Gil

The ice was a good 14 inches.

Here's another pic...

I got fed up waiting on the Bow and decided to go out on the ice with a friend of mine on Sunday. It was warm +5'C, however there were very heavy wind gusts. I thought the tent was going to come apart for awhile there. Luckily once we got everything straightened around and started fishing, the wind stopped. We caught quite a few fish, some a good size and had a great time. When we started to pack things up at the end of the day the wind started up again.

Here's is the view of one entomologist... Three days of -30 C temperatures across most of the province have partly answered the prayers of those trying to contain the pest that has munched its way through millions of trees and threatens to wipe out millions more across Canada. "I think there's been enough cold to affect the population and keep it from growing," said Allan Carroll, a research scientist with the Canadian Forest Service and one of the country's top pine beetle experts. "I suspect there's going to be a fairly significant decline in the population. It's going to be noticeable." The beetles, now hiding under the bark as larvae, develop a kind of antifreeze in their blood that lets them withstand the winter. It takes several days of -40 C weather to completely wipe them out.

I'm with you on fishing the Bow so much. I love it but it has kept me from trying new water. I want to start explore water in the mountains. I love hiking so I plan to combine the two ...

I've sat around long enough. I plan to be on the river tomorow...

I'm still trying to create a better stone nymph. I finally was able to tie a knot in a goose biot for a realistic leg. Note: use your bobbin threader. I also added laquer. Still not what I want but I'm making some headway I think...

I picked up "The Fly Tier's Benchside Reference", by Ted Leeson and Jim Schollmeyer for 50% off at the Fishing Hole. It was still a bit expensive at $67, but it looks like there is a lot of good stuff in it. Most stuff in the store was 25% off. Flies 50% Big ticket items were generally 10%...Not sure if its still on or not...

My wife bought me the Olympus 1030 SW for Xmas. Looking forward to using it...

Alot of great stuff here but this one is awesome....

I leave mine semi - inflalated, whenever its not in use. I have up in my garage rafters for the winter. I think folding and moving it around in cold temps isn't a great idea.

In many ways this was my best year on the Bow. A 24 inch brown and 25 inch bow were highlights for me. I managed to put 23 full day floats on the river and fished the majority of Saturdays and Sunday mornings ( before the kids woke up) all without having my wife devorce me, yet. Had many 20 plus fish days and loved every minute of it...

Sorry, Just made it up based on stuff I saw on other peoples stones...

You do need to watch the wire, but I tie my coppers Johns this way without a problems. The thing I don't like with the side mount is the difficulting getting a good spread. You can do a dubbing ball but again I don't like the look and its a pain.

Not quite sure what you mean but I can get them in the exact position I like (perfect V) fast and easy... Here is what they look like....

I tie them one at a time. Instead of mounting them on either side as some do, I like the effect better if you lay biot flat across the top of the hook at a 20' angle. Pin it in place tightly with your finger and wrap forward starting at the junction of the biot. Note only do you get the exact spread you want but it's very easy to do. Works for me....

Since it just slightly too cold to fish, I've been tying stone flies this morning. Rather than putting on straight legs I tried knotting them then putting a bit of glue on the joints to prevent unravelling. I think it gives a more realistic leg. Max you were asking about the #14 SJW I've been tying. Here's what one looks like....They've been working great up until the -20' stuff started. One nice thing about them is I can tie one every couple of minutes.

Tying a bunch of bread and butter flies for the summer (princes N., summer flies (my own), SJW etc.) Not too interesting but it passes the time...

My high score was 11...I'd like to kick him in the ass as well...

I've been working on my dry fly collection. The past week ants were my focus.

Thanks for all your help. I appretiate the input. Here are a couple if pics of how I'm doing....

thanks for the advice.... Here's one I tied earlier this morning....

I'm having a bit of trouble finishing off my parachutes. Any suggestions out there?

For some reason your pictures are showning. I've been tying a variety of ants lately and was interested in peoples favourites. Any chance you might repost?

I'm not sure I should admit it but a couple of my hard core fly fishing friends and I will be hitting the ice this winter. Of course if you ask them they will deny it....