reevesr1

The Optio has a great rep here, from everything I've read. Take a look at Maxwell's shots. They were shot with an Optio (unless he recently changed). Not surprising to me a camera shop guy recommended the TS2 or Canon, they are significantly more expensive. I did look at the Canon at Saneal. Nice price, but still way more than what I can get an Optio on line for. Haven't decided yet.

I'm going fishing with that guy on a BC Lake in a few weeks!

Decided to skip it. Going back to "I'm done with this argument" position.

Interesting article: Fear of Science Will Kill Us

A short auction update: Between ended items and current bids we are currently just over $6100.00. So we've surpassed last year, but have a long ways to go to 2008. I know 2008 was a bit different economic environment than today, but no reason not to try. There are still lots of really good buys out there! Those of you who are sitting on the sidelines, get involved. I know lots of you fish in SA. We need your involvement!

That fish must be what? 24 or so? A true beast!

Clive, I don't see a scale in the photo, so I don't believe you. Or Brian. Or any of the other people who claim big fish unless I see verified visual evidence. See, it's easy to be a professional denier. All you have to do is deny everything. All the time. It's actually more effective if you never contribute anything either, except of course the denying.

And two more: A golf/fishing combination from Troutlover and a day at Bullshead from Beedhead!

3 new auction items started: A "Chinook Arch over Chief Mountain" panorama view, photographed by Clive Schaupmeyer, A First Edition copy of "A River Never Sleeps" by Roderick Haig Brown, and a copy of "How to Build a Wooden Fishing Net" by Alan Kloepper and Clive Schaupmeyer, all donated by Dryfly! Thanks Clive!!

I want to add my thanks to all those who have donated and bid. We could not do this without you. This program is extremely important to the long term health of the waters most of us here love to fish. We hear often how the Alberta Government doesn't do enough to protect our resource. Well, maybe they don't. So it is up to us to do whatever we can. These auctions can go a long way to helping this program stay solvent, and hopefully even grow. There are items on the auction site now that are going for ridiculously low money. A handmade net from New Zealand for $150.00. A guided trip to the headwaters of the Red Deer (I mean, who wouldn't want to go there) for $400. Trips to the Crow, the Bow, Barnaby ridge, cool women's rain shoes, etc. etc. Come on folds, step up! It's not just about getting a good deal, it's about supporting a great cause. The trip or gear you get is a bonus. If you have anything to donate, please do. So many of us can donate trips. You don't have to be a guide, there are so many fantastic fishermen here and so many more who would love the help. Anybody have good used gear that needs a new home? There are so many ways to help. If you don't have anything, just donate. Every little bit helps, even if it is a cliche. We as a board/community have done a fantastic job supporting this cause. We can do more. Please help. And I do want to beat Greg's total. Not because I'm competitive (and I am) but because I really believe in this cause and think this board can do it.

Another new item added, a Bow River float trip from Dutchie, and a trip to unknown waters with Taco! And I probably should have said this before. We've had a several guides who have donated trips now. We should try to support them as much as we can. Whenever you know of somebody who is looking to book a trip, think of these guys first!! Closing notices put up on: 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 for Tuesday at 10 PM.

Well, I said I had one really nice donation coming in, and here it is: Loop AEG 9ft 5wt rod and Loop Multi 3/6 reel. Thanks to Tyler (tyfish) for this fantastic donation! Happy bidding! Oh and while you are there, check out the other open auctions. There are some still some seriously good deals!

Brown 26.5". Actually I've got two at 26.5. Measured against the rod. Rainbow 25" (biggest also 26.5, but not on the bow). Caught the rainbow the same day as the first of the big browns. I also caught the biggest sucker I've ever caught on the same day. Some sort of obscure trifecta.

My son just broke my Stylus 1050 SW (scuba diving, went to 60 ft or so and said "the camera broke, I thought it was water proof?"). Anyway, I'm in the market for a new one. Looked at the Panasonic on ebay. At $475+, I think I'll pass no matter how good of pictures it takes (divorce proceedings are expensive). I may look at the Pentax Optio this time. I really like the Olympus for ease of use, but I thought the older versions took better inside shots. But for an outdoors/fishing camera you'll love it!

Several new items listed, including a Lake Sundance Trip from monger, some designer ladies rain footwear and a sawbuck jacket (both via fishpro-his 2nd and 3rd donations!) I think I have one more really nice donation coming in. We will probably run these for about another week. There are some unreal deals, and we really need to step up to support this endeavor. These people are trying to protect the most sensitive areas any of us fish. All we have to do is buy stuff to support it. Or donate something. It's the least we can do.

Terry, you owe me a computer keyboard. Mine has Cafe Mocha all over it.

Teck, I read your reply how you meant it, didn't take it bad at all. There was only one bash, and he knew who I meant as judged by the last few posts.

It's pretty interesting that I was talking to nobody in particular, just an observation, and you went out of your way to make it personal. Fine. It's also fairly interesting that you talk about not wanting to expand your social network while you are on a social network. While it may not be about me, you seem intent on making it about you.

Read it/bash it how you like. I'm not talking about people who don't notice folks coming up. I'm talking about people who do, then go out of their way to pretend they don't. Everyone knows the difference. I'm not looking for a social club, I'm talking about people who go out of their way to ignore. If that is appropriate behavior where you come from, fine. To me, it isn't.

Several items ending today with some really good deals to be had.

Bestees with Testes!

When I am walking between spots and run into someone fishing, you can tell right away what type of person they are, the one I want to be around and the one I don't. The one I don't doesn't turn around and does everything he can to avoid making eye contact (and I think it is hysterical when I see these guys in popular water). They are in their spot and expect you to move away. So I do, what is the point of making them mad (and then them talking about it on an internet site). The others turn around, say hello, you say hello, converse on how it's going and usually have a conversation about which way each of you are heading. Usually the person will say something along the lines of "fish here anywhere." I usually don't, or if I do I'll fish behind him. Those are the people I'd rather be around. They often become fishing buddies. The others? Not so much. Let them have their own little world. And this may stir up some feathers, but I believe that the person who "closes up" is displaying just as bad etiquette as the guy who just drops in on me without asking.

I wonder if this kind of stuff just happens more often at easy to get to places? I don't fish many places that don't involve a bit of a walk, a hill, or some other "barrier" to the occasional angler. I don't do that to avoid them, I just find the fishing better if you have to work for it a bit. I fish a lot of days, and I can think of exactly one instance of some unruly behavior, and the unruly behavior was probably mine. Not saying the instances sited don't happen, they do. But if you find it happening to you over and over again, maybe you need to rethink where you fish, or be willing to accept the behavior.

Closing notices put up on several items, 2 new items added: A Barnaby Ridge Golden Trout trip from CDock and Birchy and a Mayfly Life Cycle wood burning by Samuriflyguy!

Trip is fully guided, upper stretches of the Red Deer (I have a PDF, but I can't figure out how to post it. Here is the text from the PDF: Fully Guided Adventure Angling in West Central Alberta • Jet boat access to some remote waters on the Red Deer River • One or Two Anglers • Fishing Gear and Flies Provided • Lunch and Snacks • Stepping off point near Sundre • Anglers need Waders and Sense of Adventure • For the Advanced Angler