reevesr1

Monger, That's just mean. Funny though!

Good point.

Listen, ya SOB. I know you think you're funny and all but I'm frankly getting a bit tired of you pushing my buttons. Out of curiosity, if you break your New Years Resolution before the New Year even starts, does that count?

What do you guys think of these conversion kits from TFO? If I read it correctly, will turn a 8 wt TiCRx into a 11'3" two hander. Anyone try one? http://www.templeforkflyrods.com/rods/conversion.html#T

1. Never post when angry 2. Don't let a fishing board get me angry 3. Become more proficient at fishing dry flies (which isn't much of a target) 4. Practice dry flies on southern streams when cutts are hungry, so I can pretend to be proficient 5. Get wife more involved

Monger, I'd love to say "meet me you know where at noon to test out our new toys", but sadly I'm in Edmonton. By the way, the big backwater run is holding a few in the tailout. Just need the boots.

Thanks for the tip!

Rock, Next time we get out I'll show ya how to use that thing. All you have to do is bring me to where you hooked 20 fish the other day. Seriously, you'll love the camera. They are super easy to use and their few shortcomings (not much zoom, no viewfinder) are more than offset by its ability to take a dunking and the fun in taking underwater shots.

Mixed in with the shirts, new wallet, and assorted obligatory xmas gifts was my new 3 wt TFO Finesse fly rod.SWEET! I also happen to know a nice new reel is hidden somewhere waiting for my birthday in Feb. I also got a book called "Standing in a River Waving a Stick" by John Gierach. Perfect xmas for me, hope the red fat man was good to all ya'll as well!

That could very well be my new favorite quote.

I think that sometimes stream of consciousness is the best way to tell a story. I enjoyed it.

So you guys only caught a whitie? Kidding. Wish I could have been there. Very well told story there LS.

Al, Thats terrible about the flies your grandfather fished with. Really sorry to hear that.

I'll second that. Merry Christmas to all on the forum. I would love to list everyone I have either met in person, online, or shared a stream with, but the list would be long and I'm sure to forget someone. Suffice it to say that I have met many, many friends here, and I feel blessed to be able to share stories, jokes, information, irritation, etc. with all the great folks on a site like this. Again, Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year to all! May everyone feel the joy of something big on the end of their line this year!

My signature implies that for me, it is about the fish. I love the friendships, time with nature, solitude when I need it, but I think the hookset trumps all. I don't need to catch fish to enjoy my time on the water, but I'm not convinced that I don't need the idea that it could be the next cast. So maybe that's a big part of it for me, the anticipation.

I've been thinking about the Henry David Thoreau quote: "Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after" and started to wonder if it was true for me. Something that has always struck me over the years are the responses I have seen to changes in fishing regulations. Where I grew up, the number of fish seemed limitless and you kept everything you caught. What we couldn't eat, we sold. As it started to become obvious that this was not sustainable, limits started to be imposed. The negative response was almost universal. It was going to kill fishing. If you can't keep them, whats the point? Well, all that really happened is almost everyone kept fishing, and the sport continued to grow in popularity. In fact, I think I can safely state that as limits have gone down, number of people fishing has gone up. So here I am years later living in a place where I can't keep anything. And I want to fish now more than ever. But does that mean it isn't the fish I am after? I wonder. I absolutely love hooking and fighting fish. I can't for the life of me imagine that I would still be walking a stream or stalking a flat if I couldn't fish. But history has shown me that there is a good chance I am wrong about that. If you would have told me when I was a younger man that when I was older I would love fishing more than ever even though I couldn't keep anything, I would have called you crazy. So is it so far fetched to believe that I would still be out there even if I couldn't fish at all? Probably not. But why? What could possibly replace the feeling I get when I set the hook and the perfect moment when I realize "this is big"? That I don't know.

Played with one at the end of the season. Very nice.

Conor, I have a tfo TiCr 9'6" 5 wt as my all around Bow rod. Personally I prefer it over a 6 because I don't find casting distance really all that big of a deal on the bow. That could be because I can't cast all that far yet anyway. But I think the 5 forces me to concentrate more on the closer in water, which I feel ups my effectiveness on the bow. Also I really like fighting fish with the lighter rod. I have a 7 that I use for streamers and when it gets too windy, but for regular nymphing, I much prefer the 5. If I were to get something to really get them out, I'd get a spey rod.

http://glumbert.com/wii/view.php?name=mancold Poor little bunny.....

with friends like that....

What, like a stripper? Sorry SiverDoctor, but since I had no chance of matching the eloquence, I decided to take another path, one I was more comfortable with.

Taco, She likes to fish AND has a Porsche that she will let me drive (maybe). What's not to understand? But now LS is in the mix. Gets naked by the fire, likes peeler bars, and she likes to fish too. LS, any chance of you getting a Porsche? The only problem is, frankly, me. I don't think a married 47 yr old is really on these nice young ladies radar. But a feller can dream! Sun, I like the thread too!

LS, I've heard there are things you can buy? Sorry, couldn't resist.

Can anyone tell me what the polygamy laws are here in Canada? I'm suddenly curious.

saturday, I hope.