reevesr1

Mike, I enjoyed your post. When I read threads like these, it never ceases to amaze me how often peoples vision of what needs to be done in the name of "conservation" looks to change the behavior of others. However they are using the environment always seems to be just fine. You said you played a small part in the development of Kananaskis, and in doing so tried to accommodate as many user groups as possible. I can't imagine that was an easy task. Probably naive of me to believe anything like this could be done along the FTR.

Was at the game tonite. Words can barely describe how awe inspiring Cujo looked in the pre-game skate. Without ever hitting the ice after the puck dropped the confidence he displayed on the bench pushed his team to a 6-1 victory over the powerhouse LA Kings. Possibly the best pre-trade deadline pickup ever.

Steve, You are making me feel bad. Stop it please.

Back in my single days in the Navy, I had an apartment with my best friend. He had the sharpest, fastest wit of anyone I have ever met. I can typically hold my own in a chop busting contest, but this guy was unmatched. My only recourse was to hang in there as long as I could and as soon ratcheting up the insults until I ran out of ammo, then act like his next comment was over the line. "Man, I can't believe you just said that. You think maybe that's a bit too far?" At which point he would apologize, I would laugh at him and feel I was the victor. Well, he became wise to my ploy and began to doubt my sincerity when I would appear to be wounded by his comment. One time I held out for at least a day with the cold shoulder treatment until he said "I guess maybe I did go a bit too far" at which point I laughed at him again. He called me some very bad names. I won again.

Now I have to show my ignorance: hyrdro- What is a SEK? Don: PCer = Progressive conservative(er) or Politically Correct(er). I assume the first. Glen, I'm not sure about raising fees either. As many have stated, I have no issues with it if it goes to the resource. But I am certainly not naive enough to trust that is what is going to happen. My point was that if you're not going to raise it for Albertan's, don't raise it for anyone else.

Not that I would ever disagree with you Glen, but... I have never been in favor of any gov't raising revenue by increasing fees for out of province visitors. If they need more money for fisheries in Alberta, then it is the responsibility of Alberta fishermen to fund that, not visitors (and just because BC and other provinces do certainly does not make it right). One of the things that drove me crazy in Houston was when they decided to fund a new sports stadium by raising hotel and rental car taxes. In other words, get someone else to pay for it. I hated that.

Hey Ed, I played around with several rods in a fly shop the other day. The two in my price range that struck me were the Axiom, because it seemed noticeably faster than anything else, and the Loop Multi Series cuz it was pretty and felt fantastic. I casted an Axiom a few weeks ago, but only for a bit. It would take a bit of getting used to for me. I'm not quite up to its standards, yet.... I also was given a Bauer M5 to try with my new TFO Finesse 3 wt while I wait for my birthday present from my wife (which I am quite sure is a Bauer for my 3 wt!). I can't wait for my birthday. I landed a rainbow around 18" with it and just loved the reel. So much smoother than what I am using now.

Damn. That's why all my kids look like the cable repair guy. Always thought it was weird he came around so much, particularly since I had satellite. I did have a dream once about a certain famous country western singer and a boat......

Multiple cell phones drowned (4 I think) Multiple camera's drowned (2 or 3) 1 car remote 1 wallet (water skiing when I was 18) 2 pairs of glasses: One when slapped in the face by a big wave fishing in the surf. Caught the fish though. Driving home in the dark was sort of a bitch. One when I jumped in the Bow after my son because I stupidly tried to cross with him in a side channel and he got swept down. My virginity 1 rod and reel (put it down, fish hit, bye bye rod) 4 or 5 nail knot tools, 3 flyboxes, who knows how many pliers and hemos (all this year) The virginity part isn't true, but I got your attention.

I'll start simple: Whatever dude. Edit: Weedy, He landed one older balding cracka fish apparently...

Yep

TimEhh, These flies are not tied at Hanson's. He buys them (as I believe most of the flies at the higher end shops do) from quality suppliers. <$1 a fly is a sweet deal on these. I completely agree on the need to support the guys who advertise on the board. I've bought from Glenbow (for gifts) and loved them. I'll probably get a bunch from Ickyflyworks this spring when I need to stock up (until I get better, $2 a fly from the local shops is a bit pricey as often as I loose them).

TimEhh, We are talking about a different quality of fly here. I buy from Wholesale sometimes as well, but these are a much better quality. Hanson's is clearing inventory.

Fishietales, Welcome. Also, I know you guys in the UK do things a bit differently over there, but shouldn't there be some water nearby?

Stopped by Hanson's at lunch today. They are clearing out their dry flies. I bought 2 dozen assorted Caddis and 2 dozen assorted humpys, yellow sallies, hoppers, and some other dries for $20 per two dozen. He had like 15 packages of caddis and I don't know how many of the other assorted. These usually go for like $2/fly I think, so nice deal.

Folks, If anyone comes across a wood handled net near Chaparral, please let me know. Not like I was fishing there or anything, uh...just walking my dog. But I did leave my net on the bank just upstream from the pump.

Agreed.

Did you notice how the local boats have been doing it for hundreds of years? Sustainable fishing, who'd a thunk it. Once the factory boats move in on any fish stock, the end is in sight. No way to make it sustainable, at least from what I have seen. I have no trouble with the concept of fish as food. In the ocean, that's mostly what they are. But walking the line between sustainability and overfishing can look impossible at times. About 30 years ago, a friend of my father was longlining tuna in the Gulf of Mexico. I don't remember what the limits were for yellowfin, but you could catch a lot. Bluefin was like 1 fish over 400 lb and you had to come in. My dad's friend caught a 900 lb (head off and tail off) blue. The Japanese inspectors were waiting at the pier. Cored, sampled, and sold for about $9000. This was like 1982 or so. Put that much economic incentive out there and the fish have no chance. On the other side of the coin.... My father was a shrimper. Shrimp farms have pretty much ended the shrimping industry because the price today is lower than when I ran a boat back in the late '70s. Now, it bothers me that the farms have ended a way of life. But the increase in shrimp population in the Gulf, and the drastic lowering of bycatch will do nothing but improve fisheries in the Gulf. That is if the farms prove to be viable in the long term, which from what I understand, is not certain. Anyway, sorry for the rambly post. I don't know what the answer is in all this. To say stop all commercial fishing is certainly naive and would also be detrimental to the health of the world as we do need the protein. But how do you control it? It makes me very sad to think of the ocean without Bluefin. But if nothing is done, that is the certain outcome.

Turn to 60 minutes. They are doing a segment on blue fin. It will be very interesting.

2 months after marriage it'll be. Talking........talking........talking........married people sex......talking........talking........talking.....

I used a loop knot pretty exclusively when fishing with lures down south. Easy to tie and very strong. Haven't even thought about if for nymphs. That will change.

Wow, sorta amazing that they are almost never seen, yet there is one walking right next to a road, showing no fear of a helicopter. Oh, and in Tennessee. Hate to break this to everyone, but I think he's just a hairy redneck.

Bought my son a pair of breathable waders at Academy in Texas for like $70. He wore them on 5 or 6 trips so far, no issues. For $70, just how good do they have to be?

Kind of a ninja answer, wasn't it?

Max, Not until you paint the rod.