reevesr1

Do you really believe that? Then why even watch?

They do (or at least the studies I looked at).

Rob, You are basically comparing angling experience, not barb vs non-barb. The only way to do it is have the same angler(s) use barb and non-barb for the duration of the study and look at mortality. Handling time would certainly be included since they have to take the hooks out regardless of type. I've seen multiple studies in fresh and salt, all saying essentially the same thing. Barbless does next to nothing for decreased mortality. Though the requirements were put in for the best of reasons, it appears they are in the end purely and aesthetic and social in nature. That said, I have no problem sticking (no pun intended) with barbless. I fish on a lot of streams where fish are caught multiple times. I imagine (not backed up with anything) that less visible damage occurs with barbless.

I can probably find an off....... Can someone please explain to me why it is that Canada always needs all this time to "gel"? It's like every Olympics. Why don't the other nations need time to "gel"? They are a bunch of NHL'ers too, at least the good teams. You have the best players (except possibly Russia). Quit worrying about gelling and go out and win the damn thing.

Well, assuming you guys get by Germany (a big assumption), you get the Russians. Good luck with that. On the plus side, your Ice Dancers are in first place. You guys seem pretty good at that. Your ladies speed skaters are pretty good too. You should be pretty happy with your Olympic performance overall, just behind Norway and tied with Korea. Nice job. Just think what it would have been like if you hadn't owned the podium. I don't really mean all that. But ya gotta admit, it's pretty funny. No? Well, the wound may be a little fresh.

Yep. And you know why we all played outside? Cuz we didn't have video games, or cable TV. They are entertaining themselves just like we entertained ourselves. Their entertainment of choice is just different. We have no idea if it is better or worse for the kids. We only think it is worse because it is different than what we did. I have three kids. I can promise you that they are looking to me like they will all be better adults than I am. Call of Duty and all! I also think that the point about the media (and I don't blame the media, they only give us what we want) focusing on the bad news is more than partly to blame. It fosters a sense of imminent danger when in fact little real danger exists out here in the burbs (and not much danger anywhere else around here). I let my kids go wherever they want, within reason. I refuse to teach them to be afraid.

Umm, I think the reference was referring to the fact Busey played Buddy Holly way back when. Got an Academy Award nom (I learned that from google).

These. Bronze lenses.Reading Sunglasses

Laser eye surgery at Lasik MD. Near sighted my whole life, which means I can see near just fine but my distance vision is bad. Same prescription since I was 12. But as you age, regardless of near sightedness, your ability to focus close up goes away as well. Either can be fixed surgically, but not both. They shape the eye in different fashions to correct, and they are mutually exclusive. So yes, I had laser. And yes, I need reading glasses. So they are not really bifocals (which implies a near and far corrective lens), they just have a small built in magnifier into each lens of non prescription sunglasses. I did have prescription Maui Jim's once. Don't leave those in your loose coat pocket on a c-train.

Brunsie, He's speaking from my experience. The story is long, but at the end of it I didn't have Loop Opti-Stream any longer. Or at least as much.

Or not. Got my new Maui Jim's delivered today, birthday present (belated) from my wife! My first good sunglasses post eye surgery. Only nod to age is the little bifocal cut in the corner of each lens. Not noticeable unless you know they are there, and now I can tie on flies without flipping down the big magnifying glass on my hat. Can't wait for summer!! Now someone or someones will post their negative experience with Maui Jim's. Don't care. Best lenses and I look cool in them. Or at least as cool as it is possible to look in sunglasses with bifocals in them. Which probably isn't really all that cool, but as good as it gets at my age.

Best of luck Ryan!

So if I'm primarily fishing the Bow with Airflo (I'm thinking of getting the Tactical Trout for a 4 wt), does it tend to get more dirty than other lines?

I agree with Dave. I am actually afraid to pick up my spin or light baitcasting gear and fish the Bow. Because I'm convinced that if I fished nymphs and streamers I would significantly increase my catch rate. And for basically the reason Dave stated above--you can effectively cover so much more water per cast. And anyone who doesn't think it would be fun to fight a 20+" fish on a ultralight spinning rod with 4 lb test is crazy. If you look around, there are good books and articles about nymph fishing with spin gear.

OK, first off, I was pulling for Bilodeau. Hard. It was great to see you guys finally get a win on home soil with a fabulous performance. Exciting stuff, and the Aussie did look a bit whiny, to say the least. Had the opportunity to watch the US version of the moguls as well. They showed Bilodeau's brother several times (human interest angle), and were certainly saying they thought Alex won. What I will say is that they talked about who won the competition (Bilodeau) and did not once mention the fact that the American got third. A pleasant change from normal US olympic coverage, which is usually about the US only. They were all about the winner in this case, and seemed very excited for him. Now my rant. The CTV et al coverage is the most homer coverage I have ever seen anywhere I've ever been. It is pretty brutal. Watched the snowboarding today. You would have thought there was only one medalists, the Canadian who got silver. The comeback by the American was spectacular. But all the talk was about the silver (obviously a huge accomplishment, but shouldn't some acknowledgment be given to the winner?) Same thing when I watched the women's 3000 speed skating. All the talk about Groves in third, not much about the dominant skate by the Czech lady. You could hear them shout with glee when the last skater ended up fourth giving Groves the bronze. It really used to be that the Canadian coverage was very balanced. Maybe too balanced. But it was a true pleasure to watch Canadian Olympic coverage as you would hear stories about athletes all over the world. It was such a nice change from the myopically focused US coverage. Unfortunately, Canadian broadcasting seems to have emulated the US coverage. Too bad. It was way better before. And before everyone jumps all over me, I tend to pull for the Canadian athletes in these things. As I said, I was glad to see Alex get the gold in moguls and really enjoyed watching the snowboard cross (and was pulling for the Canadian there as well). But I would like to see the coverage be a little more about the event. Edit: And of all the events, I really, really hope Wotherspoon wins his gold.

Speedy recovery Jay. Brutal price to pay for being a good man.

The Ravens? I'd rather watch grass grow.

I agree that they had to worry about the saints sitting on routes. But the lack of the run KILLED Indy. They were getting 0 yards, setting up too many 2nd and 10s. Better in my mind to go to the controlled passing game. Try to dink and dunk your way out of it. Indy only got 7 points in the last 3 quarters, on a truly not very good defense. What they did wasn't working. That said, it was still a close game until the pick.

Brad, 10-6 ain't desperation, no matter what Ron thinks! And I fully understand run to set up the pass. Except when the pass is working no matter what and the run isn't. In that case you are running for no reason whatsoever.

Anyone who watched that game and didn't think it was exciting must be a defensive coach. NO just played slightly more defense than Indy did. I actually thought Indy's play calling in the second half was curious. They ran the ball ok in the 1st half, but not at all well in the second. But NO could not stop the passing game. My question during the second half was why are they running the ball at all? They stopped their own drives with running plays and screens. On the 5-15 yd pass plays they seemed almost unstoppable. With one notable exception. I don't think the onside kick was desperation at all. Nor did I think the two point conversion was. It was a 6 pt game otherwise and late. 7 pts beats you. I thought it was a no brainer. The onside kick was brilliant. It's a desperation play when you are down late. Down by 4 in a super bowl to start the 2nd half? That's not desperation, that's balls!

Norway or Finland if memory serves. Not Sask. Sorry.

Well.... I'm not completely sure NO looses the game even if they don't recover that kick. I will certainly say Payton coached to win. Not that Indy coached a bad game either. But after the first quarter, Indy was outscored 31-7. In the end, NO just flat outplayed Indy. And I think Bellichik made the right call against Indy. To me, the only way for the Pat's to win that game was to get the first down. Too much time for Payton and the ball.

Reggie Wayne should have caught that. Good for the city of New Orleans. If anyone ever wants to go to a party, now would be the time. Dank--hope you are still reading the site from time to time. Get back to NO and have some fun buddy! Two drops and this would have been a different, at least closer, game. Pierre Garcon in the 1st half to stop a drive and Wayne at the end of the game. New Orleans played a GREAT football game. Aggressive play calling, no mistakes. Peyton made one mistake, and the two drops. All it took in this one. Like I said way back when, Indy hadn't faced an offense like the Saints'. I'm sure Brees will be MVP. He deserves it. Man, I want to go my second home right now!

YEEESSSSSS!!!!!!! Edit: Ahem, did someone mention opportunistic defence when he was breaking down the game? Wonder who that could have been. Indy is about to score. I actually hope they do and recover the onside kick. This is fun!

24-17! Looks like a last team with the ball wins sorta game. Like I said, Indy cannot stop NO. The converse is true as well, but to me, NO just looks more dangerous. And did anyone notice that the Olympics are starting on Friday on Ceeeeeee Teeeeee VEEEEEEEEEEE?!?