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I have to say that for me this is an old story that has frustraded me since the late 60's...in the Mid 70's I was president of a group called Solar Canada...my interests and training was in the High Performance Construction world that soon became defunct because of the industries inability to desire real change and greed. And that hasn't changed to this day...Lip service is all we get and politicians pensions are the main focus. However,we can take this current focus on fuel costs to a new level of understanding. It can be time to make change in our lifestyles as Canadians and world citizens. Why do we water lawns?and not gardens!! Why do we drive alone to go pick up a loaf of bread or Milk? Ludicrous for sure. How many vehicles do we need? SO...my fishing adventures are more frugle,shared more often and closer to home mostly! My garden is expanding,wood heat is a new focus,and life will continue as never before. What we do as Humans is most often unrealistic and foolish..but what we do individually will create change. I wonder why they stopped useing trains for freight??? in this huge country!!and have set-up truck drivers in a false industry! Wow...I need some cheese C

I see we are Eye to Eye on this topic Don...and Pisces has a very good point here...however, without getting too technical(which I am not) the energy transfer potential during initial or cast inniation really dictates the rod sizing! There is a commonly accepted ratio for doing this and followed by basically everyone(Manufacturers). The loaded or stressed action of these"plastic Rods" as Don Calls them, and in capable hands will determine it's rateing. Carrying 80' of line in the air really isn't that difficult,especially when the caster knows what needs to be done to do so, and with knowing the tool in hand; thus, rateing! Many years ago I used to use converted 13' noodle rods to cast to Salmon off the beaches of Vancouver Island,most notably evident was this type of rods inability to have an identifiable "powerup" spot. The rod lacked the ability to conquer the winds when needed.,but,was fun to cast and never broke. (These rods were early generation graphites scrimmed with glass)...Lighter than wood or Fibreglas,much more sensative and very easy on the body. But lacked a backbone...the newer High quality graphite rods have much more back-bone and better degrees of action... not bad for an antenna!

Don, Don't be so silly! Graphite is a long way from plastic! To a quality "boo builder it is a common criticism but let's be fair...plastic insulates against an electric current while Graphite does the contrary! Overlining any rod is certainly possible and breaking them is often the result...This fellow that wants to double haul 80' is some kind of caster...but to answer his question about the intermediate line, there would be less friction during the pick-up on a planned cast and likely cause the rod to load fairly efficiently. During the manufacture of high quality fly rods there are many stress tests and design characteristics that are tightly adhered to...so , a 2 wt. is typically as a 2 wt. should be. Alexander Grant knew of this much better than most of we mortals and discovered many interesting points that we now use in modern rod building...especially the wonderful "cane rods"! IMO C

Being somewhat of a "Magpie" myself I have found that over the years it is natural to collect some very Shiny reels. But what I fish with is often very different...Now that Snowbee has released the new cassett Spey reel I will in all likelihood use One of them for my go to reel...and they also released the new XSD460 Trout version,SAME drag but smaller of course. This will also be my go to reel for many situations. The point is that the 460 retails for $110 with an extra spool...has a drag system ,composed of a series of Broflon discs that will handle any fish we can imagine;and not fail! This same reel in the larger size(XSD780),in 2007 won the best reel in category in Europe/UK...it's not about being pretty;it's about function! The bodies are a cast Aluminum and the cartridges are a composite,Saltwater resistant and very maintanence friendly.. and here in Canada C

Bowcane; I have a reel for you that is absolutely a classic and never used..I had it at this years Fly Fishing show in Calgary but few casters appreciate the true wonder of such a reel...Noisy as hell..it is a Farlow ,Holdfast "Grenaby"...spey ,virgin condition in original box...$425 I took it in on a trade in ... Courtney

May see you there Mr. McLeod...depends how the Pink Salmon run shows up! Summers(Steelhead) are here now and in some good numbers....nothing big yet...although with the best water conditions in many years I would expect to see some monsters..I have heard of an 18lb Fish landed about 30 miles form here...and the Campbell River is expected to have a "first " good return in may years because of a new program to bring these fish back in fishable numbers...looking very promising! C

The New Snowbee Spey(XSD1112) and Trout(XSD460) cartridge reels are now available through Nile Creek Fly Shop. The XSD1112 comes with 4 Cassetts($166) and the XSD460 comes with 2 cassetts($110)...extra spools are only $10@.. C

There is only One week left to this great wader sale..over on the 15th of June....I must say that to date I am impressed with the quality of questions and buyers. Post to Alberta is about $14.00...that doesn't buy much petro these days.

Hey you Two...Work is good for the soul!! The Vision heads were the catalyst for the Beulah Elixir lines...IMO likely the sweetest fishing lines about. Fly casting is meant to be casual and smooth. Sea Run Browns...ohhhhh C

Hello All...especially our friend whistler....there is really no need to look very far and you don't have to put your head between your legs and kiss anything...being an ass is natural to all of us...and more so to some...nevertheless,as Brian says ...all waders will eventually leak...many too soon ...but in my experience,I have had very little to say about the Snowbee XS-Pro waders. Snowbee has the largest and most complete range of waders in Europe and Thus I would say has the experience to draw good conclusions from. With an anuall return rate of 3% what can be said. I know of no other company with the same numbers. No inside seams...well fitted and so on...but al I have to say,in the context of "these waders don't leak" is that I haven't been surprised ! Like I have with every other brand I have worn...bar none....the only waders I have not worn of the major brands is Patigonia...and I hear they are good...from sunny Southern Ontario where water is low,Stelhead are dropping back and the brown Trout are smallish...and One can use 3 flies on the same line...droppers,split shot and other intereting styles...also...too many #20 dry flies C

welcome back Colin, You didn't put on any weight did you??? I'm just off to Toronto today doing a Spey Casting gathering and of course visiting our dealers....will send a few new toys your way when I return... The XS-Pro wader is the best Wader I have ever owned...simple.......over 200 day with travel,different water conditions,sliding down hills,over stumps,black berry bushes...no inside seams...kneeling on Barnacles for pics and fish releases...My 2 cents anyway! It seems that I have the interest of many of the old farts around here ...ironically,once you become an old fart you want to P every time you near the water!! Zip fronts are the answer for sure!

There are only 2 slots left for my annual Summer Steelhead Sensation here on Vancouver Island...3 can fish for the price of 2 ......or 3 for 3 for 3...three days/three rivers/three fishers....this is likely your best opportunity to guarantee landing the spectacular Summer Run Steelhead ...and some big trout along the way....and see some of the most remote regions. The entire guided package is $1,595.00....you arrive here..we do the rest...houseing not included Dates available are during the Second or Third Week of June//2008...either the Friday/SAt/Sun or the Sat/Sun/Mon C

The Snowbee XSD1112 cartridge Spey Reel system is finally released and I have a dozen on their way. For those of you interested they will be available during the first week of June. The reel comes with 4 cassetts and a carrying bag . The reel retails for $175.. 10% off for FFC members...so,since we all had to wait so long will get them to you for $175...inclusive. Unfortunately,they will not be here until the last week of May and I will be in SOuthern Ontario until June 1st. Send me an email and I will reserve your reel. Courtney Nile Creek Fly Shop

Have a safe trip back Gordon...we may see you soon. Did it snow in Calgary today? C

It'll be very nice to have you back Colin...the Rivers here are running just a bit high...and great weather...landed a few Steelhead last week on the Upper.... These waders are amazing... C

Just got back from a day on the River,and it was fun ,successful and dry. Landed 2 Steelhead on the new Beulah Tonic Line useing a 14' CND Type 6 tip. Was able to do an underwater movie of a Steelhead doing it's thing,displaying the colourful intruder pattern tied on a Eumer Tube... The fellow with me was also a spey caster and a well known outdoor writer...took some great pics of the line developeing loops and during the casts...very tight loops ,perhaps too tight to enabe the line to really deliver large flies...but outstanding for the needs of the Bow River Fishers. The Tonic line I was useing was the 8/9 Switch 435 grain, the head was about 24'. C

We have several dozen pairs coming in this week ,likely late...there are now only 3 pairs in stock,so a pre-order might have to work for those wanting to be fishing in the heat...C

there will be several of us out tomorrow working on several more of the Tonic Lines...some big trout about and still a few Steelhead...will be fishing small Intruders tied on Eumer Tube accessories...great to cast and nice to fish with.. C

The Nor-Vise is a great little tool and you should get used to it soon....I really like the rotary applications but there are times when you just don't need it.

Hello there headscan, They are available in all Switch and Spey(except the 4/5 switch) sizes...I like them...the heads are very short and fast 23-25' Orange heads and grey running line....looped and ready to go. They handle much better the newish casts and can bomb out quick overhead casts. There is no need for long sweeping movements but more inclined moving roll casts and the like. I was casting the 6/7 Spey and the 8/9 Switch yesterday...landed a big trout to boot...I was surprised at the mendability of the line...the running line is not toooo thin...and thats a good thing! Will send some your way soon...need to get the complete range on hand. C

The sound of Water and Mountains...we are blessed indeed! Nice fish C

Scott did some great work on this DVD...he is without question on of the best casters about.. We will have a supply of these DVD's at Nile Creek Fly Shop as well...

Well, Not only are the New Tonic Lines released but WOW...great little lines to add to the master collection..much more able to handle regular sink tips and T-14 type connections..Available at the store

If you go onto the Snowbee web site you will see the dimensions...What I can tell you is that after more than 200 days on the water (both Salt and Fresh),in and out of Kick Boats,never washed yet, for the first time in my Breathable wader life I have dryness! My Waders are the Bootfoot version sized XXL(size 13 boot),wanted the extra room for more socks in the winter....the body is a bit big but length is perfect(I'm 6' 2")...same length for the XL version... NO inside seams.... Snowbee UK told me that the return rate for 2007 was 3%...My Pro Staffer in Southern Ontario said they are the most breathable he has ever owned...and this guy bush wacks in heat and really knows waders... If the waders don't fit ,and they should ,we will have some with Colin when he gets back in case. This special is on a Pre Order basis...but we are very flexable...we want to get these out to you guys... C We don't advertise it but we are the Distributors for Snowbee ...

It's time to share the excitment of having Zip front waders ,especially for us guys that have to execute speed at times! Until June 15th, we are offering the Snowbee Zip Front stocking foot Waders at an incredible 35% off. Regular $455 ..pre-order at $295.75... FFC members only These waders don't leak and are very durable..... sizes ...S,M,Lg,XL,XXL It's time to get some of the Worlds best waders to members of FFC... Now thats a relief! To View these waders go to the Nile Creek Fly SHop logo and link to Snowbee