Wind Knots & Tailing Loops. June

It's not that Chris is prophetic, I just didn't realize that two weeks had gone by since the last WK&TL offering. I did sneak in a couple of quick  answers in regular reports but detailed answers to queries are long over due.

Dennis as usual leads all commentators with questions. When blind casting I try to offer up what the fish are looking for even if it's a pseudo. However, if there are multiple flies on the menu I usually go with the most filling meal (it's easier for me to see and some fish are just suckers for a big fly.

AJK unnecessarily defended polite and courteous drift boaters. I'm a wade fisherman as everyone no doubt knows, but in the twenty or so years that there have been boats on the river I've come full circle on my opinions of guides. Before proper etiquette evolved, I was not a fan, as a good many of them were rude and disrespectful to us waders. Today guides floating the river are almost all respectful of wade fishermen. What few uncomfortable encounters I have are almost always with a non guide fisherman floating his own boat who either is not familiar with proper protocol or just enjoys irritating people. I am also a believer in the fact that the world has a certain percentage of A.H.'s and that there just as many of them in waders as there are in drift boats.

While I'm on the subject, I often give a rundown of the the number of trailers at the various takeouts. I do this so people can make choices. Guides know where the bugs are hatching and if you want to be there, go where they are floating. I personally use the information, whenever possible, to head where they are not floating, as I'd rather take my chances with fish that are not being constantly rowed over and thrown at.  

Steve - You really didn't ask a question but kudos to you for getting on all three river systems. Two fish in the WB right now is good. The BR this time of year is usually an 8:00 until dark thing as to the hot rainbows we all lose a lot of them.

Matt - Yours wasn't really a question either but if the guy across the river gave you grief he was probably out of line. Everyone is entitled to fish. If there is a line of anglers where you want to fish, go to the end of the line or go someplace less crowded. If you are on the opposite side of the river just don't cast or wade into someone else's fish. 

Jack McD. - Didn't know it was you. Your guide selection was a good one. It is special when sons "get hooked", I know.

Andy - I and everyone else on the river this past week, feel your pain. You and I both had rising fish for which we had no answers.

Dennis - On the grass (or large clumps of algae) causing you to lose fish. Some people think so. For sure it adds weight to the line and may cause it to break. It makes it harder to work the fish back up stream but when you get him near the net and it covers his eyes the advantage goes to the netter.

Chris - When fishing the BR it depends on which hatch and the stage of the fly. Iso duns for example would be fished in the riffles. A Hendrickson spinner fall on the other hand would find me looking for sipping browns in a flatwater pool. As to your second question, I'll admit to swinging a Quill Gordon wet fly during my youth but nymphs and strike indicators have never been a part of my arsenal. I was hooked on dries when I bought my first Royal Coachman at the Buffalo Loan Company in Syracuse and never looked back..

Mike - Neon Orange Perdigon's? Send me on and I'll be glad to field test it for you.