OneMoreLastCast

Sorry to anyone that got turned away due to my inbox being full. The people's generosity here at Fly Fish Calgary caught me by surprise. I've deleted some of my messages to make room now. Thanks again to everyone for your contributions.

I did hear a few years back at a meeting, whispers that "Catch Limits" would be just that...."Catch Limits", and that was here in Alberta. Meaning that once you catch your limit, you must leave the water. They would be applied to C & R Fisheries and the limits would've been in the range of 10 fish/rod. Obviously it didn't go very far, but I wouldn't be surprised to see legislation similar to this come in one day.

Just want to say thanks to a few of the great people here for their contributions. I'd also like to let the people here that might be interested in playing in the tournament to help raise money that there are now a few great Fly Fishing Type Prizes to be won. There are Fly Boxes, a couple Walk & Wade Guided trips, Etc. thanks to a few charitable people. If interested in participating in the tournament, the details can be found at the AAFS homepage linked above.

Strange new legislation in Switzerland is going to ban Catch and Release. The story can be found at http://friedbrains.com/?p=2108 "The new legislation states that fish caught should be killed immediately following their capture, with a sharp blow to the head from a blunt instrument." Anglers must immediately kill their catch, but.... "anglers in the country will have to demonstrate their expertise by taking a course on humane methods of catching fish, under new legislation outlined by the Bundesrat - the Swiss Federal Parliament." I personally have no idea what brainiac came up with the idea, but I sure hope we don't follow this lead. I actually thought it was a joke when I first heard of it, but.....

That's awesome Greg. I hate asking, but I knew the people here in this community would come thru. I'll PM you the details in the next day or two. Thanks again.

My Brother is the Executive Director for the "Autism Aspergers Friendship Society" and to raise money for his Charity, they are holding their Second annual Poker Tournament on May 24th, 2008. I am posting this hoping to find a few people that might be able to donate either good ol' Cash money, or items/services to give away as prizes in the tournament, (ie-Flies, Walk & Wades, New Cars, etc.) Seriously, any contribution or donation would be greatly appreciated. Donations of $20 or more, or the estimated cost for the item or service donated will receive a tax receipt of course. If you are willing to, or interested in helping out, please PM me and I can give you more details. The Charity's webpage can be found at http://www.aafscalgary.com I apologize for the dead link in the original post. The Link to the webpage above works. Also, if you are interested in playing in the Poker Tournament, there is information on the webpage above, or you can PM me and I can give you details. Thanks in advance for any contributions. Charitable Registration # : 962472230RR0001 Brett

Sunday is Mother's Day.

Get Well Jim and during your recovery, it might be good therapy to go back and read some of your own works. I know your writing has always helped me, so why not use it for self therapy.

Happy Birthday Buddy. I don't have to ask if you had a good one, 'cause I know you did. Glad to have shared your day with you.

Happy Birthday Gregg, Hope you had a great one. Glad we didn't know your's and Glen's was the same day.....Would've had to sit back and let Two Birthday Boys catch all the fish.

I go on an annual fishing trip every year on May 1st to various lakes in BC and thanks to an excellent article by Mr. McLennon in this years AFG, I'm going to head out a few days early by myself. I plan on exploring a few lakes and writing about the adventure as I go. I can't wait and want to thank Jim for the inspiration. I hope to add the writing to some work in progress, but at the very least, I'll probably just bore you all here on the board. I hope everyone reads the article and enjoys it as much as I did. It seems like a long time since I got to do a few days on some water alone. I'm really looking forward to it. (Cue a few people now trying to invite themselves along on my solitary trip..... )

I can vouch for the Kid....He did indeed have his head to the books all the way to and from. Better part of 6 hours on the drive is most likely more than he would have studied if he'd stayed at home. I will however add that I kept my fly boxes out of his reach to help keep him from the temptation of cheating.....Just the one weak moment Brent, but you pulled thru.

Thanks all. Nice of the weather to keep me from wetting a line, but thanks to Bloom with a link some good news, I will be able to celebrate by wetting a line in some of my favorite BC lakes next week....

Yup....G'Nite. Wind Burnt Eyes need to close for at least 8 hours.

Just say when Rick and as long as Greg can go and Tim is ready for us, I'm good to go. Might just head out there in the next couple days anyways.... I'm lovin' this Semi-Retired thing

You make some great points Cruiser and as long as we continue to view it as "Us" against "Them" in regards to our licensing, legislation, etc. instead of focusing on what is best for "Our" fisheries right here in Alberta, we will continue to spin our wheels. Does anyone really think the people in B.C. that make the decisions on what is best for their fisheries, even give two hoots what we are doing here in Alberta, or anywhere else for that matter. They do their studies and do what they feel is best for the fish and for the people that catch them. Sure I'd like to see the fees raised for out of Province Anglers because it is just the way it should be done, not because they charge us more. Registering Guides sounds great in theory, but to implement a system would take time and money. In the end, we would all most likely end up paying more and the cost to be a Professional Guide would chase some of the "Good" Guides away, leaving the river to the people that can afford to be a Guide. Don't under estimate the impact and influence local guides have on a water system. It is their livelyhood and to continue making a living off it, they must ensure it remains a good place for clients to spend their money. Not to mention that obviously the extra expense for running their operation would be added to the cost for a day of guiding..... That being said, I will contradict myself and say that I do support some kind of Registration of Guides, as long as it wouldn't chase the "Right" people away from the profession.

Keep in mind that by certifying a person as a "Professional" guide and making them pay for insurance, GST number, etc. does not make that person a good guide. By making it expensive to become and remain a Guide, might deter those people that are actually good guides. Make no mistake, being a guide is a tough way to earn a living and not many guides are living in the big houses on the hill, (if you know what I'm saying). Rather than limit where a Guide resides, limit the number of guides allowed to be certified and use a Grandfather clause to allow the long time guides preference. It would be a shame in my opinion to have only those that can afford to guide being out there. They would be more driven by the mighty dollar which could in turn hurt the fishery because if they don't already, they would definitely think they always deserve the right of way, etc. I'd rather have a true "Trout Bum" that looks like they live and breath fishing show me around a stream I don't know and have paid top dollar to enjoy, than some fancy pants fresh off the rack fake guide wanna-be.... No offense to any fancy pants off the rack guides out there.... Just my thoughts.

I would support Licensing or registration of Guides to classify them as "Professionals" for the purpose of monitoring them and to make them accountable. However, I don't believe it would be necessary to attach a fee of any type other than maybe administrative charges. I don't, or would not, support anything that could be considered a cash grab. It should be about the fish and the fisheries, not about getting more money.

That fish must be at least 20 pounds....Wow. Make sure to watch it in Full Screen to get a really good view of the "Take". Nice find Brent.

I love all three. Grew up fishing little creeks and still love getting out on them occasionally for the challenge and scenery.... I love fishing lakes for the calming effect and fighting freight trains with fins that know how to use deep water to their advantage.... But I'm going to go against the norm and say that I prefer BIG water for too many reasons to list all of them. The thought process that goes into a day on Big water, the challenge, the big fish potential, etc. A close 2nd or even a tie with BIG water is New water, but it wasn't a choice.

For anyone interested, here is a link to a great report from the World Fly Fishing Championships by Team Canada Member Todd Oishi. http://www.flybc.ca/forum/index.php?showtopic=9423&hl= I'm not sure if Team Member John, (our Alberta Representative), is a forum member here, but I'd love to hear more reports and see more pictures.

Nice pics Kid. ...Just so you can't say nobody told you. You have to CUT dreads out, you can't just Take them out and save your hair. Nobody told me, so I learned the hard way. Yeah....that's right, I had dreads for a bit. I wasn't always old! [insert one of Clives quotes here....]

"If Practice makes perfect", but "Nobody's Perfect"....Why Bother? How, when I wear shoes and socks all day, do I still get dirt between my toes?

I've only used the new Z-Axis the one time a couple weeks ago, but I loved it. Can't wait to see how it handles the big 'Bows in the B.C. Lakes in a month. Nice fish BTW and maybe it's better the camera man cut the head out of the pic.

Picked up the new Fly Fusion and can report that it's once again a great read. Dave and Max both made it in, so it's nice to see this little community being represented. The ad for Fly Fish Calgary at the back with Max is great and I would love to have a sticker of it for the truck, (okay, Mini-Van). It doesn't say who it is on the cover, but it looks a little bit like it could be Max? If so, congrats on the cover Max. If not, maybe next time. The one strange thing I found was an article about Fall fishing in a Spring issue. Oh well, I'll keep it around and read it again in August. Thanks Fly Fusion for another good read.