ÜberFly

Carter, This is the one I invested in (Mustang). I primarily wear it in the winter when fishing off of ice shelves or during the summer fishing from a pontoon... Not necessarily "angling specific" but low profile ( I can wear it under a vest - when I wore a vest). It's expensive, but worth it in my opinion (I mean, how much is your life worth?!)... P P.S. Another benefit with this design is that you can get them in a variety of colors (including some neutral ones - mine is the black/grey. When inflated, however they are all bright yellow = highly visible). Also, be careful not to buy used or "on sale" (Craigslist, Kijiji, etc.) I noticed when I was 1st researching them, someone had a bunch of discontinued models for sale and when I googled that specific model, they had been recalled!!

Looks like some nice (fishable) water!! Too bad it's ruined by a bunch of jackasses!! LoL P

I guess it all depends on how much you want to spend... I've read that the SIMMS are nice... Patagonia will be releasing some this winter/spring (will have them at the expo), and I think one of the big box stores sell a branded pair as well... Probably a few others, as well... P

Jay, Problem with small claims is they can issue a judgement, but still can't force him to pay!! Best bet is to let the insurance company fight it out, that's what you pay them for! P

Espresso is great, except for one thing... It's a hell of a lot of work! I guess that's where those single use machines come in, but from what I understand the per cup costs are high! Mike, you might want to check out Consumer Reports down at the library (or online, I think), they have reviewed Espresso machines through the years and rank them... P *edit* But she wants what she wants

Yup, missed that one!! Good packs! P

Holy $hite!! That is a HUGE pack with an even bigger price tag $630.00!! A LOT of other (better?!) options in my opinion!! My wife has a 65 l pack to my 80 l (and we don't fill them up) and can go 4 - 5 days easy!! Check out the Arc'teryx packs ('one' of the best in the biz), Gregory, Dana Designs, Deuter, even generic MEC, MHW, TNF, Black Diamond all at 1/3 - 1/2 of the cost (and most think that is too expensive). Go with what fits your body (torso), i.e. make sure you have a chance to try before you buy!! P

Can I get away with a 9' 6 wt rod?!

Jay... Opinion not judgement! They have their place, for sure!! They're just not for me!! P P.S. Not sure where the wife and dog would sleep?! LoL

Can't disagree more Jay!! LoL Hammocks are the most uncomfortable thing out there!! Ever try sleeping on your side in/on one!! What happens if you are above treeline?! Just giving you a hard time What was I saying about personal preference?! LoL! This is a WAY better option IMHO (but hella expensive!) http://www.nemoequipment.com/nemo2010-meta2p-tent P

I do a fair bit of backpacking/fly fishing every season and you will not find what you are looking for specifically (as far as "extended"/over night trips as opposed to "day trips"), but why would you - not a big enough market?! PM me if you have any specific questions, but what I would suggest is concentrate your efforts on buying the right BPing gear for your intended use (size, fit, capacity, weight, temp range, etc.). Most, if not all (quality) backpacks will allow you to attach gear to the outside (with mine they all have "wand pockets" so I can easily fit a rod tube no problem) and have a little chest pack with everything I'll need for backcountry lakes - it doesn't really take up too much room - you will have to suss out how much FF gear you'll need on your own. Other considerations... Are you going solo or with other people? What type of terrain will you be hiking into (alpine, sub-alpine, above treeline, remote or closer to a major urban area, etc.)... What distances will you be hiking? Are you a minimalist or do you like to be somewhat comfortable (fishpro did a trip this past summer sleeping under a tarp. Suntoucher hiked into a lake with my wife and I and he used a small 2 person - personal preference)... As with everything else go with as high quality gear as you can afford, do your research and find what's going to work for you (not what works for someone else)! Peter

I guess I look at it the way Bruce Lee looked at Martial Arts (his "philosophy"). He had a very clear philosophy on how the martial arts should be approached. He did not believe that an art should be “static” and unchanging, but rather, a living, evolving entity. Now that change could be very random for some, adding whichever techniques were most pleasing to the eye, but for Bruce Lee there was one guiding principle: Only use what works in a real fight! In general can this principle/philosophy be used for the "art" of fly fishing?! I think so!! For me, in some situations it's about catching fish, in others it's about the expereince... For example, if I'm with my wife or nephew I would like them to have a positive exp so that they will want to come again (btw, they are both aware that it's not always about catching), so we have used SJW (as an example) underneath an indicator (where allowed) and I feel no shame in that... P

An indicator works great when used with this pattern (or any other) as the point fly in a 3 fly rig!! P

Yeah, I was looking at GGP's post from last year and I guess I didn't follow-up, like I was supposed to... Pattern works great! Fairly easy to tie which I like! A few of mine did unravel on me so I started to put a coat of cement on both the thread and body - it's much better! Never tied as small as 20 but I think it would be a good pattern in 16, as well for the spring/summer/fall!! P

Yup! Unless you are a guide/outfitter and you have your company name on your boat.

Brian, I guess it would also depend on who is teaching the course and what their qualifications are?! Are they some dude from the dealership or someone from "Transport Canada" with a few credentials under their belt!! If it's some punky kid that doesn't know a "truckers hitch" from a "granny knot", then I probably wouldn't bother! Also, is there even an "approved" program in which to offer or is it just something the manager's kid put together as a summer job!? P

Within Fish Creek Park would probably be the easiest, presuming of course you are mobile. Please note the regs as there are sections of the Bow that are now closed! P

Unfortunately for Brad, management is (usually) exempt from OT (unless he is able to take time in lieu)!!

They use a specific kind of rubber - similar to the rubber used in climbing shoes!! It's much softer and grippier then the rubber used for hiking shoes/boots! Oh I should add that the "sticky rubber" type of boots that SIMMS and others currently offer have their pros & cons (lots of reviews on those on here and other sites). P P.S. I paid a little more then what you paid for your cheapies on a pair of Patagonia Riverwalkers ($160 on sale) and got 3+ seasons (of hard use) out of them before they started to break down... I sent them back to patagonia and got full warrantee on them (unfortunately they didn't have my size in Canada so they gave me the cash equivalent)! You get what you pay for IMHO!

I guess you could play tennis in bedroom slippers too!! Seriously, though... Are you planning to use these just for winter fishing?! Will you be putting stainless steel screws in the bottom for studs?! Probably would work, but might be a bit heavy and slow to drain water, plus if you use them within the shoulder season, I would think the rubber on hiking boots would be fairly stiff and not all that grippy on wet rocks & weeds, etc.!?! Also, most hiking boots have some sort of foam used in the upper so that might soak up a lot of water and cause them to be even heavier?! P

Wow looks like a heck of an effort! Nice work! I'm curious, however... I thought people wanted to rid the system of brookies?! P

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experience

Experience as a general concept comprises knowledge of or skill in or observation of some thing or some event gained through involvement in or exposure to that thing or event. *edit* I don't think it's as easy as providing a definition, as everyone's own "individual" experiences can offer something of value to themselves or someone elses "experience"... P

Chris, You can drop me off at "West Ed" when you and Mr Finocchio head up there for the grand opening, maybe I can pick one up there, as well!! P

There ya go guys, now you can split gas (or in Chris' case, diesel) 3 ways!! LoL P