[Frank Whiton]

In the lower 48 I would have to go with Large Tailwater. How could you not like water such as the San Juan, Lee's Ferry, Green (Utah), Green (Wyoming). I usually fish from a Kick Boat and these rivers are great for that style of fishing. In Alaska I would pick Free Stone. Frank

[waterman]

I like the variety of different waters there's something appealing about most as long as the fish are cooperating and the fishing isn't elbow to elbow.

[waterman]

Forgive my ignorance here but what exactly is "Freestone" water. I believe I've heard the term in fishing circles before but am unable to picture it, can someone elaborate or maybe give an example?

Thanks...

[zerolimit]

Originally Posted by waterman

Forgive my ignorance here but what exactly is "Freestone" water. I believe I've heard the term in fishing circles before but am unable to picture it, can someone elaborate or maybe give an example?

Thanks...

The Rivers

This looks to be a pretty good descripton from the tightloops website. In addition to this, I've always thought of the freestone being distinguished from tailwaters by the lack of flood control (i.e. levies and dams) but I could be totally wrong in that thinking.

[zerolimit]

I voted small tailwater probably because it's where I got my start and where I feel most comfortable in understanding the dynamics of the fishery enough to fish with success. That and I'm not a boat owner so proficiently fishing some of other types of water is tough for me.

This is a great thread.

[waterman]

Great description, thanks for the link. As suspected I have fished Freestone water, just didn't know that's what it was called. Which brings up another question. On the tightloops website they refer to trout, their feeding and habitat when describing freestone water.

My question is, is it safe to assume that a warm water river could also be freestone, as the characteristics that make it freestone are of the river itself and not necessarily the species that inhabit it, right?

Oh... and don't let the avatar fool ya, I don't own a boat either so I'm walking/wading the rivers and creeks as well. I just have a thing for wooden boats. I am however giving serious thought to building one.

[Piscator]

Here is the best definition that I could find:

Freestone River - This water source often comes from snowmelt high in the mountains. Freestone rivers and streams undergo major fluctuations in water flow, velocity and water temperature during the season. In the winter, these streams are very cold and often frozen over (with running water under the ice). In the spring these streams become raging torrents of snow fed runoff. Conversely, by the fall season, they can be reduced to a trickle.
High altitude freestone streams are not as fertile as tailwater and spring creeks, couple that with a shorter growing season and the result is smaller trout.

Hope this helps.
Thanks,
Terry

[waterman]

Excellent!! Thank you both for the clarification.

[trout champ]

I voted large tailwaters, but really like smaller tailwaters I think Doug said it best.

Originally Posted by dougm

Curtis,

I've got to join Steve in his love for small waters ... Seems I am always alone ... perhaps more important than the fish are the many wonders of God that surround you.

Doug

Randy

[DMV]

Well it's hard to just pick one but, I would have to say natural lakes. Since I spend most of my time one the water as soon as the season opens, going for those muskie and Smallies. My other choice would have be freestone.

Cheers: Dave