OneMoreLastCast

Sounds like all had a good day and did a lot of great things for the River. Unfortunately, my Daughter's Birthday took priority over coming down to Calgary to help out. Hopefully I can make the next one. Thanks to everyone that showed up and did their part, (and mine it sounds like). Well done.

I've had too many people to count try expensive pairs for 2 minutes to compare them to their cheaper pair and say they can't tell the difference. First off, you would need a lot more time to actually get the difference and second, the more expensive pairs aren't just going to allow a person to see into the water better. They will have better protection for the health and safety of your eyes. They will also have a better warranty and be less likely to get damaged and/or scratched. That being said, I wouldn't recommend someone that makes an average income going out and spending $400 on Glasses. The cheaper pairs would be just fine to fit a person's budget. The extra money would be better spent on other Fly Fishing needs rather than Sun glasses. I'll also add that the person that started this thread is not unlike a lot of other anglers on the water in the sense that they are fairly new to the sport. Don't get frustrated because someone can see fish that you can't. Spotting fish comes with experience and the most expensive Polarized glasses on the planet can't replace experience. My Grandpa never wore sun glasses and could see fish better than anyone with their's on. Look for me on the River and I'll help you out with some fish spotting tips. I'll be the guy with the fancy Polarized Glasses on, slick re-enforced Hodgman Waders, with a big bright indicator with 3 flies tied under it, a net hanging off my nice new Sims Vest and probably standing upstream of my pontoon boat

I used to buy the cheapos, but recently went to an expensive pair of "Maui Jim's" and have to say there is a huge difference. Not only can I see in the water better, I get better UV protection which is very important the more time you spend on the water. I was also told that they are virtually indestructible and I had my doubts, but I've definitely put them to the test and can't believe the abuse they have withstood. I've had them for pretty much the full season and have yet to get a nick or scratch on them and believe me, they should have a few. I also look after them more than I would with the cheaper pairs, so I believe they'll last me longer. Actually, it's been close to 5 months so they already have. They also have a great warranty that I hope not to use, but I'll say that I will definitely spend the money to get the better quality for all my future glasses.

Sounds like you made the best of your shortened time on the water. I had a trip planned to the exact area you went to and won't be able to go, so I'm very happy that I can live vicariously through your words and pictures. I'm thinking that Toolman and Hawgstoppah will have a number of questions to throw at you in the next little while. Thanks for sharing.

I agree with you Rick. There are times when there is absolutely nothing you can do with a fish of this size. The next time we get out I will give you a few things to try on the next one like this though. I"m sure we'll hear some similar stories from Toolman and Hawgstoppah when they return from their trip in October.

Since it's that time of year, try tying some of these. Tied them last week and tried them today on the Bow and they worked great. They're fun to tie as well. Just be careful....If you put them in the river, the fish try to eat them.

That was your first, (and last), mistake Rick. Hopefully we can get you into a decent fish next time we're out and I can show you how to stop them....Now that you're into your second year I think you're ready. You will probably gain a bit of weight though since you won't be running downstream so much.

I'm glad to have been part of your venture into the world of Fly Fishing. I wish I could remember so vividly my first year, but it was a long time ago and I can't even remember what I had for lunch yesterday.... I'd like to thank you for allowing me to spread some knowledge and I hope it helps. I sometimes need to show someone else something in order to advance myself, (if that makes any sense), because I think with experience comes complacency. I also truly enjoy seeing the look on a person's face when they learn something new and finally get it, (if you know what I mean). The learning has just begun as well. There's a reason I don't fish that much when we go out....I can't share all my secrets so soon. Congrats on a pretty decent first year. I doubt many other first year Fly fisherpeople can claim such a good year. Lastly....If this online dating thing goes too far, I'll just let you know now that I am not joining you on Springer!

XS Cargo had the Ball Cap brim LED lights on for $2. There might be some left still, but when I bought 10 of them last week, there was only about 100 left at the store on 32 AVE.

By far my favorite to date.

I'll bring a disk with the video on it this week when I'm in Calgary and leave it with Greg or maybe just give it to you personally if you can get out to wet a line.... As far as using an 8 wt. You almost have to with these fish in the type of water we were fishing in. There is usually no "calmer" spot to walk down to as shown in most of the video. If you play them right, you can usually keep them in the pool they were hooked in, but sometimes they don't cooperate and head down. If you can't stop them, they're gone. They'll snap 20 lb test like it was 6/0 thread if they get below you. You have to match the tippet to the rod. I got my new 8 wt recently and have been using it on the Bow to get used to it. I was quickly reminded that the 8 wt was no good with 5x or 6x tippet, where I had no problems with the same tippets using my 4 or 5 wt. With the 8 I would pretty much snap off right at the hook set. That is where the tippet strenght comes into play, but it has to match the rod. When fishing for fish between 8 and 20 pounds, you need a rod with some spine, or you won't have a chance. I've seen 5 and 6 weight rods with 20 pound test snap like a toothpick on fish like these when they run downstream because the person thought the line would hold the fish. They were half right, the line held up but the rod didn't. Usually snaps right above the cork....

You're doing just fine. It takes a long time to get the hang of getting the fish to cooperate more, and as you saw, sometimes there is nothing you can do to stop them from going downstream sometimes. BTW, how are the kneecaps and the shin bones?

I had my 8 for the Bull Trout and my 5 for the Cutthroat. The biggest tippet I had was 13.5 until I bought some 20 lb test and they could even snap that it seemed when they wanted. I used Windows Movie Maker and it is very basic. I plan to spend some time this winter using better software to cut up all the video I have accumulated over the years and make some better quality stuff. My Brother is really good with Adobe Premier and I plan to pick his brain, (and steal a copy of that $1000+ program), and really get serious with more filming. I'm really not that good as I discover everytime I get home to find out I had crappy angles, wrong settings on the camera, etc., not to mention I always forget to use some of the ideas I had in mind due to the excitement of being on the water. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope to get a bunch of footage in the next year and maybe make a "Fly Fish Calgary" member movie to make us all famous around the globe. I might need to have a partner when fishing with Rickr to set up downstream. I can catch the hook set and initial fight and the other person can take over after Rick chases the fish down river. That way we can get good video of the entire fight. That is unless Troutlover takes the rod out of his hand and just snaps the fish off. That would save a lot of tape.

I can't upload any video over 100 MB on Youtube, otherwise I would have just done that. I might make a shorter version for Youtube. The old Bull Trout video is on my Facebook page too BTW.

I plan on spending some time and making a better video when I get time, but for now I just cut it up on Windows Movie Maker. I also had problems the last time with Photobucket, so this time I just linked to my Facebook Video link. The quality isn't too bad, but I hope to put it together and make it less choppy. Hope you enjoy it. http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=5931902340

Taco is right on the mark. The Wigwam is definitely no secret anymore, and I really don't know if it was that much of a secret even 10 years ago. The first article I read on the Wigwam was at least 15 years ago in an American publication that gave great details on how to get there and how to fish it. The most recent was this year and it stated, "Make sure to include the Wigwam in your travel plans for the running of the Bull Trout...." I don't mention names to avoid BS from people that cling to the slim hope that it might still be secret, but it's not. I have no problem running into people on rivers because as most people that fish with me can tell you, I usually let others fish and I am happy to watch and help them catch fish. I like to run into people to bullshit and hear about their trip, etc., but I don't like coming across the Dicks that I seem to come across on the Wigwam. The Wigwam is a stream that I look forward to fishing, but when finished, I usually try to figure out why I bothered. All the walking and climbing....and falling on rocks.....etc. I know of too many other water systems in both Alberta and BC that are just as good or better, but figured we'd go to the Wigwam since I hadn't been since '04. The other fella in the pictures is my cousin and he is still fishing around the area, (not the Wigwam), and has informed me that once again we made a mistake on our choice of river. Oh well, live and learn. I won't say I won't return to the Wiggy, but as far as I'm concerned, the Guides and the Anglers with the attitudes can have the Wigwam. I'll go to other places where the other fishermen on the banks won't be so grumpy from the long drive and long difficult walk in. I have also heard from local guides that the Wigwam is being hurt by the Classified licensing system because of its remoteness. People going in for a few days are forced to buy their licenses for 3 or 4 days at a time, therefore they are forced to put all of their fishing pressure on the one stream. If there was no Classified system in place, they could spread out the pressure to other streams. A glitch in the system.

Olympus Stylus 770 SW. Well, I got another PM from someone telling me to keep it low profile on these "Secret" streams. Even if everyone knew where these streams were, they wouldn't know where to go to fish them. Plus, most of the people that have PM'd me are wrong on the location anyway. I have streams that I consider to be secret, or less used, and trust me, if I thought these streams were even close to being secret, I wouldn't post anything about them. The 5 or 6 vehicles at each access point tell me that it isn't a secret, not to mention the 20 to 30 people camped in the suitable areas. We're not going to go down that road anyways right? I almost have the video completed and will post it when It's done.

It may not have been offensive, but it definitely had the intention of insulting people for what they were saying and had no point what so ever. Therefore, it served no purpose and did not add anything to the discussion. If you are going to post a smart ass comment, at least make a point. The others that posted conflicting views at least had points to express and added to the discussion. There is nothing wrong with a good debate that might get heated. Even with your recent post, you make no point. You simply point out that you don't think that Greg was just trying to sound smart. If a thread involves a debate between multiple people, don't step in unless you are going to get involved and add to it. Making comments like you did take away from the discussion and only end up taking it in a different direction. I agree with Max....I think they just like Foam! Have fun in the rain. I'm glad I didn't stick around to fish with you today because I am too soft to fish in this. Hope you get another shot at that guy from the other day....Shhhh.

Missed you on the trip Dave. I might work on the video today if I get the energy. The pool in the last video, (that you starred in), was taken of course but it sure was nice to have the nice worn in paths to walk in and out compared to the way we used to have to climb in. I haven't decided between big Steelies or Big lake Rainbows in October, but I'll let you know as soon as I decide so we can maybe make plans.

Think I could sell this to Chota to use in their adds? Just looking at it and thought it would be great for advertising their product that I have always been happy with, especially after only falling 3 times in 4 days this time out....

It would take more than people like this to wreck my day. I find it pretty funny when someone that might be a great person off the water can completely ignore someone that simply says hi and asks how their day is going. Jekyl and Hyde sydrome on the River. My cousin and I laughed the whole time while we were actually on our way downstream to leave the river and two guys were running downstream to claim their spot. They must have felt stupid when we passed them and made our way off the water. The paths going down the valley should tell anyone that the river is not secret anymore. Accept it and just fish. We even brought an American with us in hopes of fitting in. It figures that the day we fished the busier section noone was around. Here's some more under water pics. I took some under water video, but seem to have accidently deleted it....oops.

These people were from everywhere, not just BC. It seemed that everyone that fishes the area no matter where they are from considered the river their own and shunned anyone they came across. The people from Montana have always been this way on this river for some reason and I don't understand it. I'm just getting at that I often run into people on the Alberta streams that I know are not necessarily from Alberta, but everyone always at least has a nice "Hello" or "How Ya doin'?" in them.

Don't feel bad Rick. The first day I fell on the way in because we took our usual way in and found the nice worn trail on our way out. I also fell similar to the way you fell on that rock. Mine was a little embarrassing because we were walking right behind two other anglers at the time that turned out to be another couple of Pr*@ks....of a number we encountered in the area. I can't remember ever passing by people on Alberta waters where you say hi and/or ask how their day is and they ignore you and give you dirty looks. The trip was a good trip because it was a fishing trip, but there were a lot of things that left a bad taste in my mouth. The people's attitudes on the river and at the Fly shop. There are 4 shops and we stopped at two, one where the people were great and the other where they were brutal. I won't mention the name out of respect for all shop owners. Basically I am getting at that noone owns any water body out there no matter what they think. Everyone has a right to fish the rivers, especially when they pay $20/day on top of their license. I was also very disappointed in how worn in the paths along the river are since the last time I was at this stream. It shows that the Classified licensing is definitely not taking any pressure off the water. I have a theory that it actually adds to the pressure that I can get into in another thread. Basically...It forces people to fish the one stream over the length of their trip, rather than spread out the pressure by being able to move to other waters due to the water specific licensing. Although the fishing is still not bad, there are far too many other streams and lakes out there that have great fishing as well. So I think some of my disappointment might stem from the fact that this very well could be my last trip into the "Canyon". We'll get some big ones elsewhere Rick. One real positive that came from this trip was that it made me very proud to be an Albertan Angler. I urge everyone here to keep up the friendly attitudes on the water to show the people visiting our beautiful Province that we are more intelligent than those people we encountered over the border.

My cousin and I arrived on the river around 11 am the first day and it didn't take long for the Bull Trout fever to set in as we could see moderate numbers already stacking up in the pools. I set up the video camera and my cousin Tyler, (Swampdondey here), got the first few casts and caught one early in the day. Then it was my turn and I got into a nice big bull trout too, so the trip started off pretty well. We continued hooking and landing some, but losing most as these fish are so strong, sometimes with the current and location, they definitely have the advantage. We decided to give our arms a rest and changed our thoughts to the beautiful Cutthroat in the river. This one that was unreachable by cast was easily 26+ inches long, but He knew where to hang out to keep free of us Anglers, and trust me we tried but couldn't get him to move out from his cover, (that can't be seen in the picture. We caught quite a few on Emergers and a couple on the traditional big bushy Cutty flies, but the best was stalking the ones we could see with the video camera rolling. The Video will be in the works as soon as I recover from the trip. Having lost a number of streamers on the first day, we thought it best to head back to camp early to tie some for the weekend. The second day went fairly well too, with pretty much the same success, but then the fish seemed to start to shut down later in the day. We started to see more and more people as it got closer to the weekend too, so we knew it would have to be an early morning in order to claim the runs we wanted. Rickr and Troutlover arrived on Friday night and we were all excited about the fishing in the morning. We made the trek down to the river and with in a short time, Troutlover was into his first big Bully. He hooked a few more and the look on his face was priceless. It's a look I've seen quite a few times and this is what makes it worth it to me to bring new people out to these streams. Meanwhile, Rick was trying his luck as well but unfortunately early in the day, he broke his rod. I just caught the "Snap", but didn't see what happened, so Rick will have to tell that story. Rick did manage to hook into a really big fish later in the day using Troutlover's 4 wt, but when it ran down, he really didn't have a chance. Again, he'll have to tell that one because there is a bit more to the story. The last day we walked a really long ways downstream....I mean a really long way. It was the last day of 5 for me, with more walking than I can even estimate. If I had to, I'd say I walked at least 30 miles in the 4 days. Throw in about 5 packs of smokes and you can imagine how motivated I was to fish the last day. We hit the water fairly early and the first hole had a good number of fish in it. Unfortunately, they weren't very interested in getting hooked. We moved downstream and separated into two groups for a bit. My cousin and I lead and he fished Cutthroat, while I fished for Bull Trout. He landed a few with the biggest being around 23 inches and I managed to land 2 bull trout in the medium size range, (which is around 30 inches). When Rick and Troutlover caught up to us, Troutlover caught a Whitefish that the Bull Trout seemed to want more and Rick fought and lost a nice Cutty and lost it at his toes, but They'll have to tell what happened while we were separated. In the end it was great, as it always is, to get out to the mountains fishing, but all in all, I was disappointed I couldn't get Rick into one of these beautiful Big Bull Trout. I should have known that the way to go was to focus on the Cutthroat rather than spend so much time with the Bulls that were obviously Resident and not as interested as I would have liked. The run is late this year and I made the mistake of not switching over to Cutthroat. I also have some major issues with the "Classified Waters" licensing set up that could be discussed in another thread. I don't disagree with having to pay the money, just the set up. I am happy that I met a new fishing buddy, had good conversation around the fire and for the most part had 2 good days or fishing and 2 bad, so the positives far out weigh the negatives. Some random pictures from the trip. I might post more when I get them uploaded to photobucket later.

'Nuff said IMO...do we really care as long as the fish thinks it's okay to eat? Seriously, now I'm really off to bed.