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Nice Skagit Minnows. The guy who tied them (voodoofly) gave the pattern on the Spey Pages. Do a search over there using Skagit Minnow Shizzle.

That would probably work well as a golden stone imitation, as well as a hopper. Nice bug.

Yeah, that's right, Brent. Thanks for the correction. Never fished it myself. Is any of the water below the fly-only stretch any good?

I'm with Tako; I've never heard of dumbbell eyes being considered illegal on a fly in fly-only waters. If it's part of the dressing, it's kosher. I've fished a fair bit in BC, and it's never been an issue for me. As far as most steelhead waters being fly-only, I would say otherwise. A fair number now have bait bans, but most are open to other types of gear (spoons, yarn, etc.). The Cowichan is the only fly-only stream I can think of off the top of my head. So, unless you guys will be hitting that river, I don't think it will be an issue for you either way.

A 1448 with a 20" transom and a Merc 20 Jet will get two guys and gear up on step no problem (even three guys at times, depending on how big a lunch you had), and it will do it at a relatively low cost. I'll stay out of the debate/political side of things; I'm new around here, but I can imagine it's like most other places where guys are running jets...

Exactly what ricinus said. The rivers around Terrace will be the only ones open on the Skeena drainage. The Lakelse, Kalum, Copper (bottom few km's that are open), and the mainstem Skeena should have bright fish. Pack some bear spray on the Lakelse. Additionally, the Kitimat should be getting rollin'.

The Stillwater Solutions ostrich in white works awesome. Dye it, or colour it with a Sharpee. Way cheaper than rhea.

The one in the article was fashioned from the end of an X-Acto knife. Pretty cool idea the guy came up with. Thanks for the welcome, Weedy1. Not much to the name; just something I picked up in high school. And I'm with you on the time is money thing; I'm going to just go buy one, one of these days. Where'd you pick your's up?

There was an article in Fly Tyer two issues back (I think), that gave instructions on how to build one yourself. Might be able to find the info online as well. A lot cheaper if you have the skills and tools.