rusty

Honestly, if you're going to spend the money go with a Sage. People go on and on about them being "be all and end all" rods because they are. Don't take my word for it - go cast one and see for yourself. Plus, there is absolutely no need whatsoever to spend $700 on one. You want to replace that #6? My absolute favorite Sage is a 690 RPL+, which you can pick up on Ebay for $400ish. It's available in a 690-4 model as well. If you like a noodly #3, the VPSL is a great little rod. You could also find an old LL or treat yourself to an SP. If you like a faster, get an XP. Sage discontinues rods so often that it's easy to find very well priced old models on the used market - many times with a warranty card.

I'll be up there last week of October for my first trip to the area. Would love to hook up and learn a bit!

You get those whites swinging flies, or with an indy?

Why are you thinking 5 weight and what are you going to use it for? If you already have a #6, I'd strongly recommend going down to a #4 or even a #3. Do you like the Z-Axis?

Was out for a walk with the family today right around where you're fishing. I didn't even have polarized glasses with me, but I spotted two really decent browns right off the bank, then counted 5 nice rainbows sipping trikes within 100 yards of river. Two of the rainbows were in such shallow water that their back was creating a surface disturbance. They were just tipping up their nose to gulp the tiny dries. Sure made me wish that I'd had a rod with me. Spend a little more time watching, and creep up to the bank nice and slow in the likely looking spots. You'll be amazed where fish will lie.

Conor, For that price range get the D60, which is packaged with a nice little 18-55 VR lens. To be honest I'd kick your price range up a bit and buy a body and the 18-200 VR - it's an awesome lens that gets great reviews from everyone. It's a little heavier, but it covers so much range and kicks so much ass. Do a quick search on here for SLR. When I was faced with this same issue earlier this year I got some awesome advice from quite a few folks here and I'm really happy that I followed it. I went with the D40x which is essentially the same as the D60. One note of interest - you might want to look at getting a camera that can do autobracketing to allow easy HDR photos (google HDR photography and you'll see what I mean). The D40x doesn't have it automatically onboard and I sorta wish I'd stepped it up a notch. Also, don't forget that you're going to need a bag, UV filter, lenspen, and a good memory card. It will add up on you in a hurry, but it's totally worth it. The quality of SLR photos right out of the box will impress you. Now if I could only justify picking up that 60mm f2.8 macro lens for $600...

Max has got it. The X rating is dictated by the diameter, which is 11 minus the X rating in thousands of an inch. 3X = 11-3 = .008" 0X = 11-0 = .011" 6X = 11-6 = .005" The strength is affected by the diameter, but it's also heavily affected by the quality of the material - hence the difference in breaking strength at the same X rating.

I love Fishtales - but I think Westwinds has the best flies in town.

Not the right sport or the right province, but I know there must be a few on here who are from Sask or at least hunt there. I'm looking for a good waterfowl outfitter in Saskatchewan for myself and my dad. I'd like to shoot geese but I'm not picky about whether they're specks or greys. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Great pics. What are you shooting?

I wear a lanyard with forceps on a zipper, clippers, a hook sharpener, a tie-fast, a bottle of gink, and tippet in 2X-6X. I wear my vest if I'm doing a full day because I can throw lots of stuff in it. If I'm bombing down for a few hours or fishing where I know I won't have to change it up, I throw a fishing shirt on and toss a box in it. If I'm in my boat I throw a few boxes in the pockets and I'm good to go. I like the idea of a pack because you can throw a sweater and a thermos in it for the late fall/winter.

Yeah right Dave...more like a pickerel rig and a couple of big nightcrawlers.

Hmm...could be that you have a USB drive plugged in and the computer's trying to boot from it. That's the same message I get when that happens. Remove any USB drives and try again.

Sweet pics!! Brings back some memories. The Chaba was waaay higher than that when we crossed going in from a day and a half's worth of rain but the way out was nice. Pretty incredible place...I will definitely go back.

Airflo Freshwater Tactical. I have three, including one that's 2 years old and it still casts and floats great. They have bad memory in the cold but otherwise they're the only way to fly.

There are plenty of pike in the Bow - though that fish in the pic is the only real pig I've ever seen above Carseland. I sightfished that hog off the bank a few miles below Police. Korban and I helped a guy land this one right below the launch at 22X.

I think with half decent equipment anyone should be able to cast 60' and have the line turn over nicely. If you're trying to go beyond that then you need to focus on the fundamentals. Remember always that when double hauling, line speed is controlled with the line hand - NOT the rod hand. The key to good casting is smooth acceleration and a crisp stop. Lefty Kreh has an awesome video illustrating this and I think they have it at Fish Tales.

What weight are you looking for? I have a Lamson LP1.5 here that I don't fish anymore since I got addicted to Nautilus reels. It's a bombproof, lightweight, nice little reel with good drag and I even have an extra spool for it.

I used to feel that way too - then one night I got a 27" brown there on a streamer. I floated that stretch yesterday and did really well on hopper-droppers below the confluence. That area changed dramatically in the '05 flood, and quite a few of the good spots (esp that big long gravel bar above the power line there) just don't hold trout like they used to. Those slow, deep banks along those cliffs in three or four places hold a lot of trout behind rocks and structure. Nymphing is not the best way to hit them - you're better off throwing streamers or even dries. The stretch along the corrals is a great spot. There are two or three good nymphing runs in that stretch you can pull over and fish. They're trickier to get at with the water high right now though. I've always found the Bow to be a river that requires you to switch it up or change sometimes throughout the day as conditions change. Don't be afraid to pull over and pound the good spots on foot. I'll guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Nice vid Jay - I've spent more than a few of those mornings on that lake.

Send it back to the manufacturer and see if they can fix it for you. If it's Outcast or some other reputable outfit they'll take care of it for you. Save that GC to get a pontoon boat instead.

I got my Norvise about two months ago. There is definitely an adjustment period but I love it now. Make sure you get the auto bobbin.

Unless I'm spending a full long day on the river, I throw a fly box or two in my shirt pockets and use a lanyard to carry clippers, a hone, a tie-fast, some mitten clamps, some gink, and a half dozen spools of tippet. I have the Simms Guide vest but to be honest it's usually overkill. The lanyard-shirt combo is awesome if you're in and out of the boat all day as well. As Max said, a good jacket should give you ample room and will keep you dry too.

Broke a 490SP+ at Bullshead a month ago when the snowbank collapsed and a buddy fell on it. Broke a beauty custom 890VPS out of the blue a week later - must have nicked it at some point. Sage had them both back in my hands in under 3 weeks.

Nice fish Dave - when are we goin this weekend?