S.Branch info & Shannon's Event

[Undertaker Don]

All on forum :Wanted to remind all that if you need up to the day stream reports &conditions ck out COME ON IN PILGRIM these guys are on the money & on the water everyday.so there reports &flows are right on.Also wanted to pass on that they are hosting "an old time fishing day" @ the Raritan Inn on Sat. the 15th Reps. from Hardy & Little river Bamboo Rods & info & fun & fishin for all .Ck. out site or give Jim or Eric a call for more info----UD

 

[C&R]

Good job on the redesign of the site. It looks a lot less busier now and much easier to read. :applaudit

 

[onemorecast]

I'd follow John Wayne anywhere!

 

[Undertaker Don]

You go Jessie girl!!!BTW good luck fisihn in Scroon lake area ---go get um!!!-UD

 

[sqerl]

Hey Jim or Dave -

on the "South Branch Conditions" page, it says.

"Check the "Hatches" page for latest insect activity and tips. "

It should read "Fishing Reports" instead of "Hatches"

As a frequent visitor to the old hatches section, I was a little puzzled for a while...

Site looks good! Keep up the fine work!

 

[theartoflee]

I'd follow John Wayne anywhere!

Does anyone find it ironic that on Shannons website make the reference "come on in Pilgrim" yet inviting Hardy an English company to their event... I got a good laugh when I read that.

 

[theartoflee]

Hey Jim or Dave -

on the "South Branch Conditions" page, it says.

It should read "Fishing Reports" instead of "Hatches"

As a frequent visitor to the old hatches section, I was a little puzzled for a while...

Site looks good! Keep up the fine work!

How about the typo on the fly of the month page?

Or perhaps that the fishing report pages that are left aligned while all other pages are center alighned.

Also the pages title is untitled1...

I do think the page has come along way though.

 

[C&R]

I do think the page has come along way though.

Agreed. I could have said a lot more but didn't. :shutup2:

 

[RedTag2000]

those guys are probably fishing more instead of paying detailed attention to coding..I wish I was...:rant:

 

[biot]

How about the typo on the fly of the month page?

Or perhaps that the fishing report pages that are left aligned while all other pages are center alighned.

Also the pages title is untitled1...

I do think the page has come along way though.

The site is still being worked on so there are bound to be typos. Still any mistakes on the site don't compare to that avatar you got Wylie.

 

[AKSkim]

Honestly is the best... policy?

Good evening Lads.

As I plod though the string of posts I reflect upon my experience with Shannon's web site, past and present.

Yes, they have done a very good job "up dating" the web site. I use to print out the hatch reports, then take a coloured marker and highlight the morning, afternoon, evening hatches. Obviously I was bored with nothing better to do.

As a great deal of you know I enjoy fishing the Salmon River in New York. The fly shops up there all have good web sites and fishing reports also. I can say the same about the fly shops in R<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

Pulaski</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st=" /><st1:City w:st="on">oscoe</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">NY</st1:State> on the "Famed Rivers" in their local.

Of those six fly shop webs sites that I regular visit to catch up (Salmon River, <st1:City w:st="on">Beaverkill</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Delaware)</st1:State> on the latest stream conditions and reports, one item sticks out to me and that is, accurate and honest reports. That is a must in my opinion. It adds credence to the report and the fly shop reporting.

After I started reading this threat late this afternoon, The Wylie's post got me thinking. I have given this threat and my possible response to it a bit of thought this afternoon while I drove home.


A week or so before the rains came (flood) I was considering getting a bit of fishing in over the weekend. I used Shannon's web site for hatch and condition reports. That particular day I read that the stream and fishing conditions were excellent. Oh lucky me I thought! As I jumped and clicked my heals.

The following morning I drove over to Ken Lockwood Gorge and was first disappointed at the level and condition of the river. "fishing conditions are excellent" was what I read on line the day before. I carefully waded out into the stream (With a wading staff, sorry I did not feel the need to wear my PFD on the day) and after standing in the center of the stream for a while I called it a day.

Oh, did I state I was standing in just ankle deep water??? HUMMMMmmmmm..

I just have to go home and re-read that report I thought (did I state how disappointed I was?) it stated "fishing conditions are excellent", once I got home I went on line and sure enough, there it was "fishing conditions are excellent"... I read it correctly; however, it was followed by... "for this time of year."

Oh....

Now I know what Shannon's constitutes fishing conditions are excellant for this time of year.

Anything but a barren dry stream bed. See, even I still have much to learn.

 

[dcabarle]

I personally think the most honest reports are from guys who go out and fish the river themselves then post the reports. You'll always hear about how lousy someone did and you'll always have the guy who took pictures that very day and post them for the world to see how great he did.

I find that you'll get the least reliable reports from some Destination shops where the proprietors can't wait to dig into your wallet and help themselves. Also from people who have nothing better to do than sit around a shop all day, be buddy buddy with the owners, and just tell people the rivers are doing great; thinking that maybe the owner will throw them a bone or two. I just read on one of the other catskill forums that someone called a shop thinking it was one place but it was another. The owner of that shop told him the bugs were everywhere (the reliable shop reported that there were limited insects due to the recent flooding). The shop that reported tons of bugs is definetely not looking for repeat business.

Anyhow, I would suggest reading the time the report was posted. I know of one site that gives what would appear great reports (and for the most part of it, they are) but they are given at 5-7am. The only report you're giving at that time is yesterdays report and you know the old saying.... "SHould have been here yesterday!"

 

[rford]

I like john wayne, he's cool.
I liked Les . He was da man! Maybee they should have a picture of him up there, He was a very well respected fly tier.
It would be nice if the site had more about Les, maybee a section on the flies he tied and the recipes for those who like to tie.
Also it would be nice if the site had a contact us section, if it does i did not find it.

Ok Jim, thats my 2 cents on the new site!

Ralph

 

[jholland]

Shannon's Website

To all,
Thanks for your feedback regarding the site. There's lots more we want to do with it.
AK, Wylie, etc., I have to take some of the blame regarding typos but I do think we're coming along. I'm not a computer professional so feedback I think is very important. If its all positive than its not honest. At least no one has urged us to return to the old format! AK, as for the fishing reports, I try to keep them current but we've had thunderstorms that have quickly changed conditions. The guys that call the shop get the most up to date information because we are right on the water. I'll try to keep the conditions updated but here is a general guideline. If the water has risen by 100-200 cfs in the hours immediately preceeding your trip then you can count on the river being sloppy. The river here clears pretty quickly and is usually back in about two days. By the way, I like off color and falling water especially if we are between 175-200 cfs fishing is usually pretty good in the summer.You can get this information off of the link at the bottom of the South Branch stream conditions page. As for the most current report it's this: It's going to be hot this weekend so fish accordingly. This is when we can lose some fish because they are vulnerable to thermal stress. If the water is in the mid to upper sixties, you're OK. Bring a stream thermometer and a hot fly right now is anything that looks like a Beetle.

 

[AKSkim]

Point of Order.

When I returned home I reviewed the river condition link and it was at 56 cfm, and had been about the same the previous days.

But, this is a learning experience on mine and your behalf.

I fully expect to see reports consistant with the actual conditions.

Again, wish you luck with the up grade of your web site, and I will be keeping my eye on your reports.

 

[catskilljohn]

I like that the local shops have stream reports, but have found as some of you mentioned, that they dont update them as often as we expect. Everyone gets busy, therefore I just go to the... USGS Real-Time Data for New Jersey: Streamflow
The updates are every few hours,you can actually watch the stream get high and discolored when it rains. I am sure some of you have seen/used this,but for me, its a "trip-saver" CJ

 

[jholland]

Shannon's Website and Traditional Angler Day

AK and Ralph,
First of all, I like your suggestion Ralph. I think that some more stuff on Les would be a great idea. AK, thanks again for your honest assessment. I will work on the stream conditions because I realize that up to date info is critical. Any shop owner worth his/her salt will always try to be honest. As for Saturday at the Raritan Inn, I think it will be a good time. My partners and I have invited Dennis Menscer of Little River Rods and John Shaner, the Sales Rep of Hardy USA down for an old fashioned day. We will be grillin' and chillin' and Eric is a good chef! In addition to being recently named one of the top twenty five cane builders in the US, Dennis is a scholar of the sport and I know some guys are bringing down old gear to show off. John Shaner is bringing down some new gear that has never been seen before from Hardy. For those of you who might be wondering, this is not meant to be a sales day per se but rather an informal gathering of individuals who enjoy fishing cane. The event is free and no registration is required.

 

[theartoflee]

The site is still being worked on so there are bound to be typos. Still any mistakes on the site don't compare to that avatar you got Wylie.

Look at the pot calling the settle black Finn. Sorry this is a public form and at times others have their own opinion on things. The typos were an observation on my part I was not aware that the site was STILL being worked on. If that is the case I am sure they are glad to have the typos brought to their attention as well as the design issues.

 

[quality time]

Some more ideas

Jim,

I like the new site. Most of the typos have been called out below, but I did notice that the ribbing for the fly of the month is not specified.

I also noticed that you continue to put the last update to the Fishing Report on the top of the page. I have always found this useful, as sometimes the report could have aged because the weather had changed considerably since then. Perhaps highlight this part of the page a little more so someone doesn't erroneously think the report is real-time. Could be a good place to list your phone number for the shop, and indicate that you should call for the most up to date report. That said....have you ever thought of installing some sort of web cam so we could check out the river from our desktop?

Wyle....your Avatar isn't so bad....at least it's a long way from Ralph's old S&M clown suit!

Q.T.

 

[joeyd]

Jholland, I think it was you that I spoke to yesterday about fishing the south branch with the bad condition of yesterdays high water. We talked about the certain areas of the south branch that would be fishable as of yesterday. I just want to thank you for the updated info and would like everyone to know how helpful you were with the information you gave. I go on your site all the time and check out stream conditions and up to date information. Again I just want to thank you for your great website and keep up the good work.

 

[AKSkim]

While driving to work this morning, I like most fishermen, as you pass over ANY BRIDGE that has water flowing beneath it you look over the side to check it out. High and brown and moving fast...

Now I am in the office and just checked the So. Branch of the Raritan's flow rate...

The rain and run flowing into the stream went from about 140 cfs to over 681 cfs in less than 12 hours.

I can just hear rford now, "Surfs UP!"

 

[bkill]

The South Branch was at full capacity at 8 am this morning...All the tribs were already at flood stage with lots of flooding of local roads..The rain has no place to go with ice and slush, the river will be flooding , if it hasnt already...

 

[AKSkim]

The South Branch was at full capacity at 8 am this morning...

How are the banks holding up and any erosion over the past year or so with all the high water the stream has experienced?

 

[bkill]

How are the banks holding up and any erosion over the past year or so with all the high water the stream has experienced?

There are some areas that have experienced erosion but over all the river banks have held up nicely..Most of the areas erosion is from development and/or over use (access points and trails)...I have not seen eroded areas like the Catskill Rivers and tribs. have experienced the last few seasons...

The SBR fishing has been solid throughout the winter..

 

[AKSkim]

I can just hear rford now, "Surfs UP!"

What else is up?

As always, inquiring minds want to know.

AK Skim

 

[AKSkim]

Hummm....

Something is going on.. been very quiet there lately.

Some people I know follow everything that happens on up in that area are now hush....

... been very quiet up there lately.

As always, when things are too quiet.. time to pay attention.

AK Skim

 

[dcabarle]

Hummm....

Something is going on.. been very quiet there lately.

Some people I know follow everything that happens on up in that area are now hush....

... been very quiet up there lately.

As always, when things are too quiet.. time to pay attention.

AK Skim

I'll comment, but then I have to go back to my little hole. I noticed that they are no longer affiliated with Riseform anymore. Word on the street is that everyone bailed or was let go from Shannon's. I don't know anymore to it than that.

As usual, just me being useless.

 

[AKSkim]

"Word on the street is that everyone bailed or was let go from Shannon's."

WOW.

 

[McAwful]

AK and Dennis,

John Collins left of our own accord to pursue our own projects. I can not comment beyond that.

McA

 

[AKSkim]

Holy Moly...

On behalf of me and my staff here at NEFF, we wish you both luck in your new pursuits.

AK Skim
NEFF
Senior Investigative Reporter


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