flyfishmaster

Wow that is just too cool. Plus it was caught on 6lb line. I think I need to find out what the brand name of that line is. I have hook some big fish including some 15-20 lb Steelhead and most of the times they make a down stream run. So my question is , was this guy on the dock on in a boat? If he was in a boat, I can see running the the fish down, but from the dock, you would think a fish that size would spool you in 30 seconds. Later, FFM

I thought this would be a good topic to post. The article below indicates the ruling that allow the public to set foot down on streambed, even if it is on private ground. This is great news for fishermen that have always wanted to get out of the boat and fish a specific hole for an hour or two. But I know the current land owners will not be happy. What are your thoughts? Here is the article: Utah court ruling Utah Supreme Court: Use of public waterways includes streambeds - even on private land By Stephen Hunt and Brett Prettyman The Salt Lake Tribune Article Last Updated: 07/18/2008 07:19:00 PM MDT Posted: 7:18 PM- Fishing enthusiasts are giddy over a Utah Supreme Court decision that allows the public onto streams that flow through private property. "This is something that will just make the angling community do back flips," said Ed Kent, chair of the Utah Anglers Coalition, said of Friday's ruling. "This is going to open corridors of extremely productive waters to anglers that have only been accessible to individuals who gained permission from friends to fish private land," Kent said. The court decision stems from an incident eight years ago, when a rafter was cited for trespassing after walking in the bed of the Weber River owned by a handful of Morgan County ranchers. But Friday's unanimous ruling allows Utahns to walk on the beds of all streams and rivers, no matter who owns the land beneath them. The high court said that without the ability to touch stream bottoms, members of the public cannot effectively enjoy their right to recreational activities on state waters, all of which are owned by the public. The only caveat is that water users must behave "reasonably," "cause no unnecessary injury to the landowner," and "engage only in lawful recreational activities," according to the ruling. "It's an exciting decision," said attorney Robert H. Hughes, who successfully argued the case before the high court in April. "I'd call it a landmark decision in the body of law on public waters." But attorney Ronald Russell, who represents a number of ranchers with land adjacent to the Weber River, said the high court has opened a nasty can of worms that will create new legal issues. "What are reasonable and unreasonable uses?" asked Russell, quoting from the court decision. "What is necessary and unnecessary injury to the landowner?" "What is the 'stream bed,' and where does it begin and end? At different times of the year you have high water and low water." Other states have defined the streambed as everything within the high water marks. Russell noted that until now, Utah law governing recreation on public waters pertained only to floating and boating. "Once you take away the floating requirement," Russell said, "it opens up streams never opened in the past." Even streams as small as a trickle will be fair game for people who want to fish or wade, he said. "If you can lawfully get to the water, you can walk up and down it as long as you like," Russell said. "If I had a stream in my backyard, I'd be concerned." Russell predicted the newly created problems will be solved case-by-case by more litigation, legislation that overrules the high-court's decision or a combination of the two. The ruling resolves a long-standing dispute between a Roy couple, Kevin and Jodi Conatser, who regularly float and fish on the Weber River, and landowners along a five-mile stretch of the river beginning near the town of Peterson. "Right on! Sweet! How great!" Kevin Conatser exclaimed Friday after learning the court had ruled in his favor. "Fishermen are going to love me!" Conatser said that during past trips down the river, landowners have shadowed him on ATVs, offered to fight him and one even threatened to kill him. "Now we can float down that river without being worried about getting shot by that farmer," he said, adding that he might raft the river this weekend. "A good float on Sunday," he mused. "That's a good idea." Attorney Hughes cautioned that the ruling does not allow people to walk the banks of streams that are adjacent to private land. And streams crossing private land may only be accessed from locations that are open to the public. Landowners named in the lawsuit include Wayne Johnson, Duane Johnson, Randy Sessions, Clark Sessions, Michael McMillan, Lynn Brown, Gerald Stout and Shane E. Matthews. Calls to several were not answered or returned on Friday. Russell said his clients merely want to protect their property. He said trespassers had damaged fences, barns and irrigation structures. The Conatsers' legal battle began in June 2000, when they were cited for trespassing by the sheriff after Kevin Conatser intentionally left his raft to walk in the Weber River and fish, and to move fencing strung across the river by a landowner, according to Friday's ruling. The Morgan County Justice Court found the Conatsers guilty of trespassing. But when the Conatsers appealed to the district court, prosecutors dismissed the charge, citing "uncertainty" regarding the couple's status as trespassers. Meanwhile, the Conatsers filed a civil suit against the landowners, seeking a judicial answer to whether they had a right to walk in the river. Second District Judge Michael Lyon ruled against the Conatsers, finding they had the right to touch the river bed only to assist in floating, such as freeing a raft that was stuck. A 1982 Utah Supreme Court ruling established the public's right to use any surface water for recreation, so long as legal access exists. "State policy recognizes an interest of the public in the use of state waters for recreational purposes," according to the 1982 ruling. Later, FFM

Wheat... Sounds like a great day with a good friend. Here is quick one, were the snakes alive or dead? And what were they going to do with them? later, FFM

Bman, Great info and good job. That midge, is it a tan variation of a WD40? Also, since I have not been to MSSP this year, how was the crowd on Saturday? Later, FFM

I wonder if he was using barbless hooks Later, FFM

Terrapin, I agree, I think a will raise my lunch time Bud Select in honor of my fellow USA beer makers, no matter who ownes them. Later, FFM

Well I was waiting for this post to happen. I'm a current employee at Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis at their corporate headquarters (not the brewery in downtown). With the take-over happing in the upcoming months, every one is nerveous wondering how much longer will they be employeed. One week ago A-B announced thye were going to offer early retirement to those 55 and older. I don't know if that option is avalible any more. As for InBev, they are a cost cutting machine and they will find anyway to save some money. I agree, the theme parks, can/bottle plants, recycling, Grant's Farm and Kings Mill Golf Resort will all be sold with in a year of the take over to help pay off the $52 billion debt they just created. I just hope I'm able to make the cut and keep a job. We will see. As for other large beer companies in the USA. Miller is owned by SAB, South African Brewery. Coors is owned by Molson (Canada). In June 2008 SABMiller and Molson-Coors merged their USA operations to save nearly 500 million a year in overhead cost. Still the Corporate headquarters are not located in the USA. So as for the those wanting to drink a USA owned beer, you will have to stick with some of the local micro brew houses, like a Schlafly and pay a few extra dollars. I wish the best of luck to my fellow A-B co-workers and their families over the next year. Later, FFM

I have a 400 watt DC inverters that I use for our trips. It has no problem keeping power to the laptop. Heck I even use it once in a while to keep a crock pot hot for food days at work. I think I paid $25 or so for it. Later, FFM

Tinner, I very happy to hear that the Trico are finally coming off. My last trip down had little bug activity. I might have to make me some of those rubber legger crackleback thingies. Sound very interesting. later, FFM

Aaron, The bug activity has been fairly weak this year. There are not many bugs in the air at all. The last time down I only saw two fish break the surface for a bug. Your best to go subsurface. IF you want to know what to use, do a search for the Current River and flies. About one month ago 10 guys posted flies that they use. There is wide selection and every one has there own favorites. Later, FFM

My brother and I have stayed at Circle J a few times over the last 10 years (I have not been there this year). All sites or fairly level, but not much room between sites. The bathrooms were not that great. The one good part was the on-site diner, not a bad breakfast, but I don't recommend the dinner. If you are looking for a place just to set up the camper and sleep this is good spot, other than that I would try some place else it can be a bit noisey at times. Later, FFM

Pat, Here is some info from Tom Everson, the Western Director for The Orvis Company "I recommend contacting Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene, 208-772-1497 (NWOutfitters.com). They are an Orvis Dealer and do a great job in North Central Idaho." later, FFM

Pat, I found this site you might want to look at: Sandpoint Outfitters Plus I'm on the Rocky Mountain Fly Forum and one gentlemen posted this info for fly fishing info: ...pretty generic, EHC, Royal Wulffs, Adams, Stimulators, Trudes, Princes, PPPT's, N.Fk. Specials, rubber legs, etc... ...don't know if there's a flyshop in Sandpoint, now, last decent one closed... ...he might try the upper Cd'A river, Jordan Cr. area over the Bunco or Buckskin... ...the Moyie, n. of Bonners Ferry should be in pretty good shape, & the Kootenai se of Bonners Ferry, but @ current flows, wading will be tough... Also, another guy indicated they want you to say hello to Jake Plummer (I think he is still the Broncos QB) Well that is ll I got for now, but if you fish the Kootenai River it might want a big rod than your 5wt. Later, FFM

I believe the I-44 Exit is ZZ. Also the Besmer Road sign is some times there, then it is gone. There, then gone. You get the picture. Later, FFM

Bman, Sorry, this is the first on the forum since July 3rd. As I was read the threads (laughing a lot to myself), I was waiting for you to do it and you did it. Now I'm all fired up. I think we have now have brought this to a head and got to square off and throw down the gloves I think we might have to have a "Dough Bait" fish-off down at MSSP in the up coming months. You bring your sissy little "Bossco bait" and I'll bring my crappy smelling doughy stuff. We can Fly fishing at your lesure in the morning, but when the sun hits high noon... GAME ON!!! So are you up for it? Later, FFM

Chief, I commend you on making the call but I have to agree with Terry on this one. There have been multiple times I been with a group of buddies out hunting or fishing that we pool together to meet our daily limits in what ever species we were after. At times people just are not lucky, in the right spot or just don't have the ability to fill the daily quota. So to make a long story short, I would have made the call too. But only after I knew they had put their 9th fish on the string. later, FFM

Bittle, Here is the link to the Meramec stream gage at Steeleville Mer @ Stville If you look at the "discharge" chart, it is show a bit higher than "normal" flow, but the number are not that bad. It looks like a perfect flow for canoeing. Rember anything around 400 cfs on the Meramec is very wadable. Later, FFM

A 5' 3wt... Seems a bit small to my standards. I guess I'm use to handling a much larger rod than that. Later, FMM

Sam, Brian is right on the money with River of Life Farm (ROLF). If you want to be away from it all, see if one of the tree top cabins are avalible. My wife and I had a great time down there 3 years ago. Myron (the owner) and his family are great to work with. I was able to wade fish around ROLF with out any problem. If you do go, make sure you contact Brian so he can inform you or hook you up with the hot flies. Later, FFM

I tried clicking on a few of the Map links for Phil's posting back in 2007 and it appears the website documents no longer exist. So is there another location for these maps. later, FFM

Come one BMan.... tell us the name of the "best bait to use". I have been sitting back here waiting for it a few days now. Later, FFM

Cardilla, Well you can use just about anything to catch fish in that park. Back in the days when I used a spinning rod, I used a lot of Trout worms. My best color was lime green. Thread a size 14/16 hook in the middle and give it a few twithes, then left it rest a few second, then repeat. The thing about using worms is that you never set the hook right a way, give it a second or so. Here is also a little story. Back in the late 70s my father took us down every 3rd weekend. I though I was hot stuff catching 30+ fish per day but that was nothing compared to what my father would catch. He would easily have 50 to 80 fish days. He used a Zebco 33 with 4 lb test and a 2 lb leader. He used one split shot and a bronze sz 16 (long shank) hook. His bait.......... CRICKETS. He caught fish all day long To this date, I still have not seen another person fish for trout using a cricket. later, FFM

Troutdawg, I have been using Deep Soft for about 8+ years now. I keep a chunk of it on my top right zipper on my vest, you have got to watch it in the heat of the summer because it may start to soften up too much. Also when it is too soft, dip you fingers in the cool water before using it to keep it foem sticking to your fingers. Then in the cold winter I keep it inside my wader to keep moldable. FYI: a canister is only good for about one year, then the consistancy breaks down. Later, FFM

kayser, When I was down a few weeks ago, the Trico hatch was non-existent. I was bummin'. Sam Potter just posted on his site as of June 24, all hatches are down, especially the Trico. Later, FFM

I'm with yah Bigredbirdfan... Trav's third photo looks a bit suspicious.... I think we need to investigate. later, FFM