Hawgstoppah

Pretty short notice but we do have the 10th (saturday) wide open now and the weather is looking to be nice! I'd be able to do Crowsnest or Oldman if anyone is interested drop a PM. Great time to get into some fish and learn these rivers better! I should be able to reply during lunch break at work tomorrow. Cheers.

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.

I am 100% behind the project healing waters initiative. I have already been part of a donation our college group made to it. Great cause. I'd also like to get involved on the "taking the people to the river" side of things as well. Would THIS particular PHW money we are raising be used to take these exceptional people to waters in Alberta? That would be my wish... but I am ok either way. Expect at least one full day trip donated from me again this year Cheers

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

That is really bad news. It's hard to stop & start something... once things get rolling they usually keep rolling and the SW auction was a yearly event I was glad to donate to.

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

After the deep freeze the weather is finally trending back up. Some great winter fishing to be had! $25 off for anyone who books short notice for Wed Jan. 25 or Thurs Jan. 26th Cheers Brian

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.

I think you may have misinterpreted 420's post. I am sure he is referring to using a stonefly nymph pattern. as far as the Bow, my go to winter flies are sz 18/20 midges, bloodworms, and tiny caddis larvae in #18'ish.

#20 midge pupae and bloodworms would probably see more results. #14 is actually a quite large fly as far as winter nymphing is concerned. I tend to disagree with the poster above who said you can't use the indicator as a float. I do it all the time and do very, very well. Set your depth with the float... maybe the fish are not hugging bottom but if they are add just enough split so that the flies rub the bottom every so often. Are you setting the hook when you see movement on the indicator? Fish do not take very hard in the winter, in fact, most clients I have ever guided can hardly believe how soft the takes are and what I ask them to set the hook on but once they catch on they start catching fish. good luck

Have a trip going out on the 20th of January (weather permitting) with one person who would like to split the cost with one more. This is for the Bow River. Drop a PM if this interests you. Brian