Thanks
Joe
Joe Kesling, Iowa
Read Answer hi, I am using bionic braid as flyline backing on my salmom reels and would like to know best knot for connection , at the moment i have a braided loop on rear of flyline and surgeons loop in braid loop to loop connection is this ok or what would recommend??

Regards, Niall.
Ireland
Niall, Out of Country
Read Answer I found an old fishing rod. Written on it is #7 neo bane made by hardy bros. alnwick England. I was wondering if it valuable?
stephen buckley, Out of Country
Read Answer Hi Doug, Thanks for the prompt response. What determines the line weight you would use for a particular species? I would assume that heavier flies would not be proper for lighter lines. This being said if I were to use a 4wt line what would be the proper leader/tippet (i don't know the difference)? Do you think that this would be appropriate for bass that are in the 1-2lb range. I should have specified this in the first post but the bass I am targeting are small and proably would be catchable only on panfish flies or terrestrials and wouldn't touch anything larger. Do you think the 4 wt would be sufficient in this case?
Stuart, New York
Read Answer Hi Doug, First I find your Q&A column very enjoyable and informative. I am trying to get started fly fishing for largemouth bass on a lake I usually fish with light spinning tackle. What type of equipment should I consider as most of the fishing will be done with short casts from a boat. I am hoping that the equipment I get will also be useful for small stream trout fishing. I am trying to stay around 300 for the rod and reel if this helps. Thanks again.
Stuart, New York
Read Answer Doug,
I love the Q&A--very informative! I have a 6wt. 9' St. Croix Avid that I love. However, it's a bit much for a lot of the small pond and stream fishing I do in central NJ, where I often have to deal with overhanging trees, etc. I want to get a smaller and lighter weight rod for those conditions, but am torn as to weight and length. I'm focused on a 7'6" Temple Fork Outfitters 3wt Professional Series, a Cabela's 7'6" 4wt PT, but am confused. I've been fly fishing a few years but still have a lot of room for growth in casting skill, and I have a fairly open casting style. I'd appreciate your thoughts on the rods above or anything else I should consider in the under-$200 range. Thanks.
Najeeb Ahmad, New Jersey
Read Answer I am looking at a Sage GFL 590 fly rod and would like to know its action and would it be appropriate for a beginner. I have a Cabela's PT 864 and looking for a 5 weight with a little more power and length. Thanks
Harvey, California
Read Answer For fly fishing, do the flies you use work better when the fly is spawning or just around. Also, what are good flies for pan fish and smallmouth bass during the winter months?
sean thomas, Pennsylvania
Read Answer I have a Berkley ParaMetric Deluxe PD16MH-6ft 8oz casting rod.

I also have two Fenwick "Lunker Stix" rods, one 1457 5'6" and one 1461 6' rod.

They were my grandfather's. Can you tell me anything about them?

Thanks,
Doug Scott
Doug, Mississippi
Read Answer Hi my name is Justin. I am 15 and fish for bass and other panfish in farm ponds around the area. Whenever a fish takes my fly/bug they always spit it back out. What should I do when they do this? Thanks.
Justin, Iowa
Read Answer Hi, can I use a 7weight line on an 8 rod or would there be no benefit over a 7 weight rod ? Also, can you get away with using 7 weight lines on a 4/5/6 reel ? Any advice would be gratefully accepted.

Many thank's
Andrew
andrew soutar, Out of Country
Read Answer Hi Doug. I was wondering if you have ever heard of a Berkley rod called the "Para/Metric"? I think it's from about the 60's Chuck Gowdy series. If so, do you know it's value.

Thanks
john, Arkansas
Read Answer Hi Doug, I'm stuck about a his and hers fly rod in wooden case. I can't find anything on it. It was made by Robeins at 245 59 st. new york city. hope I got the name right it's alittle rubbed at the letters. Each rod is three pc. thank you for any help you can give me as I'm looking to sell it and don't know about price. Sondra
Sondra Strong, Pennsylvania
Read Answer There is a small pond in our area that was stocked with rainbow trout several years ago. We know that they have survived and grown because we can see them jumping and eating bugs, but no one has had any success in catching them. What should I use in trying to catch them?
Jay Siemens, Manitoba
Read Answer What's the best overall fly to use when you don't know what the fish are feeding on?
Jay Siemens, Manitoba
Read Answer I recently took up the art of flyfishing, and am still unsure about one thing. I've heard about people casting both upstream and downstream. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both??
Steve Stasiak, New Hampshire
Read Answer I love to fish and i have a research project that i have to make interview questions and ask someone to interview them and since you know a lot about fishing i was wondering if i could ask you them? It wont take very long and you dont have to do it if you dont want to. It would really be nice if you could.

Thanks.
brad winter, Iowa
Read Answer I have a custom made fly fishing rod made for Sam Cole, by a F. Bluthner, Serial number 98-4, it is in mint condition and I just want to know if this is a good rod and how much is it worth.

Thanks,
Rusty
Rusty Mac Donald, Ontario
Read Answer Doug,
Can you tell me what happens to a fish when a fly gets broken off in its mouth? Does the fish die, does the hook fall out, or will the fly rest in that fish's lip in perpetuity? Thanks.
Ross, Arkansas
Read Answer What would you recomend for pink salmon fishing from shore. I'm going to the U.P. in 2 weeks to try to catch some. thank you
mike wharton, Michigan
Read Answer What tips do you have if I'm flyfishing for carp?
Jay Siemens, Manitoba
Read Answer Hello Doug,
I know that you have listed some advantageous qualities of using a smaller weight fly line with a larger weight rod. For example I have a 5 weight Sage with 4 weight SA Mastery line. Would it be ok to use that setup all the time and when would you advise switching back the correct weight intended for the rod? Also are there any drawbacks to underlining?
Derrick, Pennsylvania
Read Answer I have recently gotten into fly fishing and am wondering, what is the difference between a tippet and a leader???
Ruaty Pollard, Colorado
Read Answer Recently I bought some new leaders. I am currently fishing a 5-6 wt. rod. My line is wf5f. I matched the leader as 5wt. but the problem is that I get much drift back when I cast. The weight forward line does it's job but it seems that I must work very hard to get the line out in front of me. It seems my flys want to land to the left of the flyline consistently rather than laying out as one would expect. I may be a tippet problem do you agree or is there another issue. Thanks
Bitt, Iowa
Read Answer Mr. Macnair, I looking for a Book on Making Bamboo Fly Rod's, I would like to learn the Craft and try to make a living from this Art. There are so many Books for sale, both new and used, where should I start?, what book should I buy first?. Thank you so much for your time, maybe when I start my Business if a few years I will send you a free Rod for review.,Ray Bish, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ray Bish, Nevada
Read Answer Here is my question. I recently started fly fishing , and was having some serious problems with my casting; till one day(last Sunday). I started maintaining the tension on my fly line with my left hand while casting with my right hand. Is this a proper way to cast if so why don't anyone cover this method? It sure would make life a lot eaiser for a beginner like myself.
Stephen Beavers, North Carolina
Read Answer Hi Doug,

What is the best position to start the backcast for WF line? Some less spooky fish can take our fly less than 20-30 ft from us. Is it a good idea to mark our fly line to start a back cast (similar to what you suggested for sink tip/sinking line)?

Thanks
Rgds
Ab.Rahman
Ab.Rahman, Texas
Read Answer I recently aquired a new St Croix Utra rod (4wt). I have a SA Mastery 2/3 reel that I would like to use with this. Can I efficiently use a 3wt line on this rod for spring creek type fishing. If so, what type of line (general purpose, ie dry and nymph) do think would work best?

Thanks,
Jon
JON, Wyoming
Read Answer Doug:
I recently acquired a Ross San Miguel #1 reel. This reel can be matched with anywhere from a 1 to 4wt rod. I'd like to hear your thoughts about matching this with my 4wt Sage SPL (superlight).

Thanks,
Scott
Scott E. Anderson, Arkansas
Read Answer hey this is collin babbage i live on 20 north branch road newtown ct 06470 usa. And i was wondering if you could send me or tell me what is really good for bass lures that live in a pond and are about 7 inches and please don't just ignore this i needed help on fishing.
collin babbage, Connecticut
Read Answer Doug:
I read this somewhere, unless I was day dreaming about fly fishing while reading this article, that there may be times when it is advantageous to use a higher weight line on a lower weight rod e.g. using a 6 wt line on a 5 wt rod & etc. When would you if this a true statement? Also, my head spins when I read about "drag". I have a large arbor Orvis Battenkill III for my 5 weight and for the fishing thus far, it has been great. I am going to Canada to go salmon fishing and maybe some Red Fish, Bonefish, Speckled Trout angling in the TX coast flats. I am considering buying an 8 weight rod with an Orivs Battenkill IV. Without all the physics lessons, could tell me if this reel would do the trick, especially for the price.

Thank You
Rick
Rick, Texas
Read Answer What is the difference between a tippet and a leader, what are they used for, and then i know the leader goes in front of the fly line, but where does the tippet go or do you need the tippet if you already have the leader? i'm sorry for all these questions in one question, but i have no idea what the difference is, Thank You.
James Johnson, Pennsylvania
Read Answer I am a teenage boy who has just started flyfishing and is looking for advice. The question is similar to another one. I was wondering what fly to use on certain days and if to use floating or sinking. How do I know!
John McAleer, Out of Country
Read Answer I have just started fly-fishing for trout! I know how to fly fish but the problem is that I don't know any brill flies. If you could tell me, that would a help. Thanks, Ashley...will be fishin!
Ashley Cleland, Indiana
Read Answer Do you know of any web sites or books that will tell you how to become a fishing guide.Is the business profitable?Is it fun?Can it be difficult at times? Thanks in advance...Julian
Julian Jones Sr., Texas
Read Answer can you fly fish on a lake if so what fish can you catch?
chris , Michigan
Read Answer when I'm casting on my foreword cast the line always makes a poping noise how do i stop this?
Chris , Michigan
Read Answer I'm just starting to fly fish and i need some help on how to put the line on the reel and how to put the fly on the line and every thing like that.
chris, Michigan
Read Answer