Conor

I've been using braids for nymphing for the past year or so. They are so dense and thin that they cut through the water faster and get the fly down. I always use a floro tippet in the last few feet though. I don't think I would use it for other styles of fishing though (like streamers or dry fly). It is too limp to cast well and has too little stretch.

Yep. Where did you see it?

I busted my trusty 8wt DS2 last week. This rod has been around the block a few times, and I am not sure if it is covered under the lifetime warranty. I can't read the serial number on the blank. It is very stylized, and I am not sure if it starts with a V or a K or a... Does anyone know when these rods were in production?

You can tie a barrel knot (blood knot) and leave the tag end (from the top line) hanging for a fly. The other fly goes on the bottom. I tie a clinch to the bend and I have never had one slip (that I know of, anyway).

I agree with Lynn. The Bow is one of the best trout rivers in the world. Moving to Calgary and only fishing lakes would be like moving to Kamloops and only fishing rivers. There is some good lake fishing to be had. 1 to 2 hrs west of Calgary are a load of excellent medium to high altitude lakes with quality fish. Grab a copy of the Alberta Fishing Guide Mag, a backroads map book and a highlighter and have fun planing your season.

Beauty. Is there a cheaper way to get into glass? Some blue collar brands? Are they a bit more durable than boo or graphite?

WhooHoo! I'll probably make a few evenings down there this week. Thanks for the good news, Bloom. Now that the BH season has started, maybe someone could bump the thread about Terry's request for data on first-years.

I'm going with a Norlander. He offers a lifetime warranty, while Ekich offers just one year. I'll let you all know how it works out.

Has anyone been down there lately? I am stuck in the Hat for work and I have my fly rod (no auger;)).

I keep a similar box, as I do most of my tieing on the road with work. I keep all the basics, and pull other material in and out as needed. Be careful with these. People like to pull tool boxes out of trucks. It would be a huge loss for me, and probably worthless to the person who took it.

I picked up a Nor-vise recently (I haven't received it yet). I know a lot of people tie on rotary without an automatic bobbin, so I am considering holding off on buying one. Bad idea? A lot of people tie rotary with out one, right? Have any of you used an automatic bobbin? If so, did you like it? What make/model? I guess I am having a hard time swallowing the price tag. I need some convincing and/or confirmation.

I think I have read that there is some good largemouth fishing in Hawaii. We don't have them here, and you won't need any gear upgrades... Just an idea.

Thanks guys. He bought this weekend before I got back to him. He went with a Cabelas pair. I remember a few guys asking about them, so I'll let you know how they work out.

I have a buddy getting into FF. He wants to pick up a pair of waders in the $250 range (boots and all, preferably). Does anyone here have any recommendations in this range?

Thanks all. More than enough info. Don- I think I have got most of what I need for the cane rod. I am doing a one piece for the first blank to keep cost down and simplify the process a bit. Thanks, though. I will look you up if I am short something.

I have a couple rod building projects this winter. Does anyone have some tips on local suppliers and/or Canadian companies? I remember talking to a supplier in the Calgary area, but I don't remember the name (maybe John of G&L?).

6 wt or overloaded stiffer 5 wt.

Sweet. So that leaves a few models. Thanks for the info. I'm having trouble finding a 10ft model.

I saw a post on this a while back, but I don't remember what came of it. Does springbrook warrantee the USA TFO models?

Unless you plan on traveling to Mexico City or "boarder towns" you will not have to worry about crime any more than you do here. How many murders have you heard about in "toursit" Mexico this year? How many in Calgary? Many more in Calgary, and Calgary is a very safe city by north American standards. Personally, I would be more worried walking around the beltline area at night than I would walking around Cancun at night. The tourist industry in Mexico is big business, and I am sure the policing reflects that. Mexico is likely one of the safest "budget" holidays. That said, I would still recommend to save some extra cash and travel to a tropical destination that has a thriving economy, not an impoverished one. The third world tropical vacation destinations tend to be riddled with corruption and the money spent there never trickles down to the people of the country.

Winter is hard on fly line, I've found. I wouldn't use a band new line in the winter unless it has a warrantee. We don't buy gear to hang it on the wall, however:)

I just replaced mine. Worked like a charm. Glue the boot side or the felt, let dry and then slap it on the boot with some new glue. Lots of duct tape to hold pressure. I found a dremel on low speed worked really well to to trim the felt after the glue set. It melted the edge of the felt and left it hard. I think it might add some durability.

Wow. A bamboo blank without a $500+ planing form!? This might be my first bamboo blank. Any ideas on where I might get a usable culm locally? I'd rather not pay shipping for a high quality culm that I will butcher. Also, any recommendations on a budget minded plane?

Yeah. It kicked my ambition up a notch. I won't attempt anything like that, but my one solid piece plan is scrapped. I'd like to see yours, Russ. It sounds like it might be a bit more in-line with my skill/ambition level. I decided to keep the tension mechanism simple. I am going to position eye screws along the base and insert a ceramic bobbin through the eye. The bobbin will give the tension to the spool and an elastic cord will keep the blank under tension to keep the bobbin from slipping down. Should do the trick.

I am planning on throwing together a wrapping jig to wrap and finish a bamboo blank this winter. I was wondering if some people here have built one. I am particularly interested in ideas for the thread tensioner. I'll be using silk, so I think I need tension on the spool, not the thread, to avoid fraying. I am planning on a very basic jig, unless someone has some extras they think I might need. I've used a cardboard box and a bobbin before, but I am looking for something a bit more permanent.