Conor

I have furled nymphing leaders that are just two strands of light super braid. They are very low diameter, no stretch and cut through the water like a knife. I felt like they gave a faster sink rate and better connection to the flies. Problems were the tangles were bad when they happened, and the leader would sometimes cut through the indicator.

Agreed. Get them both fly and gear and let them use what they like best. It's all about fun for kids. When I take my girls out they spend more time climbing on rocks, finding bugs, playing with nets, going to the playground, etc etc then they do fishing. They ask to go fishing all the time.

I've seen a few pics around of some lake whites. I have always wondered about these fish as fly rod game, but never got around to it. So, any tips? I saw them once in spring cruising in schools near the top in pretty shallow water (that is what got me thinking about them). Can you fish them at other times? I figured a chiro and bobber would do the trick, but I'd take any advise otherwise. Might check this out this year.

Guides will tell you not to set the hook hard to keep hooks out of their face When deep nymphing (bobber and weight), the most effective anglers I have seen set hard enough that it forms a backcast if there is no fish on. There is a lot of slack in a deep nymphing set up, and most people have a honking big worm on. Big hooks need hard sets. That said, I'd guess you aren't putting enough pressure on the fish at first and/or your hooks aren't sharp enough.

Flyfishy- try turning over half submerged rocks along the river at the last fish creek parking lot. I was flipping rocks there yesterday looking for olives, and found a half dozen worms. All about 1.5" reddish brown. I use the normal style bait hook, and I don't think I have ever hooked a fish through the eye. I wouldn't worry about it. If it keeps happening there is a reason other than the hook type. I'd guess using a dropper is way more harmful to fish, but even that is not that significant.

I was happy with the service and products at Barbecues Galore. They took quite a bit of time explaining their different products and grades when we were in the store. It takes a while to get someone's ear the few times we went, but once you did, they did not rush the process. If your not comfortable, you can at least walk out with some information about what you are looking for. Paid about $3500 installed for a decent unit. Maybe I could have done better somewhere else, but renos are hell, and sometimes you have to save time in place of cash.

Didn't the swung presentation make its way from the east coast salmon rivers, where it is a regulation to ensure fish are fair hooked? In other words, that they move to eat the fly rather than being flossed or foul hooked? Are fish hooked nymphing or centre pinning often foul hooked or flossed? I have no idea, just curious.

Slingshotz- got a recipe for your gravlax mix? Easier to pack than a frying pan!

OMG. I haven't laughed that hard in weeks. Great stuff. As for the NY gov reference (7 times safer): hunting down there is not the same as it is here. They get a huge percentage of people hunting that did not grow up with firearms. I grew up in Massachusetts, about 2 hr from NYC and 2 hr from Boston. People were shot often by hunters; almost every year. I had a neighbor that had their black and white great dane killed by a hunter. Looked more like a cow then a deer. When a deer was shot where I grew up, you had to take it to the tagging station the same day. One year, someone brought in a goat. A domestic goat. Not only did they shoot it, the thought it was a deer after they shot it, and tried to get it tagged!

Getting into hunting a bit, and need to set up a scope soon. Does anyone in town have the tools required to do this properly that I could borrow for a bit? Looking for a torque driver, alignment bars, lapping bars or reamer, and a bore sighter, etc. Thanks, Conor

The diversion channel that cuts into that property is fast and deep. Not safe for wading. I'm not sure what the deal is with the property. I would guess it can not be developed for some reason. Maybe contaminated?

I have heard of Whiting #1 griz saddles going for up to $1500. I would bet a saddle this is a fad. It is too unique/noticable to be a permanent thing. I am also starting to think that the fad has peaked. I have seen some in Calgary hair. As far as fashion goes, Calgary is delayed. It will hit the small urban areas next, and be passe by then. The demand seems to be driven mainly by southern California. Once it passess there, things will settle down. I'm selling mine now and keeping a year or two worth to tide me over until prices drop again. There is always CDC and snoeshoe!

Good for shooting line. A lot of saltwater fishing starts from 10-20ft off the tip with a single haul and shoot. I bet overlining will help with that, but accuracy may be an issue. Your rod is rated to load 30ft of line, so if you are only loading with 20ft... I wouldn't try to aerialize 50 ft of a line 2 wt over. You'd be begging for a broken blank, especially with high modulus. I'm not sure what your after here, but keep in mind that with saltwater fly fishing, the weight of the rod is based more on the size/power of the fish than the size of the fly (as with freshwater FF). An 8 wt seems a bit light for anything but baby tarpon, and a 6 wt a bit light for bonefish.

I would not be so quick to blame fishermen, either. I have had some very nasty, unrational comments from a few dog owners there (dog hater, fish killer...), and I would not put it past those few to see a broken fence and call 311 to blame it on anglers. Why would you rip a fence down instead of jumping over? It seems more like vandalism than access. Regardless who it was, it sucks. It will probably make it more difficult for reasonable anglers to fish there. As for angler access here: Calling this area a preserve is a joke. The City is not qualified to designate such areas. It is a stones through from a major highway; you can see IKEA from it! The area was fenced off to keep dogs out to assist in the bank stabilization efforts to keep the river from encroaching on sensitive habitats. And by sensitive habitats I mean the QE2 ROW, not the weedy, garbage littered, sewage outflow riparian area!

I like Cortland. The 444 peach. They call it something different now: classic or something similar. Hook and Hackle sells a version (relabeled) that is as good and pretty cheap. Cortland Sylk is a great dry fly line as well. The old Sylk was a bit sticky, but I've heard they fixed that. Doesn't float super well, but a bit of grease fixes that. Not great for faster water. Real silk is a great dry fly line, as well. Probably the best. Gives great line speed and turn over with a small diameter and a lot of delicacy. It is a bit of a hassle to use, though. You have to treat it before use, and it only floats well for a half day fishing, then needs drying. Lasts a lifetime, though, which is something no plastic line can claim. Silk lines really super charge your rod; everyone should try them, IMO. There's one thing all the above have in common: they are soft/supple lines. Easier to throw tricky mends in and they move in the current better. I just don't like lines with any memory. I find it more fun to cast with a soft line, even though they don't shoot well. If I were spooling a DF only reel, it would be silk, for sure. I am not a professional, and I don't mind tinkering with tackle when I get to the river. I suppose a client wouldn't be please having to watch a rising trout while I greased the line. They'd probably like casting it, though...

Jim- that ID quiz was available on the SRD website at one point. No more?

I don't know for sure, but I'd bet that seasonally appropriate high flows would have negligable effect on annual recruitment. I can't guess how all the trout eggs/fry don't end up in SK, but they don't. This one is a bit early, so maybe the year class coming out will have more early spawners?

Great stuff, Ryan. I wish I could have seen a pic or your face, as well. But what happened to last summer? You might recall we had kids at the same time. I got my oldest girl (4 in August) out last year a few times, and got her first at Sibald's. She definitely inherited the last cast syndrome. I had to drag her away from the pond crying! After we caught a fish, she stopped calling it fishing. "More catching, more catching..." Noah and Lydia should have a date some time. We were out at Spruce Meadows last year, but it seemed dead. Good to know it is a good option. Does anyone know if the Sam Liv. fish pond is done yet?

I can see that. I guess muscle memory was poor wording, but maybe they are just for beginners. Like I said, if I don't like it, my kids will for sure.

bhurt- There is year round open trout water 10 minutes from my door. If I had time to rig up and walk around a field, I may as well go fishing. Then practice is not an issue, because I wouldn't be getting rusty. I'm looking for something I can pick up in the living room and keep the muscle memory going. I should be able to get out more in the coming years, so maybe I'm asking this question too late. The kids would probably get a kick out of it, anyway. It's good to know most shops have them. I'll check them out some time soon.

bhurt- There is year round open trout water 10 minutes from my door. If I had time to rig up and walk around a field, I may as well go fishing. Then practice is not an issue, because I wouldn't be getting rusty. I'm looking for something I can pick up in the living room and keep the muscle memory going. I should be able to get out more in the coming years, so maybe I'm asking this question too late. The kids would probably get a kick out of it, anyway. It's good to know most shops have them. I'll check them out some time soon.

Casting analyzer. Software may be a bit complicated, but I think the hardware is all there... At least an active casting game.

I just got out for the first time in a few months. Casting was rusting. Has anyone tried the practice rods with yarn line? Your take? I saw them at the FF expo, but didn't have an interest at the time.

I have a pair of force fins, and like them a lot. I find they are better for turning and moving forward then other fins. They are HEAVY, though. If you pack them into lakes, you might want to think lighter.

You can get bamboo rods from reputable modern makers for less then the latest brand name tech rods. Just look for used rods. You could go for modern high end glass or hand spun graphite, too. Check out Steffen Bros. or McFarland. http://www.mcfarlandrods.com/dsp_the_rods.php http://www.steffenbrothersflyrods.com/index.htm I saw a post on the 'Trading Post' here a couple days ago from a guy looking to trade a Steffen glass rod. Or, if your feeling spendy, you could get a Burky... http://cfbflyrods.com/rods/trout/ Or go crazy and get a Morgan... http://www.troutrods.com/ Plenty of options out there, other than the big names.