12-24-2005, 12:01 AM
I agree with TD. No offense at all taken. None ever was. I appreciate honest opinions and they're even better when backed up with the force of experience and strong conviction. And maybe even better yet when put up against someone else's experience in the same arena. When I post something here I'm prepared to hear that not everyone might agree with my assessments. If there is good reason for their disagreement, I might just switch my own opinion. Stranger things have happened.[cool] I'm no expert. Just a guy with some years on the water. I've also learned a lot from the varied experiences represented here.
A lot of recommending gear has to do with where someone is in their "development" as a fisherman or fisherlady. If I'm discussing the finer aspects of high end graphite fly rods, for instance, I'll be speaking a different language than what I might speak with someone who has only been fishing for a few months. A beginner is not likely to appreciate all of the fine tuned lessons that I have learned over many years - or even understand them. That's OK. Half the fun for them is gonna be in the learning.
I'm planning to take some kids out in the spring and school them on the basics of flyfishing from tubes. I've had to take a long hard look at the basics again to decide what is relevant for them and what will be relevant only when they have been hooked on fishing and begin to progress under their own steam. Reminds me of my own early days when I was content to have any tackle that would catch a fish. I have four tubes now and intend to acquire a couple more, along with the appropriate complimentary equipment. We'll hit the lake armed to the teeth with patched together gear looking like a flotilla of tie-dyed baby ducks out for a cruise after their mama, er, papa duck.
By the way, does vinyl really shrink? (I mean this as an honest question.) I've never noticed it (but I've never really watched for it either). I know that air inside the tube shrinks and I wonder if this might be a more pressing issue. I usually inflate my tube sufficiently such that I compensate for the colder water and, unless there is a leak somewhere, I haven't had to add much, if any, air after I got underway - not even with ice in the water. Maybe I missed something.
z~
[signature]
A lot of recommending gear has to do with where someone is in their "development" as a fisherman or fisherlady. If I'm discussing the finer aspects of high end graphite fly rods, for instance, I'll be speaking a different language than what I might speak with someone who has only been fishing for a few months. A beginner is not likely to appreciate all of the fine tuned lessons that I have learned over many years - or even understand them. That's OK. Half the fun for them is gonna be in the learning.
I'm planning to take some kids out in the spring and school them on the basics of flyfishing from tubes. I've had to take a long hard look at the basics again to decide what is relevant for them and what will be relevant only when they have been hooked on fishing and begin to progress under their own steam. Reminds me of my own early days when I was content to have any tackle that would catch a fish. I have four tubes now and intend to acquire a couple more, along with the appropriate complimentary equipment. We'll hit the lake armed to the teeth with patched together gear looking like a flotilla of tie-dyed baby ducks out for a cruise after their mama, er, papa duck.
By the way, does vinyl really shrink? (I mean this as an honest question.) I've never noticed it (but I've never really watched for it either). I know that air inside the tube shrinks and I wonder if this might be a more pressing issue. I usually inflate my tube sufficiently such that I compensate for the colder water and, unless there is a leak somewhere, I haven't had to add much, if any, air after I got underway - not even with ice in the water. Maybe I missed something.
z~
[signature]