vhawk12

I gotta defend the Korkers here a bit. Lots of you are saying 'a while back I had a pair and they were shiite' but they've come a long way. I bought the Devil's Canyon about 4 years ago, they are triple-stitched and the stitches are recessed into grooves. I have had 0 problems with the stitching even fraying and 0 problems with the Boa system as Boa is much stronger and more reliable than they used to be. What I don't like about the Korkers is that the felt sole is a little thin (or packs out a lot) to really grip around rocks and while I like the ease of use of the Boa, it's difficult to tighten different areas of the boot as the cable mostly tightens evenly through all eyelets. Their stock rubber sole isn't great as it lacks lugs and general grippiness so I only use it if hiking. The Patagucci Danner's look awesome, and I've heard great things about the river tractors....I even hear guides especially like them in their boats as much as studded soles, just a tip

I do believe that we do need to be stewards of the environment for all generations that are to follow us. However, I also believe that the science of climate change is flawed and massively sensationalized by media and enviro-radicals. If you are in the camp that believes in anthropogenic warming, where did you get your infomation? From media or from scientific journals? I encourage you to watch the link below, I think he makes some pretty strong arguments. If nothing else, I hope it makes you question the validity of current climate models. As far as timing, I think the policies and actions by the NDP during this downturn in Alberta show they are out of touch with the Province. We are approaching levels of inactivity and unemployment that have not been seen since the early 80s. If oil was in the $80-$90 range, I don't think that their actions would be as big of a deal. Having said that, I think that people have forgotten how bad things got back then, the industry is taken for granted in this Province and many of us have been persuaded into hating the very industry that has made us so prosperous. Should the industry do it's best to minimize impact on the environment? Of course, and I think there has been a changing of the guard downtown in that respect. The catch is that companies are still responsible to the shareholders and they also need to maximize profits. If you put a choke-hold on that, adding insult to injury the way the NDP has, they lay everyone off here, pick up their toys and find another sandbox. It's happening already and I don't think even $60 oil is going to change things very quickly. The cap on oilsands development at 100 Megatonnes actually allows for quite a bit of growth really being that we're at 70 now and development is slowing waaaay down from what it was. So the optimist in me is saying maybe this is an attempt at looking like we're 'taking action on climate change' to the global community to help kickstart investment/buy-in for the oilsands and convince the Eastern Provinces that a pipeline carrying Canadian oil extracted by Canadian workers to be refined in Canadian refineries is better than them sourcing their oil from the Middle East....just a thought.

The average North American male between ages 40-65 has sex once to twice a week. The average Japanese male of the same age has sex once to twice a year. Most men don't find this shocking, they're more shocked to find out that they're Japanese.

Being a born-and-bred Albertan, especially from a rural community, my blood has always run pretty blue; both Blue-collar and Conservative Blue. For me, the economy is usually the front-runner, who do I think will manage taxpayer dollars and spend wisely. I tend to put emphasis on industry and business less-so on social programs, the arts, etc. Not because I don't value those things, but industry and business are the building blocks of our society, and without them, there is nothing else, and that's why it's most important on my list. With any type of Leader/Party campaign promise I like to keep it simple by asking three questions: 1. Why do we need it? - is this something that will benefit the masses, or is it something to appease a minority group? 2. How much is it going to cost? - is the net benefit to Albertans/Canadians worth the cost? 3. How is it going to be paid for? - this is the most important one to me and always the question I ask whenever I see politicians making promises When I was in University, I started listening to Jack Layton yammer on a bit and thought he was making a lot of sense, and he was, no question that he had good ideas, he was going to fight for the middle and lower class, all good things....then I was chatting with my dad and told him that I liked what Layton was saying. He sat back, paused a moment and said "yup, those are all great ideas son, but how are they going to pay for all of that?" and it struck me that I hadn't even considered that part of the equation. I think a lot of people are like that, they want to hear what these guys are going to do for them, but they don't ask how they're going to cover the costs. Then the turds hit the fan and the fix becomes 'raise corporate taxes', because somehow folks believe that corporations have to stay in this country and do business, which is far from the truth. So what's next? Raise income tax...well then the revolt and tomato-throwing ensues. So if the government doesn't want to drive tax-paying, job-producing industry/business out of the country and no one wants to pay higher income tax, what's left?? DEBT.... As for Norway, I think you'd be hard pressed to convince the populous over here to give up 45% of their wages and trust their government to spend it properly. Also, a little country called Greece also operates under a Socialist regime, think I've read about them in the news a couple weeks ago...they were also in the news back in 2009...something about potentially bankrupting an entire country?

As 'passionate' as some of his above posts were, I think the one you're referring to is a bit more tongue-in-cheek and attempt at a lighter post. I think what he's doing is called: hyperbole I would be interested to hear other guide's numbers as to what percentage of their client base they feel is from the O&G industry. Although with the Bow being rated Blue Ribbon, it's understandable that at least half or more are foreign/tourists. As far as anchors....seems to me they should be arguing more about whether you anchor off the left side or the right side of the boat.

I think if you could actually look at the environmental record objectively and people hadn't been inundated with eco-sensationalist propaganda for the last decade, then you'd see that Alberta's regulation in the energy sector is second only to Nuclear Power generation. Environmental Impact Assessments for any new (oilsands) projects make up 3/4 of the entire application and they cost millions of dollars. If you think they've failed, then fine, but are you saying that because that's what you've heard or do you have actual hard evidence that this is the case. There's always going to be compromise on development versus conservation, but to think that we can stop development all together is a pipedream. I work in industry, but I also was raised in a rural community and was taught to respect the environment, clean up after yourself and others. I love fishing obviously, and maybe to sleep at night I take the stance that if I'm working in industry AND I hold the environment in high regard, maybe I can illicit change from within. I agree that the last 8 years of government in this province were atrocious from all aspects, but it wasn't enough for me to change my fundamental political (and economic) views.

I never said who's fault it was, regardeless these children are now adults that should be contributing members to this society and they're not (for all the reasons listed above) Fact is, it happened and this Province and Country is now starting to see the effects. Further, don't suggest I am raising my kids this way, they will be raised to work hard and to compete in life, and they will be all the better for it. Explain to me how the writing has been on the wall for 10 years? Please elaborate further as you seem to have had insight that most did not. You're a guy with a family are you? If not, then you have no business suggesting to me what I should've done 10 years ago...because you don't know me and you sure as hell don't know my situation. What I know is that left wing economics will be the demise of this Province, that is the writing on the wall.

Yup, the right may be dead soon and that's a scary thought. The problem is, a lot of the "younger folks" are of the entitlement generation...they were brought up being told they were all special, their farts smelled like marshmellows and they could have whatever they dreamed of, they can all be Prime Minister if they want...Problem is, no one ever told them that it takes hard work to achieve their dreams, and many have poor work ethic. Not this 'everyone gets a participation medal' crap...they have to compete in life especially for jobs. What industry is the major employer in this Province? How many new grads out of High School and University are actually finding quality jobs? These 'young people' that are 'more concerned with social and environmental issues' are living in their parent's basement, they're not actually contributing to society by being gainfully employed and contributing to the tax base or spending (their own) money to support our economy. The left doesn't understand that 'social and environmental responsibility' comes at a cost and left-wing governments typically have great plans but no clue how to pay for them. So to applaud them for increasing conservation efforts, increasing funding to the public sector, raising corporate taxes, etc. is all well and good until eventually someone asks 'how are we going to pay for all of this?' Then, typically the answer is to raise taxes again when you've already driven out any kind of investment capital or entrepreneurial interest, unemployment has skyrocketed and demand on social programs (EI&Welfare) will be higher than ever, all this and a diminishing tax base to fund them. Pretty sure something similar just happened in a place called Greece....no one worked, those that did were public servants who really got paid for doing nothing...people retire at 50 on good pensions, so much so that extended families are living with their grandparents and heading to the beach every day....Additionally, how has the NDP/left wing worked out for all other provinces in which they've governed? Lastly, I'm glad that you feel supporting your fellow man is valuable to your soul, no one can fault you for that, it's an admirable quality...unfortunately, human nature suggests you are the exception rather than the rule...Greed and corruption is not exclusive to 'big Corporations', and if you're willing to give, there's 50 others willing to take, and they will take until you have no more to give. I'm glad that you're able to survive without "Big Oil", that you are strong enough to tow your drift boat with a pedal bike. My point is that you're not going to get rid of the big corporations, they will survive, the hard-working people employed by them will feel the pain. So I'm glad you've got a bursting bank account, because I'm working downtown right now, worried that I could get axed at any moment, wondering how I'm going to support my family if that happens and how long it will be until I can find work again. If/when that happens, I'll call you up as I know you're willing to support your fellow man. Sorry, tried to keep this short...didn't happen

History is history, good or bad. Would you say the same thing to all the people in other provinces who had their economies ravaged by the NDP? If history played into this, then people would've seen what has happened under NDP Regimes and maybe the result would've been different. Also, please keep in mind that the 'right-wing' vote totaled to 53%, so it's not a changing of the guard as you suggest, it's the fact that the right couldn't get their *hit together and split the vote. I'd like to know what percentage of guide's clients are employed in the oil industry...I'd bet a pretty significant amount...Wonder what that number will be after 4 years of NDP rule. I'd bet money that most clients will be public sector employees instead.

A government prepared to govern, but hasn't tabled a comprehensive budget yet?? I think I'd disagree with you there... You may be able to credit the NDP with this insofar as their ministers have absolutely no previous experience and thus the biologists, etc mentioned are able to influence the decision making more. Regardless, I think almost everyone agrees the closures are a positive step in the name of conservation/protection.

Redbeard and I are moving to New Zealand to start a Flyfishing Commune if we go left Federally. We don't have all the kinks ironed out...but bring your guns and rods and work ethic. Hopefully we can get a tax shelter going like the Hutterites do here!!

Pussies...how about the let that moose on the shore and then try to ride it....even the stakes a little, I bet they'd only try it once.

Yeah, cheapies like TFO where you drive there, pay $30 and walk out with a fixed rod in 15mins....can their service get any crappier?

I haven't actually tried this, but I'm wondering if it would work. My wife likes to craft stuff and she said she saw a tip for sharpening scissors by cutting really fine grit sandpaper. I've been meaning to try it with an older pair of tying scissors, and if it works, I'd also like to see if it also works on nippers since I hate buying new ones and end up gnawing off my tag ends (with the nippers or my teeth) instead of cutting them clean. If someone else beats me to it, please post your results!!

Check out the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport....we bought the XL, but the sport comes in a 2.0L turbo with plenty of pop and decent on gas. We love ours, I'd say just have an open mind, Hyundai has really stepped it up.

You beat me to it....

Pertaining to golf....kind of along the lines of what Rick is saying, there's also lot of guys that play blades, just to say they play blades, eventhough they should probably be using some big pocket-cavity/hybrid Adams set. I've seen it tons of times...guys talk the talk, buy Titelist blades, XXXXX-Stiff driver shaft and shank the iron, or duck-hook the driver...then blame it on the club. There's guys that are good enough to know how to use and have a need for those clubs/rods, and there's guys that think they're good enough to know how to use and have a need for those clubs/rods. That's why I'd like to see the results of a 'blindfolded casting experiment' I was talking about earlier.

Yes, you're right, I'm lying.... This guy was not the owner of the shop and I was not in the market at the time, we were just talking rods, and he said he had cast all three and that's actually how he ranked them. If he was a true salesman, I guess he would have done a bunch of arm-waving and told me that the Sage One is the best rod ever made, no other rod can even touch it, but if I was on a budget, the BVK would do....which takes me back to my point that a lot of Sage rods get sold by this tactic/brand recognition (same with Hardy).

No, they carried TFO and Sage, don't think a shop exists that would carry all three.

A while ago I talked to a shop employee that ranked them: 1) Zenith 2) BVK 3) One

Not trying to be an azz, but I had to chuckle a bit when I read this....just because I think the average age of guys/gals on here is probably around 55...If you're wondering about old age pension, or where the closest Swiss Chalet is, this is the place to ask... Someone may be able to answer though, but not me....

You're comparing a One to an FLi....totally different action, of course there's going to be a difference. I own a 690 FLi and have cast the BVK and of course there's a huge difference, if someone handed me those two rods blindfolded, and told me one is a FLi and one is a BVK I'd be able to tell in a heartbeat. That's like saying I cast a 4wt bamboo rod and a 10wt spey and there was a big difference. A BVK and One are supposedly similar action, and so is the Zenith, of course everyone is going to say 'if you can't tell the difference, you're an amateur', but I'm just saying that I'd like to actually see them put their money where their mouth is. I'm sure some will be able to pick them out, but I'd be willing to bet that a lot of 'chest puffers' would get it wrong. I guess my ultimate point is that is that there is a certain brand recognition factor/pavlovian response when someone picks up a Sage....they think it is better just because it says Sage because that's what they've heard.

Still could be that they're all made by the same machine, yet after a QC process we get the shittier ones??? Just a thought. I have a 4wt. TFO finesse that I think casts dries great, it's definately a more traditional action than the newer stuff, but I can't complain. Can anyone here honestly say they have cast a bunch of rods blindfolded and can pick out Sage versus TFO of the same model (ie. One versus BVK). I'd like to see that done with about 50 anglers of all levels and see what shakes out. It reminds me of a blind taste test they did for Grey Goose Vodka, an overwhelming majority of the people preferred the cheapy brand. Also, pick TFO hands down if you have a buddy that is prone to stepping on your rods....right Sven???

Where'd you catch that Bass?

After watching The Camera Store's waterproof camera shootout, I asked Santa for the Nikon AW110...not only did I get it, I think it was on sale for $199.99 on cyber Monday...talk about bang for your buck, this thing is awesome.