reevesr1

Pseudo, Ok if you disagree. I fish with several guys who do not adjust their leader length, and they do very well. What I've read on the subject leads me to believe leader length is critically important in controlling the amount of slack and decreasing the amount of time to see the take. I know for certain that when I shallow up in slow shallow water, I catch more fish. I also do much better in small water when fishing shallow. I personally have a hard time seeing how leader length does not matter. You disagree. Cool. That's why this is fun.

Psuedo nailed it, at least in my mind. You actually don't have much working in your favor when nymph fishing. But one thing that does help is the fact that the water along the bottom is moving a bit slower than the water at surface due to friction. So your indi will tend to "lead" your flies---assuming they are on bottom. So the game to me is having enough weight to get down but no so much that you are drifting unnaturally slow or hanging bottom. Also, length of leader (ala Hawgstoppah) plays a big role as well. Not just in how fast you sink, but also in how much slack is in the system. If the leader is too long, you can think of the line between your fly and indi as a stretched out parabola (ok math geeks I know this isn't technically correct, but close enough). And when the fish hits as Psuedo described, there will still be a lag between strike and indication of strike. I find this more important in slow water because the lag can be so long that you don't see the strike at all. In fast water, the length does not delay the strike as much because of the speed, but the length can delay the flies getting to bottom due to buoyancy. Confusing enough?

Well, the fishing wasn't all that with only 7 trout, mostly little, landed between the 3 of us. But the trip was just fantastic. Fishing the Castle system and some smaller streams, all new water to us, was a blast. We walked miles and miles and were all exhausted by the end of the day. I can honestly say that the time I got to spend with my friends while witnessing these rivers and streams transitioning from spring towards their summer glory more than made up for it. I have some great water to fish in a few weeks!! Kevin (kungfool) probably has better shots as I am not much of a photographer. Anyway, here is my short journal of the day Locked and Loaded, South Calgary, 6 AM The first stop, love the sandwiches. Obligatory Windmill shot-and they were spinning like mad all day I'm sure: First stop, first look at the river. Blood was pumping! First run of the day, already re-rigging. Damn trees! Heading further south: Davy and Kevin at stop #2 Davy trying to decide where to cross Creek #3. I absolutely cannot wait to fish this water again. Way up on the ridge above creek #3: I would have taken some pics on the way home, but it was dark. Leg cramps when I got home from all the walking. I would say I'm getting too old for this *hit, but that ain't true. I can still hang with the young 'uns, mostly. Anyway, thanks boys for the great day!! I am a lucky, lucky man.

In no particular order, in the south..... Livingstone, Crowsnest, Castle system, Upper Bow (for the unreal beauty of it), Lower Bow (for the big ass fish), Upper oldman. And that is just the south. As Teck said, you can fish every stinkin' piece of water Hwy 40 crosses and rarely if ever be disappointed. If it was me, I'd get myself a copy of Barry Mitchell's "Alberta Trout Highway." Read it and fish whatever strikes your fancy. I've camped at Livingstone falls, and there are campgrounds nearby (Racehorse Creek and Dutch Creek) that open up all of the south.

That was funny. I walk up and Jim is holding a fly rod next to the accuracy area. Someone asks if I'm casting and Jim hands me the rod. "uh, no thanks" I stammer out. Like I'm going to try to cast accurately after Jim McClennan was casting. I wish I could come up with an accurate analogy. Like LeBron James handing me the ball and saying "go ahead Rick, jam one home!" or Alex Ovechkin saying "show us all your stickhandling Rick." Pass.

I was going to make a joke about it being a perspective shot to make the fish look bigger. But when the fish is like 4 ft long, I guess one of your arms has to be extended a bit. Awesome fish1

Nice Marketing! Sounds like an awesome deal btw.

TFO Finesse 4 pc with a Bauer. (though I have an Okuma for a 5 wt and like it too)

Only for a day. Your only worry is where did I put the trip wires?

Here is my chant: Please stay clear. Please stay clear. Please stay clear. Please stay clear. Please stay clear. Please stay clear. Please stay clear. Please stay clear. Please stay clear. Please stay clear. Amen.

Got the Korkers too. Figured Maxwell, hawgstoppah, et al probably weren't wrong. I've had the guide versions for about a month, so in my world that's about 15 trips (maybe a slight exaggeration, but just barely). I absolutely love the BOA or whatever the little wheel thingy is called. No more laces! And they are coming out with their version of "vibram" soles as well. Anyway, I'm a fan. That said, I know people who have the Simms and absolutely love them. I've had some Chota's as well, and they took a lot of abuse before giving up, but only after a year or so. But lots and lots of trips in that year. I've never had any pair of boots last two years, but that's probably because I treat them like crap.

So the reports of winterkill (mine) were greatly exaggerated. Nice fish SteveO.

I wet wade below town post runoff. Havent noticed any lesions or oozing sores because of it.

Damn straight baby! Post count is the true measure of pro-ness. Or is that prowess?

Just another perspective shot! Awesome fish Rob! Aren't we supposed to fish that fine lake of yours?

Mike, I think my words were: "No effin way I'm going in a distance casting competition." Not sure how that translated to "Rickr said he was going to win this". Dustin-taking me down in a casting contest would be like winning a long drive contest with your grandma, assuming your grandma stinks at golf. It might make you feel better, but it isn't much of an accomplishment!!

I think the original idea was for it to be guides. But that ship sailed long, long ago. Post away!

Welcome aboard Sallinger. How has life been after "Catcher in the Rye?" Heard you went into hiding, nice to have you back. You have received some great advice on this thread. If I didn't live so far away, I'd go fish Cochrane now that I've been told how to do it. One word of caution, contrary to popular belief, you can't get to the Highwood from Cochrane. Sorry, you'll just have to go around!

Chris, This could be my favorite reply ever on this board!! I need a new keyboard as this one is now covered in coffee.

Who let lawyers up there?

Al, I don't know who PKK has been watching cast, but I'm quite sure it isn't you! Kidding of course. I suck at dries as well for the same reason as you. Too much time casting nymphs and streamers. But I have found that after a few minutes with dries, I can get a bit more delicate. But accuracy can be a big issue for me. My solution? Just fish dries for cutties. They are dumb and will hit my poorly presented offerings. Makes me feel like a real fisherman. Whatcha doing tomorrow??????????

I've donated to these auctions, both by donating my time, my condo, and buying things to support to support this cause. I have ABSOLUTELY (yes, I typed that in caps) no problem with the officer using his discretion when it comes to fines. In fact, I want him too. Like any other type of enforcement officer, if all he does is follow the rules and never uses his discretion I think he is probably less of a credit to his profession than one who does use his discretion and take opportunities to teach when he thinks it is appropriate. Keep up the great work Jeff. I'm proud to have supported your work.

Agreed. I learned a long time ago to try not to question other's job performance if you've never had the job yourself.

I really just wanted to say pizza boy cuz it made me laugh.

I would say that the CO is free to use his discretion. If he thinks the person was making an honest mistake, i have absolutely no issue with a warning being issued. You can be that if it was a mistake, that person will not do it again, which is the desired outcome. For those of you who think otherwise, did you ever say "no thanks" when a officer gave you a warning for speeding?? As to efficiency, pizza boy is probably right. But really, he's not seeing that many people in a day anyway, so is the loss of efficiency meaningful?