Hawgstoppah

I personally havent posted a report on here for a long time. Other than some river conditions updates during runoff to help people make decisions about where to go and where NOT to go (gas is expensive), I tend to stay away from it. Too much controversy. People complain enough about guides showing people water they think should be kept a big secret, so no need to post reports on it as well. BUT.... What's next, no pictures showing any background except for a blue screen?? Come on... this is just silly people... The reason I keep coming back to this forum is to read the photo/reports section and enjoy other peoples experiences when I find myself short on fishing time. Even the report that sort of started this discussion was based on a trip I was involved with. The actual report only stated the river name, and that fish were caught on streamers. No locations were given and no size/shape/description of the streamers used where given either (except one picture showing one variety). If that was "too much information" given I don't even want to see a report with less. While Don's report is humorous, it's not the reason I come to this forum.

LOL ok I needed that laugh today. BAD DOG!!!! *smack* Great pics by the way... I have only ever seen Wolves once myself and was fortunate enough to snap a picture. It was up on the Alaska hwy in the yukon, a pack of approx 25-30 Wolves.

what a wicked fish! well done!

Great shots

prices are also better at www.newegg.com for this stuff. Again that's in my opinion.

Dell right now has a great machine on for 899 (normal 1499) with 2gb graphics card, 8gb ram, nice sized HD, and intel i7 processor. The XPS15 Laptop. For the money he's going to spend (500) do yourself a favour and chip in the extra for him and get him one that'll last him 5 yrs. That's my opinion, for what it's worth.

Agreed, if it's a dead carcass I encounter in bear country I am gone, and fast.

now that's funny right there!!!

Nothing better than some fresh Bull Trout. Especially when I am able to grab them from a bear's jaws as I zip by in my jetboat.

sweeeeeeeeeeeeet

Well the internet hero talking about needing weapons for bears has been a HUNTING guide for years, and uses BAIT to bring in bears. OF COURSE they will be pissy around a kill or a percieved kill, you'd better be packing in that instance, no duh!!! What you can't wrap your big fat head around (because it's so full or non-relevant info) is that we are talking harmless encounters on stream here, NOT WHILE HUNTING / SHOOTING / BAITING for bear..... and you obviously have not fired a can of bear spray before. Do it at more than 10 or so feet and you WILL MISS. I'd rather be run over by a bawling bear sprayed 800lb griz, than miss it. And yes, I've stood in front of several bear charges, and the closest one got while charging was about 25ft. Never used the spray. And the closest I've ever been to one was being sniffed and slobbered on. Don't talk to me about how to handle bear encounters like I know nothing.

pic 2 ... lol... great shot

While it may not be technical "czech" nymphing... I do this from the boat from time to time in deep holes or with clients who have trouble casting well. Add a bunch of splits on a lighter line under the flies (so if it snags only the lighter line and splits are lost) , use no indy and let them bump along them bottom and feel for the ticks of the bottom or the whump of a take. Good rods for it are certainly ones with tip sensitivity... anything in a 10ft would be a good boat road, most rod holders max out at 10ft though so an 11footer wouldn't be the best. cheers

There are thousands of bears anywhere south of highway 3. Literally on every corner of river. You city boys best stay up north...

Taco, easy there big guy this feller has 8 posts 4 of which he is trying to "prove" he's the tough guy. He obviously has not spent a lot of time in the woods like you or I have. Bears are not something to be afraid of or something to be gunning down if they look at you or your kids funny. Be smart and be bear aware and you will NOT get into that predicament often, and if and when you do, bear spray is more than enough and more effective than trying to hit 800lbs of raging grizzly.

LOL. Choose your friends wisely, eh?

Despite common thought, there are a lot of bears in the Crowsnest area. In fact, I've seen more on the Crow than in the Oldman drainage. I have spent more time on the oldman drainage too. Keep food out of your tent, locked in a vehicle, or if camping without a vehicle, hung up in a tree. Make lots of noise at blind corners in rivers and when walking through brush. If you think a bear could be near make noise. If you SEE a bear do not panic, do not run, talk to it like you would a dog in a calm reassutring voice, they usually just wander off about their business once they see you as a non - threat. ***CARRY BEAR SPRAY*** if you are charged do NOT spray until the bear is LESS THAN 10 feet from you. I have been charged before and the bear turned away at approx 25ft. Had I srayed then and the bear came back for pass # 2 I may have been out of spray. Test an old spray can (downwind) to see how far it will shoot. Most important though is to be aware, make noise, and if you can, fish with a friend.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU........................................ LMAO!!!!

Perfect rod for winter nymphing on the Crow IMHO. All I use down there is a 3WT. Might get you the chance to at least exercise the rod a bit

I'll add another vote for the duncan loop. As far as cold weather it's a good one. Also, for really cold weather I find mono a bit more forgiving than fluorocarbon when tying the knot and fishing it. I've had fluoro break clean during casting a lot in the winter.

get yourself one of these. I never use a loop to loop. I've seen so many people cast so badly with it, and then I change them out to a straight nail knot and they stop tangling the dry fly. Why? extra rigidity and the removal of an extra "hinge" from the casting system. this tool you can tie a nail knot in about 10 seconds with, comes with instructions... easy to use. I swear by this thing.

Come on, you gotta hold him up for a hero shot, Pink Shorts boy.

Those are some really, REALLY sweet pics. I gotta agree with max on the brook/bull hybrid, sure looks like one. no black + worm like markings, etc... cool fish!!

Tons of options to get yourself started for sure. My advice, read a LOT. Practice your cast a LOT. Fly fishing is sort of like golf, do not expect great results with little or no effort, you will need to become "good" to really get on top of the fish. Take some lessons, hire a guide for a day, or join in on fishing outings by members of this board. All will help you advance. We must assume you live in Calgary? If not, where are you at and what are the local streams/lakes? Cheers.

You guys are truly fortunate.