Conference wahoo::fishing

    
    Good idea for a note......
    
    I have a fair supply of poppers, a gift.
    no fly rod
    would love to try it 
    need help
    
    TBDW
    

    I caught one of my biggest bass on a wooly worm, size 10, at lake
    massapog (sharon lake), sharon, mass.  It was purely accidental,
    mind you, but the fish weighed 3.5 lbs.  This was in the spring
    while fishing for trout.  I cut open the bass and found it loaded
    with crayfish, so the wooly worm must have looked like a little
    crayfish, but it was on the surface and as far as I know, crayfish
    do not generally hang out on the surface.
    
    Tim
    

    Re: .1
    
    Glad to give you some info to help you get started.
    
    If you want to get a good reel, try a Pfleuger Gold Medalist, they
    have a good reputation for durability (I've had mine for 5 years
    with NO problems ever), they're not the cheapest but they're good.
    I use a 7-1/2 foot rod which is set up for 7-8 wt. line these are 
    good sizes for bass.  I got my rod at K-mart since I wasn't sure
    I wanted to spend $100 on a rod when I'm not sure what I really
    wanted.
    
    There are several types of lines available.
    
    If you're fishing surface flies you want a floating line.  Sinking
    flies... sinking line.
    
    Depending on the size of the flies you're casting you want double-taper
    or weight forward. 
    
    Weight forward, floating #7 line is what I use for casting Bass
    Bugs (larger flies).  It also makes casting smaller flies easier
    to learn how to do because you have extra weight at the tip of 
    the line.
    
    Double taper, floating #7 line is what I use for just about everything
    else, the double taper is nice because you can just turn the line
    around and have basically new line.  
    
    I would reccomend the Weight Forware (WF) line to start, it's helpful
    when you're learning to cast and present the fly (although when
    fishing for bass, a little splash here in there probably helps).
    
    You will also need a spool of backing (nylon line, not monofilament)
    use the whole spool of backing to fill the spool on the reel.
    
    Then go for a 2-4 lb. leader.  Most flylines come with a little
    booklet which shows the basic knots you will need.
    
    Good luck!
    
    Bassin' with a fly rod is FUN!
    
    Dave
    
    :^)
    
    

    
    
     re:1
    
     Delete is a good idea.
    
     Remember, real bass fisherman use rope,pool ques and cranes. This
     dainty business of flicking a fly in water up to your waist with
     a rod that should be used for polevolting and a reel that no one
     in this world has ever fidgured out how to use... Can't consider
     themselves BASS fisherman.
    
     And remember real BASS don't eat flies.
    
     Bassmaster,
    
     Dave Sullivan

    I picked up a fly rod towards the end of last year.  So far the
    only thing I've used it for is trolling for Landlocked Salmon.
           
    However I recently replaced the sinking line, put on some 6wt
    floating line and picked up a set of Bean's bass and panfish
    flies and poppers.
           
    Now all I have to do is learn how to cast that damn fairy wand!
                                                
    Don Mac
    

    Flyfishing for Bass can be fun but surely not easy.  If your just
    starting out flyfishing I would suggest a WF line and practice casting
    with something other then a Bass Plug.  The reason is that the plugs
    tend to be heavy and wind resistent and a real pain to cast with
    any distance.
    
    Once your casting improves which can take upto a lifetime try your
    hand at a Bass Plug.  If for nothing else you'll be amazed at the
    amount of Blue Gills you will get to hit the plug!!!
    
    
    				Good luck and hang in there,
    
    				Bart Lasky

    Re: .4  (Bassmaster, Dave Sullivan)
    
    Remember;
    	1.  Flyfishermen have longer rods (excuse the pun).
    	2.  Bass are so dumb they'll eat anything!
    
    Dave,  who's_glad_there's_a_positive_response_to_this_note!

This is what I find works when using a fly pole for bass:

Check your rod (Fly Pole) to see what line(s) it is rated for. Pick the
higher # if there is more than one rating. #7 or #8 lines will work fine.
The more the line weighs the bigger the bug you can use.

As said before you should go with the WF or shooting taper. This will also
help throw the heavy bugs/poppers.

Leader material should be stiff and short about 4 feet max. This will allow 
heavy bugs/poppers to roll over. If it is a long leader and not too stiff a
larger popper will cause the leader to fold up on you. Your going to need the
stronger leader to horse the fish away from the weeds anyway.

 
Rich

    Having pursued Bass in the traditional manner (i.e. spinning, baitcasting), 
    I felt after reading an article in Flyfishing magazine on flyrodding
    for Bass, that this was the way to go. I have not regretted this
    decision.
    
    I now have an 8 weight outfit that is now strictly used for Bass,
    and have been successful in being able to land some of the "ole
    bucketmouth". I more recently purchased a 5 weight rod for trout,
    but have on occasion used it for smallmouth, and talk about a fight.
    I was recently fishing the Merrimack in Hudson with this 5 weight,
    and hooked into a 15" smallmouth, that just would not quit.
                                               
    Regarding leaders and Bass Bugs: I was recently at Hunters in New
    Boston, discussing the issue of leaders, and they told me about
    the setup that they have been using. It seemed somewhat heavyduty
    at the time of the discussion but I said that it was worth a try.
    
    First, you have to cut off the first 10"-12" of the WF line to get
    into the meat of the line. Then a 1.5' section of 30lb line is
    needle/nail knotted to the flyline and a perfection loop to the end 
    of this. Then a 1.5' section of 12lb maxima is attached to this with a
    perfection loop and the other end of this is tied to the Bass bug.
    Needless to say, I was quite impressed in the way this leader was
    able to turn over some of my "LARGE" bugs. 
     
    When all is said and done, you cannot beat taking Bass on a flyrod.
    The fight you get is one you will not be quick to forget. Somehow
    my spinning and baitcasting rods don't fit into my car anymore.
    
    

    I guess I will ask a stupid question in this file rather than making
    a fool out of myself in the fly fishing file. I've already admitted
    to being crazy here...
    
    Anyway, I always wondered how you play a fish on fly line. Usually
    the leader is really light and there isn't any type of drag on fly
    reels. So how do you know when you are exerting enough tension?
    How can you tell when to a fish run?
    
    When I am fishing I just set the drag and fish, letting the reel
    figure out what to do. I'm rather dubious about learning yet another
    skill while a fish is on the line...
    
    What do you do when you fly fish for shark or bluefish?
    
    	Marty Sasaki

    
    With bass you usualy have a heavy leader, but there is a drag on my
    fly reels anyway. If the fish/bass decides its time to pull some line
    off the reel, let him, that is let go of the handle. You can also thumb 
    the spool to increase the drag.
    
    Rich

    Many good fly reels have a drag. It is purhaps like the pfluger
    a very inexpensive and crude but will suit the purpose.
    
    If you were to buy a Bogden ( sp ) I am sure the drag
    system is first class.
    
    For most fish just dragging the extra heavy fly line around and
    the added resistance it has when compared to mono ( the line )
    is enough to tier a fish.
    
    With the spring loaded automatic reels the drag increases as the
    line goes out buy tighting the the spring.
    
    Also there is the friction created between the eyelets and the line.
    This can be a significant increase and is why many experts recomend
    that the drag be set buy pulling line out the rod and not just off
    the reel. This also applies to all reels no matter what type
                                                                
    Most fly fishermen also use a little friction applied with there
    left hand ( if they are right handed ).it is applied as the line
    goes out the reel and thru this hand buy lightly squeezing it.
    
    Here the softeness of the rod tip will often hide some mistakes
    but if you apply too much pressure for too long and you have a good
    fish on it may snap....
    
    bear

    Back in the old days, fly reels had a clicker for drag and that
    was about it. For most trout, salmon, and bass that's still all
    you need, for the reasons stated in previous replies. If you need
    to apply extra resistance, stick your finger into the spool and
    exert increasing pressure while the fish is making its run (either
    that or palm the rim if you have such a reel).
    
    For tarpon, steelhead, big salmon, and sharks there are now a number
    of fly reels that have adjustable disk drag which consists of one
    or two cork-lined or teflon-lined plates. These squeeze the spool
    and slow it down by friction. But these reels are pretty specialized
    for the most part.

    
    
     This problem with DRAG can be settled very simply. I believe there
    was a note in the bluefish recipe note that had the same cure.
    
    1). have a beer
    2). let fish take line out
    3). have a beer
    4). let fish take more line
    5). have a beer
    6). when line runs out off the spool
    7). have a beer
    8). Pick up your shimano spinning rig and through spinner baits!!
    
    
    Bassmaster,
    
    Dave Sullivan

    Here's a vote for the WF line. I was using my Double tappered line
    with a small hula popper, the sucker came right at me on my
    back cast. I've only caught bass about 3lbs on fly's.
    I'll stay with spining equipment for bass, besides I'm to
    lazy for all that casting.
    
    Jim

    Well...
    
    Once again interest in flyfishing for bass has waned...
    
    Defeated by the worm whippers....
    
    :^)

    	Don't know about anyone else, but I find that the flyrod just
    doesn't have the backbone to set the hook right when you have a
    hog-frog, texas rigged on a 2/0 hook hopping on the top of the moss.
    So, I use that rope on telephone poles. (You know, 12# test on heavy
    worm rod.)  :-)

    I was wondering what was wrong with the phones the other day...
    
    :^)

    Set the hook? No problem, just go in reverse..... lower the rod tip
    and give the line a yank.
    
    Rich

or...

just heave the rod in the OPPOSITE direction to set the hook....then grab it 
as it comes back!

    You received twenty responses in four days! Just think how many
    frustrated fisherman are out there. It really doesn't make any
    difference if you use fly-rod or use lumber, fishing is fishing!

    YO,
        I own an 8.5 ft heddon fly rod & reel. I also own some Bass
    poppers. I also have never spent the time to master this art. I also
    have no doubt that it would be deadly for top water Bass action.
    Hook set will take care of it's self. The action must be even more
    fun that on ultra lite stuff. Humm. Why is it still sitting around
    gathering dust? 
                                                 NIGHTCRAWLER~~~~~~~~~~~
    

This is great!  Now I've got an excuse for participating in both files
other than attacking the "Missouri Midge".. ;^)...  I think there's 
probably a lot more interest in fly fishing for bass out here than you'd 
think.  I took it up this year after many years of fly fishing for trout 
exclusively and I think it makes for great fishing!

If you're starting out, I highly recommend "Fly Fishing for Bass" (or
titled something roughly like that) by Dave Whitlock.  He also has a video
out.  They're available through LLBean and several other fly fishing mail
order houses.  The book's about $9, as I recall.  If you don't tie your own
flies (I don't tie bass types), LLBean has some of the better bass 
flies/bugs around.  I really like a red, black and white deer-hair bug they 
have called something like "Porky's Pet."  It produces.

When you set the hook on a bass with a fly rod, keep the rod pointed at
the fly, strip in line with your line hand and simultaneously raise the 
whole rod up toward your shoulder almost like you're about to start your 
backcast;  let the leverage of the rod set the hook.  Don't try to flick
the tip of the rod as if you're setting the hook on a trout.  If your hooks 
are sharp, you shouldn't have any problems.

Belly-boating or wading is the only way to go, I think.  Fly casting (let
alone bug casting) is tough enough for an experienced fly caster when
sitting in a boat and it's *much* worse when there are two of you!  Besides, 
it's nice being 'in' the water on a hot summer day!  My problem has been 
finding the wadeable ponds in Mass and NH.  If anybody knows of any, I'd 
sure appreciate hearing about them.

Well, gotta go wash my hands and pray to Theodore Gordon for forgiveness...
;^)...


Release 'em,
Bob Salino

    
     
  Frankly.....this topic has been tryed here before. When I mentioned "poppers"
these clowns asked if they were "amylls" or "lockerroom"..heheh! Some (most??)
folks ("Bassers" in this file) just cant hold a thought unless its dirty..:^).

    Please note that most (all?) "Bass Turnies" held hereabouts (and 
elsewhere) specifically deny flyfisher persons from participation.   

    Reason....Cause its a " unfair advantage " ....WHY...cause a mediocre 
flyfisher in a canoe or a tube can BLOW THE DOORS OFF the usual toolhead 
"bass master" in his ersatz Ranger.... regardless of horsepower or remote 
sensing devices...:^)..
           
  Of course, up north here, where fish are GAMEFISH , "bass" means either a 
good pair of shoes or a kind of catfood anyhow...:^)..
 
 .0 should of asked the sensible, considerate, skilled, sensitive, 
conservation minded people in the flyfishing notefile about this topic.

   All rudeness aside a great number of these  basshog bush league ball
buster toolheads doan know beans from bullshirt about the subject of 
flyfishing. Try the real deal. DNEAST::Flyfish. Really..we wont laff
too much right off!!

  As for Lasky...backslider!!!.....
    
                                   May your shimano's collect Guano.   
                                       
                                            tight lines
        
                                                Ed    

    I did a little flyfishing for smallies yesterday. Caught a few small
    ones. They really seem to like my home tied bumble bee and yellow
    jacket imitations. I noticed when I was a kid that alot of the bass
    in the pond where I fished were full of bees when we caught them.
    They'd jump out of the water and catch them in midflight. For some
    reason, when I use a popper on a fly rod, it seems to work much
    better than when I use the same bug on a spinning rod. Anybody know
    why? My guess is the angle of the flyline to the water is closer
    to parallel than mono.
    
    The Doctah

    
Re; .25  Because poppers are designed to be used with a flyrod...EH!!
   
Re; .26  Geez thanks John...I was just fooling aroudn..kind of like
    the duke....:^)...
    
                               Ed
        
    
    
    

    Ed, re: your statement as to the virtues and the very superior skills
    of you" Gamefishermen" and the fact that all of the Bass tournies
    in this neck of the woods don't allow flyfishing because any average
    flyfisherman could blow the doors off the others . I would like
    to offer you the chance to win some EASY $ by entering the tournament
    on China lake on Sept 25 (real close to you). We would be very glad
    to allow you to participate with your flyrod and tube . The club
    that I belong to up here does allow flyfishing in our normal club
    tournaments , as long as both boater and non-boater agree( this
    is for safety reasons ) . 
    
    
    SO ED , THIS SHOULD BE EASY PICKIN ON THE 25TH . GET A PARTNER AND
    SEE YA THERE ,probably sooner after you read this ..
    
    BYE
    
    AL 

                              ALLRIGHT    
    
        YOU got Me now AL, the old "money where your mouth is" trick...I love
    it!        
   
    I thought I read on your entry blurb that "no flyfishing"  would be 
    allowed......glad your club is willing to make a exception.

    I'll see if I can scape together the entry fee, might have a problem
    getting a livewell fitted to my tube tho......:^(...I suppose I
    could scrape up a canoe to use....! 
    
    Mair later as it festers up.....:^.>
    
                                                  Tight lines
    
                                                   Mr Twister    

    Your money is also welcome at the Fall Tourny at Monomonac...
    
    don mac

    I couldn't resist replying to the "bag of gas" filibuster on
    flyfishing, since I do both and belong to T.U., as well as being
    an avid Steelheader and Bass fisherman. I happen to catch and release
    because I don't eat 'em, but that's not the issue. Fishin' is fishin'
    as long as it's within the law, and we don't need elitists on either
    side of the fence pontificating about why their method makes them
    all around swell guys while anyone who doesn't do it their way is
    a humanoid. I've heard enough stories about "maine-iacs" who throw
    bass on the shore or cut their gills because they're "trash fish"
    to think that nobody's perfect.
     If both ways were good enough for guys like Ray Bergman, Al McClane
    and Jason Lucas, they're good enough for me, and they ought to be
    good enough for all of us. We ought to spend more time thinking
    about what kind of people and sportsmen we are, and less time puffing
    and blowing about something that doesn't improve anything one whit.
    
    -The fully loaded and ready to fire Skoal Bandit

    Agreed. Fishing is fun, period. There's no good reason to create
    opposing "camps", and we should all try whatever method strikes
    our fancy. Just leave the place as nice (or better) than when you
    found it, and we'll all have a lot of fun for a long time to come...
    
    Ed