TerryH

Darren, all the best to you on your birthday. Have a good one. Terry

I chuckle every time I see TUC's Calgary address (i.e. the "Fisher Street" part). Does anyone know if they chose that location for the street name, or did it just happen? Either way, it's a great choice. Terry

My wife has her feeders up and running, and there have been lots of takers this past week -- mostly chickadees and nuthatches. Here's a photo of a family that visited our feeders last spring. They weren't very gentle with the feeders. Memo to self: take feeders down in the spring and don't put them back up until these guys have hibernated.

I think you're splitting hairs here. IMHO, Avery saying he didn't want to fight and then decking Smid as soon as he looked away, probably fits under the heading "sucker punch." Even though it's what one might expect from Avery, it's still a sucker punch. BTW, I also find it interesting that the NHL is so concerned about headshots (e.g. the Jokinen suspension), and yet a sucker punch induced concussion doesn't get a second look by Campbell. Oh well, whoever expected consistency from the NHL anyway.

Blue Ribbon

Ooops, cancel that. Terry

Good news Flames fans, there's an Oilers game you can watch tonight instead. Terry

FEARLESS PREDICTION -- you heard it here first. This is Iginla's last year as a Flame.

Which one?

Lots of good stuff Clive -- you guys have been busy. Looking forward to being there on Friday night. Terry

No, no. You need at least 10' so you can cast your whole flyline. Ok, on a serious note, I agree with the earlier comments. I'd also add that another advantage of filling the reel is that your flyline is not coiled as tightly. In other words, diameter of each coil is larger.

Yeh, but don't forget the Flamers had a perfect preseason record. Yuk, yuk.

I've heard rumours that before agreeing to take you to his secret Cutty spots, BBT requires that you consent to a post-trip lobotomy. I can't remember whether I've ever been out with him or not. Terry

You're the boss -- or at least one of them. Yeh, let's have cake. Terry

On that particular lake, not so good (one fish). But it's a pretty little lake that I like to get out on just for the scenary -- and it paid off with the turtles. Terry

I came across a bunch of these guys while fishing a lake in the East Kootenays two weeks ago. Not something you see too often, if ever, in Alberta. It was interesting how they had themselves stacked on top of the log. There was a similar number at the other end of the log. I think they're painted turtles, but who knows -- my turtle ID'ing expertise is limited. Terry

There is an excellent letter in today's Edmonton Journal concerning the problems with random camping, quads, and the whole mess that is happening in SW Alberta. Hats off to this fellow flyfisher who took the time to call attention to the deplorable situation that exists in the Oldman and Castle drainages. Have a look here: Letter to the editor, Edmonton Journal, Sept. 23, 2010

What a problem to have -- I'm envious. Terry

Have a great day Andrew. Terry

I browsed through the proposed (i.e. sample) regulations yesterday. Proposed Pulbic Lands Administration Regulaton It's 274 pages long, so pour a coffee before you wade in. It's interesting reading and if it is implemented and more importantly enforced, it will certainly be a step in the right direction. If nothing else, the 14 day rule on random camping would go from being a "guideline" to being a law. And moving your RV two feet every 14 days won't cut it -- it has to be removed from the Land Use Area for a period of at least 24 hours. However, in the end, it still all comes down to enforcement. Unfortunately, I don't see that improving significantly any time soon, simply because it all comes down to how many officers there are in the field. Terry

Good points Clive -- I share your concerns. Last time I was at Police Outpost Lake (back in July), there were two or three pelicans on the lake. Maybe we need a pelican hunting season. Terry

Hey Chris, sorry I'm late with this, but celebrating for more than a day is ok and you get more cake --- Happy Birthday. Terry

Have a great day youngster. Terry

I agree about the webby hackle -- often it is labelled and packaged as "wooly bugger saddle hackle." Also, I like the tapered look you get by tying the hackle in by the tip at the rear of the hook and winding forward. Not sure if the fish care though. For extra durability, you can also try counter-wrapping the wire rib over the hackle. Good job though -- I'm sure your version 1.00 will catch fish. Who know, perhaps version 1.01 will catch more. Terry

I fished there Thursday of last week. A great day as far as weather is concerned -- sunny & no wind. Caught most of our fish on chironomids -- black & silver, size 14. We were fishing fairly deep -- 8' to 10'. Most fish were in the 12" to 16" range, but we did land one at around 18" and got snapped off by a few that we didn't get to see. The fish are looking really healthy and fat. The road from Hwy 5 is in good shape. On the enforcement side, or lack thereof, there were a lot of mini-marshmallows on the water around the island. Obviously some folks haven't read the bit about no bait allowed.