Roast

You're not kidding, so many tapers that I would like to try. What's closest bamboo gathering to Calgary? I would really like to try a parabolic/Young taper to see what they are all about. It's going to be a fun journey:)

I have been watching a few blogs and it appears that a couple of manufacturers (Orvis and Echo, maybe others?) are working on new fiberglass rods. I personally have been gravitating towards slower rods and recently purchased a bamboo blank that I just finished wrapping out. Just casting it on the lawn, I'm amazed at the feel and how effortless casting is. I started fishing with graphite, I hadn't tried anything else until now. For another winter project, I am considering ordering a fiberglass rod blank (McFarland or Steffen or both) to see how it compares. With all that being said, who on the forum uses fiberglass or bamboo and why?

This year I started building my own leaders and I have liked the results. I like the simplicity of Borgers system and have built a number of leaders according to his specs. For nymphing I use his Bottom Bouncing design (attached). It was tough to find maxima chameleon in the various diameters, however I found some when I was in the states but I have seen some of the smaller diameters at canadian tire. The attach design is for water that is waist deep or shallower. If the water is deeper, add length to the 0x section. I use blood knots to attach the various diameters together, but use a triple surgeon for the final piece of tippet. To attach the hook to tippet I use a regular clinch knot as it has been shown to be stronger than the improved clinch. For multiple flies on a nymph rig, I attached them by tying the tippet to eye of the hook. I use a nail knot tool as it makes things a lot faster and easier, but haven't found the need for any other knot tools. Country Pleasures posted an interesting way to setup a nymph rig, but I haven't tried it yet: http://countrypleasuresff.blogspot.ca/2012/03/monday-tips-and-techniques-nymph.html

Give Wild Rose Brown Ale a try, it fits your criteria. Then around Christmas pick up a bottle of Chocolate Cherry Porter, soooo good.

It's too bad some of the restaurants are not carrying the locals stuff. However some restaurants are now carrying Wild Rose and Village beers which are also excellent local breweries.

I would also look at a scadden outlaw escape. No bladders to worry about and not a lot more money. http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/2013summersale/2013summersale.html

The globe and mail reports "Five of those six are carrying petroleum distillate, a type of diluent used to water down oil sands bitumen for shipment. It’s also used as a solvent in metal polishes, paint thinner, oil-based stains and paint, the rail company said." I feel sick.

They said it is some kind of petroleum product:( Fingers crossed they can solve this...

I had a garmin Oregon 450 that I really liked, until it was stolen. I really liked the touch screen and it wasn't too bad to see in direct sunlight, but not the best. I bought mine at GPSCity in Calgary and their prices was the best I found anywhere.

Submitted a complaint on the city's new 311 app.

I just rigged one up, looking forward to seeing how it works next time I am out:)

Thanks for the link to the article, looking forward to the new shop even more now.

I really like fish tales as well, but I would also support a quality shop in the NW.

You can clean them by soaking them in a warm water and mild dish soap mixture. I will then pull the line through a soft cloth and then let the line dry. Apply some fly line dressing according to the instructions on the package and your good to go. It's a great thing to do on days like today:)

Yellowstone angler has just released a wader shootout. As per usual, their testing methods aren't very scientific, however it does give you a little bit of info on a bunch of waders. I will agree with their assessment of the Simms G3 guides. I have had these waders for over 5 years and they are still going strong, however they are outside your budget. I would take a hard look at the orvis silver sonics. I have heard great things about them from various sources and they look to be a very good value and within your budget. Yellowstone review: http://www.yellowstoneangler.com/gear-review/2013-wader-shootout-best-waders-simms-g4-simms-g3-patagonia-rio-gallegos-orvis-silver-sonic-dan-bailey-guide-ultra-redington-aquaz-cabelas-bootfoots

I believe that barrio is out of the uk. I have never used one and came across it on a forum. The line got very good reviews however the slx seems more biased to single spey. They range in price from $35 to $55 dollars inc shipping. They might only be available online, just google Barrio. As I said, I went with the rio indicator, but the slx is a bit cheaper...

I am by no means a pro, but I picked up a rio indicator. Noticed that it opened up my loops a bit and does a good job turning over a rig with some weight. Like you I really like the rio gold and have it on my 4 and 5 wt, but have liked how the rio indictor is working on my 6wt. Another line that has piqued my interest is The barrio slx. It looks like fun:

That's a really nice boat. Set up will also be really fast nice you don't have to fiddle with lining up the frame on the pontoons:)

Cant say enough good things about Gary Borgers casting demos and presentations that I attended today. It was a real treat to listen and learn from one of the greats.

At that level, I would also check out north fork outdoors (scadden) and bucks bags. I have heard nothing but good things about the pac boats, however it is good to see what all is available:) I have a scadden with casting deck ((Madison model), that I really like. However I don't use the casting deck much. If I was to do it again I would probably get one of his frameless models, since I now drive a car.

Really like his videos, and I have subscribed to him on YouTube. Great tier:)

Saw this video today and thought I would share. I recently used a stand up paddle board on the ocean and was surprised at how stable it was, however I don't think that I would ever try fishing from one on a moving river. I guess it could be good for getting from spot to spot. What do you think?

I think that you need to decide if you want a click pawl or disc drag reel. Some people cant stand the 'noise' associated with click reels, but they're crazy. Having a fish peel out line with a good click pawl is about as good as it gets in my books. Quality click pawls are very low maintenance. Using some quantum hot sauce and oil will have your reel running like new for years/life. I like reels with a palming rim, and a mid/large arbor. Some of my favorites are the hardy golden prince and islander ir series. Older hardy reels like the hardy marquis, sunbeam, jlh have small arbors but can found online for under $200. I try to buy Hardys that are made in England versus Korea. The new Hardy Korean reels are exceptionally made but will probably not hold their value as well as their English predecessors. However my favorite is the made in Canada IR series. All the best in your search, and I hope to hear you on the river in the future.

Great pics, thanks for posting:)

I found some pictures of the papers that were sent with Hardy Prince reels on Clark's. They rate the capacity of the 7/8 reel to be 75 yards of 18lbs backing with a 6 wt WF line. I did find somewhere that the weight of the reel was under 5 oz ( I think around 4.6) which I would be happy with. There is a big weight increase on the 9/10. I will have to wait and see how it balances. One thing I like about vintage reels is they aren't to hard to unload if you find you don't like them:)