Conor

There is always some open water if you have time to get to it. Often, I only have an hour or two to fish, so I will have to fish the closer runs. There are a lot of other people in the same boat, and that is a big reason why runs like policeman's are crowded. I always ask to jump in, and have never had a very bad experience. The Bow is a great place to fish, with good anglers, by and large. My point is that crowded fishing does not have to be heated. I often find it pleasant; meeting new people and sharing water and a passion. The fact is that the Bow will not get less crowded, and we will have to learn to share water. Rude people are rude people whether they are fishing or driving. I don't think it is as much a matter of angler education as it is a societal problem.

Mortality might be a bit different in lakes, Bloom. A study on the bow angled fish and released them into pens with proper C&R technique. It was a good study (sample size and power of test were adequate) and, if I remember correctly, results were not significantly different from 0% or 1%. Something very low anyway. That said, I have a hunch that cuttys are more susceptible to mortality. It seems like they loose their equilibrium more easily than other trouts.

I had a day like that once and I ended up crimping the hook closed on my fly. If I moved a fish worth retying for, I did. Otherwise, it was still fun getting fish to rise to the fly. If fish are handled properly, a 0-3% mortality is more accurate.

We are 5 weeks off. I am still hesitant to leave cell phone range. Looks like I might be stuck on a world class trout river for a while. Rough. I was hoping for a cutty or two more this season, or just to get out of the city on some decent water. If anyone knows a spot with Telus service, even on-off service so I can check messages, I'd appreciate the tip.

LOL

I meant to write "later next month." lol I am not that hard up for fishing! Good tip, Murray. I might look into that.

Where are some more remote fishing spots that get decent cell phone coverage? The wife is about to pop a baby out this month (later in the month), so I can't go where she can't get a hold of me. Any tips?

You say a lot of bang on shiznit, TM, but this is one of your best! I found the same this season. I have not pulled a single hook from a fish I had a good hook set in. Every LDR I have had was on a tentative or, more often, late hook set. It is no coincidence that the more intense guys catch more fish. Also, I have not pulled a hook because of too much pressure (on a well hooked fish). I find long fights tedious and boring. The presentation, the take and the hook set are my favorite moments of a catch, followed by landing, and with the fight a distant last. A good, hard, fast paced fight is a blast, but it is nothing like seeing a big brown tip his nose at your wicked presentation. I have babied a few fish this year, because I REALLY wanted to see them up close, but I didn't enjoy it. Also, I usually felt a bit guilty for putting my simple wants over the fish's health.

Use a razor blade. I have not done many, but I get better results with a fresh razor than with scissors. An electric trimmer works, as well. A small beard trimmer or nose hair trimmer is best (not that I have nose hair!).

Here are a few of my favorites.

Awesome, man. Congrats. Five weeks for me.

What is everyones favorite golden adult pattern? I had a few refusals the other day during a good oviposit session, and noticed my fly box was laking in this area.

Where is Palmer Ranch? Is it a spring creek?

I tie a very simple damsel. It is killer, as well. Tie in the eyes (bead chain, melted mono etc) Tie back a light wire to the hook bend. Tie in a sparse tuft of marabou about 2x hook length, for a bit of a tail. Leave the tag ends. Tie the thread forward to the eye. Wrap the marabou down along the shank with the wire, allowing some roll. Make a wrap or two around the eye and tie off.

I am about to buy a new 5-6 wt general purpose rod. Mostly bow river nymphing, streamers and larger dry stuff. I have an 8wt for the big stuff, and a 5wt cane for dries. I am leaning toward a 5wt 10'. Maybe a 6wt. I'd like to here some opinions from guys who have used 10' rods on the bow. I like to idea of the extra length for one handed spey stuff and for short lining. Also, some opinions on the 5 or 6 wt choice would be good.

I'm with Harps on this one. I bet I rarely spend more than a minute with a fish. 2-3 with a good fish on 5x. It seems like a long time when you are desperate to have that fish to hand. I will time it next time I am out. I bet we would all be surprised how little time we are actually connected to a fish.

Brutal. I'll keep an eye out on ebay and some bamboo forums.

Sounds fun. I'll see if i can make it!

Who out there has a reel they have had for a while which they would purchase again if they needed another? Same question for rods. Thanks.

What is a cut off for a safe float down the lower Bow. I am itching to get a new toon out, but I am inexperienced and don't want to be stressed the whole float.

I'm never going fishing with anyone else. Those guys are my new heros. Extreme deadpan.

I fell twice today. It was not very funny because there was no one there to make fun of me. It just hurt. It is much better when at least someone gets a laugh out of it. Last week a fishing buddy decided it would be funny to scare me off of the log I was balanced on by letting off a bear banger. I hear a "pop" and turn to see him flailing for balance and falling of his log into 3 feet of mud. That was funny

Has anyone used these rods or know where I could cast one? They get great reviews.