OneMoreLastCast

No worries with that Greg, and damn you for starting this thread. I have to leave at 4 am for our trip and should be in bed, but I am too interested in seeing where this thread goes. This time I'm really off to bed....Seriously. BTW....What are you doing this weekend?

I totally agree on the sinking the hopper being effective. I also agree that it is not something to get heated about and I'm not at all. I just get a kick out of those random posts where someone makes no point what so ever, but even if they don't mean to, offend people. So I feel the need occassionally to point that out. Make the comment if they feel the need, but at least follow it up with some kind of point. You, Brent, Fishhead, Weedy, SilverDoctor along with others made some great points and I believe that was the point of the original post. To see others opinions on the subject. If I make an observation, or state an opinion and someone disagrees with it, I am more than happy to hear their side or view. So I guess I assume others might feel the same. When I stated that I could not see how Hoppers could be considered as being an "Important" food source, I was saying just that. I didn't say that Trout don't feed on Hoppers, I was just saying that due to availablility, they could not be considered to be a staple of a Trout's diet. Maybe just an occassional snack. I guess there are obviously people that don't like when others disagree with them, or contradict what they say. If this is the case, so be it, but IMO there is nothing wrong with conflicting opinions. If I stuck by the way I learned to Fly Fish way back from my Grandpa using his techniques, I would not get nearly as much enjoyment out of the past time I love, (No offense Grandpa...RIP). I apologize if I came across as rash, I didn't mean to. I just love a good debate and love it when someone stands behind their opinion or theory, rather than replying with basically a...."Well you're just stupid! I'm right you're wrong" and sign off.

Both Great points and with that, I'm done with this one and off to bed. Thanks for starting another interesting Thread Toolman, and thanks Weedy for once again, and as always making intelligent and valid points. Have a great weekend all and hopefully Rick will have a great story to post after the weekend. Later

I give flies too....I might have to start charging Don't forget about the few flies you gave away too....Hopefully I can get them back the next time I fish that stretch. Now I sleep in preperation for this weekend Pal. Make sure to keep your arm nice and rested. See you Friday, I'll try to leave a few uneducated after tomorrow.

I'll just throw in that Trout feed almost exclusivley sub surface as well, so even if Hoppers were to become more available, the Trout would still get most of their diet under the water. This is why I can't see Hoppers being considered as an important food source that's all. ...and thanks Esleech, took the words right out of my mouth. Plus, at least make a point, don't just post an insult and run away.

Yes, but the body of water in question is the Bow specifically, with other waters only mentioned.

lol....So I guess if people post their opinions or theories, not necessarily facts, you want no part of any discussion and just decide to make a comment like this as always and move on. Interesting info Weedy and I agree that on the rare occassion I've seen Trout take a hopper, (usually one I crippled and threw on the water), they sometimes take it quite stealthily. I've also seen them sink them and then turn to eat them where if you weren't watching for it, you would never see it. My point was that it is not often that Hoppers would be available as food, so there's a good chance that they are either taking them by opportunity, or of course as something other than a Hopper, ie-Stonefly. The point that Hoppers are an important food source to Trout just doesn't fly with me due to the lack of availability. As for other terrestrials like ants, these fall into a different category to me. I could be wrong but I think Toolman was saying that he believes the fish are taking our imitations as Stoneflys rather than Hoppers and I agree that for the most part, this is true. But that is just my opinion.

12 plus..... and he's one of the little guys in that run. You forgot to mention the nice folks that not even 15 minutes earlier were kind enough to run their Zodiac directly up the middle of the run Max and I were trying to fish. Obviously this put the fish down and Max was basically just checking if they were willing again to feed before we left the water. I guess he was anyways. While they were driving right thru our water at approximately 3 KM/Hr, we very politely let them know their mistake. They must have misunderstood us because they anchored upstream and waited for us to leave before heading back downstream. You also forgot to mention that Max is suffering from a slight case of "Pike Fever"....

Tiemco are good, but don't underestimate the brittleness of Mustads. I stopped using them years ago, but don't worry, if you didn't lose the fish because the tips broke off, there's a good chance the Mustads would have just straightened out anyways. Try Diachii hooks as well. They cost a little more, but I think they're worth it in the end. I agree with a nice pair of needle nose pliars is the answer, and try to just use the tips directly on the barb itself keeping the pliars away from the tip.

I'll also add that in my 30+ years of fishing the Bow, I have on occassion seen hoppers get taken by Trout, but in the end, to say that Hoppers are a large part of a trout's food source is a bit humorous in my opinion, (no offense intended). Even if there was an actual "Hopper Season", ie-Mayfly Hatch, Caddis Hatch, Stonefly Hatch, etc., the conditions for hoppers to become an important food source would have to be perfect for this to happen every day for an extended time. As you said, it takes a big gust of wind to even get them on the water for the Trout to have them available as food. Also, it would be location dependant as most stretches of the Bow are not situated in a way to allow even the strongest winds to blow hoppers onto the water, not to mention that "Hopper Banks" as you mentioned are far and few between. I have run into so many people that fished Hoppers, or Hopper/Droppers all day and are proud to say they caught a couple of fish, where most of the time on those same days, we caught many more fish using multiple techniques. I will say that it adds to a person's chances if they use a hopper for an indicator, (Hopper/Dropper), because occassionally a fish might take the Hopper, where it's not likely you will get a very good hook set with a corky compared to. Stoneflys Rule...

I agree that the fish could not possibly hone in on feeding on hoppers. Although I have seen hoppers get swept into the water by wind gusts as we experienced yesterday and today, it is rare that the fish would key in on them as food. I agree with you Toolman that they are taking them as Stoneflies most of the time, with the odd exception that proves the rule. As anyone with experience will agree, Trout will refuse an offering due to a difference in size, oversized tippet or poor presentation. When fish key in on a food source, they rarely stray from it and will usually only do so when something they have seen as food before might comes by occassionally. I rarely fish Hoppers myself because I've found over the years that not only have I found I am more successful fishing more correct imitations when fishing dries, I've also always thought along the lines that Toolman does. I also agree with Brent that there are occassions when hoppers get blown on the water down south when the fish will take them as actual hoppers, but you have to remember that these areas consistantly have windy conditions, so the fish would be more accustomed to seeing hoppers hit the water. Anyone that has tried to throw a hopper out into the water to see if a fish will take it has probably seen what proficient fliers hoppers are, so even on windy days, hoppers can usually stay in the air long enough to get to safety. So in the end, I have to say Fiction. Fish are most likely taking them as Stones and the number of big Stones we saw on the water today shows that they are still around in good numbers for most of the year causing the fish to become almost dependant on them as a food source.

My mistake, I read the wrong section.

A couple more with Vehicle/Boat stickers in mind.

Oops...Thanks and I fixed it.

A few more. The third one is meant to be humorous and no offense intended

Two rods is definitely NOT allowed to be used at the same time. I'd call it in and take pictures as well. As far as not knowing whether or not someone is using maggots, you can usually tell by spending a bit of time observing.

Just messing around...

The number for "Report a Poacher" is on your license. Also, here is a link to a good page with information on how to make the call, as well as a lot more good info. http://www.ab-conservation.com/your_dollars_at_work/rap/ Personally, in a situation like this, I'd call it in, but I'd also discretely snap a few pictures of the person doing the deed. I'd then try to get their license plate number and a picture of that too. Now if they leave the scene, you can turn these pictures over to the CO's for possible charges or at the very least, evidence for the day they finally get caught. Also, I see posts here that people post they saw a Poacher "Using Bait". I agree that in your situation the person was breaking the rules, but just because someone is using bait in the City section of the Bow doesn't mean they are doing anything wrong. The rule states, "June 1 to Sept. 30 and Dec. 1 to Mar. 31 – Trout limit 1 under 35 cm; All trout over 35 cm must be released; Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm; Maggots are the only bait allowed and only in the river from Aug. 16 to Sept. 30". I wanted to post this because in order to catch the people that are actually doing something worth calling in for, we have to keep the CO's free to answer legitimate calls. If everyone is calling in because they see someone using bait where they are allowed to do so, the CO's will be tied up or they may even be less likely to bother with some calls that they otherwise would have jumped on...ie- "cry wolf" Be sure you know the regulations and the rule that you think is being broken before calling.

Picked up my copy today and it is yet another fine read. Like I said, I wish it came out more often. I had to pay of course because I haven't won a subscription yet....maybe this next draw is mine. Dave's hand is going to get sore from signing copies. The Picture of your Tie looks great, well done and congrats again.

Why would anyone Chastise someone for fishing for a 28" fish with 4x? 10 minutes is very reasonable as well. I've been fishing for awhile now and personally can't see the challenge in dragging in a fish on 1x or 2x in 30 seconds. Big fish on light gear is not only more of a challenge, it's hopefully the goal of a newer fisherman to be able to be less reliant on heavy equipment to land their catch. If your tippet is matched to the rod and the fish is played correctly, you should be able to land fish of this size and larger with no problems. Ten minutes is not too long as long as care is taken in the release as well. If barbless hooks are used, snap offs are not a problem either. This is why the Records aren't just rated by the size of the fish. They are rated by the size of the fish and the gear used to catch it. Take 2x up to the Big Browns in the Red Deer or Stauffer, or pretty much any of the rivers in Montana and see how many fish you catch. Nice fish and nice picture as well.

Couple of hats for me and a t-shirt. Both normal human being sized. A few Window stickers as well.

I think it would be a great idea. Maybe because I was telling Toolman awhile ago that someone here at the forum should do it I thought it would be cool to have hats with the logo on the front and the person's nick on the back, or vica versa for the younger generation that never got told what the visor part of a ball cap is for... Put me down for one of each. Hat, Shirt, Gor-tex 3 layer jacket, Beanie and patch for my vest.

There is nothing better for building patience than Fly Fishing IMO. Some people are born with it and some need to develope it. I'd rather catch a difficult fish in shallow clear water than blind casting all day to catch the same number of fish. Also, I get as much enjoyment out of watching someone else catch fish. I've fished long enough and plan on fishing until I am physically unable to do so. Here's the reward for taking some time. This is one of the fish I caught later that morning. I spotted him feeding in shallow water along the bank and sat down and watched for a bit. I noticed him cruising in a circle in the dead still water and after the fifth run thru, I set up a plan of attack. I removed my indicator and tied on a Pupa because that is what I had seen in the water and assumed he was feeding on them as they tried to get to shore. I waited for him to make his turn and cast out, letting the fly sit on the bottom. Like clockwork, he made his return and I began to slowly move the fly. He spotted it instantly and raced up and took it. Too much fun. Here he is feeding. Notice he is head down, tail up. Here he is after losing the battle Here is he is smiling for the camera because he knows he is going back home...

Oh don't get me wrong...I don't catch em if they run downstream like your's did. I just concede the victory to them The funny thing is that in the moment, I didn't realize how fast you ran, or how far you went downstream. Only after watching the tape at home did I see how much work it was for you. Also, you landed and released the fish just fine. It might have touched the rocks, but they were in the water, plus I can attest to the amount of care you took in the release to make sure it was okay. It was also around 6 am and I don't know about you, but I was still a little groggy. It definitely looks a lot brighter out than it was. You will see in the video that Rick still has his headlamp on for tying on his flies. I can't wait to see you chase a +10 pound Bull Trout Downstream.

Photobucket just got back to me and said it is most likely a bandwidth probem, meaning that if too many people are attempting to view the video, you will get redirected to their homepage. Basically they said to be patient. I'm glad you liked it Rick. I knew with your sense of humor you would be fine with it, but you never know. We'll get some really good video on September I'm sure.