PlayDoh

You can go to the Sage website and contact them via email for specific instructions. On the website it says you have to send the whole thing in, but for Canadians you only need to saw off the last few inches so they can match a new one up. You can mail the piece with $40 and have one back in around 4 weeks, depending on how busy they are. I had mine back in 2 weeks, yet the store never called me to let me know and I waited 6 weeks before calling them. lol If you take it to Fish tales, they'll probably speed up the process and help ease your downtime, maybe. They also have an extra tip program, and you might want to grab an extra if you can, although Customs has made the whole warrenty shipping an ordeal.

We I've been fishing a couple times a week for the past bit and starting to finally read the water well enough to know where the fish are, for now at least. As evidence I almost stepped on a nice 14"'er who was using my wake for a feeding lie. He slid sideways to avoid me, but didn't 'Flee' since I was moving slowly. About the same time my heart rate was beginning to level out, it came back and used a rock 3-4 feet in front of me. 30 seconds later it quickly rose to the surface to take something, then just as it got to the bottom it did it again, just as quick. That almost triggered my "fight or flight", cause it was so close. It looked like its fin edges were white, like a Bull-trout or a Dolly, but I'm sure that was just an illusion. If you've ever played poker, and your sitting with the 'Nut' (best hand), and the stakes are high, thats the exact feeling I had. My Heart was racing, and my fingertips were tingling. I had to do my best mime impression, and cast with only my wrist, which amazingly didn't bother it. Now I'm the "Grass is greener on the other side", type who's always convinced the fish are just out of reach. Needless to say my 3' casting skills are weak, although I did put quite a few right past it, yet I never did catch a glimpse of the flies right in front of the trout. The water was about knee deep, and we were on the inside of a turn in some 1/3rd full flow force. I sat there for over half an hour until I snagged something a few feet behind it, and had to eventually yoink it out, which spooked my close friend away. I was almost relieved it was getting tiring just being a statue with an overdose of adrenaline still in my veins. lol. Later in the day I was again surrounded by a dozen >12" trout, who were jumping almost a foot clear of the surface at times. They were feeding on these almost white/green bugs who flew like a humming bird, with their bodies vertical. They could land on the surface and take off again, and they could almost hover in place. Definitely not Caddis, cause they were out as well. I'm sure I'll find out what it was. Their rear legs folded like a hopper also. I landed one little guy, but I had half a dozen on while I was using a small dry. Oddly I thought, that I got most of the takes on the swing of the dry, and since I didn't have floatant on the fly I wondered if it was still on the surface. Anyways, I'm on my way to Bow River Ninja status and I'm 100% better then I was at approaching and working a run. Now that I'm more aware of where the fish actually are, its much easier. Tight Lines.

I'd go feet first, and I wouldn't keep my legs too low if I knew I had a trip to take. Getting wet is often a possibility when I fish, but I don't risk drowning if the chances are anywhere near likely. If falling in is something completely alien to you, bring a change of clothes and a towel, and at the end of a hot day fishing take a dip where you know its safe. Make sure theres someone with you, to laugh at you, and try drifting a bit, after your heart starts beating again. Then you'll laugh yourself when you struggle to walk/crawl with a few gallons of water in your pants. Your major concern when adrift in a fast moving river like the Bow, is getting snagged. That is if you aren't panicking and trying to swim so hard to the nearest bank that you end up breathing in water, while completely exhausted. The Bow has a lot more shallow spots then most people would assume, I'd guess. Taking a ride on the current to the next shallow spot isn't too bad, but make sure you know whats downstream first, and if not, ride high to avoid a snag. Thats not expert advice or anything, just what I've decided to do when I fall in.

Right on the money, I even got the little splash into the armpit and down the side to reset my heart. After I wrote this thread I thought of "moon walking" being a better description also. lol. I was trying to act like it was all part of my plan, since there were a few people on the shore, yet I was ready to ask for help if things went ugly. I can tell you this though, they would have found my dead body still clinging to my rod. I lost footing near a bank, and cause the current was so strong I had to 'take a dip', then crawl up the 8' near vertical bank with 100lbs legs. Then I had to lay on my back, and lift my legs to get the water out, sending it all up my back and reliving the feeling of being submerged. lol I used to float the same stretch of water on an inner tube with friends to cool off on a hot day, so I knew I wasn't in grave danger, but then again its not hard to drown. I've even got in half stuck in silt before so there are plenty of ways to get in trouble, which is why I'm not proud of the fact I've had some sketchy moments. Yet it sure is funny in hindsight.

So I was just downstream of the Carseland weir yesterday, fishing, and I had a great time. I got 3 trout that fought like Ali, but I only landed one. I also got a sucker. Oh did I mention I almost got swept away? lol Just past the weir the water gets waist deep or less for a good stretch past the picnic area at Wyndam. Well I was right in the middle of the river, working my way downstream swinging streamers. Due to the slow curve the river takes, the half of the river on the South-East bank moves faster then the rest. Now I'm afraid to admit its not the first time I've almost taken for a trip, but I could have been screwed if I hadn't "Swaded" my way to safety. I wandered out to the South-East side of the river, and I couldn't move perpendicular to the current anymore so I had to move diagonally to get back to the middle. As chance would have it there was a pocket of deeper water I couldn't cross, at the same time I couldn't stop being forced downstream. Heres where the fun started. far ahead there was some riffle, but before it was some deep water that I wanted to avoid. So since I couldn't stand my ground and even move diagonally step by step, I basically floated and crouched a little and pedaled my feet so I could push of anything they hit. Somehow I stayed dry, and just barely got to the weaker current where I could stand still, and take a breath. Now If I knew there was nothing deep ahead, and the current wasn't a Mach speed, its actually not a bad way to move downstream with little effort. Maybe I'm more, um, Buoyant then most, but it was like running downstream in zero gravity. So if your even in a similar jam, just remember to Swade, and go with the flow.

Check out Wyndham Carseland Park, just past Carseland. Its a fairly big campsite, with lots of trees. Its right next to the river, and theres a weir at the far end of the campground. Its a popular spot on long weekends, and all the spots are gone by the Thursday at the latest. The fishing there wont be that hot since its run off, for a while. Yet that wont stop you from catching fish at all. Speargrass golf course is on the other side of the river, and has some beautiful views of the river valley.

Trout Bum Diaries!

I think the gas prices are the 'writing on the wall'. Peek oil is here. From this time forward, oil production will be on the decline. Even if that estimation is incorrect, our demand has started to exceed our supply. Watch "Crude awakening", which is a documentary on the subject of 'peak oil'. Check out "the oil drum" website also. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil "The end of suburbia" is another good peak oil Documentary. Its unreal when you try to fully understand the impact oil has on our lives. They say the worlds population was 1 billion before oil production, and cant sustain more then 3 Billion without a viable alternative fuel source. Another way to look at it, after my own 'crude awakening' is that even if gas was $100 a litre its still, far and away the best source of energy we have. I think Mankind faces its greatest obstacle yet, in finding a sustainable fuel supply. I also believe our generations will be looked back upon with high regard if we succeed, or there will few left to blame us. I was left with a thought that Oil is our "free ride", in terms that we have used Oil to create phenomenal technologies, and we can use Oil, to find its replacement. It cost 1 barrel of oil for every 6 that were produced back in the 50's, yet all that 'light' high energy oil is almost out, and not only are we facing a future with only half the oil we started with, but its going to be much less efficient to obtain it. I think $1.30 a litre will be looked back on as cheap soon, once the change to our transportation system occurs. Like Hawg stated, think of the Trucking industry? I drove truck myself, and I can tell you their getting the same rates they did 30 years ago, and competing with subsidized immigrants who drive rates down. It cant go on forever. The breaking point isn't that far away either, I'd assume. Wish I had the solution, and as you can tell I've had my big brain cooking on it for a while. lol. Will the 'Crash' happen slowly, or will we hit a brick wall? Oil is still cheaper then water and milk, & when you think of it that way, you can see the room for price increases. With the same point of reference, you can see the end of our ignorance.

I think I want a sage hip sack, they look damn handy.

Hey Smitty, I don't think its a situation that warrants any personal crusade, and I think people got the wrong impression that I was upset, or greatly concerned about it. Simply putting bait farther away from the river, will not stop the poaching problem. Yet I do think that its very easy for someone who didn't read the regulations, to see a bait fridge in Carseland and make a fair assumption that the bait is there, if only in part, to supply Bow river anglers bait. I mean if I walked in to a small town store and seen a bait fridge, I'd be asking the clerk where the lake or river is thats close by. I wouldn't just assume its for the 600 residents, whom might go fishing. I've been to a lot of small town store, and if theres no need for something, they don't have it. It certainly doesn't justify someone fishing a body of water without reading the regs, just because you can make a 'somewhat fair' assumption. I'd guess that the bait fridge belongs to the Bait dealer, and I'll take your advice and write or contact them to see if a notice would be something they would volunteer. Yet I'd suspect they would react like some others, and only focus on the "provable facts", and "what if's". I can't prove any of the bait get in the Bow, but again common sense would suggest it does. I also know the bait dealer and store owner are just trying to make a living. But let me ask you this, if it was your store, would you feel completely comfortable selling bait? Next long-weekend there will be tons of people down there, and I'd be very surprised if they don't sell more bait when the campground is full. If it was close enough, I'd count them before and after the long weekend. I can assure you I don't have a sign made up, or plan on protesting at the store, or co-ordinating a campaign to rid the world of Carseland bait. It was just something I found a bit concerning. Thanks for the suggestion though. (truly)

Your leader length will vary depending on how deep the water you are fishing. A guideline is twice the depth of the water when nymphing, but 9'-10' is commonly a good length. You can get these short things from the fly shop or Canadian tire for like $2, that you inch-worm you fly line into, then use a piece of supplied shrink-tube and heat it up. Then you can also buy tapered, loop-leaders, again, even at Canadian Tire. So if you break off, or want to switch your whole leader rig you can. You can then also start pre-rigging leaders, then just swap them out with the Loop to Loop. For example you may have a 3 or 4 foot, 10- 20 lbs test line with a loop on the end that you use for heavy nymphs or streamers. Then you have a generic 9 foot leader, that tapers to a 4X, already tied to a Hare's ear, Prince nymph, SJW, ect. So with a loop to loop system, youd take your short streamer leader, and all and unloop it, and just loop on your who nymphing rig. Save your empty spools of line/tippet, since you can use them to wrap your goto rigs on. You can also use a piece of cardboard, and make notches, then wrap your pre-rigs on them. Keep your Leader/tippet spools handy, so that if you want to put on another nymph, and fish with 2 or more you can use the leader, tied to the bend of the first fly, and a foot or so to the second. I can relate to your shifting split shot. I find the split shot that have the little tabs work better. Some have suggested a little knot to act as a stopper, but I don't like standing knots in my line. I've found that if you bite them hard, they'll usually stay put, or fly off right away. lol. Plus you get the goodness of lead in your mouth. I bought some 'lead strip weight' since a flyfishing author recommended it, but I hate it. Theres different types of weight, like putty, so you'll have to pick up a few and find what you like best. I'd also recommend getting 'bead-head' flies, as well as non, since a bead-head needs extra weight less. Obviously. You can also put the weight right infront or on the fly itself if possible. It casts a bit better then if its a bit off the fly I find. I just started like you, but I got hooked last fall, so I had lots of time to work out my "setting up".

I just learned of this, so forgive me if its already been discussed, but I thought it was interesting and a bit troubling to be honest. I'm sure well see all sorts of genetic mutations in the future, but crossbreading is never a good thing is it? BrownBows Braker (Brown and Lake trout Hybrid) Tiger (w/ever/tf that is) Heres some info from the source of the Pics. Its off a "Utah Fishing Forum", so I'd assume thats where Mill Meadow Res is.

Hellz ya, Dogger was cool. Fishing mountian streams, and such, about the only ones I've seen on those waters.

Hey, thanks for the heads up. I love that show. I'm not sure what the deal is with Colin not hosting anymore, or not as often. Not that the other guy isn't good, and maybe its just the order they show them on WFN. "sport fishing on the fly" is a one man show now also. Maybe they had a falling out. lol. I have to say I really like the new trend in Fishing shows, and how they've become much more educational. I hate just watching some Joe catch Bass, after Bass, from his pimped out boat. My favs are "New flyfisher" "Sportfishing on the fly" "Fishin AB" "Goin fishin" and "fish'n Canada". I'll watch a few others if their not fishin Bass... Boring (to watch). Not like I'm not tuned to 419 WFN 75% of the time, no no.

Thats brutal KF. Your percentage could be spot on, and I'm ceaselessly amazed at how abundant ignorance and arrogance is. All the signs, regulations, and education in the world will not stop poaching I'm afraid, as you eluded to. I'm also reminded of the fact the bait ban is still a new regulation, and there is hope of the situation improving. Again, the better a campain of education we can provide, the sooner old attitudes disapear. I'm not trying to blow the situation out of proportion, but it just disgusts me how someone could disregard the best interest of the fish. To me Angling and conserving fish & wildlife, are one in the same. Not only would I like to improve my skill and understanding of angling, but I would also like to better understand the habitat where I fish at. Since I find the river and its valleys very important areas, which need protection from the "asshats", I think of things like this. Plus its too wet to do anything and I'm bored as hell. lol

interesting. thanks Crogg.

No worries. I'm not suggesting any new laws, regulations, or anything then possibly making the bait-ban a little more obvious, since its clear there are some who still haven't gotten the message. If I was in charge, I'd put a 'bumper-sticker' sized sticker on the bait fridge at places near bait ban waters. I could also do some improvements to the Regulations book, in terms of structure. Notice to Bow River Anglers The Bow river now employs a total bait ban from the portion of river from the Calgary weir to Bassano. I know its not necessary, and I'm not dogmatic & think my opinion and thoughts are always best. Just expressing a random thought, and I'd rather people didn't take it, or make it personal, to be honest.

Good idea, I wondered about nylons/stockings but then I figured I'd have to buy some to try it. Buying nylons is like buying other, female products for me, I can't help but feel stupid. lol. I have tons of woollies though, and they'll be better, protective wise, anyways.

Poll allows Multiple choices. Hello. I'm relatively new to fly fishing and I'm wondering whats the most common choices for Fly Vest and apparel. I'm not sure I'm a vest kinda guy, & I don't think I'll be spending a few hundred on a chest/back combo soon, so I still don't have all my 'poop in a group' yet, sort to speak. I lost my net my last outing, and apparently my latest 'bright idea' how to carry it was less then genius. So, if anyone wants to recommend any setups, to keep things nice and easy, I'm all ears. How do most of you attach your nets? I like to keep everything mobile, as do most of you I'd imagine. I learned right away that when wading, its best to leave the tackle boxes and carry along bags at home, or in the truck. Walking back for stuff, or worse, forgetting to, sucks bad. I think I'd like those 'tool lanyards' (necklace thingy), since I think their perfect. Them and some retractors, are at the top of the checklist for me. I think I was as happy as the next guy when almost everyone stopped wearing those fanny/hip sacks, lol, but I'd think they'd be great on the river. Any fly vest features that you want to look for, or to avoid at all costs? On a side note, I picked up some waterproof, over-pants for $15 that are just like track pants with thicker nylon. I used to have a pair before, that I used over my ski pants, back when I snowboarded, to avoid tearing the ski pants up. Well I'm going to wear them over my waders, unless its scorching out, to help avoid leaks from twigs, flies, sharp crap & Murphy's law. Just a thought, I figure its better to tear or snag my $15 over-pants, then my $100 waders, and their so light I don't even feel them on. I'm sure I'm not the first to think of it.

As usuall, right on the money Max. Thanks again. I'd suspect the "other rod" your refering to starts with an S, and ends with a PEY? lol just kidding. I have to get a better tube/backpack setup before I would bring a streamer rod and a lighter rod. All in due time.

I have very little actual streamer fishing experience, yet from my Pike trip I think finally realized that the distinction between Nymphing and Streamer fishing, is the action you give the streamer, vs dead drift, or close to it with nymphing. Nymphs are at the mercy of the current, unless their clung to something, while bait that is imitated by streamers can hold their own, and swim against the current to some extent. I know its pretty obvious, but I've had so much to learn that I'm still letting it all sink in. Now I'm sure retrieving a streamer in still-water does little to help you on the river, but I think I understand that streamers are almost fished more like a lure, then a fly. Fine line between them both, but its the 'action' that separates them, I'm assuming. Now, if I remember right, its best to cast downstream, usually along the banks in the quieter water. Then use various retrieve speeds and patterns, to find the conditions the fish favor at the moment? I have an 8 wt rod/reel, that is my dedicated streamer rod. I put a 3-4' leader of 15 lbs mono, either to a streamer directly, or another short leader, or wire leader. I tend to think of it as my 'in-between' rod, between my spin rod and 6 wt fly rod. I wonder if anyone could give me some tips on streamer fishing? I should have all the basics down, but I know theres tons to learn yet. What are the benefits of dedicated "streamer fly line"? If you think you need weight to get down, how is it best to add it? Above the streamer a foot or less, like I would nymphing is what I've done, but on a windy day I imagine it be a bad idea to add weight to a streamer, anywhere else but near the head. I'd think minnows and other things imitated by a streamer, manage to stay out of the fast and choppy water. Yet maybe they do get themselves in to trouble, and end up bouncing down-stream, even briefly, like a nymph? More directly asked, do you get takes on the drift, or almost always during the retrieve, with streamers? Is it even worth fishing areas that aren't well shielded from the run-off? I would guess its best to toss a streamer, only where you could see a minnow, or small fry, holding in, during run-off. Thanks in advance.

awesome shots. I just got myself a Sony pocket camera, and I'm very impressed with the quality of the pictures it takes. Not to mention how easy it is to use. Dcs-S730 7.2 MP 3x optical zoom for $120 at Walmart, worth every cent. Thanks again China.

I really don't see why some people get offended by simply reading another's opinion or thoughts, but suit yourself. I'm not going to defend my opinion against others who, either didn't take the time to read what I said, or just assume I'm some fly-fisher who thinks he's high and mighty. Yet I'm not a pretentious person and I'm not going to ignore the fact that bait being sold in Carseland is, in my opinion, both not a good idea without some notice about the MAJOR RIVER 1 Km away, and the bait ban, and somewhat hypocritical. I don't think this is a big deal, but I did see a dilemma. I'm glad to hear that people buy bait from there for proper uses, and nothing would please me more then to know most or all of the bait never sees the Bow. I'm surprised that Mossliegh & Vulcan, also sell bait, which in all honesty does suggest there is sufficient demand from travelers. Again, I'm glad to hear it. I really don't see how that has anything to do with Carseland bait. 1 million residents to 662. Not to mention theres no Husky or Mohawk there either. I'm not looking for an argument, despite the invitations; Hmmmmm. I do remember saying........ This forum exists so people can engage in public discussion, if you don't agree with my opinion, thats fine. Feel free to say so, but I can do without the attitude or accusations.

Thanks for clarifying guys. I actually knew there wasn't any real "lakers"/lake trout. But wrong choice of words, no doubt.

If your going East to Crawling, Mc Greg, ect, theres Strathmore where the bait is cheaper 24H/day. If your going west, theres Calgary. So no, there is no purpose of bait being sold at Carseland. Maybe you haven't been there, but Carseland is tiny. Such as...................... ? There is no other fishing, where bait is allowed, near by Carseland, or where there isn't another place on the way to buy bait. The Bow is the only water around, Carseland. Sure its possible that one or more of the 100 residents might want bait for fishing somewhere else, but there is no way they sell enough bait for that purpose alone. Be realistic. Look at other small towns, I can think of a dozen close by that have no bait for sale. Simply because you can get it somewhere else, along your way, and there is no use for bait close by. Also, I never said it shouldn't be sold there, and everyone who buys bait in Carseland is a poacher, so I don't see how I'm being 'Narrow minded'. Yet only a fool would assume they sell sufficient amounts of bait there, all for other purposes then the Bow, IMO. I bet you they sell around the same amounts of bait as Strathmore does, which is ten times the size, and the Bow river is only one of a dozen places you could head for, from Strathmore, and not be able to get bait anywhere else. I'm not suggesting that by simply removing the bait at Carseland, this will solve the problem, or that its fair to the towns residents and merchants. Yet you can bet your bottom dollar, that the 'bait man' who put the fridge there and stocks it with bait knows where his product is going. And although you could make the same argument if they sold flies with barbs in them, and you'd be right. Yet I'm not interested in all the variables, just whats best for the fish. I wouldn't feel a bit bad for the residents of Carseland, if I knew they had to drive to get bait, yet I'm not going to preach to them that they shouldn't sell bait. Of course we can make the 'what if' argument and turn a blind eye to an obvious problem. I've been hearing about people using bait/poaching a lot, so I think its safe to say there is room for improvment, in terms of education anglers.