ogilvie

Being a guide myself I can very much appreciate your enthusiasm and comments. However,the point is actually part of your conversation about the mezmorizing aspects to Steelhead fishing. The night before last we had a surprise Snow fall here in Qualicum Beach,about 4" of very wet snow that ultimately took out the power from falling tree branches not able to manage the sudden weight. Went to bed early,of course and up at 6(slept in) the power had just come back on...Val make me a coffee and a bit of Breaky and off I went. About 5 mile north the snow disappeared and green was everywhere again,Sun was out and the 2 hour drive was great..Once at the River the blood was flowing,of course,with much anticipation,and lined up the Snowbee Tamar and off I went..fished the mile below the bridge and saw a gear fisherman ahead of me so decided to fish above the Bridge...covered about 5 Miles of Getting low Water,incredible pools and runs and no fish. My feet were getting very sore from having to walk on Soccer ball size rocks all day. But I had a great day,the sky was blue,Partridge were beating their chests and life is great. The anticipation of the hit is really what it is all about...and when it comes,only a Steelheaders will count the "Tugs" or "I thinks" as a good day? On this River I have over the years landed One Steelhead 27lbs. ,another 22,several as big and likely 10 over 15lbs. Perhaps that is part of the equation!

Does anyone have any idea what the weather might be like this coming week-end? Here on the Supposed Sunshine Island Coast,we had about 4"of very wet snow in this area...took the power out for half the night...got up at 6:#0 and went north to fish for Steelhead,no snow and sunny...crazy weather...lets hope Clagary's weather is a good one for the week-end C

That is good news...however,the governments of the day will deflect the pressure to another location/s to protect their pension plans . Having Balls is about doing the right thing and paying the dues to get it done. I am afraid the Island is destined for some very serious fights about these IPP's. There is much work being done in the remotest of locations without pryimg eyes! C

Thanks for the Number Max...will call the office tomorrow C

The 910 reels suit these rods very well...Snowbee does not do that size in the cassett. The 780 XSD Cassett reel system is on the small side... I do know that Beulah is coming out with a reel itself later this spring..there is a practical purpose of rod/reel balance that should be considered with all set-ups...I like to have my reels fit my rods,but with that said,I have ,and regularly do,fish the 780 XSD cassett reel with a Scandanavian short head full sinking Spey Line or the Elixir...but, the backing needs to be a Micro Backing or GelSpun! Oh...BTW...the Same reel will work with any of the Switch Rods C

These are nice fish..... great thread!

I have been told that if we ask to have the washrooms open then it might get done...that would be good.... Max

Theres a fellow from Duncan who was fishing Pinks in Campbell River with the 4/5 Switch . That is One very fast River and he was sort of a novice,and yes broke the rod...trying to pull a Salmon onto the rocks...not a good idea... Headscan is bang on...the 4/5 is a trouter C

Burnsmead it is then...9am ...Saturday April 5th.Does anyone know if the washrooms will be open? C

Many years ago when some of you fly fishers thought your thing was for peeing! Sage and a few others made 11' 2 pc, 5 and 6wt rods that are actually heavier than the modern day Beulah Switch rod. Some,myself included, used these as small Two Handers casting very small bugger type flies off the beaches for Sea Run Cutthroat Trout,Pink,Coho and Chum Salmon. These rods were actually designed for lake fishing when Chan and a few others, picked up the torch and really studied what Jack Shaw already knew and expertly expanded on it. The ability to pick up 50' to 60' off the waters film and make a single cast to the same distance is trying for most small rods. Although I must admit that lake fishing isn't only about distance or Chironomid fishing! My favorite has always been the dry fly or slightly sub surface emergers and leeches. Alberta does have some major lakes with some very nice fish , I agree with Brent that the 7/8 Switch isn't really necessary but if thats what you have utilize it's efficiencies and have some fun ( I use Val's 5/6) C

Line Pressure from very fast water can be a big problem for many of us. I have had many Steelhead 'Horseshoe" me during many outings,on both small and larger rivers. But most of the hooks have been from 1/0 to #6. Over the past 4-5 years I have taken to fishing almost exclusively with a Stinger style fly either on a Tube or looped hook. Useing Gamakatsu or similar style Egg/Octopus/Tube hooks in the #2-#6 size have produced much better landing rates. Last year I began useing the same style set-ups for landing Trout and some Salmon in the smaller rivers useing hooks as small as #12. Great for Stone Flies,Small Leeches,Minnow Patterns and others. The Smaller hook has a lot less impact on the fishes ability to head shake the hook free and definitely reduces the size of the injury from the inbedded hook! This is also a great option for leech patterns. C

WOWVery well organized...how do you do that?

as far as I know they won't be making any of the elixir line types for the 4/5...if you get out to the Spey Weekend you have to try the Snowbee 8wt. Two Colour line on that rod...I think Maxwell has One and several others

Couldn't have said it better myself Mykiss..thanks...the Browns were prone to snapping especially the so called 9140,normally second section from the top.As was the TnT 1409.However,these slower action rods are nice in a way that if you are a proficient caster then these are nice moderate performing rods especially with the lines of that time. I know many many Spey casters on the Dean and the Bulkley that still use the Sage Brown 9140.

Burnsmead sounds like the best option to me...River left and right is somewhat important but more important is for people to play and learn... Lets nail it down at Burnsmead! C

I have watched your developement as a caster over the past 2-3 years while at the Fly Fishing shows and believe you can become a good and efficient caster. A greater understanding of what YOU are doing will set you free!! Is it the Brown Sage? To become a great caster and efficient fisher there are 3,count them THREE things you must master. Watch your fly!the White Mouse!,the 180 degree rule! reminds me of letting go of the handle bars on a bike! I hope you come to the Spey week end...will be fun. C

Did you know that the Fly Lines used in "River Runs Through It" were Snowbee lines? a fact! and Two Handers do break,some more than others. I won't use my Hardy Angels for anything other than mid to long bellied lines ;dry fly fishing! Is your 7136 the Brown Blank? C

Well,I was supposed to be in the QCI in January,but went to Calgary for Business and the fly fishing show. But 12 is not unheard of on the Fly...I have sold a few KickBoats for just that place...Tea coloured water and some major fish. Got a call from a friend who fished the same River (Rusty,H2O and Gok)we did the first day and had his personal best day ever. Into 5 fish,landed 2..One was 16 plus... Mykiss: 12 lbs is a great fish indeed.....One Year on the Stamp I hooked and released over 40 fish in that size and larger....on the fly. This year the Stamp is in trouble and you can say the Jet Boats have something to do with it.... The Gold River closes on April 1 Fished the Little Qualicum this morning,and there are a few Steelhead in the system at the moment...10 minutes into the day I was walking down a bald log and went ass over tea kettle,landing squarely on my tail bone(think I broke it) Ouchhhhhh Only fished for about 2 hours...notta C

Surprisingly,many don't know ,I spent 30 years in developeing energy efficient windows and aggressive energy systems for residential housing ..both new and renovation. I would recommend that you contact either Lux windows in Calgary and ask for a ReHau PVC window(not a slider!) with Soft Coat LowE coatings on Surface 2 and 3 plus an Argon gas Fill. Equibuilt in Edmonton also has some great features and have been produceing major windows since the mid-'70s. You may even wanta reflective surface on teh exterior of the windows. These will be expensive but do as they say they will. MAke it bearable and efficient. C

One of my son's is in Hawaii at the moment and the bugger hasn't contacted me...that usually means he is into fish or the other!!

Cortland does indeed make the Elixirs to Beulah's Specs..I think the Tonic's will be out before the end of the month and if Lucky will have a bunch to use and sell ...will post as soon as I get the info' C

Will have plenty of Salmon to munch on during the Spey week-end on the Bow...and getting into Steelhead in the Winter can be trying for sure. The fish this year are fewer in numbers but larger..Steelhead in many of the Island Rivers and very transient,almost like Cutthroat Trout...there One minute and gone the next..but Once Spawning begins,these fish protect their redds with vigor and valour. That is why the Gold River will close this year on April 1st...to allow these beautiful fish to complete a cycle without being hammered by the fishers. Tomorrow I am going to fish my back yard,about 3 minutes away,there are fresh fish now in the system in good numbers...nothing over 12 lbs(rarely) but there. Will hopefully take a few pics and get them posted. C

At this time of year there should be a few nice fish about,and basically any rod you use here will be fine unless you target those monsters. The fly lines should be a tropics series or alternative....I don't think the weather will exceed 35 so a good line might do okay. The reels ar also a questiion,and as John says the drag systems need to be either sealed of salt water resistent, Snowbee XS,Islander, Abel,Nautilus,some of the Ross Reels,. The problem with reels that are not salt water friendly is that the screws in many cases are not compatabe with corrosion ,poor quality Stainless threaded into low quality Aluminum + Oxidation galor! C

Congratulations on the hard work completed and the foresight. Job well done Courtney and Val

After it's all said and done I have to say that I was getting to a point of frustration with all breathable waders...I have had ,Bear,Simms,Hodgeman,Wardell,Loop, Greys,and the list keeps going. I was to a point of saying F..it, instead of spending all that money on waders I would wear either the nylon Denier or neo'...along comes Snowbee and proved a point. There are waders out there that don't leak...with the largest selection of waders in europe one would question why...they don't leak! I am one every happy camper,and a dry one at that. They have several series of breathable waders,stocking foot and boot foot...the expensive waders have a front zipper for easy "peeing" ,and all the other things you can think of. The classic waders are in the price range you are speaking of....with or without boot foot..my preference is the bootfoot...warmer and I never froget my boots! Go to the Nile Creek add on this forum and click onto Snowbee C CDONE on this site has a pair of zip fronts...