Daniel-San wrote:
In my continuing efforts to teach myself how to catch fish with some
semblance of regularity, a few questions have arisen. Any help that the
denizens of ROFF could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Please don't laugh -- well, OK, laugh, but laugh with me, not at me.
Remember, I'm a self-taught semi-newb backpacker. And, just for fun, they're
in completely random order.

1) "Knotless" leaders... huh??? I buy these things, nip the loop off, and
tie up. WTF is the loop for?

Nip it off and use a nail knot, needle knot, Eagle Claw connector
thingy, or Zap-a-Gap connection to attatch your leader to your line.


2) Stream ettiquette -- I was working a pool this morning, and a guy just
waded right the hell thru it. I didn't say anything, but wanted to drown the
sumbitch. Am I wrong?

When this happens to me, I usually ask the offending party if I am
invisible. In reality, the damage done depends on where you are
fishing. If it is for wild trout in a small stream, it's a disaster, if
you're on a crowded stream fishing for stockies, wait a few minutes,
and they'll normally resume feeding. In any case, don't let it spoil
your day....you'll meet assholes everywhere, not just on a trout
stream.


3) Should the fly land first, or should the line? Why? I've caught fish when
either has happened, but that's just an idiot's luck, I'm sure. I can
usually make either happen, but I have no idea which I should be trying for.

The line and leader should lay down gently, followed by the fly.


4) Tossing a nymph -- I try to toss it well beyond the fish/area I'm
targeting (with varying degrees of success), but doesn't that "plop" spook
the fish?

Probably not, but try to get the fly well upstream of your target fish
so it has time to sink.



5) I really wanted to drown that sumbitch -- I had two decent strikes in
that pool before he destroyed it.

Perfectly normal reaction. Once again, don't let it spoil your day.

6)I've been using an Albright to connect the leader to tippet. Seems good to
me, small knot, fairly strong, easy to tie. Good? Bad? I know knot choice is
a personal thing, but is there any reason "not" to use it?

No reason not to use it. I prefer a blood knot, but it's simply a
matter of preference.

More questions will certainly come as I realize just how stupid I am.

Awaiting the berating,

It will come....eventually. Here's a hint - ask lots of questions about
nymphs and strike indicators, and occasionally refer to Budwieser as
"horse****". {;-)


Thanks...
Dan