OneMoreLastCast

As Doc said, pinch the barbs when tying. I know this isn't an option when buying flies but to avoid the frustration of trying to properly pinch the barb on the river or in the dark, do it at home when you buy them before putting them in your boxes. I had the debate with a friend who asked why I pinch the barb before tying the fly at the bench. It was a simple answer that I'd rather not tie the fly, then pinch the barb and break the tip, I'd rather break the tip if it happens before spending the time...

It's been quite a while since I've been here, and I decided that there isn't a better reason than to pay respect to an amazing person like Gord. I first met Gord around 30 years ago, and still have the first "Decent" fly rod I ever owned, a T&T that Gord talked me into buying with the promise that it'll catch more fish, he was right. A few years later, He convinced me that I should buy a Drift Boat and take clients out for him when he was short handed, with the promise that it'll make me a better fisherman, again, he was right. I loved the early morning phone calls from Gord telling me, (not asking), that I was taking some people for a fish that day and we'd figure out how much money I'd be paid, but I'm sure he knew I would have done it for free. I was actually scared to tell him when I sold the boat and was giving up Guiding, when I finally did tell him, he actually congratulated me for "Getting Out" and said now we can finally be friends. He was always good for a laugh, especially if you happened to be in the shop when someone asked what he considered a stupid question. His reactions were priceless and he didn't hold back, which I always respected. I miss the good old days where we would sit in the shop, tie flies, drink a couple pots of coffee and chain smoke the better part of every rainy day away. Gord was way ahead of his time when it came to patterns and never gave a *hit about putting his name on something he tied. He just liked to hear that it worked and it caught fish... Of all of the influences I've had in my close to 40 years of Fly fishing, Gord is a close 2nd to my Grandfather. I'm going to miss the grumpy old bugger, the fish won't though I'm sure. Rest in Peace Gord...

Warning or Fine....Are we forgetting that neither would have been given out without the Stream Watch Program? Either way, I'm sure the person went away less ignorant and will hopefully teach His child to read the regulations as soon as they can read. Thanks to those involved in Stream Watch and keep up the great work. I will say though, on the slim chance the offender in question reads this board....Shame on you. You've just taught your young child a terrible lesson that hopefully gets forgotten in time due to only being 3 years old. Parents really have to set a better example for the next generation of anglers. You can't teach them that it is okay to break, or ignore the rules and the warning is okay, but it kind of teaches the child that they got away with it in a way. Hopefully, thanks to Jeff and Stream Watch, there's one less uneducated Angler out there that would have continued breaking the rules had Stream Watch not existed.

I agree 100% with both of you Don and Sundance. Yes Don, the people mentioned have done a fantastic job and I commend them all. I hope to get together with Kent in the next while for a fish and a talk. Sundance, I truly hope you can get something done and I'm more than happy to throw my hat in the ring to help you with your cause. I was just trying to get the point across that too many people sit on the sidelines and cheer others on rather than jump in and get involved. It's also very difficult to fight a battle like the one you've chosen to fight with such a popular fishery. It might be more productive to find a body of water that noone cares for at present and create the fishery you are looking to create. I say this because of the recent experiences I've had fighting the people that can't figure out "Why we would bother fishing if we're just going to let them go....." I've discovered that we are greatly outnumbered and it might be better to focus on more winnable battles. I've taken my depth finder out on a number of fish free waters that have shown potential and I'm now waiting the results of water tests to see which might be worth moving forward. I'll admit that I didn't do much when I lived in Calgary as far as helping to create Quality Lake fisheries, but it wasn't much of a topic back then. I spent a lot of wasted time in the end, fighting Irrigation and Storm runoff battles. With the number of interested people in the Calgary area there should be no problem getting enough support to get something done, but noone is stepping up. Sundance, I truly hope your name gets added to the list of successful people listed by Don above.

Thanks Don for your help and input on my quest in my area. As for the "Quality Lakes" issue, I think more people have to get involved to see what Don and his Support are facing. Sundance will find out as well if he continues with this, and I hope You are successful. I think as a community, we have to focus and actually contribute, rather than just post your support on Boards like this. People with Conservation as a Priority and the hope to have Trophy Fishing are far out numbered by people that would rather put the fish in a frying pan. This majority attitude makes it near impossible to accomplish anything unless everyone that wants it actually involves themselves. Filling out surveys is a start, but phone calls, letters, showing up to meetings, sweat equity and of course Financial Support is what is really needed. My suggestion has been brought up in the past. Pick a couple of Potential Water bodies and focus on those until we get what we want. As I found out thanks to Mr. Anderson, trying to change the rules on an existing fishery is pretty much impossible. Fiesta and Ironside had no fishery, so what Don did to create what they are now is fantastic and we need to help create more like them, instead of just taking advantage of other people's hard work. I'm sure I'm not the only person that is sick and tired of having to drive out to BC to take advantage of "Quality Fishing" when there's no reason we shouldn't be able to have the same thing here in Alberta. The more I work on getting changes, the more I respect what Don has accomplished and the more I get frustrated with people that want something, but aren't willing to put in a little sweat to get it. Just my two cents and sorry if it comes off as aggressive. I just had the 6th door slammed in my face in just two days on pretty much exactly this topic....It's looking like it will be easier to move rather than try to get changes close to my home.

Max is stuck up here in Fort Mac....We worked his ass off in honor of his B-Day. Actually, I let him sneak away to wet a line earlier today for some Slough Sharks in the Athabasca.

Well done contacting the authorities and getting something done. I will how ever make one point though. Please don't group all Center Pinners into one group. I know of a few very responsible Anglers that use this method occasionally, (along with Fly Fishing) that know and abide by the Regulations. One in particular, (a good friend of mine), is of Korean decent but raised here in Alberta. He has already experienced negativity from the Fly fishing community which hasn't been a problem because he himself is an experienced Fly Fisher. He just likes to mix it up and loves being able to cover a lot of water. It would be a shame to see a person like him get flack due to being stereotyped.

Actually just giving this a Bump. Figured I'd post some pics of a few of the flies that Brad or whomever gets my Lake Fly Box will be getting.

I wish....I have to stay up here to make sure Max doesn't get outta hand. A nice cold beer or two while watching the Flames win tonight will be an ideal way to spend my night. We'll celebrate together on the water soon since I'm stuck up here if you're into it... Thanks for the well wishes Buddy.

Figured I'd throw this up again since it goes along with the theme...

I couldn't pick just one, but found these three that I like. Early Morning, BC lake all to myself.... This little fella distracted me for a bit... One of Rusty's Bully's from our trip.

The Shack Nasties Strike again.... I haven't had time to wet a line for a few months because I've been too busy up here in Fort McMurray working, but I've been able to forget about fishing for the most part as time has gone by. I pretty much settled into the fact I will most likely have to wait 'til Spring....Oh well, so be it. I decided to help a friend and hired him last week. He started today. He's been on the job for half a day and all he does is talk Fishing, Fishing, Fishing....Just when you think he's finished, back to the topic of fishing he goes! Now, thanks to him, I can't even concentrate on my work because I just want to hit the River! Apparently, he's known as the "Bow River Ninja" or "Jedi" or something like that. He seems to know what he's talking about, but being so young, how could he really? I'll see over time if he's all talk or not. Maybe even spend a day on the water with him if I get a chance to see first hand. I'll let you know of my findings. I needed a break from the fishing talk, so I just sent him on a Bogus Delivery off site for awhile. I can see this Kid's gonna cost me...Already lookin' at the Calender to see which days I can take off to go fishing. Oh, and to go along with the problems he's already caused by distracting me from my work, his first day on the job, he booked the weekend off to go to some "Fishing Show" in Calgary this weekend! Must be nice.... Crazy Ass Long Hair Punk Kid.....Welcome to Fort Mac Max, good Luck.

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Great Information and Advice Jack. Also, welcome to the Board. Hopefully you can spend some time here sharing some of your vast knowledge and experience as the folks in BC have had access to for so long.

First off, I want to say that my previous post was in response to statements made about "Unions" in a general sense, and I apologize Weedy for implying that you are ignorant because I know you are not. You can't paint all Unions with the same brush, unless you want to call Teachers, Nurses, etc. lazy and put them into the same category as other Unions exposed in the past as being corrupt, Lazy, or worse. (ie- East Coast Teamsters back a few years, and possibly the Auto Workers in question at the moment). The studies and investigations by unbiased people are finding that the problems the Automakers are facing are pretty much all Executive Based. Whether it be giving themselves Raises, BS Incentive Bonuses, or even giving into unreasonable Labor demands, it still points to the executives. Terry's Original Post sums it up nicely and is perfect. Short, Sweet and to the point. Most of the labor bashing comes from people that have no idea because they have never worked in a Union environment or Company owners that don't want Union Labor because it costs them more out of their pocket. Do you think a Client looking to build a condo, Warehouse or something like an Oil Plant in Fort McMurray is going to pay more to have a Union Contractor do the job? They will take the Contractor that has the lowest price, can supply the manpower and has a great safety record. The extra cost for an employee's Benefits, Pension, etc. comes out of the Company's pocket. A Union Electrician or Pipefitter in Alberta has a better chance to live on the same street as the Company owner, than their Non-union counterparts. Just an example to show a different situation as far as Unions are concerned. Don't get me wrong, I am one of those that don't know the labor situation concerning the Auto Industry Bail Out. I can only go on what I read just like everyone else here. The only thing I suggest is that everyone take a look at the source. If an Executive states that it is a completely labor based problem that put them in their position or visa versa, I will look deeper for an unbiased report before blindly believing what I just read. I'm sure if I wrote an article, put a bunch of bogus numbers and supposed facts that pointed to Rickr as the cause of the Auto Makers fall, and a large number of Sheep out there would believe it and pass it onto their co-workers the next day...