reevesr1

Pete, I knew somebody was going to argue the numbers side. I won't say it's not relevant, because it is. But if we as fishermen followed the same logic, we would have stopped all fishing in any waters that holds bull trout once they became protected. A certain percentage of bull trout released will certainly die. So in order to protect them, we can't fish for them or any other fish in Bull trout water. Which is pretty much all flowing water in Alberta. EDit: shoot, jayhad beat me to it.

I quit hunting when I was 22 or so. I really only bird hunted, and I hated cleaning them. I was certainly brought up that you always ate what you shot, so since I didn't want to clean the birds anymore, I quit. I don't really understand why anyone would shoot a bear. I have a really, really good friend who does it. He is a super guy, someone who would always have your back, notmatter what. I've told him before that I didn't get it. He tried to explain to me why he loves it so much and I still didn't get it. But I do know that he has the same passion for hunting bears that I have for fishing. To me, it is a very, very slippery slope if I start passing moral judgements on his chosen activity. The truth is that if hook mortality is even 1%, then I will kill more trout this year than he will kill bears in his entire life. So who has the moral high ground here? Neither of us. Both of our chosen passions result in the death(s) of the objects of those passions. There are people just as opposed to us fishing as they are to hunting bears, or anything else for that matter. They see no difference between these activities. While as I said before, I don't understand the thrill in hunting big game, in the big scheme of things I guess I don't see much difference either. The picture of the boys standing with the dead bear isn't all that different from the hundred or so pictures of me proudly holding some big fish. No doubt that somewhere along the line, one of those fish died after I released it. I am truly sorry a grizzly bear was killed. But I can't bring myself to pass judgement on those boys. I am far more happy that they survived.

I would do the "Alberta Trout Highway" trip from GP to as far south as I could get.

If you are fishing a 300 yd stretch, there is no problem coming back to the starting point. Most/all spooked fish will return in far less than an hour in my opinion. You can fish exactly the same water if it has been over an hour. I can't imagine working the same 20-30 yds for hours. But I love those people. They leave so much more water for the rest of us.

Hey, aren't you in Florida? Those redneck's got internet and everything?

Damn. If you ever want to totally hijack a thread, Kirk and Bones can sure do it. That was hypnotizing! Back on track--Marc, all I can afford is inexpensive, ill fitting clothes. My kids take all my clothing cash. I can assure you nothing they have (or at least nothing my oldest son or daughter have) is either ill fitting or inexpensive! And I don't think your body is all that weird. Ok, maybe a little weird. I did buy a new backpack with some venting to try to limit sweaty back syndrome. It seemed to fit ok!!

Ok, so to turn this into a bike thread (I hijack everyone else's threads, I can certainly hijack my own): I think I'm going to be getting one of these Giant Seek 3 through a fly fishing contact. Bike is in excellent condition, I'm getting it for $200. I rode it in today and it sure was easier than my mountain bike.

Yep. True story: Rode in the crappy ass rain this morning. Stripped off the rain pants (I had shorts on underneath) and thought "what the hell is that swollen thing next to my knee?" then noticed my other leg was swollen as well. What the #@$%? Then realized they were the bottom of my quads. Hello quads, nice to see you again. It's been awhile.

Since moving to Calgary, I've heard lots of people talk about MEC. I'd never been there myself, just didn't see the need. Well, since I've gotten into the riding to work thing, it became obvious I needed some new gear. Since it's only 8 blocks or so from work, I walked over. Uh oh........I can almost feel the money leaking out of my wallet. Kid, meet candy store. So now I have a fly shop 8 blocks in one direction and an outdoor mecca 8 blocks in the other direction. I am well and truly screwed.

Come on Paul. Sod farms have been around since I was a kid, long before the generation of instant gratification!

I have had the opportunity to test out the new Greys GX300. It is a cast aluminum large arbor, entry level reel. It retails for like $69.00. It was given to me because I am notoriously rough on equipment. I've only had it for two weeks, but I'm not giving it back. Super smooth drag, almost (or maybe just as) smooth as my Bauer. I landed a 24" really feisty brown with it this weekend, and it performed perfectly. I'm not saying it is a high end Hardy reel, but I would buy one of these in a second. In fact, if I am forced to give it back, I'm buying it instead. I know Hanson's and Southbow carry Grey's, not sure who else.

First cutty pic of the season! Very nice!!

Relax, I'm weeks away from sending out my Italian friends in "Collections".

Hanson's sells them as well.

Looks big enough to me. Maybe you have freakishly large hands?

I guess that's what I see the remnants of, the people who do it irresponsibly. I personally could care less really if there are only some charcoals left over. Unfortunately, I often see more than that. Not trying to take away anyone's rights here, I was just asking.

He is on the west side. Don't know how it all works, but he caretakes all the land from the farm at the end of the road at Policemans (so starting at Pine Creek I think) all the way past the extender. Maintains all of those fences on the west side of the river at the bridge. I actually have no idea if he owns or just looks after it. I know the stuff around pine creek he is looking after as that land is all privately owned and leased. But I also know he caretakes past the extender on the west side, but as to where the lines are, I have no idea. I just know when any fencing on the west side is cut, he gets to fix it.

I'm not sure I'll be biking at -20! I do need to get some rain gear though. For the time being I'm just going to use my golf rain gear.

I don't know, just seems unsightly. Not like this is at a campground. This is on the river bank in a city. And yes, often there is partially burned garbage and the requisite burned beer can(s).

What is the rule/law on this? I've seen a bunch this year, both in the city and outside. Fires inside the high water mark, right on the bank. Is it allowed? Doesn't seem people really try to clean them up afterwards, to put it mildly. I doubt (hope) it is not fishermen doing this, but could be I guess. Just curious.

Everyone, I know the farmer who owns or is the caretaker of most of the land from the new treatment plant all the way to Policeman's Flats. He has no issue with fisherman using his land for access to the river. I don't know if he has a full gate, or a fisherman access point, but whichever, he does have a place for fishermen to access the river from the extender bridge. However, people seem not to be satisfied with that, and continue to cut holes in the fence. I think recently someone even drove onto the land from the bridge (don't ask me how, I never really go there). I can tell you guys he is starting to get more than a little fed up. He does not have to give access to his land at all, yet has chosen to do so. Please respect that, or maybe he will choose to not allow access to the land at all. Imagine having to honor the high water mark all through that area.

Nice, accurate, and timely advice. Though I will say that he missed the "always fish by a bridge" advice. Everyone knows fish like structure and a bridge is excellent structure. Bridges are among the best places to fish, especially if there is a boat launch just above it, or a parking lot anywhere nearby.

Don't know about cellmates, but it does make me reminisce about my days on the submarine.........

A good portion of the people still say hi I think. But you are right, that number is probably going down.

I go round and round with this question. I currently have a pair of Filson waders. High end, extremely well made. I have around a year on them, and no issues whatsoever. But I also bought a $80 pair of breathables from a chain Sporting Goods store in Houston 3 yrs ago for my son. We've had to aquaseal them a few times, but they are still going strong. My son has outgrown them, so I gave them to the next kid. So it really depends on if you can find a good quality, inexpensive brand. They certainly exist, but some cheap waders are just cheap. Testimonials, like Hawg's above, can help guide you toward inexpensive options.