jksnijders

Been on here off and on for a good few years now, seen a lot worse believe me....

The sarcasm is heavy on this site....... just a heads up.

Likely the same old, ages old situation of people who have never actually caught or landed a fish on a fly rod criticizing the technique of someone who did...

I have a copy of his Fishing Knots book, that has the added bonus of his signature in the front couple pages that I didn't notice when I picked it up. Probably gonna pass that one down one day. Ken from Springbrook had some pretty cool stories about him the last time I stopped in there also. RIP

Been amazed by how easily salt species seem to shed hooks, even with barbs. Bonefish have lips like a rubber boot, tarpon like sandpaper covered concrete. Stuck but never landed permit, but seen quite a few up close. They're like rubber boots also. All seem to be pretty easy to extricate hooks (barbed or otherwise) from in my limited experience however. Obviously you want every advantage, especially on the first few. Tarpon are mind-blowing in their ability to shed hooks that feel like you hit them hard enough to drive the hook clean through a 2 x 4. In Cuba we used 4/0 and 6/0 flies with good success, Keys guides laughed at the same. Used 2/0 Owner SSW and they seemed to hold pretty good, if you survived the first few jumps you were usually safe if they didn't burn through the leader. Once you get an up close look at their mouth you understand why they're so tough to stick. There's only really a few spots for the hook to grab, and they don't mess around once they feel even the slightest tug on their face.

Flyline, if you can find something to put the welded loop around, and spool off the line, and a couple of gentle tugs (with the rod pointed straight at the anchor point) should do it. Or use a short heavy leader/hook if necessary. Leader/tippet, grab a leader straightener, they're a rubber lined leather gadget with a loop for a lanyard or whatever. Pinch the leader between, and gently pull through, being careful of knots/excess grip in the finer tippet section. Indispensable item.

Simms flats boots, I bought a set and have used on 5 different trips. With the previously mentioned cheap athletic socks/neoprenes (Simms variety) and high top/ankle supporting boots never had an issue.. I've found quicksand holes on a Cuban flat that looked like a parking lot, and went right to my thigh in 1 step, or soft sand/uneven bottom, without a rolled ankle. Also used on CXI bommies for GT's that was covered in staghorn coral (and which didn't even faze the barefooted guides, which was something to see) to the sharp bottom we found in Hawaii. They're solid and worth every penny IMO. And never had an issue with sand.

I always gave them to the guides in some places. They were all over them generally, especially in countries praised by our liberal imbecile PM, where such things are seen as a luxury.

Seen the same thing, big BWO hatches in the spring and nothing rising... and even the birds were in on it. Always seemed like it might be a temps issue/lack of having been on dries for the winter etc.

Those things are ridiculous.... I've never seen anything close to the power they have. even hundred plus pound tarpon.

Easy targets........ plain and simple. I parked beside a guy that had about 4 rigged up rods hung in his head liner the other day, with an empty trailer behind his vehicle. Pretty brave I thought.

Picked one of these up in Montana a few weeks ago. It's killer. There was a ton of loose weed in the MO and our anchor line was constantly fouled and twisted, to the point dropping anchor was almost impossible. I looked at MEC for a climbing swivel, this is roughly the same $$. http://www.zigcollc.com/pulley

Anyone been up that way and used one recently? Planning more of a scenic float, though will likely fish where legal also... Thx

Some other things to consider with rope etc: -Larger diameter = greater amount of water friction -Single or double rigged pull = Single line/less friction/less mechanical advantage, Double line/greater mechanical advantage/greater friction

I saw a picture of a rather large rubber "tool" snagged with a nymph rig once. Guy was a friend of a friend, so I assume it was legit.

Mel Franklin is solid. 403-510-0138

Better do a few arm curls too if you stick a decent GT, even the little guys I saw would flatten a 12wt...

The Gold Bond saved my first trip to Cuba... been one thing I won't travel without ever since.

Shoulder if it gives you issues for sure, as well as legs if you'll be walking on soft flats. Obviously you won't be casting constantly for the most part but... And don't forget the Gold Bond for possible gooch problems.....

Never even thought about that......... Coke, cleans toilets. dissolves nails, and tastes great as a mix.

Not to mention just keeping one eye on the ground when walking through any of the parking lots city wide, watching what comes out of dumpsters after a good rain, etc. etc.... Poorly maintained vehicles leak antifreeze/oil/diesel/gas in pretty appreciable quantities, which no doubt finds it's way in some amount into the watershed. Frac fluid isn't cheap (depending on the type obviously) and is, especially in this market, re-used if possible... same as drilling mud/invert type systems.

Been beaten like a dead horse in the years I've been on this site, and never changes....... Much the same way I watched the front steps of both my townhouse and office building get destroyed because people can't seem to understand that it's a waste of time, much less grasp the fact that the broadcast rate need not be 5 pounds per square foot. And yes, I realize it ends up in the river as a result. Common sense, once again, is far too uncommon.

There's still a section of the library back home referred to as the "Scammell Collection" Solid writer, I enjoyed his books quite a bit. RIP.

Was it a white Honda Ridgeline (or something like that) with Shimano etc decals on it? I've seen him jet above the Deerfoot Extension bridge a couple times if so.

Haha....... Yeah it's not uncommon, I bought a truck off the company I work for, the tailgate got lifted by some clown prior... Not easy or cheap to replace thats for sure.