Fishing?

[Superfly]

OK, fishing is my life. How does the rest of DU feel about it?

My favorite rig:
Sage RPL-Xi 9-weight fly rod
Lamson Litespeed reel
Cortland 444 full sink line

And a little one of these on the end:

[Shrek]

1. Fishing would be my job if someone would pay me to do it

[Superfly]

3. It was my "job"

for the past 4 months while I was unemployed. In retrospect, I probably should have looked for some kind of gainful employment.

Where and for what do you fish? I was/still am a traout fisherman since about the age of 3. Last year I transistioned to the wonderful world of saltwater fly fishing where I chase stripers, blues, speckled trout, drum, etc.

B

[Shrek]

10. Freshwater fishing only

Since I'm a LONG way from the nearest ocean.

I mostly fish nearby lakes with my son and various nephews. We try to keep it simple, for the most part -- live minnows or various lures for bass and crappie, or we'll just get some worms and catch a bunch of panfish (the kids really like it because the action is usually continuous).

It's inexpensive and a great way to spend some quality time with those you love.

[Crewleader]

2. For retirement a Charter Fishing Business

for this family...:hi:

[Mikimouse]

4. Dry flies and rainbows...

Favorite rig-6 weight with weight forward floating (SA) and a nice assortment of dries. Favorite place- Little Missouri River in southwestern Arkansas.

[Superfly]

5. Fished there myself.

Although I never was a fan of Ozark fishing, the fishing was good, very good.

My favorite trout streams are:

- North Fk of the Clearwater (ID)
- Lochsa (ID)
- Rock Creek (MT)
- Gallatin (MT)
- Yakima (WA)
- Deschutes (WA)

[Mikimouse]

7. Impressive list of places...

Some of the places you list are (I fervently hope!) in my future travels. My number one spot would have to a very small stream that I fished three years ago during a 3 month assignment in Anchorage. Took a beautiful 26 inch rainbow in classic style (my biggest ever!). Love it, love it!

[Superfly]

8. My pride and joy

was actually an 18# chinook (non-spawning) that I took on my 5-weight. I forgot what size tippet it was, but I was well into the backing when the salmon finished its run.

You'll have to give me the name of that creek in AK...I travel a bunch with my work and I'll be up there next spring.

B

[Mikimouse]

11. Hey SuperFly...

I am not sure of the name, but the stream is located directly across the street from the University of Alaska campus, flows out of the University lake. Also, if you are up there during the summer, go up to Willow Creek. All 5 runs go through there and the Kings are wonderful during late Jue and early July; If you want to have a look at what the runs look like and have no time to do any fishing, go down to Potter's Marsh, walk to the end of the wooden walkway and look in the stream that comes into the marsh (Dolly Varden, Rainbow, and lots of salmon. I would return to Alaska permanently in a minute. Had an application at the university there, but someone else beat me to the position.

[Superfly]

13. If my wife didn't hate the cold so much

I'd be up there in a heart beat, myself!

I'll check it out! Thanks for the tip.

B

[northzax]

28. yo, superfly

don't mean to be niggardly, but the Deschutes is in the fine state of Oregon. unless, of course, there is another one.

Have you ever done the trout streams in the Wind Rivers? ohh, nelly.

[Superfly]

32. I knew somebody was going to bring this up

This is the old Olympia brewery, in Olympia, WA. That body of water in front of it is the Deschutes river (or the terminus of that river).



I have caught more searun cutthroats here on a simple beadhead hare's ear than anyplace else. Beautiful and *fat* trout.

never fished the Wind River range. Good, I take it?

[arwalden]

6. I Enjoy It So Much That I've Got SCARS From Fishing...

... hooks, bites, bait-cutting, scaling, ropeburns, monofiliment cuts...

Oh the joy of fishing.

-- Allen

[Deb]

9. Fish On!

We have a little place on Lake Ontario, packing up now.

The Kings are in, bruised myself pretty good last year reeling in one caught on a watermelon NK lure. Catch and release when we can.

We're using downriggers, Ande mono pink line and probably green&black spoons. Have a great fishing weekend!

[WillParkinson]

12. I'm "Other"

It's that whole vegan/animal welfare thing I got going on.

[Braden]

14. I go once every year

to remind myself why I hate fishing so much.

that said I play golf three times a week, I dont want to dump on your passion but it just isnt for me.

Add to the fact that I never ever have liked the taste of fish and there is really nothing there for me.

that said have at it!

[bmbmd]

15. You might enjoy

"The Moon Pulled up a Half-acre of Bass" by Peter Kaminsky. Lots of Clousers in that book.

[nedlogg]

16. Nothing lie a day on the water.

I've been fishing the Long Island Sound now for about 30 years. I love getting out on the water with some beer, bait, and good friends. If you catch fish, great! If not, it still beats working.

Lot's of Bluefish around this year. Fun to catch but not great eating.

[Superfly]

19. Blues are alright

if you catch them young. Have you ever seen an oilslick created by feeding blues?

What an awesome fighting fish.

B

[Az]

17. Fly fishing

Anything else is just sitting there. Fly fishing is an art. Not killing anybody while doing it is a bonus.

[geebensis]

20. Got to try fly fishing once

Went out with a guide once on a trip to Colorado. I thought I would get hooked on it and switch to fly gear when I got back to Florida, but I didn't.

Fly fishing is fantastic, but it is ideally suited to mountain streams. Flipping a fly in a still saltwater estuary is to me just an inefficient affectation.

Seems like it would be fun to try on bonefish, though.

mm

[Superfly]

21. What???

My God, man! You are sitting in fly fishing heaven down there in FL. I would love to wade the flats and sneak up on bonefish, tarpon, snook.

If you ever need somebody to show you how to do it, just drop me a line!

B

[geebensis]

23. If you're ever down let me know

Unfortunately, I'm a little too far north for bonefish.

You'd probably enjoy going offshore and getting into a bunch of schoolie dolphin. There have been a couple of times I've been in the middle of them and kinda sorta wished for a flyrod on the boat...

mm

[Superfly]

24. Me likee the Mahi

I had no idea they schooled, though. Must be one of the most beautiful fish in the ocean:

[geebensis]

26. The schoolies are usually small

Up to 20 lbs. or so. It could be that they would always school, but by the time they're big most of their schoolmates have fallen victim to predators.

The real small schoolies (1-2 lbs.) are often called "peanuts" around here.

There are usually more than 10 in a school, and when they get around a boat the action gets frantic. They will eat anything.

Generally someone always keeps one hooked in the water. This keeps the school around. Doesn't hurt to throw a little bait in once in awhile to keep them interested, too.

mm

[geebensis]

18. I had to say "other" because

I'm currently unemployed, so I don't work to fish, and I don't often drink beer while fishing. Not that I'm against the fish-beer combination, mind you. Far from it. It's just that I do most of my fishing in the early morning and I need to at least stay sober until the kids get home from school.

My rig: Shimano Calcutta baitcaster and a guaranteed-for-life Crowder rod. I also quite like my Penn spinning reel.

I get offshore whenever the weather will let my 19 foot boat out, and the rest of the time I stand on the beach, the dock, or drag my kayak out.

mm

[DoNotRefill]

22. I'd love to fish....

but I don't have the time.

[4_Legs_Good]

25. Vegetarian

I'm a vegetarian. I fished a reasonable amount when I was a kid, and it was really fun. I'm a father of a one year old now, and it's difficult to figure out how I'd be able to get the really cool feeling of fishing (waking up before dawn, hanging out for long stretches at the lake/river, etc.) without the actual fishing. I wouldn't do catch and release either, still seems very cruel.

Hmmmmmm...

I don't begrudge non-commerical sport fishers for food. As far as hunting goes, it's the least offensive IMO.

david

[geebensis]

27. Looking for manatees, gators

Bird watching, paddling

There are plenty of good excuses to get out on the water.

'Course, I've been on PLENTY of fishing trips where no creature was ever in danger of getting on my hook. No matter how hard I tried.

One other thing to consider: Barbless hooks (or hooks with the barb crushed flat). More challenging, and if you're practicing catch and release it's better for the fish.

mm

[northzax]

29. fishing for manatee?

what sort of test line do you use for something like that?

[geebensis]

30. The question is moot

Since no one has figured out how to keep a head of lettuce on a hook.

mm

[4_Legs_Good]

37. Unfortunately no mannatees in California

Maybe I could fish for gubinatorial candidates though!

Definitely lots to do, but there's something cool about fishing, both the serenity of the surroundings and the rush of the catch, and returning home with (or without) a "victory".

Maybe doing some bird watching w/ attempts at getting good photos taken could be similar enough.

How old does a kid have to be before one can responsibly take him in a rowboat/canoe/kayak with a lifejacket. At one I don't think he would stay in the boat, just for curiosity.

david

Kucinich 2004

[Superfly]

38. I've been a whitewater kayaker since I was 5

At least with a kayak, you can make sure he stays in with the spray skirt.

[geebensis]

39. You can get really small life jackets

...that will keep them upright should they go in the water. We've had them on our kids at age one.

One thing to keep in mind is that no matter how beautiful the surroundings the kid might get bored.

My kids have about 5 minutes of patience for fishing and boating. They hate wearing the life jackets, they are physically unable to be quiet while fishing, and I guess when you're a kid if you've seen one manatee or bottlenosed dolphin come up to the boat you've seen 'em all.

So I make sure to pack lots of snacks and drinks and anchor off some little islands where they can explore. Keeps them interested, and sometimes I can wade out and fish a little...

mm

[4_Legs_Good]

48. Yeah, boredom would probably be a problem

I'd like to get him interested in it, though. I just think that he'd decide he wanted to get out of the boat and see what's going on in the water. Makes me nervous.

I should probably arrange a test run. I've seen those tiny lifejackets. :)

david

Kucinich 2004

[Superfly]

49. Take him fishing for sharks.

That'll keep his attention riveted!

[Raven]

31. My mother was a fly fisherperson.

She was an expert. She tied her own flies. She always knew just where the trout were. She'd go out in the early morning, catch a few and cook them for breakfast. She always counted the days until the opening of fishing season.

[leftist_rebel1569]

33. I live in Minnesota...

of course I've been fishing before. But, only a couple times in my life, and I haven't since I was in elementary school, about 8 years ago....

[Hubert Flottz]

34. I love it!

Anykind, Anytime, Anywhere! Walleye Bass and Muskie country here! I mostly use my own handmade lures, from trout and crappie bugs to 10" bucktail musky spinners to spinnerbaits and buzzers for bass fishin'! Nothing like tricking a grandaddy fish with a lure you make yourself! I turn about every fish I catch back! The best fishing time of the year is coming up here now! I'm ready!

[gyopsy]

35. Boring

I've tried to like fishing but growing up in Florida, it was always too hot to fish most of the year.

I think that if I lived in a cooler climate, I might enjoy it more.

[Superfly]

36. Blasphemer!!!

What manner of heresy he spews!

There is some tremendous fishing in FL. Try it with a fly, you will not be bored.

B

[geebensis]

40. It's not too hot if you're up before dawn

And besides, in the dead of summer the fish stop biting at 7:30 anyway.

mm

[Superfly]

41. Depends on the fish

I know trout can become lethargic in warm waters and tend to find deep holes where they can rest.

Stripers, flounder, grey trout, are bottom fish, so they bite regardless of the time of day. Their feeding habits are more tidal current based.

[geebensis]

44. Well...

You gotta understand that I'm taking conditions in my little corner of paradise and making blanket statements about the whole state. Seems reasonable to me...

The estuary here (Indian River Lagoon) is barely affected by tides (even though I'm only 9 miles from the nearest inlet). In the heat of summer everything but the jacks and ladyfish get lockjaw after the sun comes up. If you're looking for some seatrout action (sorry, no stripers here) sunrise and sunset are the times. Not that you'll NEVER catch one at three in the afternoon, but they're few and far between.

Live bait is much more effective later in the day, but since I prefer artificials (especially topwater for the gator trout) I've got to get up early.

Offshore for dolphin, kingfish, billfish (not that I've landed one, but I've had them on) time of day seems to be irrelevent.

mm

ps If I knew how to post a picture I would

[rustydog]

42. In 4 hours, I'm off to the mighty Columbia River for the Salmon and

steelhead run..Drano Lake actually, adjacent to the mighty Columbia River.
I am thankful I'll be far away from Bush making his appearance at Ice Harbor Dam. He probably pronounces it : Sal Man.

[Superfly]

45. You should have a good trip,

because, according to Bush*, he has personally ensured the growth of the salmon industry.

(check out CNN for his remarks...they're quite comical)

BTW, what's running right now besides steelies?

[rustydog]

46. Coho are running, but numbers are still low, some Chinook..

steelies are averaging 7000 a day over the dam!
Should be some good fishing to be had.

[DemoTex]

43. Superfly, looks like a Clouser bonefish fly to me.

That would be consistent with the 9-wt Sage.

[Superfly]

47. Ding! Ding! Ding!

My fly box is chock full of these little guys as well as a couple poppers, sand eel patterns, slabsides, etc.

Most of the time I just stick with clousers. Chartreuse over black works best in the Chesapeake for most game fish.

B

[lazarus]

50. Bass and cats

I learned to fish in rural Alabama, mostly in farm ponds and rivers.

My pride and joy is a left handed bait cast reel.

My best catch would either be the 8 pound cat or the 6 pound bass. The bass looked prettier, the cat was a bigger fight.

Of course, just pulling in a bunch of crappie on a light spinner reel can be a blast, too.

Damn, now I have to get my fishing gear sent out here to California.