reevesr1

I have a Garmin 60 CSx. Looks like it has been replaced by either the 62SC or ST. I'd have to dig to figure out which. They are basically the same, just how many bells and whistles. I've been completely happy with the CSx. Have not needed to expand memory. Unit is pretty easy to use, and I'm sure I'm only using a small fraction of it's capability. Has been invaluable to me on several occasions.

Finally was able to do a training ride yesterday, post injury and vertigo. 2.5 hrs or so down 22 and back again. Ride was really good, shoulder was no issue. Lack of training was really evident, but what can you do?

Hello Everyone, The ride is about 1 month away. With the generous help of the members of this board, I have exceeded my fund raising goals. But I'd like to shatter it! The difficulty of the ride for me has been upped a bit as I will be riding while still recovering from a broken collarbone I suffered training a couple of weeks ago. The Dr said I was structurally sound to ride, but that it would likely hurt a bit (he actually doesn't think I'll finish--challenge accepted). My wife thinks I'm crazy, but nothing new there. I'm still really looking forward to this. If anyone is able to help, I would sure appreciate it. Here is a link to my donation site, and thanks again! http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Alberta2013?px=3128774&pg=personal&fr_id=1452

Happy birthday Pete!

It's all good Brent, you know I don't mind a bit of argument from time to time! Keeps things interesting. I would have no issue closing the Bow in the winter if it was warranted. I'm just not convinced it is. It feels to me like we are putting pieces of information together and implying causality where none is proven. Of course I understand that fish handling is an important topic in and of itself, I just don't see it's direct relation to the sapro infection. I'm sure, as gaffer said, it doesn't help. But is it a cause? Is angling pressure in general? Is it enough of one to warrant seasonal closures? There certainly may be validity in the school of thought that "if there may be a correlation, we should make changes just to be safe." My HUGE concern with that is if we are making changes based on perception, what is the end point? On the opposite side, I do understand if one says "wait for the science, or study, or whatever" some will perceive that as allowing the patient to die while we study the symptoms. I certainly have no idea what the answer is.

Lots of us who make no money off of it worry about it just as much. Don't confuse disagreement of causes with apathy.

Apathetic? Hardly. Show me actual evidence that this is handling related (non circumstantial), and I'd be the first in line to say close it. And if we are going to suggest closing it during the brown spawn to Police, why pick Police? Why not the Highwood? Why not the entire river? Seems we are talking about erring on the side of caution here. Fine, but don't screw around. Same thing should apply to the Rainbow spawn. We all know there are rainbows that spawn in the Bow in the spring. So close the Bow from let's say March 15 to May 1 for the Rainbows and October 15 to Nov 1 for the Browns. Not sure when the whites spawn, but we should cover that as well (nah, no one cares about the whites, they aren't pretty enough). So the Bow would be open to fishing from May 1 to October 15. Shops are gonna love that. Unfortunately, the same logic would apply to the Crow in the spring, and the Waterton in the fall for the browns. I'm purposely exaggerating this, but if we advocate closing based on potential issues, this is where it all leads in the end. Every time something happens to affect fish population, angling pressure can always be blamed whether it is the culprit or not. Solution? Stop angling.

Are male whitefish as aggressive when spawning as trout? Weakened defenses last fall, just like the browns. The good news would be that if the infection was last fall, the fact you are seeing them now can't be all bad? They did survive the winter with this (again, assuming they were infected in the fall). I was actually curious if this was affecting whites as well since both are fall spawners. Like max and rich, I hope this is being over hyped. We do have a tendency to do so from time to time!

As I said, I agree with your philosophy of light handling- I practice it. I land fish generally as fast as I can, tend to use heavy tippet, don't use nets all the time, particularly on bigger fish which I find easier to hand land personally, and don't take many pictures. Less every year unless there is something special about the fish. And never if I'm not 100% ready to take it when I land it. I just don't think attributing this particular event to fish handling and/or angling pressure in general is accurate, at least to me. The facts don't seem to line up. Edit: And I should mention that the way I deal with fish has changed over the years in no small part from reading Brent and Monger and others. So again, totally on board with limiting impact during handling!

Brent, Rob- I'm not going to say fish handling does not matter, because it does. However, the widespread outbreak of sapro on big post spawn browns last fall does not jibe with fish handling being the issue. If fish handling were the primary culprit, it would be all species, all sizes affected. Not just big post spawn browns. If there had been a step change in fishing pressure corresponding to a step change in disease outbreak, I'd be inclined to believe fish handling is a primary culprit. In this case however, there is no evidence of that. Single species, very specific timing-right when the brown trout are at their most vulnerable. You are both strong advocates of light handling, with Rob advocating heavy tippets, fast landing, fast release and Brent advocating mostly the same-get 'em back in the water as soon as possible. People would be well advised to follow your lead to the betterment of the fish population. But I just don't see where handling is playing any appreciable role in this, or it would be spread more evenly, not so specifically. Having a great hammer doesn't make the whole world a nail. Edit: And I did read the 2010 Sapro paper which advocated light handling of fish to help alleviate outbreaks--it did not state that handling was a primary cause. It did specifically target spawning however. Fortunately for rainbows, they spawn when it is still cold and not prevalent.

Backroad map books are indispensable for backcountry fishing. All fly shops, map shops downtown, hiking and camping stores (MEC, Campers Village, etc) will have them. You will likely end up with 4, 1 for SW Alberta, Central Alberta, Mountain Parks, and SE BC. Pair that up with a good GPS and you can get away from everything (and everyone) and totally explore. It's great.

Good job Steve!

Get that video camera ready, and I'll need a place to put my beer down first.......

I've never even lost conciousness. Never been close to dying!!

Im thinking any really forward thinking entrepreneur could just set up a therapy business to just follow me around and I could use their services as needed.

Thanks Ralph. I've been in therapy, and it seems to be helping, but this collarbone thing is a bit of a setback. The vertigo is at a low level, but still present. Not debilitating, but really, really annoying. Thankfully, it does not seem anywhere near as bad as yours (and I can't imagine what that must have been like), but I will absolutely look into all options for treatment. I appreciate all the help.

Thanks Clive. Did the BPPV exercises, and they did not work. Seems I have Labyrinthitis, to go with a chronic case of stupidity--which led directly to the shattered collar bone.

Bonita and Tiger. The bonita was pretty good, the tiger was fantastic.

So today was my first ride in to work post vertigo, or at least I though post vertigo. Unfortunately for me, I got a bit disoriented on 9 ave when I looked behind me to change lanes and when I looked back I was trapped against the curb. Instead of taking the chance or ramming into an upcoming light pole, I decided to bail out. Hit my head (again, but yay helmet!) and my shoulder. I was 8 blocks or so from work, so rode the rest of the way in. But once I got off the bike the second time, I was becoming aware that my shoulder was in bad shape. Off to hospital, broken clavicle, here's your sling. 2 weeks of sling, then rehab. Can't wait! Hope to be healed enuf to catch the tail end of dry fly action pre runoff. Doc thinks Ill be healed in time for the ride for the cure on June 21.

Fishtales isn't deep south any more!

Nice pics buddy!

You imagine fighting a fish that weighs 20 lb standing on a ladder? Don't know how many of those trout are around yet, but they must not be catch and release only. The last page has a bunch of fish pictures, dated last year, of some really big fish.

Wish it was the crystals for me, it's not. Epley maneuver doesn't help. Apparently, I have this, which is harder (longer) to treat: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/labyrinthitis/article_em.htm

Been going to a therapist here in town. Getting better, they think I should be all cleared up in a couple of weeks. So only about 2 months total. Yuck.

We used to catch them in the shrimp net, and use them for bait. Really good redfish bait. Their "murder sticks" are pretty useless in air, but they are covered with little spines. Every once in awhile one would flick its tail while you were holding it and drive the little spikes in it's tail into your hand. Nasty little buggers!