rusty

I was going to suggest Stillwater Solutions as well. I tied a shatload of popsicles and the like for Alaska/BC last year and found that using a dubbing loop is the best way to go. Obviously, if you're tying 500 of them it may take a little longer, but the loop makes them less bulky and it's super quick if you have a Norvise.

Kamchatka for monster virgin 'bows Tierra del Fuego for searun brownies False Albies and maybe stripers in Montauk (it's ON this fall)

Clive, I agree completely. This winter (esp this December) has to have put a mark near the record for degree days below zero, and I'll betcha it's even close for degree days below say -20. If this weather doesn't seriously pound the crap out of the beetles, I think it pretty conclusively demonstrates that GW is not the lone cause of the recent population boom.

Canada didn't deserve that win...so many PPs in the second and they looked as anemic as the Oilers. Bah! What an absolutely amazing finish though...my voice is hoarse from screaming and I'm home alone!

Do yourself a favor and pick up some Korkers. Get a pair of the cleated soles while you're at it. I will never fish in the winter again without them.

-break the 30" mark on a rainbow -catch a steelhead -fish for false albies in the fall -pike over 20 pounds on the fly

The Americans were trash talking their heads off up 3-0 on two 5v3 goals in the first 10 minutes of the game. The Canadians were simply sending some of it back. You can argue that it has no place in the game but it's the intensity and emotion it brought out that made it such a great game. Definitely the best WJHC game I've ever seen. Flames-Oilers was awesome too...but if the Oil played like they did there all the time they'd be in a much better spot in the division. I wonder what all those people who said that the Flames were nothing but a bunch of mediocre players in front of a hot goalie are talking about now? Kipper's been decent but not fantastic all year and the boys are now 5 points ahead of the Canucks with a game in hand.

Alaskan Leopard Rainbow...

This year was the first that my number of rod days actually went down from the previous. However, it was a trade for quality over quantity. I fished Vancouver Island for steel in March, fished for springs and sockeye in Alaska in July, and fished chum, coho, and sturgeon on the Fraser. Had the best dry fly fishing I've ever had on the Bow in the summer, and had some fantastic fishing on the Elk and Wig. Did a fair amount of lake fishing this spring, and got some great info on some wonderful new spots (thanks to those who shared the info, as it was appreciated). Watched my good buddies H2O and walker land rainbows pushing the 30" mark. Finally made it down to the Waterton area, but the more time I spend elsewhere the more I realize why people fly from all over the world to fish the Bow. Most importantly, I shared some awesome campfires and beers with some awesome old friends and some great new ones.

Heard a poll today that suggested that 3 out of 4 Canadians were afraid of the country's direction under the coalition and that 70% of people would support a Conservative majority over the coalition. I'm disappointed with the prorogation (sp?) - I think they should have just called a damned election and been done with it. For the love of God, I hope the Conservatives get their heads on straight and come up with a proper budget that can be supported by all parties. If the Lib-NDP-Bloc gong show tries to run them down despite a good budget, then they'll really get their asses handed to them in an election.

I am a Conservative and voted as such. Harper's gotta take some of the blame here...why in the hell would you try to eliminate the vote subsidy when you have a minority? Why would you put a budget forward that's so clearly contentious when this was clearly a possible result? The true way to solve this problem is for the FOUR parties that we voted for to work together to come up with a solution. That is not going to happen - it just seems that it's all about power power power power now. I really hope that the GG calls another election when the chips are down. The $300MM that an election will cost is worth less than $10 per Canadian - there is far more at stake here for the whole country than that. The economy in Canada is so precarious right now...it baffles me beyond belief that these morons have become so power hungry that they're willing to risk the livelihoods of so many of us to have a shot at the title. Conservative, liberal, NDP, Bloc, green, or otherwise - everyone should realize that this move is going to shake the economy at the worst possible time. This makes the money and time spent on our last election a complete joke. Democracy indeed.

Any "guide" who would put a bleeding trout on dry rocks to take a picture should have his tongue removed through his a$$hole.

Someone at FTT a few years back gave me a patch of caribou. I found that it spun even better than deer, but fine thread had a tendency to cut into the fibers if you pulled too hard.

Eeeeeexcellent. Guys were driving on Newell last year by mid December - here's hoping it freezes good so we can get out there. FLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG!

GREY CUP CHAMPS!

I was there last night, but because of a C-Train nightmare I missed the first 10 minutes (and the first goal). I thought the Flames played well in general, but they still make too many passes to no one in particular and they still insist on passing the puck up the boards despite the fact that Detroit figured it out after three times. The reffing is an absolute joke - so many bad calls and missed calls. Watching Lidstrom and Rafalski play together is a treat. Nice to see Giordano finally pot one too.

Anyone who's been C&R fishing for any length of time has released a fish that was bleeding heavily or didn't revive well. It happens. I've seen lots of dead trout from bad releases...it's simply a part of our sport, and you have to be OK with that to fish. That is, you need to accept that you are going to impale a living creature trying to survive with a sharp hook, run it until it's exhausted, and release it afterwards - potentially killing it in the process. Even the best C&R guys kill the odd fish, and if the mutilated mouths on the Liv, etc, are any indication, extensive C&R can permanently damage and maim creatures who are just trying to get by in a harsh environment. I personally believe that properly shooting a bear (ie: boiler room, heart/lung shot) is less offensive than going down to the mountains and C&Ring 100 fish (provided that populations are good). I have to think that at very least, the hide of that animal will be put to good use. That bear also had the chance to reproduce I'm sure. I guess I fail to see how shooting that animal is any more wasteful than the millions and millions of animals that will die this winter or any other year for that matter. Even if the pelt were harvested and the meat were left (totally legal in AB, not sure about BC), scavengers and bacteria will ensure that no speck of that is "wasted" per se. A properly shot animal doesn't suffer one bit - I don't know if I'd say the same about a trout played to the point of exhaustion. You either accept that humans are at the top of the food chain and that we kill and eat other things, or you believe that we're all equal. You can't bitch and moan about how cruel hunting is and then stop off at Superstore and pick up a pack of pork chops for the BBQ.

I've learned that I need lessons. I'm catching fish with the rod, but I really need to work on the anchor placement. Anyone getting out this weekend?

Gary, Wow! Thanks for dropping in here...it's a pleasure to hear your thoughts on the matter. I would have to imagine that you've fished the Bow in your travels. What do you think of it? Russ

Sweet! I'm just getting into deer hunting myself but managed two whitetails this year. I can't wait until my son is old enough to share the experience with him. Way to go. Still lots of time left in November.

Does that mean you'll actually use a two hander Harry? It's OK...go ahead and put your other hand on there now.

If we're talking the Bow, I have a Sage 690RPL+ with a FW7 and an Airflo Freshwater Tactical. If I had to own one rod, that would be it. I do prefer a lighter rod for fishing smaller stuff, and I like the two hander for long bombing streamers in the winter. I absolutely love Nautilus reels. I'm fishing the #10 CCF on my Beulah right now and it's sweet. Had to cut about 70 yds of the backing off to fit the Skagit on there, but it works. I have no idea how many of the other reel companies out there are selling reels for $100 more that aren't half as good. Anyone in the market for a reel should head down to Westwinds, try one out, and listen to Gord's spiel.

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude...those are wicked! Can't wait until next year. Almost makes a guy want to take next week off and head up! You NEED a better cam!

Yup - that was just complete BS. That Michalek goal where Kip ate the fake hook line and sinker was gross, but it wouldn't have happened if Aucoin hadn't puked all over himself at the blueline. I wonder if Shaw will refund my $15.95?

Taco, There are NO trout east of #22.