Conor

I have a Bow River meat stick (DanCraft FT- very fast taper) 5 wt that throws a 6 GPX (GPX are a half weight heavier to trick people into thinking they cast better than normal lines- so it is really a 6.5 wt) with ease. I don't know of an angler that would really throw a 5 wt with this rod. I recently busted my 8 wt, and I tried my reel on the rod mentioned above. It's a touch overloaded with a moderate cast, but it handles it fine. If the rod breaks because you over-lined it by 2 weights, it is a shitty rod. Get something new. Sounds to me like you should look a more medium actioned rod for your next purchase. You might like the feel better. You could even check out glass or bamboo, if you find you like it slower.

That last pic is great. Glad to see you have translated the fly rod to your home waters. This July I am back home in MA and I plan to have some pics of stripers on the fly for you all.

Check out MEC. I have a gortex rain jacket from them that was about $100 and is bombproof. I have probably over 300 wears on it and it is still in new condition. Great warrantee service, too.

I'm just getting used to the Norvise, as well. I have found it a very good fixed vise, and I use it fixed a lot for smaller flies and where good tension is needed. I am trying to use the rotary as often as possible, and I find myself using it more and more often. I'd recommend sticking with it for a while, and see if the benefits out-weigh the losses as you get used to it. After all, it is a solid stationary vise as well. We should keep in touch about the learning curve with this vise. It may speed things up a bit.

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?

The guy at the fly shop said it was the recoil stripper that made the noise. I guess it makes sense with the two wires pressed against each other. I might put a different tiptop on. They are a bit odd looking, and replacing a bent tiptop is easy enough. Good tip.

Thats the plan. Single foot recoil and a standard stripper. I figure the extra weight will be made up for in the fact I don't have to extend my arm to get the hooks out a bit further. That will last about 5 minutes and I will have my arm fully extended with 10 ft of graphite out from it No pain, no gain, right?

I bought a DC FT 1005-4 yesterday. I have heard so many great things about this blank. I am really looking forward to using it. I'll post some pics when it is done. Thanks all.

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?).

Someone recommended to me to overline the DC FT blanks by one or TWO wieghts. Maybe I'll go with a 5 wt blank and use the softer spline. I'd be hesitant to build on a 4 wt planning on using a 6 wt. I do tend to like slower rods, however. Any other blanks that someone might recommend? The price is certainly right on the DC blanks.

Badger- do you overline the DC FT 5 wt for overhand stuff?