MCCI representative questlions IV

Walter & Group...........

This is series IV of representative test questions, one candidate's answers and my comments :-

What line weights are most common for steelhead?  7-8 

Pike? 8-9

Striped Bass? 9-10

Salmon? 7-9 

OK .  (OF COURSE, THE FINAL CHOICE WILL PARTLY DEPEND ON THE FISHING CONDITIONS AND THE SIZE OF THE FISH. )

Leaders

· What are the major parts of a standard leader? YOUR ANSWER, BELOW, IS OK.  ( I'D START WITH A MORE GENERIC ANSWER FOR ALMOST ALL LEADERS... LIKE:  "BUTT SECTION, TAPERED SECTION AND TIPPET SECTION."  ONLY ADD DETAIL WHEN ASKED.)

Answer: Salt water - butt, midsection, class tippet, bite or shock tippet

 Freshwater – butt, midsection, tippet

· Is there a commonly accepted formula for leader proportions?

Answer: 60-20-20 and 40-20-40 are common ones  I'D SUGGEST STICKING WITH YOUR 60-20-20 UNLESS ASKED FOR MORE DETAIL. 

 

· What are the parts of a tarpon leader?

Answer: butt, midsection, class tippet, shock tippet   YES. 

· What is the purpose of a class tippet?

Answer: Provides a standard unit of measure for IGFA records.  YES.  IF MORE DETAIL IS NEEDED, MIGHT GO WITH THE, "WEAKEST LINK" CONCEPT. 

· What is the purpose of shock tippet?

Answer: To keep the teeth, gills or rough mouth of the fish from wearing through the leader.  YES. 

· How do you determine the correct tippet size for a particular fly?

Answer: Divide by 4 for hook sizes 18 and above and divide be 3 for hook sizes below 18 is a good starting approach.  YES. 

· What is the primary purpose of a George Harvey type leader?

Answer: To provide drag free drifts. TRUE.  ( I'D ADD THE WORD, "LONG". )

· What is the primary purpose of matching leader size to fly line size?

Answer: To enable the leader to turn over the fly correctly.  YES.  (ALSO HELPS WITH DRAG FREE DRIFTS)

· What would be a fairly common tippet size for bonefish?

 Bonefish?  Answer:  8-10 lbs   YES. 

Largemouth bass?  Answer: 10 – 12 lbs   YES.  (IF ASKED FOR MORE DETAIL, YOU MAY WISH TO ADD THE CONCEPT OF HEAVIER TIPPETS TO HANDLE ROUGH COVER ... ESPECIALLY SAW GRASS, ETC.)

Knots

· What are the most common knots used in rigging backing to the line to leader to fly for trout fishing?

Answer: Backing fly line and fly line to leader would be a nail knot.   Fly to leader would be clinch, improved clinch or loop knot.  If your fly line has a loop in it for the leader or you wish to add one a perfection loop is commonly used to connect the leader to the fly line loop. 

 

YES.  FOR TIPPET TO FLY, COULD CONSIDER THE TURLE, THE PALOMAR KNOT, JANSICK SPECIAL AND OTHERS .....

MATTER OF CHOICE FOR THAT LOOP.  THE PERFECTION LOOP IS STRONG, BUT HAS THE DISADVANTAGE OF STANDING PROUD (WIDE). THIS CAN YIELD WIND RESISTANCE.

 (MOST SALT WATER FLY FISHERMEN USE A LOOP-TO-LOOP CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BACKING AND THE FLY LINE.)  IF SPECTRA IS USED FOR THE BACKING, INTERPOSITION OF A SHORT SEGMENT OF NYLON MONO IS USED BY MANY. 

 

· If you had to pick the knots most useful to the trout fisherman what would they be?

Answer: Clinch and loop knots for fly to leader, double or triple surgeons for adding tippet to the leader, Perfection for connecting the leader to the fly line loop, nail for attaching the leader or leader loop to the fly line and for attaching the backing to the fly line and arbor for attaching the backing to the reel.   OK.  BE AWARE OF THE WEAK STRENGTH OF A STANDARD CLINCH KNOT AND ITS ALTERNATIVES.  DON'T FORGET THE REALLY SMOOTH NEEDLE KNOT CONNECTION TO A FLY LINE FOR LESS SPLASH-DOWN, ETC. 

· In tying monofilament to hooks, do you generally use more turns or fewer turns as you progress from small diameter to larger diameter monofilament?

Answer: Less turns as the monofilament size increases.  YES. 

· Why is prudent to wet knots before you tighten them?

Answer: Heat is very detrimental to the strength of monofilament, the friction caused when drawing the knot tight can cause enough heat to weaken the mono. TRUE. ( KNOW THAT SOME EXPERTS RECOMMEND NOT USING SALIVA TO WET KNOTS WHEN TYING FLUOROCARBON.) 

· When might you use a bimini twist?  Huffnaggle?  Water knot?

Answer: Bimini - To double the class tippet for attachment to the butt or midsection of a saltwater leader and the shock or bite tippet.  Huffnaggle - a saltwater leader to the fly line and to attach the class tippet to the bite tippet.  Water Knot – When rock climbing or spelunking.  I do not like it for fishing.   AGREE ON THE USE OF THE BIMINI.  THE HUFFNAGLE OR MODIFICATION OF IT IS NOT USUALLY USED TO ATTACH A SALTWATER LEADER TO THE FLY LINE .... RATHER IT IS USUALLY USED TO ATTACH THE DOUBLE LINE OUT OF THE BIMINI ON THE END OF THE CLASS TIPPET TO THE SHOCK (BITE) TIPPET.

· For casting purposes, is there a knot that performs best for connecting the leader butt to the fly line?

Answer: Nail knot  YES.  FOR BEST CASTABILITY, I THINK THE CHOICE RESTS BETWEEN THE NAIL KNOT AND THE NEEDLE KNOT .  BE AWARD OF ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS THE USE OF AN ALBRIGHT SPECIAL, RON HYDE LOOP, OR A LEFTY KREH WHIP KNOT WHEN DEALING WITH SO-CALLED, "SLIME LINES", ETC. 

· Which sinks faster, a fly tied with a loop knot or a clinch knot?

Answer: Chico Fernandez thinks a fly tied with a loop knot sinks faster than one tied with a clinch.  HE DID SAY THAT.  I FIND JUST THE OPPOSITE, DEPENDING UPON THE SIZE OF THE LOOP AND THE DESIGN OF THE FLY.  WHEN USING A CLOUSER, HOWEVER, THE FLY DOES TEND TO SINK FASTER WITH THE LOOP KNOT.

· Would you ever have use for a snelled knot in fly fishing?

Answer: I have not, but I understand some flies will move better in the water when connected in this manner.  USED MOST OFTEN FOR SALT WATER BIG GAME FISHING FOR BILL FISH AND IN SOME INSTANCES (SUCH AS WHEN YOU WANT A FLY TO TRACK STRAIGHT) WHEN TARPON FISHING. 

Flies

· What are the prominent characteristics of a natural food form that we use in selecting an appropriate imitation of tying a fly?

Answer: Size, shape, color, movement   YES. 

· Is one characteristic more important than the others?

Answer: Size   YES. 

· You have seined the bottom of a riffle in a tail-water fishery and your sampling contains various numbers of midges, mayfly nymphs, scuds, caddis larva, and aquatic worms.  How would you use this information to select appropriate flies?

Answer: I would select flies which most closely imitated the most prevalent food source if I did not have any more information.  YES. 

· Describe some differences in characteristics of flies that you would use in spring creeks versus free-stone rivers?

Answer: Spring creeks are generally clear with smaller bugs and significant vegetation.  According to Dusty Sprague spring creeks do not support stone flies.  YES.  (WITH VERY SPOOKY TROUT ESPECIALLY ON DAYS WHICH ARE, "SEVERE CLEAR") EXPERIENCED TROUT FISHERMEN WILL USE FLIES EVEN SMALLER THAN THE NATURALS.) 

· What are common food forms we try to imitate with bonefish flies?

Answer: Crustaceans  YES.  SHRIMP AND CRABS.  (ALSO, SEA WORMS) 

Miscellaneous

· Are you familiar with the ‘fish’s window’?

Answer: Yes it is the area where the fish can see outside the water.  It is caused by the refraction of light as it is bent when it enters the water.  It creates about a 97 degree window for the fish to see outside the water.  It is sort of a funnel shape from the fish’s eye to the surface. 

YES.  (BEST THING I'VE READ ON THIS SUBJECT IS GARY BORGER'S BOOK, PRESENTATION AS HE DESCRIBES, "SNELL'S WINDOW". )

· How do you determine whether fish are feeding opportunistically or selectively?

Answer: If they are eating multiple food types at one time they are feeding opportunistically, if they are keyed in a on a single type example: mayfly emergers they are feeding selectively.  YES.   YOU MUST TAKE TIME TO OBSERVE. 

· There are four major insect orders most important to the trout fisher.  Please name them?

Answer: Mayflies, Caddis Flies, Stone Flies and Midges   YES. 

· Do you know the difference between a compound and complex hatch?

Answer: According to Gary Borger – Presentation p. 112 A compound hatch is made up of two or more species of one type of insect hatching at the same time.  For example -  Trico mayflies and Lake mayflies at the same time.    

A complex hatch is one made up of different types of insects.  Example - caddis and mayflies hatching at the same time.  YES. 
Appendix C - Representative Questions - Fly Fishing

Fly fishing methods and techniques used in trout fishing, including approach, presentation casts, line handling, hooking and playing fish. Safety considerations. Equipment and technique modifications necessary when fishing for species such as bass, pike, steelhead, salmon, bonefish and tarpon.

· You are taking a friend on her first fishing outing. How do you communicate the concepts of hooking, fighting, landing, and handling a fish?

Answer: Assuming trout,

Hooking - when you see or feel the fish take the fly, raise the rod to take the slack out and set the hook.  If you are streamer fishing strip strike the fish.  Demonstrate for them.

Fighting – Once the fish is hooked if it is small, ( does not feel very strong ) strip the fish to hand, if it attempts to run do not clamp down on the line let it run and fight the fish by trying to pull sideways on the fish in whatever direction it turns, keep it confused.

Landing – if the fish is small 15” or less bring the fish to hand, wet your hand and pick the fish up supporting the center of the fish’s body and remove the hook.  Try to keep the fish out of the water for as short a period as possible.  Once the hook is removed gently place the fish back in the water facing up stream. 

 

SINCE THE QUESTION IS, "HOW DO YOU COMMUNICATE............"  ONE MIGHT CONSIDER THINGS LIKE, VERBAL DESCRIPTION, PANTOMIME, AND ACTUAL DEMONSTRATION.  ONE METHOD IS TO HAVE YOUR FRIEND PRETEND TO BE THE FISH AS YOU DEMO .... THEN SWITCH AROUND AND YOU PLAY THE PART OF THE FISH.

OK.  FOR MORE DETAIL INCLUDING HOOKING AND LANDING SALT WATER FISH, CHECK OUT FLOYD FRANKE'S BOOK, FISH ON !  

· I'm a trout fisherman. I want to go bone fishing in the Keys. What equipment do I need? What must I be prepared to do differently than in trout fishing? The same question for steelhead. The same question for tarpon.

Answer: Bone fishing - 7-9 wt Rod, Tropical Floating Line, good reel with at least 100 yards of backing, 10-15 ft 10 lb leaders.  Be prepared for salt water casts i.e. stalk the fish and then with few false casts, be able to cast accurately to 60 feet.  Strip strike to set the hook.  Do not try to stop the fish on the initial run.   OK.  (I DON'T RECOMMEND ANY STRIKE.  IF YOU STRIKE A LARGE BONEFISH AT THE MOMENT HE MAY BE "EXPLODING" YOU WILL BREAK ANY TIPPET !  THE BONEFISH DOESN'T HAVE A HARD MOUTH, SO I JUST RAISE MY ROD AND LET HIM HOOK HIMSELF.)  TEACH THE TRICK OF RAISING THE ROD TIP WAY UP ON THE LONG INITIAL RUN TO INCREASE THE ANGLE BETWEEN THE LINE AND THE BOTTOM.  THIS IS SO THE LINE / BACKING ARE LESS LIKELY TO CATCH AROUND OBSTRUCTIONS ON THE FLAT SUCH AS SPONGES, MARINE GROWTH, CORALS, ETC.

Tarpon – 9-12 Rod, Tropical Floating Line, Intermediate or Sinking depending on the situation, good reel with 200+ yards of 30 lb backing appropriate leaders.  Casting is similar to bonefish but larger more wind resistant flies and heavier gear.  Strip strike to set the hook.   Bow to the fish when it jumps.   Get the fish on reel ASAP and fly line in the rod tip ASAP fight the fish at angles whenever possible.  (Get a good guide.)  OK.  (BIGGEST PROBLEM I HAVE WITH NEW TARPON FISHERMEN IS THAT THEY STRIKE WAY TOO SOON AND PULL THE FLY OUT OF THE FISH'S MOUTH.  I WANT THEM TO WAIT, FEEL THE ROD BEND WELL .... AND ONLY THEN USE A VIGOROUS STRIP STRIKE.  THE MOUTH IS HARD / BONY.) 

Steelhead – Prepare for the weather, sinking lines, significant blind casting.  MIGHT ADD DEAD DRIFT TECHNIQUES WERE APPLICABLE.  QUICK STRIKE AFTER THE TAKE.

 

· Does the trout fisherman need to change his style of casting to successfully fish for saltwater species?

Answer: Style no.  May need to work on accuracy, heavier equipment and salt water cast.  NO, HE DOESN'T "NEED" TO CHANGE STYLE, BUT CHANGING STYLE WILL HELP A GREAT DEAL ! 

· Discuss the use of slack line with dry flies, nymphs, and streamers in various fishing situations.

Answer:  Dry Flies - slack line is used to achieve drag free drifts.

            Nymphs – May be used to get the fly to sink faster, there are arguments against this.  I believe Chico Fernandez believe flies sink more quickly without slack line.

            Streamers – Not used, except the get the fly deeper in the beginning of the drift. 

OK. 

· How do you approach a stream you have never fished before? How do you select appropriate flies, etc?

Answer: If I am planning a trip I would check with a local fly shop and get their take on where to go, common bugs and fishing techniques.  If I was going blind, I would take some time observing the stream, possibly seine in it and turn over rocks etc. to determine the common bugs etc.  If there was significant top water activity I would attempt to match the hatch, if not I would try nymphs or streamers which I believe match the common stream insects and forage I’ve observed or believe is there based on my knowledge of the area.  Once, I’ve caught a fish I might use a stomach pump to try and determine what the fish had been feeding on. 

OK. (BE PREPARED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON STREAM ETIQUETTE .... CAREFULLY OBSERVE AND CONSIDER THE OTHER ANGLERS.)

· Why do you bow to a large jumping fish?

Answer: To keep the leader/tippet from breaking.  YES. 

· What are the advantages of a strip-strike?

Answer: More direct connection to the fish, better hook penetration and it keeps the fly close to the fish if the strike is missed allowing for a second chance at the fish.  YES. 

· What techniques do you use to avoid "drag"?

Answer: Slack line casts and mending.  YES. 

Additional  Questions:

· What is your method of straightening a coiled leader?

Answer: Pull tight and rub on leg to heat up the leader while stretching it.  OK.  FOR HEAVY TIPPETS AND SHOCK TIPPETS, MY TRICK IS TO STRETCH IT HARD AND HOLD IT THAT WAY WHILE RUBBING MY THUMB AND FOREFINGER UNTIL IT GETS HOT ENOUGH I HAVE TO STOP .... THEN I HOLD IT STRETCHED WHILE IT COOLS.  THAT LAST STEP MAKES A DIFFERENCE ! 

MORE QUESTIONS TO FOLLOW AS WE GET INTO SECTION V.

GORDY