Wanna talk to other anglers in your geographical area or perhaps for an upcoming trip somewhere else? Get info, share stories, pictures, meet fishing buddies or get the low-down on guides? Check out GoFISHn...

GoFISHn is "where anglers connect,". It's a place where anglers can easily share stories and information, and small businesses who serve anglers can discover new customers and stay in touch with existing ones.

GoFISHn is distinctive in this realm (at least I think so) by bringing in a very clean and open design that's easy to use, and it makes the creation of new content -- whether it's a quick status update or a photo gallery or a custom map -- easy to create and publish.

They've created a way to review gear and ask/answer questions, both of which are integrated...

 ...in the "feed" of the member who participates. GoFISHn will also be linked to Facebook and Twitter so members can push anything they create on GoFISHn into their feeds at those social sites.

A beta test of the site continues until Dec. 1, and any small business that signs up between now and then will get the service free for six months, with no obligation after that. Individuals are invited to give the site a whirl as well.

To get a beta invitation, enter your name and email address in the fields in the lower left of the www.gofishn.com home page, and they'll send an invite along.

TR

I struggled how to work this image into a blog post about fly fishing for the past couple of weeks. Then it hit me...The caption contest. I mean, how could I not post this gem of a restroom sign? I found it while shooting a web story for F&S about stocking the high altitude lakes with airplanes (story forthcoming). I figure the bathroom was in a Department of Wildlife airplane hanger, and the pilot was stocking fish, so yeah - I can post it on a fly fishing blog. Right?

I know we never announced the winner of the last caption contest for the Petzl headlamp, but let's give this one a week, plus a couple of days and I'll announce the winners together. You know the drill. Pretend like you're writing a caption for the image above. Preferably funny and relatively clean. We'll pick a winner. This week's winner will receive a multi-functional headwear piece called a "Buff". Basically an option for those who can't stand wearing sunscreen. Click here to check them out. Good luck.

TR

Greetings from the striped bass-laden coast of Maine, where, having just been skunked during the morning low tide, I was left to ponder the many differences between fly fishing for trout in a river, and fly fishing for various species in the ocean. (What a difference three days makes.)

I have decided that, while we basically use the same gear--long rod, simple reel, and weighted line--to do both, that's pretty much where the similarities end.  Saltwater and freshwater fly fishing are two different sports, done with similar tools.

For example:  In freshwater/river fishing, your cast matters almost zip, nada, squadoosh... while in saltwater fly fishing, you aren't even in the game unless you can huck it 60 feet or more.  Usually more.

More examples...

In trout fishing, you must present your fly delicately... spoon feeding that insect pattern right toward the fish; In the salt, fish aren't used to their dinner attacking them... the fly has to move nervously, away from the fish.

Birds over a river... bad sign for trout fishing; birds crashing a salty flat... get your (behind) in gear and cast right there.

Hook at trout, rod tip up; hook a striper, rod tip low... you let the rod abosorb pressure when trout fishing, and you apply pressure through the line when saltwater fishing.

Trout fishing: Match the hatch as best you can.  Saltwater: Match the baitfish, kinda, sorta... if it swims through the zone, it dies.

One similarity (and Tim will love this)... you guessed it: Fish like changes!  Changes in currents, changes in depth, and changes in structure.  Look for changes, find the fish, fresh or salt.

If you believe trout fly fishing and saltwater fly fishing share about as many similarities as golf and hockey let me know hear your reasons why we're talking about two different sports...

Deeter

Photo by Kirk Deeter

Fly fishing gear doesn't have to be expensive.  Sometimes the best fly fishing gear isn't really, well, fly fishing gear to begin with.  For example, I'm still pretty convinced that the 99-cent mini fingernail clippers I bought at the drugstore work about as well as the $8.99 pair of nippers one can buy at the fly shop.

These shoes are some of my favorites... for walking the flats.  Chuck Taylor All-Star high tops are about the best flats-walking bargain I've fished in.  Sturdy bottom.  They dry quick.  Not too hot.  Look cool.  Cost $35.  Can you beat that?

You may have noticed the "Cheap Thrills" issue of Field & Stream on stands now.  I've received many nice comments on the home brew fly floatant (mix lighter fluid and hand cream, without smoking) recipe I picked up from Dan Stein several years ago.  There are a lot of good tips in that issue.

But what have we left out?  What are some of your best cost-cutting, home-brewed, fly fishing gizmos, gadgets and recipes?

Deeter