PlayDoh

Thanks man.

Anyone used a SA reel? are they quiet, and/or durable?

Well said, But bring those poor rods in and put them under your bed. I have 2 rods now, a TFO and a Launch & neither of them would affect my chances of catching a fish, as apposed to each other. I'm a newbie, and still learning to cast, but I can see where a high end rod could improve your casting, if only by reducing effort. I'm not sure I'll ever pay $800 for a rod, but I might if in a few years if I feel the need to upgrade. And that all depends if I can feel the $600 difference while casting it. I don't mean it feels 'kinda' different, but my shoulder asks me to spend the money, or the line blasts off much farther then with a LE edition. lol. I honestly cant see the difference seeming worth it to me, unless I have some tax refund spending spree in the future. lol I think any kind of 'standardized' test of rods is part pseudo science. That reminds me, I never hear any mention of SA Scientific Angler rods or reels here. I actually was close to getting one, until I picked the Launch. Can anyone attest to their feel, durability. I have them in mind when I get a new reel.

That is an awesome goal IMO. You don't need to spend your life's savings doing it, but you'll need a basket full of time and skill. Best of luck, truly. If I may, I'd suggest making a detailed journal of it, even if you don't want to share it with the world. Heck, I'll join you, we'll buy a VW camper and fill it with who ever is crazy enough to come, and make the "Alberta trout bum diaries" I can see the film trailer now..... 17 fish................................12 months.........................1 man/woman Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Cutthroat Trout Brook Trout Lake Trout Bull Trout Golden Trout Mountain Whitefish Lake Whitefish Arctic Grayling Walleye Sauger Yellow Perch Northern Pike Goldeye Burbot Lake Sturgeon

I was thinking the same thing 'Burbot', although late fall you might actually stand a chance. I don't even like looking at them, nasty lizard mutant fish. Their our Snake-fish. My FF'n resolution is to devote more time to fill the other 1/2 of my brain with trout hunting skills. I've learned so much in the whole 2 months I've had FF'ing, that when I get to the water it all becomes too much for now. I think I've learned most of the 'hard way' lessons (1 month/$60 flies). Not that when I get to the water now I'm completely prepared but I'm getting there. I think preparedness is the most important thing I've become aware of. The difference between a good time and a frustration is always obstacles, but when your wading, or adrift you need everything on hand, and a few items tethered and close by. I think the next item in a "complete FF'ing combo" has to be a vest, pre-rigged with the essentials. Compared to spin cast fishing, its night and day regarding tackle, which is what I think I've gotten straight finally. I'm looking forward to my first Spring and Summer FF'ing, and meeting some of the most helpful, and friendly people you could meet. I'm becoming used to it somewhat now, but I still remember being amazed at the level of generosity found at this and a couple other FF'ing forums. I believe to some degree that most FF'ers have more in common then by chance. I'm sure its attributed to the sportsmanship, patience ( ), and love of nature that FF'ers share. Although I'm still guilty of needing more patience at times. Thank you all again for the tremendous help I've gotten from so many members I've lost track. I hope your kindness is returned to you and your families. HAPPY NEW YEAR

Twinrix Hep A & B vacc for sure. This is from the CDC website for Mexico. They have all desination/travel health info. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationMexico.aspx

WTG. Any chance you could post pics? Even Via PM, if you'd rather. What is a 'stitch & sow btw?

To be honest, its not very hard to get the wrong impression about places like Mexico. Watch a movie like "Man on Fire" and you could think Latin America is filled with criminals. Its like peoples misconception about places like south central L.A, it usually the only thing the media covers.

I've always wanted to build a boat, although living in AB doesn't afford lots of opportunity or resources. Most people who build boats around here inevitably look like weirdos (Evan Almighty). Even a neighbor of mine has a big ocean fishing boat which hasn't moved in a decade, and it looks like a sore thumb out here. I found a site which sells plans and instruction for building drift boats. http://www.riverstouch.com/ . Maybe its my Irish blood, but I want to build a drift boat. It has to be on the easy side of boat building, and I have some carpentry and mechanical skills. Along with a stamina for hours of sanding/planning. how do wood drift boats compare to composite or fiberglass? Anyone have a wooden Mackenzie?

I think if your that worried about it, then I wouldn't recommend it for you. Vacations are time for relaxation, not worry. However I bet if you went there, your opinion would change. Mexicans are not any different then we are, and although their community resources can be ridiculed (poor water, Police, Drugs Rx & otherwise, general infrastructure, the country is not home to numerous random murders. Without question there are parts of Mexico or Latin America for that matter that you do not want to go. There are streets in States that are no different. There are 2 kinds of Mexico I've been told. Resort Mexico is crawling with cops who may take a bribe to allow you to avoid your legal hassles (keep bribe pesos in rear pocket), but otherwise are all business. The real Mexico is like North America in the past to varying degree. Some places are a 50 years behind, others are nearly modern. The resources vs population is why the country is so poor, and if you like to feel completely secure whilst vacationing then stay in the resorts. Tourism is vital to Mexico, and the resorts are the oasis of tourism. Its in every Mexicans best interest to keep tourists safe, and I know they do so with integrity.

Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone has some Recommendations for specific places to buy fresh fish? I love it all, except the price usually. My grandparents lived in Florida and OMG, $5 for a bag of shrimp, or lobster lunch.....Mmmmm. I'd like to get a nice trout, and talk to a nice Monger about where its from if possible. Its been forever since I had anything other then Salmon, and oddly enough I've never even looked for a place myself until now. I cant even remember the place I used to get lobster from its been that long. I had a friend who sent me some smoked salmon in the mail a couple times from Kitimat, but I'm going to see if she could send me frozen salmon. Anyone know the details of Mailing fish? Is there regulations for it?

I heard that they fixed that issue, yet I don't know first hand.

I'll get a Large hoodie and a Toque, to start with. I'd rather just a sweater if possible. I'll get a lot more once I'm rich from selling my mountian of rubber boots to NYC yuppies for $150 a pop.

Where abouts did you tag him with the egg jar? Just so I can point and laugh if I see a Poacher with a scar on his forehead. Ha Ha!

I was at the Bow with my two nieces, and I decided to take them out on the River for a bit of a row. So we're out there having a good time, I'm rowing them and they seem to be enjoying themselves. And we're about half-way across and I see my buddy Knuckles on the beach and he says," Hey Champ! Where'd ya get the two oars?" I says," Pardon?" "I said `Champ! Where'd you get the two oars?'" WELL I LOSE IT! I SNAP! I row to shore, head fake him with the Egg Jar, and the maroon falls for it! I give him a left, and a kalarby to the solar-plexus! And ol' Knuckles is laying on the sand, and I says," Hey Knuckles. How'd ya like that, `Where's ya get the two oars?' enough for ya?" Ever since I've been the Champ!

Damn you David Spence!! Without question the planet is warming, as someone stated, just look at the glaciers, case closed. I also agree that the media has confused the issue, which has caused so much disbelief. Its irrelevant to the fact that 'Global warming' is happening, whether or not Humans have caused or influenced it. Transportation only accounts for 1/3rd of the Co2 emissions, the rest was burned so we could all have computers, ovens, industrial factories, hospitals, ect, ect. Burning coal is not something we are any where near being able to do without. Until a viable mass power source, or we run out of trees, coal, wildlife and burn the planet bare, nothing is going to change significantly soon. However, it will soon become a matter of survival and I believe our impact on the planet is relatively minor. The earth has belched Sulfuric acid, or Methane gas and other nasties into the skies and life still survived. Peak oil is going to cause the big changes I predict (shaking magic 8-ball). As the price of oil increases, the rate at which it is spent will decrease. Most models are now at the next 20 years being peak years, and our supply will fail to meet increased demand. Sorry China, doesn't look like you'll be needing those drivers licences after all, lol. Almost 1/3rd of Chinese people have drivers licences now, lets all pray the don't all get cars soon. Weather prediction is one of the most challenging tasks out there. Computer models are great tools, but they are not intended to give actual predictions, but calculate a number of possible outcomes based on current parameters. Recently a scientist demonstrated with a computer model how a 'magnetic polarization flip' of the planet could happen, since its also been proved to have happened many times, on average of once every 200k years or something. Now that means actually very little in terms of predicting a date, even though we're far over due for one and several 'weak spots' in the earth magnetic field are present, which precede a 'flip' (north-south). Yet its certian to happen again, and sooner then later. I can go to the government's weather radar site and see for myself that rain is coming my way, yet most times the jet stream kicks it before it get to me. But as the saying goes, its better to be safe then sorry/stupid, which is why I prepare for it and avoid the softball hail stones smashing everything out in the open. Global warming/climate change is no different really, the facts are pretty clear and we should prepare and adjust accordingly.

As I said in another thread, I recently read a couple books from Montana Fly anglers and I've seen the brochure pics and heard quite a few good things about the fishing there. However I'm wondering how it compares to Southern AB in regards to fly fishing locations, fish populations, diversity, ect? I know I could 'read all about it' somewhere, but I'm more wondering how different the fishing is from here, where only someone who's fished both could provide. I plan on going there some day, but I don't have any immediate plans. I would like to know every spot and what to expect so I could plan a long trip, 'Trout Bum' style.

LMAO, Nice Safety Valve on the Beer Bong.

Its not Ice to an Angler, its Hard Water

I have the same feet and I always have to walk in shoes before buying them cause almost half of the footwear out there will give my feet agony. Those Keens look nice, and I haven't read anything bad about Simms. Thanks for the report.

Its amazing how you of all people would tell someone else to deflate his ego. Your posts are all the same; Someone opinion is garbage, you spent lots of money on something, and your the greatest fly fisher alive. Not once has it been positive, constructive or contain and usable advice besides "buy a boat". Toolman in comparison has given advice so many times he deserves a medal. I guess thats what makes you jealous. Yes, its that obvious. Thats a mutual desire.

That stretch of river is where I usually fish, & I'd love to see how the advanced fly fishermen fish there. My skills and interest isn't at the point of competing, but it would be an excellent venue to learn and to get to meet some fellow fly fishing nuts. Unless there an event for "looking" like your throwing a 100 footer, but not getting past 50'? I'm a A/V nut as well, so I could film/document the event. I'll mail out DVD's once their ready. Also since this competition could be the first of many to come, or other social events, why not form a club with memberships? I'm not suggesting weekly meetings or getting jackets made right away, but in order to book something you need $, and what a better way to collect or raise $ then club membership? This would require some people to volunteer for management, treasury and whatever else is needed. With a club formed its a bit easier to be democratic and it alleviates some of the personal obligations of the organizers. In other words it doesn't have to be 'Toolmans competition' but a regular FFC event with Toolman as the top organizer, or whatever. Not trying to steal your thunder TM, but with competition comes emotions and ensuring its done, and appear fair and unbiased could be the difference between success and otherwise. Since this event is obviously of interest to a number of people, and an excellent way for FFC members to get together, why not make it an annual tradition? And plan other events? This event could be used as a FFC club test event. In other words by organizing this event and collecting and raising $ for this event alone, one should get a better idea of the size of the membership. Not to mention you could use the event to announce and discuss the club idea. Maybe a questionnaire to find out what most people have time for and are willing to pay for membership? The term 'Brainstorm' refers to the state of mind I'm in almost always, so feel free to ignore or disagree. lol. BTW TroutSlayer, the pictures of that stretch of river were taken during the flood of 05, thats why it looks like the Mississippi, and once you see it now you'll see how much its changed. Which is a result of the flooding. The water is about 5 feet above where it is now.

This guy is amazing also, Andy Mckee. http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=f27megLOleQ He plays the harpguitar and straight six string, but good luck playing along.

That Guitar hero reminds me of the "Ez Chord" thing they advertised on TV. It clamped on the neck and you only had to push a button to play a chord. It was A, C, D and maybe E and a instruction booklet. hehe. I've played guitar for 18 years and there are 2 kinds of guitar players, I find. Those who play to impress, and those who play for themselves. Not that playing to impress makes anyones skill or ability any less impressive, but rarely do flashy 'shredders' play with any true level of soul or originality. Plus learning scales is about as fun as a trip to the dentist. I have seen quite a bit of talk about "PlainTalk" which is a Midi, Movie (PC) guitar instruction thingy. I think that would be the only way I would bare to learn super solos. Another thing you need to have in order to shred and not fall apart like I do, is a good memory. I have a couple classics in memory and stuffing another in my head takes lots of effort, and my shredding falls apart after my Brain-RAM is full. The pentatonic scale is my favorite, and the one I fall back on when creativity fails me. I love going on Blues rants, but I've seen so many virtuosos its impossible to be too proud of my skills. For instance my best friend and I got our first guitars at the same X-mas. A few years later he was playing screaming death-metal leads that proved the hand is faster then the eye, and I was playing an acoustic writing almost folk tunes, and playing at the lake. 99% of people would assume he is much, much better then I am, but after his 30 mins his flames die down and I'm still strumming along with song after song. lol.

If you want you can come over and I'll let you use my Marshall 100W JCM 900 to deafen yourself on X-mas. Mines not a studio, but I got a Les Paul, or as I call it, "The Me" (Paul). lol. That is if you don't have your own stack, I suppose if you can afford a Les Paul Studio @ $2k you likely do. Although few people get to play at chest compression levels when ever they feel like it like me. Although my buddy in the city has deaf neighbors and he plays with a 100W and a 50W stack and 8 12" speakers. Coincidently, he's pretty deaf as well. lol BTW, I'd check out the used guitars at the shops, their usually willing to get rid of them for next to nothing cause most people wont even look at it if its not new. I honestly couldn't even tell the guitar I bought was used, it looked and played just as good as the LP Studios all around it and I almost choked when he told me it was $400. Actually I heard him tell someone else that it was $400 after I looked at it and assumed it was $2k-$3k. I stood right beside him as buddy looked at it, and as soon as he put it back up I snaged it. I felt like I stole it, lol, and I was anxious to pay for it. It was flawless, US flag, Hummbuckers, and a free fret job. When you plan on spending $2k+ and get the same thing for $400 its awesome. Long and Mcquaid is almost always cheaper then most places also, and they sell things for just above cost if it sits too long. My processor was almost $200 cheaper then Axe was.