http://flyfishlist.org/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Air+Force+GuyFF@Wiki - User contributions [en]2026-04-19T10:54:12ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.25.1http://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Current_events&diff=1684Current events2008-04-01T14:57:48Z<p>Air Force Guy: /* '''ANNOUNCEMENT: SCW m'Clave 2007 is fast approaching''' */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
== '''ANNOUNCEMENT: SCW m'Clave 2008 is fast approaching''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
In the tradition intended when we held our first SCW m’Clave in Tennessee in 2006, we’re staying in the Smoky Mountains Range in 2007. The second SCW will see us moving to North Carolina to fly fish the Davidson River. SCW m'Clave 2007 is scheduled for April 20-22 at the Davidson River Campground near Brevard, NC. Mark your calendars and make your reservations early. The campground fills up quickly! Buddy and I are looking forward to your camaraderie at the Smokies Cold Water Mini Clave 2007. See the following URL for SCW details.<br />
<br />
'''http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2008/scw-2008.htm'''<br />
<br />
[[Image:Davidson River Trout.jpg]]<br />
<br />
Nice Davidson River Rainbow caught by Rob Cramer - Christmas 2006 - Picture courtesy of Tom Rude</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Current_events&diff=1683Current events2008-04-01T14:57:27Z<p>Air Force Guy: /* '''ANNOUNCEMENT: SCW m'Clave 2007 is fast approaching''' */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
== '''ANNOUNCEMENT: SCW m'Clave 2007 is fast approaching''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
In the tradition intended when we held our first SCW m’Clave in Tennessee in 2006, we’re staying in the Smoky Mountains Range in 2007. The second SCW will see us moving to North Carolina to fly fish the Davidson River. SCW m'Clave 2007 is scheduled for April 20-22 at the Davidson River Campground near Brevard, NC. Mark your calendars and make your reservations early. The campground fills up quickly! Buddy and I are looking forward to your camaraderie at the Smokies Cold Water Mini Clave 2007. See the following URL for SCW details.<br />
<br />
'''http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2008/scw-2008.htm'''<br />
<br />
[[Image:Davidson River Trout.jpg]]<br />
<br />
Nice Davidson River Rainbow caught by Rob Cramer - Christmas 2006 - Picture courtesy of Tom Rude</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1682User:Air Force Guy2008-04-01T14:56:16Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Air Force Guy''': Gary Hull<br />
<br />
'''Location:''' Raleigh, NC<br />
<br />
'''MEMBER FF@:''' joined in 1988 or was that 1989 (I can't remember...I have a good memory...it's just short) but there were fewer then 100 members when I joined.<br />
<br />
'''Co-Host of SCW m'Clave'''<br />
<br />
see http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2008/scw-2008.htm for SCW m'Clave 2008 details<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the FF@ family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say since I do not know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more then interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be a group of very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided it was probably best to not attend.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the FF@ folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended four claves including my first in 2004 and will continue to do so. Claves are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to share real face time with FF@ members, I otherwise and occasionally talk to via emails to the list. If you've never attended an FF@ clave, I think you should. Like me, I bet you'd enjoy yourself and I perhaps choose to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=FF@Wiki:Community_Portal&diff=1681FF@Wiki:Community Portal2008-04-01T14:54:56Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Put links here, such as:'''<br />
<br />
* [http://www.flyfishlist.org FF@ Home Page]<br />
* [http://archives.flyfishlist.org FF@ list archives]<br />
{{News|right}}<br />
* [http://www.canerods.com Harry Boyd's web page]<br />
* [http://www.wnctrout.com Scott Cunningham's Western NC Page]<br />
* [http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2008/scw-2008.htm SCW m'Clave 2008 - April 11-13- Davidson River Campground - Brevard, NC]<br />
* [http://www.dppoppers.com Steve D's DP Poppers Website]<br />
* [http://www.tirebiter.net Chris Knight's FF@ pages (Dogs of FF@, Institute for Bad FF@ Poetry, NEC 2007, etc)]<br />
* [http://www.danica.com/flytier/ofoy/names.htm OLD FF@ARTS ONCE YOUNG (photos of listers in their early years)]<br />
* [http://www.danica.com/kat/USUAL/ Kat's "Anything but the Usual" flyswap (variations on the usual theme...)]</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1497User:Air Force Guy2007-01-27T04:47:36Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Air Force Guy''': Gary Hull<br />
<br />
'''Location:''' Raleigh, NC<br />
<br />
'''MEMBER FF@:''' joined in 1988 or was that 1989 (I can't remember...I have a good memory...it's just short) but there were fewer then 100 members when I joined.<br />
<br />
'''Co-Host of SCW m'Clave'''<br />
<br />
see http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm for SCW m'Clave 2007 details<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the FF@ family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say since I do not know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more then interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be a group of very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided it was probably best to not attend.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the FF@ folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended four claves including my first in 2004 and will continue to do so. Claves are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to share real face time with FF@ members, I otherwise and occasionally talk to via emails to the list. If you've never attended an FF@ clave, I think you should. Like me, I bet you'd enjoy yourself and I perhaps choose to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Current_events&diff=1492Current events2007-01-26T03:31:45Z<p>Air Force Guy: /* '''ANNOUNCEMENT: SCW m'Clave is fast approaching''' */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
== '''ANNOUNCEMENT: SCW m'Clave 2007 is fast approaching''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
In the tradition intended when we held our first SCW m’Clave in Tennessee in 2006, we’re staying in the Smoky Mountains Range in 2007. The second SCW will see us moving to North Carolina to fly fish the Davidson River. SCW m'Clave 2007 is scheduled for April 20-22 at the Davidson River Campground near Brevard, NC. Mark your calendars and make your reservations early. The campground fills up quickly! Buddy and I are looking forward to your camaraderie at the Smokies Cold Water Mini Clave 2007. See the following URL for SCW details.<br />
<br />
'''http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm'''<br />
<br />
[[Image:Davidson River Trout.jpg]]<br />
<br />
Nice Davidson River Rainbow caught by Rob Cramer - Christmas 2006 - Picture courtesy of Tom Rude</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1491User:Air Force Guy2007-01-26T03:27:45Z<p>Air Force Guy: /* '''How I Got Into Claving''' */</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Air Force Guy''': Gary Hull<br />
<br />
'''Location:''' Raleigh, NC<br />
<br />
'''MEMBER FF@:''' joined in 1988 when there were fewer then 100 members<br />
<br />
'''Co-Host of SCW m'Clave'''<br />
<br />
see http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm for SCW m'Clave 2007 details<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the FF@ family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say since I do not know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more then interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be a group of very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided it was probably best to not attend.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the FF@ folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended four claves including my first in 2004 and will continue to do so. Claves are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to share real face time with FF@ members, I otherwise and occasionally talk to via emails to the list. If you've never attended an FF@ clave, I think you should. Like me, I bet you'd enjoy yourself and I perhaps choose to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1490User:Air Force Guy2007-01-26T03:25:13Z<p>Air Force Guy: /* '''How I Got Into Claving''' */</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Air Force Guy''': Gary Hull<br />
<br />
'''Location:''' Raleigh, NC<br />
<br />
'''MEMBER FF@:''' joined in 1988 when there were fewer then 100 members<br />
<br />
'''Co-Host of SCW m'Clave'''<br />
<br />
see http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm for SCW m'Clave 2007 details<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the FF@ family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say since I do not know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more then interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be a group of very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided it was probably best to not attend.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the FF@ folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended four claves including my first in 2004 and will continue to do so. Claves are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to share real face time with other FF@ members, I otherwise and occasionally talk to via emails to the list. If you've never attended an FF@ clave, I think you should. Like me, I bet you'd enjoy yourself and I perhaps choose to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1489User:Air Force Guy2007-01-26T03:19:35Z<p>Air Force Guy: /* '''How I Got Into Claving''' */</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Air Force Guy''': Gary Hull<br />
<br />
'''Location:''' Raleigh, NC<br />
<br />
'''MEMBER FF@:''' joined in 1988 when there were fewer then 100 members<br />
<br />
'''Co-Host of SCW m'Clave'''<br />
<br />
see http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm for SCW m'Clave 2007 details<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the FF@ family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say since I do not know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more then interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be a group of very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided it was probably best to not attend.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the FF@ folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended four claves including my first in 2004 and will continue to do so. They are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with other @FF members we occasionally talk to via the list. If you've never attended an @FF clave, I think you should. Like me, you'd enjoy yourself and I suspect want to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1488User:Air Force Guy2007-01-26T03:18:57Z<p>Air Force Guy: /* '''How I Got Into Claving''' */</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Air Force Guy''': Gary Hull<br />
<br />
'''Location:''' Raleigh, NC<br />
<br />
'''MEMBER FF@:''' joined in 1988 when there were fewer then 100 members<br />
<br />
'''Co-Host of SCW m'Clave'''<br />
<br />
see http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm for SCW m'Clave 2007 details<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the FF@ family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say since I do not know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more then interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be a group of very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided to not go.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the FF@ folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended four claves including my first in 2004 and will continue to do so. They are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with other @FF members we occasionally talk to via the list. If you've never attended an @FF clave, I think you should. Like me, you'd enjoy yourself and I suspect want to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1487User:Air Force Guy2007-01-26T03:17:05Z<p>Air Force Guy: /* '''How I Got Into Claving''' */</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Air Force Guy''': Gary Hull<br />
<br />
'''Location:''' Raleigh, NC<br />
<br />
'''MEMBER FF@:''' joined in 1988 when there were fewer then 100 members<br />
<br />
'''Co-Host of SCW m'Clave'''<br />
<br />
see http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm for SCW m'Clave 2007 details<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the @FF family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say since I do not know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more then interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be a group of very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided to not go.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the @FF folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended four claves including my first in 2004 and will continue to do so. They are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with other @FF members we occasionally talk to via the list. If you've never attended an @FF clave, I think you should. Like me, you'd enjoy yourself and I suspect want to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Current_events&diff=1468Current events2007-01-25T04:32:42Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
== '''ANNOUNCEMENT: SCW m'Clave is fast approaching''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
In the tradition intended when we held our first SCW m’Clave in Tennessee in 2006, we’re staying in the Smoky Mountains Range in 2007. The second SCW will see us moving to North Carolina to fly fish the Davidson River. SCW m'Clave 2007 is scheduled for April 20-22 at the Davidson River Campground near Brevard, NC. Mark your calendars and make your reservations early. The campground fills up quickly! Buddy and I are looking forward to your camaraderie at the Smokies Cold Water Mini Clave 2007. See the following URL for SCW details.<br />
<br />
'''http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm'''<br />
<br />
[[Image:Davidson River Trout.jpg]]<br />
<br />
Nice Davidson River Rainbow caught by Rob Cramer - Christmas 2006 - Picture courtesy of Tom Rude</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1467User:Air Force Guy2007-01-25T04:31:28Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Air Force Guy''': Gary Hull<br />
<br />
'''Location:''' Raleigh, NC<br />
<br />
'''MEMBER FF@:''' joined in 1988 when there were fewer then 100 members<br />
<br />
'''Co-Host of SCW m'Clave'''<br />
<br />
see http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm for SCW m'Clave 2007 details<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the @FF family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say nor do I know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more then interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be a group of very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided to not go.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the @FF folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended four claves including my first in 2004 and will continue to do so. They are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with other @FF members we occasionally talk to via the list. If you've never attended an @FF clave, I think you should. Like me, you'd enjoy yourself and I suspect want to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1466User:Air Force Guy2007-01-25T04:30:28Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Air Force Guy''': Gary Hull<br />
<br />
'''Location:''' Raleigh, NC<br />
<br />
'''MEMBER FF@:''' joined in 1988 and was either the 96 or 97 member<br />
<br />
'''Co-Host of SCW m'Clave'''<br />
<br />
see http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm for SCW m'Clave 2007 details<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the @FF family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say nor do I know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more then interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be a group of very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided to not go.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the @FF folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended four claves including my first in 2004 and will continue to do so. They are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with other @FF members we occasionally talk to via the list. If you've never attended an @FF clave, I think you should. Like me, you'd enjoy yourself and I suspect want to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1465User:Air Force Guy2007-01-25T04:29:04Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Air Force Guy''': Gary Hull<br />
<br />
'''Location:''' Raleigh, NC<br />
<br />
'''MEMBER FF@:''' since 1988 or 89 (I recall being the 96 or 97 member to join the list)<br />
<br />
'''Co-Host of SCW m'Clave'''<br />
<br />
see http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm for SCW m'Clave 2007 details<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the @FF family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say nor do I know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more then interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be a group of very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided to not go.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the @FF folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended four claves including my first in 2004 and will continue to do so. They are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with other @FF members we occasionally talk to via the list. If you've never attended an @FF clave, I think you should. Like me, you'd enjoy yourself and I suspect want to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1464User:Air Force Guy2007-01-25T04:28:39Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Air Force Guy''': Gary Hull<br />
<br />
'''Location:''' Raleigh, NC<br />
<br />
'''MEMBER FF@:''' since 1988 or 89 (I recall being the 96 or 97 member to join the list)<br />
<br />
'''Co-Host of SCW m'Clave'''<br />
see http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm for SCW m'Clave 2007 details<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the @FF family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say nor do I know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more then interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be a group of very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided to not go.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the @FF folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended four claves including my first in 2004 and will continue to do so. They are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with other @FF members we occasionally talk to via the list. If you've never attended an @FF clave, I think you should. Like me, you'd enjoy yourself and I suspect want to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Current_events&diff=1463Current events2007-01-25T04:26:44Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>In the tradition intended when we held our first SCW m’Clave in Tennessee in 2006, we’re staying in the Smoky Mountains Range in 2007. The second SCW will see us moving to North Carolina to fly fish the Davidson River. SCW m'Clave 2007 is scheduled for April 20-22 at the Davidson River Campground near Brevard, NC. Mark your calendars and make your reservations early. The campground fills up quickly! Buddy and I are looking forward to your camaraderie at the Smokies Cold Water Mini Clave 2007. See the following URL for SCW details.<br />
<br />
'''http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm'''<br />
<br />
[[Image:Davidson River Trout.jpg]]<br />
<br />
Nice Davidson River Rainbow caught by Rob Cramer - Christmas 2006 - Picture courtesy of Tom Rude</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Current_events&diff=1462Current events2007-01-25T04:25:39Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>In the tradition intended when we held our first SCW m’Clave in Tennessee in 2006, we’re staying in the Smoky Mountains Range in 2007. The second SCW will see us moving to North Carolina to fly fish the Davidson River, near Brevard, NC. SCW m'Clave 2007 is scheduled for April 20-22 at the Davidson River Campground near Brevard, NC. Mark your calendars and make your reservations early. The campground fills up quickly! Buddy and I are looking forward to your camaraderie at the Smokies Cold Water Mini Clave 2007. See the following URL for SCW details.<br />
<br />
'''http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm'''<br />
<br />
[[Image:Davidson River Trout.jpg]]<br />
<br />
Nice Davidson River Rainbow caught by Rob Cramer - Christmas 2006 - Picture courtesy of Tom Rude</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Current_events&diff=1461Current events2007-01-25T04:24:17Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>In the tradition intended when we held our first SCW m’Clave in Tennessee in 2006, we’re staying in the Smoky Mountains Range in 2007. The second SCW will see us moving to North Carolina to fly fish the Davidson River, near Brevard, NC. SCW m'Clave 2007 is scheduled for April 20-22 at the Davidson River Campground near Brevard, NC. Mark your calendars and make your reservations early. The campground fills up quickly! Buddy and I are looking forward to your camaraderie at the Smokies Cold Water Mini Clave 2007. <br />
<br />
'''http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm'''<br />
<br />
[[Image:Davidson River Trout.jpg]]<br />
<br />
Nice Davidson River Rainbow caught by Rob Cramer - Christmas 2006 - Picture courtesy of Tom Rude</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Current_events&diff=1460Current events2007-01-25T04:23:44Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>Enter upcoming events like conclaves, etc. here...<br />
<br />
In the tradition intended when we held our first SCW m’Clave in Tennessee in 2006, we’re staying in the Smoky Mountains Range in 2007. The second SCW will see us moving to North Carolina to fly fish the Davidson River, near Brevard, NC. SCW m'Clave 2007 is scheduled for April 20-22 at the Davidson River Campground near Brevard, NC. Mark your calendars and make your reservations early. The campground fills up quickly! Buddy and I are looking forward to your camaraderie at the Smokies Cold Water Mini Clave 2007. <br />
<br />
'''http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm'''<br />
<br />
[[Image:Davidson River Trout.jpg]]<br />
<br />
Nice Davidson River Rainbow caught by Rob Cramer - Christmas 2006 - Picture courtesy of Tom Rude</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Current_events&diff=1459Current events2007-01-25T04:22:29Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>Enter upcoming events like conclaves, etc. here...<br />
<br />
In the tradition intended when we held our first SCW m’Clave in Tennessee in 2006, we’re staying in the Smoky Mountains Range in 2007. The second SCW will see us moving to North Carolina to fly fish the Davidson River, near Brevard, NC. SCW m'Clave 2007 is scheduled for April 20-22 at the Davidson River Campground near Brevard, NC. Mark your calendars and make your reservations early. The campground fills up quickly! Buddy and I are looking forward to your camaraderie at the Smokies Cold Water Mini Clave 2007. <br />
<br />
'''http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm'''<br />
<br />
[[Image:Davidson River Trout.jpg]]<br />
<br />
Nice Davidson River Rainbow caught by Rob Cramer - Christmas 2006 - Picture courtersy of Tom Rude</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=File:Davidson_River_Trout.jpg&diff=1458File:Davidson River Trout.jpg2007-01-25T04:19:37Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Current_events&diff=1457Current events2007-01-25T04:19:23Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>Enter upcoming events like conclaves, etc. here...<br />
<br />
In the tradition intended when we held our first SCW m’Clave in Tennessee in 2006, we’re staying in the Smoky Mountains Range in 2007. The second SCW will see us moving to North Carolina to fly fish the Davidson River, near Brevard, NC. SCW m'Clave 2007 is scheduled for April 20-22 at the Davidson River Campground near Brevard, NC. Mark your calendars and make your reservations early. The campground fills up quickly! Buddy and I are looking forward to your camaraderie at the Smokies Cold Water Mini Clave 2007. <br />
<br />
'''http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm'''<br />
<br />
[[Image:Davidson River Trout.jpg]]</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=File:Davison_River_Trout.jpg&diff=1456File:Davison River Trout.jpg2007-01-25T04:16:53Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Current_events&diff=1455Current events2007-01-25T04:14:40Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>Enter upcoming events like conclaves, etc. here...<br />
<br />
In the tradition intended when we held our first SCW m’Clave in Tennessee in 2006, we’re staying in the Smoky Mountains Range in 2007. The second SCW will see us moving to North Carolina to fly fish the Davidson River, near Brevard, NC. SCW m'Clave 2007 is scheduled for April 20-22 at the Davidson River Campground near Brevard, NC. Mark your calendars and make your reservations early. The campground fills up quickly! Buddy and I are looking forward to your camaraderie at the Smokies Cold Water Mini Clave 2007. <br />
<br />
'''http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm'''<br />
<br />
[[Image:C:\Extra Tools\Garys Web Site\SCW\SCW 2007 Info and Docs\Davison River Trout caught by Rob Cramer Christmas 2006 (198 x 264).jpg]]</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1454User:Air Force Guy2007-01-25T04:12:20Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Air Force Guy''': Gary Hull<br />
<br />
'''Location:''' Raleigh, NC<br />
<br />
'''MEMBER FF@:''' since 1988 or 89 (I recall being the 96 or 97 member to join the list)<br />
<br />
'''Co-Host of SCW m'Clave'''<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the @FF family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say nor do I know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more then interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be a group of very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided to not go.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the @FF folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended four claves including my first in 2004 and will continue to do so. They are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with other @FF members we occasionally talk to via the list. If you've never attended an @FF clave, I think you should. Like me, you'd enjoy yourself and I suspect want to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1453User:Air Force Guy2007-01-25T04:11:26Z<p>Air Force Guy: /* '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' */</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Air Force Guy''': Gary Hull<br />
'''Location:''' Raleigh, NC<br />
'''MEMBER FF@:''' since 1988 or 89 (I recall being the 96 or 97 member to join the list)<br />
Co-Host of SCW m'Clave<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the @FF family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say nor do I know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more then interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be a group of very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided to not go.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the @FF folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended four claves including my first in 2004 and will continue to do so. They are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with other @FF members we occasionally talk to via the list. If you've never attended an @FF clave, I think you should. Like me, you'd enjoy yourself and I suspect want to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1452User:Air Force Guy2007-01-25T04:11:00Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Air Force Guy''': Gary Hull<br />
'''Location:''' Raleigh, NC<br />
'''MEMBER FF@:''' since 1988 or 89 (I recall being the 96 or 97 member to join the list)<br />
Co-Host of SCW m'Clave<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the @FF family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say nor do I know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more then interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be a group of very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided to not go.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the @FF folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended four claves including my first in 2004 and will continue to do so. They are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with other @FF members we occasionally talk to via the list. If you've never attended an @FF clave, I think you should. Like me, you'd enjoy yourself and I suspect want to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1426User:Air Force Guy2007-01-23T21:03:25Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the @FF family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say nor do I know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more then interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be a group of very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided to not go.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the @FF folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended four claves including my first in 2004 and will continue to do so. They are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with other @FF members we occasionally talk to via the list. If you've never attended an @FF clave, I think you should. Like me, you'd enjoy yourself and I suspect want to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=FF@Wiki:Community_Portal&diff=1425FF@Wiki:Community Portal2007-01-23T20:55:14Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Put links here, such as:'''<br />
<br />
* [http://www.uky.edu/~agrdanny/flyfish/main.htm FF@ Home Page]<br />
* [http://ffarchives.jdunns.com FF@ list archives]<br />
* [http://www.canerods.com Harry Boyd's web page]<br />
* [http://www.wnctrout.com Scott Cunningham's Western NC Page]<br />
* [http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm SCW m'Clave 2007 - April 20-22 - Davidson River Campground - Brevard, NC]</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=FF@Wiki:Community_Portal&diff=1424FF@Wiki:Community Portal2007-01-23T20:48:06Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Put links here, such as:'''<br />
<br />
* [http://www.uky.edu/~agrdanny/flyfish/main.htm FF@ Home Page]<br />
* [http://ffarchives.jdunns.com FF@ list archives]<br />
* [http://www.canerods.com Harry Boyd's web page]<br />
* [http://www.wnctrout.com Scott Cunningham's Western NC Page]<br />
* [http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm SCW m'Clave 2007 - Davidson River Campground - Brevard, NC]</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=FF@Wiki:Community_Portal&diff=1423FF@Wiki:Community Portal2007-01-23T20:46:34Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Put links here, such as:'''<br />
<br />
* [http://www.uky.edu/~agrdanny/flyfish/main.htm FF@ Home Page]<br />
* [http://ffarchives.jdunns.com FF@ list archives]<br />
* [http://www.canerods.com Harry Boyd's web page]<br />
* [http://www.wnctrout.com Scott Cunningham's Western NC Page]<br />
* [http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm SCW m'Clave 2007]</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1419User:Air Force Guy2007-01-23T19:43:22Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always accessible too. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should really be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''How I Got Into Claving''' ==<br />
<br />
I was a member of the @FF family back in the mid 90's when the concept of a get together, coined conclave, and finally shorted to 'clave got started. I can not say nor do I know who deserves the credit for the naming convention, but it has pretty much stuck. Anyway, back in those days I was not a very good fly caster and worse yet, it was rare when I even caught a fish. In either case, when the idea of the NEC was being bantered about on the list, I was more than interested in attending. I was living in the DC area at the time so a drive to New York was quite feasible. My first thought after thinking I'd go however, was how embarassed I'd be by showing my lack of fly casting and fishing skills to what I percieved to be very good fly casters and fishermen. Needless to say, I decided to not go.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2004 when I finally mustered the courage to attend my first clave. I decided it was time to swallow my pride, admit my inabilities, and try to learn from the experts. I figured a clave was a good beginning for the learning part. My first clave was NEG 2004. Having lived in Georgia for several years, I was familiar with North East Georgia trout waters and looked forward to revisiting them...or at least some of them. <br />
<br />
I learned from attending that clave, that the @FF folks are everything but critical when it comes to another's fly fishing abilities. I also learned that most are fun loving folks who really enjoy stalking the wiley trout and when not sitting around the campfire or at the picnic table tying flies, smoking good cigars, drinking good single malt, and spinning good yarns, they're also eager to help you learn. All you need do is ask and most I've had the privilege of meeting and fishing with at a clave were more then willing to share their knowlege and experience. That same year I attended Tenn X Clave, the 10th and last year for this clave. I had a wonderful time, meeting several people of whom I still communicate with in spite of the miles separating us, and a few others I still regularly fish with. After my first clave I also learned that while on the stream, I could carry my own and have generally done quite well catching fish during my clave attendance.<br />
<br />
I've attended at least one clave each year since 2004 and will continue to do so. They are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with other @FF members we occasionally talk to via the list. If you've never attended an @FF clave, I think you should. Like me, you'd enjoy yourself and I suspect want to attend others.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Current_events&diff=1401Current events2007-01-23T03:34:49Z<p>Air Force Guy: SCW m'Clave 2007</p>
<hr />
<div>Enter upcoming events like conclaves, etc. here...<br />
<br />
In the tradition intended when we held our first SCW m’Clave in Tennessee in 2006, we’re staying in the Smoky Mountains Range in 2007. The second SCW will see us moving to North Carolina to fly fish the Davidson River, near Brevard, NC. SCW m'Clave 2007 is scheduled for April 20-22 at the Davidson River Campground near Brevard, NC. Mark your calendars and make your reservations early. The campground fills up quickly! Buddy and I are looking forward to your camaraderie at the Smokies Cold Water Mini Clave 2007. <br />
<br />
'''http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm'''</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1400User:Air Force Guy2007-01-23T03:03:43Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always accessible too. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should really be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1399User:Air Force Guy2007-01-23T03:01:52Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. Anyway, after a couple of years during which I first used cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. In my mind I was into serious big time fishing then! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then!<br />
<br />
As a young adult, the beginnings of my fly fishing experience took a hiatus for several years. Most of my fishing friends back in those days preferred sitting in a rented boat anchored over a prospective hole that was almost always in the hot sun. Since proper hydration was important, a cooler of beer was always accessible too. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property with no place available to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even accessible. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait but I pretty much stayed with my fishing roots and stuck to worms. I continued to use the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should really be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and although I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt or an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have a way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on other flies I've tied.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I still take off for Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out to practise my casting.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1397User:Air Force Guy2007-01-23T02:42:40Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. Anyway, after a couple of years during which I used first cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route when I was 10 or 11, a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit I had purchased. I was into serious big time fishing then...at least in my own mind! I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod fitted to accomodate a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was quite heavy. I bought a cheap fly reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders while fishing the river/spillway side of the dam. When I saw a fish take something off the surface I would replace the Zebco for my salmon rod already loaded with a popper and begin flailing the air. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then.<br />
<br />
The beginnings of my fly fishing experience pretty much took a hiatus for several years as a young adult. Most of my fishing friends back in those days were into sitting in a rented boat parked over a prospective honey hole, usually under the hot sun and with a cooler of beer for hydration purposes always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property and almost impossible to find a place to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even available. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait so I thought I'd give that technique a shot but I pretty much stuck to worms. I used the ultra-lite for about a year catching very few trout, might I add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while freezing my backside off waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm, it occurred to me that if I was going to really get into trout fishing, I should really be casting flies and not "bait". That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was late 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel, backing, and line I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a new single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. <br />
<br />
This purchase turned out to be the best fishing related decision I've ever made. I loved that rod, mostly I think because it was the rod I used to truely fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches off and while I had it fixed, it no longer retained its original action and casting capabilities. I still have the rod but no longer use it. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt and an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC, Stimulator, Chronamid nypmh, Sulpher Imitation, and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but last year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC and I've caught several on some of my other fly patterns.<br />
<br />
Occasionally, I take off to Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and I guess they're still in my blood. Heck, I just love getting out and practicing my casting.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1396User:Air Force Guy2007-01-23T02:13:22Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
== '''How I Got Into Fly Fishing''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me! <br />
<br />
As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. Anyway, after a couple of years during which I used first cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route (at the age of 10 or 11 I think) I bought a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. I was into serious big time fishing then...at least in my own mind. I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod that was fitted for a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was heavy as heck. I bought a cheap reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders (I was wading and fishing the river/spillway side of the dam by then) for use in those instances when I saw a fish take something off the surface. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then.<br />
<br />
The beginnings of my fly fishing experience pretty much took a hiatus for several years as a young adult. Most of my fishing friends back in those days were into sitting in a rented boat parked over a prospective honey hole, usually under the hot sun and with a cooler of beer for hydration purposes always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property and almost impossible to find a place to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even available. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait so I thought I'd give that technique a shot. I pretty much stuck to worms and pretty much tried this method for about a year catching very few trout I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while standing almost waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm and freezing my backside off, it occurred to me that if I was going to wade streams, I should really be casting flies toward the trout I pursued. That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit including line and backing. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a newly single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. It turned out to be the best fishing related decision I had ever made. I loved that rod but more importantly, it was the rod I used to fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches or so off and while I had it fixed, it also lost a lot of its action and casting ability. I still have the rod but do not use it anymore. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt and an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but earlier this year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC. <br />
<br />
Occasionally, I take off to Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and doing so is in my blood I guess. Heck, I just love getting out and practicing my casting.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1395User:Air Force Guy2007-01-23T02:12:05Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''How I Got Into Fly Fishing'''<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me. As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. Anyway, after a couple of years during which I used first cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route (at the age of 10 or 11 I think) I bought a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. I was into serious big time fishing then...at least in my own mind. I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot steel rod that was fitted for a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was heavy as heck. I bought a cheap reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders (I was wading and fishing the river/spillway side of the dam by then) for use in those instances when I saw a fish take something off the surface. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then.<br />
<br />
The beginnings of my fly fishing experience pretty much took a hiatus for several years as a young adult. Most of my fishing friends back in those days were into sitting in a rented boat parked over a prospective honey hole, usually under the hot sun and with a cooler of beer for hydration purposes always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property and almost impossible to find a place to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even available. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait so I thought I'd give that technique a shot. I pretty much stuck to worms and pretty much tried this method for about a year catching very few trout I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while standing almost waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm and freezing my backside off, it occurred to me that if I was going to wade streams, I should really be casting flies toward the trout I pursued. That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit including line and backing. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a newly single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. It turned out to be the best fishing related decision I had ever made. I loved that rod but more importantly, it was the rod I used to fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches or so off and while I had it fixed, it also lost a lot of its action and casting ability. I still have the rod but do not use it anymore. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt and an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but earlier this year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC. <br />
<br />
Occasionally, I take off to Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and doing so is in my blood I guess. Heck, I just love getting out and practicing my casting.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1394User:Air Force Guy2007-01-23T02:10:51Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''How I Got Into Fly Fishing'''<br />
<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me. As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. Anyway, after a couple of years during which I used first cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route (at the age of 10 or 11 I think) I bought a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. I was into serious big time fishing then...at least in my own mind. I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot metal rod that was fitted for a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was heavy as heck. I bought a cheap reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders (I was wading and fishing the river/spillway side of the dam by then) for use in those instances when I saw a fish take something off the surface. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then.<br />
<br />
The beginnings of my fly fishing experience pretty much took a hiatus for several years as a young adult. Most of my fishing friends back in those days were into sitting in a rented boat parked over a prospective honey hole, usually under the hot sun and with a cooler of beer for hydration purposes always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property and almost impossible to find a place to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even available. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait so I thought I'd give that technique a shot. I pretty much stuck to worms and pretty much tried this method for about a year catching very few trout I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while standing almost waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm and freezing my backside off, it occurred to me that if I was going to wade streams, I should really be casting flies toward the trout I pursued. That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit including line and backing. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a newly single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. It turned out to be the best fishing related decision I had ever made. I loved that rod but more importantly, it was the rod I used to fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches or so off and while I had it fixed, it also lost a lot of its action and casting ability. I still have the rod but do not use it anymore. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt and an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but earlier this year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC. <br />
<br />
Occasionally, I take off to Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and doing so is in my blood I guess. Heck, I just love getting out and practicing my casting.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1393User:Air Force Guy2007-01-23T02:10:21Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''How I Got Into Fly Fishing'''<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me. As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. Anyway, after a couple of years during which I used first cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route (at the age of 10 or 11 I think) I bought a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. I was into serious big time fishing then...at least in my own mind. I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot metal rod that was fitted for a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was heavy as heck. I bought a cheap reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders (I was wading and fishing the river/spillway side of the dam by then) for use in those instances when I saw a fish take something off the surface. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then.<br />
<br />
The beginnings of my fly fishing experience pretty much took a hiatus for several years as a young adult. Most of my fishing friends back in those days were into sitting in a rented boat parked over a prospective honey hole, usually under the hot sun and with a cooler of beer for hydration purposes always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property and almost impossible to find a place to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even available. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait so I thought I'd give that technique a shot. I pretty much stuck to worms and pretty much tried this method for about a year catching very few trout I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while standing almost waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm and freezing my backside off, it occurred to me that if I was going to wade streams, I should really be casting flies toward the trout I pursued. That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit including line and backing. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a newly single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. It turned out to be the best fishing related decision I had ever made. I loved that rod but more importantly, it was the rod I used to fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches or so off and while I had it fixed, it also lost a lot of its action and casting ability. I still have the rod but do not use it anymore. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt and an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but earlier this year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC. <br />
<br />
Occasionally, I take off to Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and doing so is in my blood I guess. Heck, I just love getting out and practicing my casting.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1392User:Air Force Guy2007-01-23T02:07:42Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''How I got into Fly Fishing'''<br />
Wow...it was a long road for me. As a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin, my parents loved to fish for sunnies and an occasional northern or bass at the Gordon Flowage. They usually fished the lakeside of the dam. Of course we used worms and night crawlers we dug and plucked from the grass ourselves the night before. We almost always supplemented our table with the fish we caught. Anyway, after a couple of years during which I used first cane poles, then old casting equipment relatives gave me, and finally with money I earned from my paper route (at the age of 10 or 11 I think) I bought a Zebco 606 spin cast outfit. I was into serious big time fishing then...at least in my own mind. I used this equipment for years then one day as a teen, an uncle gave me what he called a salmon rod. It was a 9-foot metal rod that was fitted for a fly reel. The only thing I really remember about it was that it was heavy as heck. I bought a cheap reel for it and started carrying it stuffed down the back of my waders (I was wading and fishing the river/spillway side of the dam by then) for use in those instances when I saw a fish take something off the surface. I only used poppers for sunfish and maybe an occasional bass but this outfit did introduce me to the idea of fly casting. That was the extent of my fly-fishing experience as a young kid/teen though. I did catch some large bluegill on poppers and even a few bass, but for the most part I pretty much stayed with my Zebco using worms, minnows, and lures chasing mostly northern and an occasional bass or walleye. After all, I was into the big fish by then.<br />
<br />
The beginnings of my fly fishing experience pretty much took a hiatus for several years as a young adult. Most of my fishing friends back in those days were into sitting in a rented boat parked over a prospective honey hole, usually under the hot sun and with a cooler of beer for hydration purposes always nearby. In my mid 30's I moved to Georgia to learn that lakes down south are really reservoirs mostly surrounded by private property and almost impossible to find a place to rent a boat. Fishing from shore was almost impossible if even available. As a result, I made the second strategic fishing equipment purchase in my life and bought an open face ultra-light spinning outfit with the idea that I'd start fishing for trout in the hundreds of miles of North Georgia Mountain streams. Some good old boys I served in the Georgia Air National Guards with told me about corn, cheese, and even marsh mellows for bait so I thought I'd give that technique a shot. I pretty much stuck to worms and pretty much tried this method for about a year catching very few trout I might add. <br />
<br />
One cold winter day, while standing almost waist deep in a north Georgia stream during a snow storm and freezing my backside off, it occurred to me that if I was going to wade streams, I should really be casting flies toward the trout I pursued. That very day during my evening trip back home to Athens, I made the decision to buy my first fly rod and reel. This was 1988 and as a new mostly lurking member of @FF, I queried the list for information as to the appropriate weight rod and line for the type/size streams I would be fishing. I ended up buying an 8 ft 5/6 weight South Bend rod from Cabella's. With the reel I think I paid $125 for the entire outfit including line and backing. At the time, I thought this was a lot for a rod and reel and as a newly single parent of 2 teens; it certainly represented the top end of what I could afford. It turned out to be the best fishing related decision I had ever made. I loved that rod but more importantly, it was the rod I used to fuel my desire to become a fly fisherman. Unfortunately, about 4 years ago, I broke the top 5 inches or so off and while I had it fixed, it also lost a lot of its action and casting ability. I still have the rod but do not use it anymore. Instead, I now use it's replacement, a 4 weight, 8' 6" Cortland II, or one of the other two I've since purchased, a 3 piece GLoomis 6wt and an Orvis Pro Guide 4 piece 4 wt.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I decided when not on the stream, I could still experience fly fishing by learning how to tie my own flies. Today I can tie an acceptable EHC and Adams. I've done some worms and inch worms too but I still have way to go in the tying arena. I pretty much still buy many of the flies I still fish but earlier this year I did catch my first trout on one of my EHC. <br />
<br />
Occasionally, I take off to Falls Lake, about 10 minutes from my home and fly fish from shore for bluegills. I grew up catching sunnies and doing so is in my blood I guess. Heck, I just love getting out and practicing my casting.</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Talk:Current_events&diff=1391Talk:Current events2007-01-23T01:53:34Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>In the tradition intended when we held our first SCW m’Clave in Tennessee in 2006, we’re staying in the Smoky Mountains Range in 2007. The second SCW will see us moving to North Carolina to fly fish the Davidson River, near Brevard, NC. SCW m'Clave 2007 is scheduled for April 20-22 at the Davidson River Campground near Brevard, NC. Mark your calendars and make your reservations early. The campground fills up quickly! Buddy and I are looking forward to your camaraderie at the Smokies Cold Water Mini Clave 2007. <br />
<br />
http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1390User:Air Force Guy2007-01-23T01:48:41Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=User:Air_Force_Guy&diff=1389User:Air Force Guy2007-01-23T01:45:41Z<p>Air Force Guy: SCW m'Clave</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:C:\Extra Tools\Garys Web Site\SCW\SCW 2007 Info and Docs\Davison River Trout caught by Rob Cramer Christmas 2006.jpg]]<br />
<br />
Davidson River Rainbow caught by Rob Cramer - Christmas 2006 - Courtesy of Tom Rude</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Main_Page&diff=1385Main Page2007-01-23T01:27:03Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>Welcome to the FF@ Wiki! Please feel free to help us grow this resource. Wikis allow each of you to contribute. Just create a user ID (look in the upper right for the link), create an ID, and have at it!<br />
<br />
* [http://www.uky.edu/~agrdanny/flyfish/main.htm FF@ Home Page]<br />
* [http://ffarchives.jdunns.com FF@ list archives]<br />
* [http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm SCW m'Clave 2007- Davidson River Campground-Brevard, NC]<br />
<br />
If you have any questions, email [mailto:joel@jdunns.com Joel]<br />
<br />
Create a page! You would do this by following this syntax and clicking on the [[newpage | page name]], and then entering information on that page would create a page named "newpage". Then, link your page in from the main page here or from the sidebar portal or current events page, or just let your content be found via the "search" feature in the sidebar (like [http://en.Wikipedia.org Wikipedia])...<br />
<br />
* Community portal (in the navigation area on the left) will be a collection of links<br />
* Current events (likewise in the navigation bar) will be a set of conclaves, etc. This could even contain an embedded Google calendar link, for example</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Main_Page&diff=1384Main Page2007-01-23T01:25:15Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
<hr />
<div>Welcome to the FF@ Wiki! Please feel free to help us grow this resource. Wikis allow each of you to contribute. Just create a user ID (look in the upper right for the link), create an ID, and have at it!<br />
<br />
* [http://www.uky.edu/~agrdanny/flyfish/main.htm FF@ Home Page]<br />
* [http://ffarchives.jdunns.com FF@ list archives]<br />
* [http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm SCW m'Clave 2007]<br />
<br />
If you have any questions, email [mailto:joel@jdunns.com Joel]<br />
<br />
Create a page! You would do this by following this syntax and clicking on the [[newpage | page name]], and then entering information on that page would create a page named "newpage". Then, link your page in from the main page here or from the sidebar portal or current events page, or just let your content be found via the "search" feature in the sidebar (like [http://en.Wikipedia.org Wikipedia])...<br />
<br />
* Community portal (in the navigation area on the left) will be a collection of links<br />
* Current events (likewise in the navigation bar) will be a set of conclaves, etc. This could even contain an embedded Google calendar link, for example</div>Air Force Guyhttp://flyfishlist.org/index.php?title=Talk:Main_Page&diff=1382Talk:Main Page2007-01-22T21:48:41Z<p>Air Force Guy: </p>
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<div>SCW m'Clave on the Davidson River near Brevard, NC is quickly approaching. We will be meeting April 20-22 at the Davidson River Campground. See the web site for details. http://gghull.home.mindspring.com/SCW-2007/scw-2007-home.htm Campsites fill up quickly so make your reservations early. Buddy Nichols and I hope to see y'all at SCW m'Clave.</div>Air Force Guy