Keith,

I never said my rods were "surplus", only that I had a coupla jillion of them. Sorta like golf clubs, they all have their specific use. I have one that's dedicated to just indicator chironimid fishing.

Speaking of trolling carey specials, one old tip I had for fishing them was one I heard about in the mid-70's (back when I wasn't pure). This one called for fishing a carey special about 18 inches back of either a 3/0 or a 4/0 dodger. It called for a green carey special tied short on a long shank hook, where the fly covered only the first half of the hook. Said to tip the fly with a worm and it was reputed to have the highest catch rate of any trout combo available at that time.

It was real hard to let out line to fish it at the same time as rowing. Guess a casting rod would have made it easier back then, but all I had were spinning rods at that time.

I was fishing Blue Lake (Soap Lake area) with some relatives this last August and I turned my brother-in-law onto using a small dodger ahead of any lure. He was surprised how well he did. I had him using flies, spinners, various spoons and whatever else he wanted to tie on.