ÜberFly

Tightline and I took CBC Outdoor Reporter Paul Karchut out for some backcountry Fly Fishing yesterday (after 2 other failed attemps to coordinate our schedules). Pretty challenging day to be up high (cold & rainy), but we all hooked into at least 1 fish with yours truly landing the only fish of the day (which was a huge relief as I certainly didn't want to be skunked on air!! LoL). So make sure to tune in Thursday morning @ 0740 (CBC Radio One - The Eye Opener) to hear the report (or go to the website to listen to an archive of the the report anytime there after) http://www.cbc.ca/calgary/features/outdoor-report/. P

I'm no pro, but... Not sure on what quality you are looking for, i.e. how much $ you want to spend, but a decent quality rod at a great price (5 wt available in a 6 piece) is the Redington Classic Trout (CT) series... Medium action so should be able to deliver a dry pretty nicely... @ $160!! I have a CT in a 3 wt and a Redington CPX in a 5 wt and are VERY happy with both for their respective applications (excellent warrantee as well)! P

J, PM sent. Any of the sponsoring (and non sponsoring) specialty fly shops (some even have waders on sale presently) would be your best bet as they should have a variety for you to try in various price ranges. Each brand will fit differently (fit shouldn't be restrictive and you should be able to layer [a lot in some cases if you fish spring, fall and winter] and at the same time be able to step up and over things, kneel down, squat, etc. without them feeling like the seams will split. Feet should be bigger rather then smaller again to accomodate layering). If in doubt, go witht he larger size. Breathables with neoprene feet are the most diverse IMHO as you can layer them up depending on the conditions, etc. Also go with the BEST you can afford and one with a good (great) warrantee (there are only a couple that have stellar warrantees - see below). In most cases there is a relationship between longevity and cost (i.e., you get what you pay for) even with abuse! Again, my opinion! If you want top of the line (read more $, but a far better wader) Patagonia and SIMMS, bar none!! Next is to consider wading boots - again lots of opinions as price ranges on those!! Good luck! Peter

I've stated this before in a previous thread... About 3 years ago a roommate of mine (a former guide) was looking for a new set of waders and looked at the Willy J's at a non-sponsoring shop... Out of the box he noticed they had 2 left feet... With further research it was concluded that they had numerous quality control issues... Not sure they have improved any... I have gone through 2 sets of waders 1st was one of the original generations of the patagonias and they weren't great! Next were Redington CPS and they didn't last too long before they started to leak. I went back to the latest generation of patagonias guidewaters and like the SIMMS, you get what you pay for and these are the best waders IMHO. Pay the little extra for quality & piece of mind and you won't be disappointed (and if you are, both Patagonia and SIMMS have the BEST warrantees in the business - bar none!)

Looks different then this:

All the Northern Pike Minnows (Squaw Fish) that I've ever caught didn't have that strange pointy snout?! P

Chris, Weren't the 17" & 21" Rainbows from a small stream worth it?!

Looks like a heck of an adventure (by the by, there is still "adventure" within "misadventure"!)! Glad you had a great trip! P

SNAP, It's not always about the fishing (or the fish) - fishing is just the bonus!! P

$6.95 for 1!! Yikes, that's pretty steep!! *edit* that's for 10!! P

Not sure... Did you pick that one up down near the gravel pits past Policemens Flats? We should have got a photo... I think Brian's had even more of a rounded snout if I remember correctly (like mongers Lake Sundance fish)... P

Mike crush up some tortilla chips and roll it in those and just bake it with some salt & pepper 400 for maybe 10 minutes or so... Cajun spice works well too... P

BBT and I hit a small stream after work tonight. The water was gin clear and quite a bit lower then the last time I was there so I wasn't expecting much... After spooking a couple of fish I moved down stream to where Avalanche and I had hooked a couple a month or so ago... There were not too many rises (a few caddis fluttering around and some PEDs) so I initially thought I'd try a small hopper as tis the season (and turned one with it, but didn't land it). Chris had on a caddis and nailed a nice 17" Rainbow There was also a bully in this particular pool that went after his bow, so he suggested I should put on a streamer to try and go after that Bull - I was using my 3 wt and didn't think I had anything small enough - but went with a small zonker). Anyway, I'm glad I listened to his advise as I was rewarded with this beauty, A 21" Rainbow! I've only ever caught 12 inchers (and smaller) in this particular stream so we were both super stoked!! Not an evening of quantity, but the quality was there, for sure! Thanks for a great night Chris! P

When we stayed at hotels on family vacations and we fooled around instead of sleeping (there were 3 of us - my bro and I who are twins) we got threatened with having to sleep in the bath tub... Let's just say that I spent many a night with a pillow and blanket sleeping in bath tubs!! P

Very cool, but the one you saw wouldn't technically considered a "spirit bear" per se... The kermode bear (Ursus americanus kermodei), also known as the "spirit bear", is a subspecies of the American Black Bear living in the central and north coast of British Columbia,[1] and noted for about 1/10 of their population having white or cream-coloured coats. This colour morph is due to a recessive allele common in the population. They are not albinos[1] and not any more related to polar bears or the "blond" brown bears of Alaska's "ABC Islands" than other members of their species. Because of their ghost-like appearance, "spirit bears" hold a prominent place in the mythology of the Canadian First Nations and American Indians of the area.[2] The kermodei subspecies ranges from Princess Royal Island to Prince Rupert, British Columbia on the coast, and inland toward Hazelton, British Columbia. It is known to the indigenous population as Moksgm'ol. In the February 2006 Speech from the Throne by the Government of British Columbia, the Lieutenant Governor announced her government's intention to designate the Kermode or spirit bear as British Columbia's official animal. A male Kermode bear can reach 225 kg (500 lb) or more, females are much smaller with a maximum weight of 135 kg (300 lb). Straight up it stands 180 cm (6 ft) tall. The Kermode bear was named after Francis Kermode, former director of the Royal B.C. Museum,[1] who researched the species and a colleague of William Hornaday, the zoologist who described it.[3][4] Nonetheless, it's a cool thing to see in the wilderness. Let's hope someone doesn't blow it away for a trophy!! P

And a couple you were going to send (as in to me!!) LoL P

I've always followed my late Uncle George's lead (he was the BEST fisherman EVER!)! He always said: "never tell them what you've caught or show'em what your using" - so I always say that we've "caught a few small ones", "all on a SJW" (unless of course I know the person, then I'll be honest) But that's all in good fun... I try to be very helpful to new fly anglers (it's obvious who they are in most cases) and try to help them out as much as I can (that is how I've met one of my current fishing partners and now good friend - Dr. Bullet). P

Like father, lie son!! LoL! You've taught him well Rick!! (Just kidding ) Sounds like a great trip nonetheless in some beautiful country! P

Probably an (healing/healed) injury from an Osprey... P

J, I find whities tend to hit indicators quite often, so if there wasn't other "consistantly" rising fish, you could have probably kept on nymphing (they like the pink & orange indicators, it seems)... In regards to you foul hooking the Rainbow... How much tippet was between your flies? One of the reasons why fish get fouled with multiple nymph rigs is because there is not enough distance between the flies... Make sure you have at least 16" - 18" between your flies... He probably went for your first fly (or was hooked on your 1st fly) and spit the hook and then got tagged in the tail with your 2nd (or 3rd - if you were using a 3 nymph rig). And when you set, set it like you mean it (if you ever see rickr on the water - you'll know who he is as his hook sets scare the $hit out of you!! LoL - Hawgstoppah taught him well!)! I too could use a harder hook set!! So yeah, set it like you are going to make a 60 foot cast behind you!! Hope that helps! Cheers, Peter

Steve, Husband or fish?! LoL P

Also you may want to contact GrnDrake (Tracy) as he and his wife float that section quite often, from what I understand. Also, there was someone that offered a Red Deer float for the Streamwatch Auction so you could contact him via PM... P

Nice work!! P

2 days!! I've done that float in about 8 hrs before (last bit is slow and boring though)... P

I thought "Alberta Marine" was the "local" Hyde dealer... Have you tried them? P