jgib01

OHV crowd are continuing to "lose their minds" over even the backed off plans... read the comments in the Minister's Facebook post on the matter @DevinDreeshen4AB. 71% of wildfires caused by people, I think is what was said in the stat quoted in the video. Maybe a total shutdown on the back country and forestry management areas is actually in order <cue barrage of assorted flying fruit and vegetables>

Time to close the Crow? At the very least, I would think it prudent to put some significant seasonal closures in place. That river needs every advantage it can get to recover from this and the myriad of other things it is facing.

Am sorry I missed the session here in Lethbridge. Unfortunately I had another commitment and was out of town. A buddy went, and his impressions were similar to the above. I did the survey, and suspected there would be a much heavier emphasis on the survey topics, but it sounds like it was a great effort to cover lots of other things as well.

I said it in the other forum, and I will say it here too. 112s for a mean time out of the water seems super long to me. We can do way better than that, even if we want the hero shot.

Not the Patagonia Ultralights then. I have super wide feet (often can't find shoes or boots to fit unless they are 4E), and these ones actually fit me pretty well. I had an older version of the Rock Grip a few years back, and they were narrower, so I had to size up a couple to get em to fit. Maybe the Foot Tractors fit differently than the Ultralights... I've never tried 'em.

Lots of online resources exist (e.g., Orvis learn to fly fish series). That said, there is nothing quite like in-person instruction. McLennan Fly Fishing is a wonderful place to start. Jim and Lynda are both awesome teachers, and will get you going in the right direction. Never too old!

You too Doc! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!!

(A little surprised no one has posted this yet... maybe it is here somewhere and I just missed it.) Perhaps this isn't really news to anyone, as I've heard about these concerns before. But here's an interesting read/watch about selenium in the Elk Valley, done by an environmental protection research group. Print article contains a video link as well. https://thenarwhal.ca/for-decades-b-c-failed-to-address-selenium-pollution-in-the-elk-valley-now-no-one-knows-how-to-stop-it/ I appreciate the economic importance of Teck to the region, so hopefully they can find a way to mitigate this issue, but quick. Not sure where the mine proposal is at for Crowsnest Pass these days, but it certainly raises alarm bells for me about potential mine impacts this side of the divide too.

I find Solarez cures better than Loon... less tacky anyway. I'm not convinced it is any more durable though.

Based on this, I went ahead and ordered the Nests. The wired ones are hard to come by locally, so just got them from Best Buy online.

I always thought that too, but came across this in my interweb travels today. I was compelled to dig a little more, and next found a website that referenced this article; in a test they placed detectors at 3 different heights in a sealed chamber, and each performed equally as well. Conversely I've also read today that 5 feet is the best height, and that there is potential they won't perform as well when on a ceiling if there is an expanse of heated air up there preventing the CO from reaching the detector. All a little confusing for the consumer with an inclination for proverbial salt grains Those look great on the dual sensor front, but not sure I'm inclined (based on my comments above) to do separate CO detectors. I like the permanent (lithium) battery ones as well, but not a dealbreaker one way or the other. My understanding of Alberta code is that CO detectors are to be installed in or within 5m of each bedroom, and must be interconnected. So in my case to stick to code the house was built to, I need at least 2 of them, one on upper floor and one in the basement; not sure how I would interconnect stand alone ones.

Any electrician types out there that are expert in these things? Got a replacement alarm on one of our detectors last night, and see that the builders ones installed in our house are all marked for 2017 replacement. So, I opened a Pandora's box this morning and started some research for new ones. Turns out the standard ionization-type detectors in most houses are a little questionable in terms of their effectiveness against some types of fires... who knew?? That sent me on the path of looking at dual-sensor detectors, with CO detector built in... there's just not a lot out there that I could find that fits the bill. I was leaning heavily toward the Nest Protect, until I read that some inspectors are not passing them (mainly Ontario anecdotes) because they are not interconnected by hardwire (120v Nest versions are two wire, and rely on network for interconnect) So ideally, I think I would like a dual sensor, 3 wire, with CO detector. Smart features are optional. Failing that, can anyone confirm if the Nests pass inspections in AB?

My wife and I took our kids (now 13 and 15) to Yellowstone for the first time. We had been for our honeymoon in 2001, but this was before kids and long before I fly fished. Such a beautiful place, and it goes far beyond just the unique geological stuff... the Lamar and Hayden Valleys are amazing places to view wildlife. In fact we were lucky to witness a griz feeding on a bison carcass from a nice healthy distance away across the Yellowstone River (the vehicles across from us in the 4th picture down are all there to see the griz). While the brunt of time was spent touring around, my son and I did manage to wet our lines a couple of times in the Yellowstone and Soda Butte Creek. I most definitely plan to go back. Lots of walk and wade opportunities in the park, and amazing looking floats on the Madison which I may try to do next time. The folks at Blue Ribbon Flies were super helpful, friendly, and very knowledgeable (and will steer you in the right direction).

I could be wrong, but think given the litigious age we live in, there's very little likelihood that we will ever see broad testing of campground wells again.

Ah, if you are coming down the 22, definitely quicker to zip back toward The Pass or to Lundbreck, rather than to the Pincher area. Not sure about the fire hall, as I've never stopped there... Google maps shows a sani dump there, so looks pretty promising. But if you stop and buy a lot of beer at the Oldman River Brewing Company, I'm sure they would give you some water... then everybody's happy! Have fun on the Castle! Edit: I'll try to remember to zip past there when I am heading west (tomorrow or Sat likely), to see if it still looks like a go.

We just recently were at the lake campground, and that is a challenge for sure. We threw a little water in the trailer at the previous stop at the Oldman Dam, and had a 5 gallon bottle with us to use for drinking and cooking. They don't test the well water at the campsites there, hence the "not for drinking" signs you find on all the wells. Interesting to note, the well water directly across the lake is used by the caretaker at the Scout camp in his home (untreated as far as I know), and he hasn't expired yet. I think in a pinch and to be safe, if you boiled it, it would be fine. As mentioned above, the store and the ski hill are likely the only places close with potable water... though, where do you suppose they get their water from?? Only difference is that it would be tested. There are several places in Pincher area to get water too. The Dam is a few clicks out of the way, but it is an interesting stop if you haven't been before (from a sheer engineering perspective).

For clarity, I'm not arguing against the fact that poaching is happening, that it is a significant problem, and that there are things that can and should be done via enforcement to reduce the prevalence and impact of it. I just think there are other environmental factors that have an even greater impact than fishing and poaching in lots of our waters in AB. Will likely just have to agree to disagree with each other on that point.

Many reasons actually... fishing and especially poaching is somewhere on the list as contributory, but I'd venture a bet it isn't at the top in many of our streams.

Anyone have experience using different "therapeutic" type insoles in their wading boots? I'm currently struggling with foot issues, including Achilles pain (have never fully recovered from injuries from hiking last fall), and now some metatarsalgia pain in one foot. Both seem to get significantly worse after a day on the water. I'm hoping I might be able to find something on the retail market vs going the route of full custom orthotics.

Also wonder how this scenario would have played out in days of yore. Perhaps could have gone like this... call to RAP... RAP dispatcher connects with officer in Pincher Creek... the one guy on shift is busy dealing with another matter on the South Castle... takes about an hour for an on-call CO to get there (not the CO's fault, just the way it is)... meanwhile buddy is long gone, but the caller meets with the CO and gives a statement anyway... CO says they will do what they can with the info and thanks the reporter... no resources to do any thorough follow-up investigation, so it gets closed as unresolved after a few months. This is all speculative on my part of course.

Sick feeling in my stomach watching that. Good work on the call to RAP. I was fishing downstream of there yesterday and saw several signs of possible bait fishing (broken bobbers, discarded containers). I know the bobbers aren't automatically an indication of bait (could have been a spin caster using it with a subsurface fly, for example) but you have to wonder. Incidentally, I have seen an incredible increase in enforcement in the South in the last couple of years. Have had my license checked more in the past year than in the 4 previous put together. Ran into a CO last weekend on an out of the way stretch of another river down here... I always express my appreciation to them for the work they are doing, and they clearly have lots more of it to do.

For an entry level rod that won't break the bank, I would consider the medium-fast Redington Path. We bought it for my son a couple of years ago, and I am surprised at how well it feels in my hand and casts. I don't think they are still making the 8' 4wt, which is too bad as I think it is a great setup for smaller water. I use a Winston BIIIX 8.5' 4wt, and while I like it a lot for where I typically fish it, don't really think it is ideal for super skinny water.

I have done this method a couple of times now, and find it works best for me. If you have any experience tying, it is pretty easy, but I could see struggling a little if you haven't tied before. I have tried rewelding using heat and shrink tube, but that ended up pretty disastrous. And yes, a fly shop should be able to help you out as well, as they did with me when I first started fishing a few years back.

Thanks fellas. Yes, I did this from the Galloup tutorial. I think he had more on the collar and on the head than I've got here. Of course, no matter what he does with deer hair looks amazing. I struggle to get the collar to stay on top, and just can't get that short cut before tie-in thing that he does.

My first attempt at a Zoo Cougar. I passionately hate working with deer hair.