I was in western NC, I adopted the practice of approaching
the stream and sitting down for a smoke before I cast to any really
promising-looking water.

I did it to slow myself down and really savor my surroundings, and
the fish seemed to like it, too. And the fact that I had smoke on my
hands/breath/whatever didn't cause any refusals on their part.

Of course they were just dumb, mountain hillbilly fish, not urbane,
discriminating, west-coast fish, so they probably just didn't know any
better.


Chuck Vance (heck, they probably smoked as well)



actually, it was all part of the federal tobacco buyout program...even
our trout participated. pure southern gratitude, i'm sure.

Which comes first?
 

rb608 wrote:

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message news:es9fdk$cj0

Don't get me wrong, I not one who catches fish every time I go out, I
really have to work at it, but I try to give myself the best opportunity
to catch a fish.


Like Tim, I'm in agreement with you all the way, except that I do enjoy a
good cigar from time to time. As for the approach (and I'm anything but a
great fisherman), I am usually very patient and stealthy as you descibe.
(and for that I owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Miller's company on Wilson's
Creek a while back.) Not only to scout out the river, but also because all
of the aspects of the experience are as valuable as the actual fishing. I'm
not there to catch fish, and I'm in no hurry to do so. I'm there to go
fishing, and the streamside observations and approach are part of that; to
be enjoyed, not rushed through. And frankly, if the trout don't like the
smell of a good Montecristo, it doesn't lessen my enjoyment of either.

Joe F.



you know...it's about time you found your way (or lost your way) back
down here again. this life moves and expires much too fast not to think
about slowing it down with a bit of good fishing. there are some other
places in western nc i think you should see. i'm sure you'll enjoy
smoking that stogie while chasing the great mystery in carolina...

sometimes "a cigar is just a cigar"... but, the trout are so much more
important. "coldly indifferent...like life itself...sudden wonder,
relentless mystery...a beat of heart and blood and bone beyond the
normal geography of language" (or cigars). [harry middleton]

jeff (goin shad fishin tomorrow...the run has started.)

Which comes first?
 

Tom Nakashima wrote:



Yes, I'm a firm believer that patients is the key in fly-fishing.



damn...must be all that cigar smoke? g

Which comes first?
 

Tim J. wrote:

rb608 typed:
snip

I'm there to go fishing,
and the streamside observations and approach are part of that; to be
enjoyed, not rushed through. And frankly, if the trout don't like
the smell of a good Montecristo, it doesn't lessen my enjoyment of
either.


You da man, Joe. Pick up a Hoyo de Monterey Dark Sumatra - the bigger, the
better. You won't be disappointed, and you'll have enough left in your
pocket to buy that club for clubbing the water as you dash into the river
just upstream from Jeff. And if upstream just happens to be upwind, all the
better. ;-)

joe can club and smoke upstream and upwind of me anyday...i've got just
the spot. pleasant stroll for him down to the stream from hooper
bald...i'll begin above the junction and we'll meet at middle falls.
better bring a pocket full of smokes joe.

jeff

Which comes first?
 

On Mar 2, 8:31 pm, jeff wrote:
rb608 wrote:
"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message news:es9fdk$cj0

Don't get me wrong, I not one who catches fish every time I go out, I
really have to work at it, but I try to give myself the best opportunity
to catch a fish.

Like Tim, I'm in agreement with you all the way, except that I do enjoy a
good cigar from time to time. As for the approach (and I'm anything but a
great fisherman), I am usually very patient and stealthy as you descibe.
(and for that I owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Miller's company on Wilson's
Creek a while back.) Not only to scout out the river, but also because all
of the aspects of the experience are as valuable as the actual fishing. I'm
not there to catch fish, and I'm in no hurry to do so. I'm there to go
fishing, and the streamside observations and approach are part of that; to
be enjoyed, not rushed through. And frankly, if the trout don't like the
smell of a good Montecristo, it doesn't lessen my enjoyment of either.

Joe F.

you know...it's about time you found your way (or lost your way) back
down here again. this life moves and expires much too fast not to think
about slowing it down with a bit of good fishing. there are some other
places in western nc i think you should see. i'm sure you'll enjoy
smoking that stogie while chasing the great mystery in carolina...

sometimes "a cigar is just a cigar"... but, the trout are so much more
important. "coldly indifferent...like life itself...sudden wonder,
relentless mystery...a beat of heart and blood and bone beyond the
normal geography of language" (or cigars). [harry middleton]

jeff (goin shad fishin tomorrow...the run has started.)

Spoke with Joel and Wayne earlier this evening. Both have decided not
to participate in the WI early season opener tomorrow......prior
commitments.....um.....or something.

The mystery heeds not, nor cares.

Just came in from shovelling by the cold light of the full moon,
clearly and preternaturally visible through the falling, swirling snow
on a cloudless and blustery pre-spring evening.

Cullen is unimpressed by the conundrum. He knows that picas lurk
nearby and shows a single-minded devotion to duty that shames those of
us who worry the ragged bones of work, family, home and hearth. He
knows. He speaks to me.

I listen. I have learned.

The wind speaks. I listen.

The call is faint, nearly smothered by the howling of the silver maple
(how apt that moniker seemed in the freezing rain yesterday!) tree in
the back yard and the crunching of tires on cold snow out front, but
there it is. It is coming out of the west at about 30 miles per hour
and I can't quite make out what it is saying.

I'll be heading out at about 5:00 to see if I can get closer and hear
it better.

Wolfgang
who supposes it will be old news.....but hey, there are some stories
we just never tire of. :)

Which comes first?
 

"jeff" wrote in message
...
Tom Nakashima wrote:



Yes, I'm a firm believer that patients is the key in fly-fishing.



damn...must be all that cigar smoke? g

or, he fishes with Reid. Before the weekend is out, he
is generally a patient at some facility nearby, at least
in my experienceg
Tom

Which comes first?
 

Wolfgang wrote:.....but hey, there are some stories
we just never tire of. :)


yup... g

just back from shad fishing at pitch kettle creek and grendle creek.
the beginning of the run always brings out the crowds, especially on
weekends...but it's still fun. weather was warm, water temps 53, and we
caught a decent number...enough to deep fry for the four of us. tasty
end to a pleasant day. one of our fishing areas is under a huge poplar
with a bald eagle's nest near its top. this is the 5th year we've seen
the eagle...

Which comes first?
 

jeff wrote:

joe can club and smoke upstream and upwind of me anyday...i've got just
the spot. pleasant stroll for him down to the stream from hooper
bald...i'll begin above the junction and we'll meet at middle falls.
better bring a pocket full of smokes joe.

So have you made the trip down from Hooper? I've heard that it's a
bit of a death-march. One guy I met on the creek said they were
planning to do a shuttle, leaving a vehicle down at Junction so they
wouldn't have to climb back out.


Chuck Vance

Which comes first?
 

Conan The Librarian wrote:

jeff wrote:

joe can club and smoke upstream and upwind of me anyday...i've got
just the spot. pleasant stroll for him down to the stream from hooper
bald...i'll begin above the junction and we'll meet at middle falls.
better bring a pocket full of smokes joe.


So have you made the trip down from Hooper? I've heard that it's a
bit of a death-march. One guy I met on the creek said they were
planning to do a shuttle, leaving a vehicle down at Junction so they
wouldn't have to climb back out.


Chuck Vance

the above was a bit of fun/tongue-in-cheek.

fortenberry and i hiked down from hooper bald several years ago, but we
didn't find the trail ...after a few hours, we found a small feeder
creek, and ken caught a native brookie in a spot i'd wager had never
been fished before. we then climbed back up the 2,000+ elevation to the
5,000+ feet at hooper and drove over to santeetlah. i was, uh, a bit
tired at the end of that day.

i think it would be a full day. the hike down and back to the junction
will probably be 10+ miles, i'd guess. i sure wouldn't want to fish all
day and hike back up to hooper. there are other trails in from the
other side, but i've never been in that way. i've also not yet made it
to upper falls...something i plan to rectify this year. but i plan on
overnight camping near middle falls after hiking up from the junction.

jeff

Which comes first?
 

jeff wrote:

Conan The Librarian wrote:

[hiking in from Hooper Bald]

the above was a bit of fun/tongue-in-cheek.

Yah, sorry to go serious on you there. :-)

fortenberry and i hiked down from hooper bald several years ago, but we
didn't find the trail ...after a few hours, we found a small feeder
creek, and ken caught a native brookie in a spot i'd wager had never
been fished before. we then climbed back up the 2,000+ elevation to the
5,000+ feet at hooper and drove over to santeetlah. i was, uh, a bit
tired at the end of that day.

Gee, sounds like an average day in WNC. ;-)

i think it would be a full day. the hike down and back to the junction
will probably be 10+ miles, i'd guess. i sure wouldn't want to fish all
day and hike back up to hooper. there are other trails in from the
other side, but i've never been in that way. i've also not yet made it
to upper falls...something i plan to rectify this year. but i plan on
overnight camping near middle falls after hiking up from the junction.

IIRC, it took me about 90 minutes to hike to the lower (Big) falls.
So what's the mileage from Junction to Middle Falls? (I.e., is it
close enough to be doable as a day trip and still leave adequate time
for fishing?)


Chuck Vance

Which comes first?
 

"Ken Fortenberry" wrote in message
t...
wrote:

Tom you really need to attend a 'Clave one of these days, you can
be the guest of honor and hold the bag during the snipe hunt. ;-)

--
Ken Fortenberry

I'm actually looking forward to a few of the claves and fishing with some
of the ROFF people. Is that bag for the exchange gifts? I was thinking
of bringing a box of Cubans or a First-Aid kit.
fwiw,
-tom