dube

Buying a cell phone on any contract is the equivalent of bending over no matter who you go with as far as I'm concerned. They are expensive, poorly made and there are always fees on top of fees. You have to pay for convenience. I started with Telus and will likely stay with them just so I don't have to go through all the crap with another company to end up with ultimately the exact same product. Just my 2 cents.

Really cool! I wonder what the average age of a 6 foot fish would be? Great link.

Rust looks old to me and I don't understand how a hitch makes a vertical puncture, unless it was just the hitch itself and not the tongue; and in that case I figure you would would see a square dent. Hope things work out.

Actually I figure it likely creates some drag but I use it like a gun sight to make sure I keep all 4 on the road....especially the muddy ones after smokin' those lefties.

You guys could bottle up all your humidity and ship it over here. My house is going on 60 and could not be more dry at this moment, I'm sure I could have a humidifier on each floor and still have clear windows.

I'll bet you would. I've got no kids so that baby is the apple of my eye. I'm not your average truck lovin' Albertan but I LOVE my truck, cannot say one single thing bad about it.

So seeing as how I'm usually here to lurk or flame I figured I might share some of my fave photos. how's this for scenery? Big three bail out.....I say they can shove it. Fraser river, super good times A wee sea run caught a few pools up from an estuary on the sunshine coast.

I've heard nothing but good things about maui jim shades, they are said to have great optics and are nice looking to boot. I may have to buck up and buy a pair for next season. It's nice to feel like you haven't been ripped off for a change, makes people want to continue shelling out for a product if that is the kind of service you get. Word of mouth goes a long way in my opinion.

Good thread. I never really equated the fishing I did as a kid with the flyfishing I do now but I suppose it's been a part of my life since I was a child as well. I grew up sitting in a 12 foot aluminum with an uncle fishing for pike and walleye, usually trolling and getting a "hit" every 2 seconds (snagging weeds) and also having to clean and ice anything I wanted to keep. Or in my grandfathers sweet ice fishing hut with wire worms and maggots, he's usually let me have a "smash" (rum&coke) to help me keep warm:). I also paid my dues at stocked ponds in rural Alberta with my dad which was where I got my first taste of trout. As a youth I was in scouts and had some great fishing adventures as well as getting some passed down knowledge of the outdoors in general. Later on, once I had become a punk ass kid me and a buddy wood cruise the Trunk road between Edson and Nordegg and fish relentlessly all summer long with light spinning rods and small spinners. We'd keep a fish each (where permitted) for dinner and had a lot of fun camping and exploring new rivers and random camp spots. I really enjoyed these trips but as we got older and girls and jobs came along I spent much less time fishing. My buddy did a lot of traveling and in between trips we'd get out from time to time and sit in a canoe and fish along the weeds in the evening for pike with heavy tackle at random lakes (wherever there was no wind) but seldom got out to fish moving water at all. One summer while he was gone on an extended trip I decided to go fishing by myself for the first time. I'd decided to fish the north sask. SW of Edmonton as well as the middle section of the Pembina. I caught a few Goldeye in the sask. and the Pembina was a bust but on the way home I decided to stop in at this pothole which as it turned out had this great casting platform. There was the usual talent with all kinds of assorted bait and pickerel rigs, I was tossing and reeling these little spinners and whatnot and having no luck whatsoever. People were catching fish and I started getting frustrated, to top it off it was starting to sprinkle and the dock started emptying. As a last resort, and I'm not sure what I was thinking, I tied on this huge double snell rapala. A perch colored rattlin' bastard, and I hucked that thing 70' and let sink. Wouldn't you know it I got a good hit, hard set and off it went. As it was peeling line off my reel I was starting to feel a tad embarrassed feeling the remaining die hards watching my rod tip jerk. It took what felt like 5 mins. to land the sucker although I'm sure it was not quite that long and by this time I had the technical support team standing beside me on the dock. It taped out at 26" and was quite heavy, a hawg to be sure. I decided to take it home and while I really enjoyed it on the barbecue in foil I got this huge wave of guilt combined with this incredible lust for catching trout, that was the last fish I've killed (intentionally). I still crave a walleye fillet from time to time but at this point could not be bothered to chase them on any of the lakes around here. (sundance- those perch sound mighty tasty!) So, after that I got the idea to revisit my old stomping grounds around Edson, this time armed with a fly rod. I went to the fishing hole and got one of the boys to set me up- 200 bucks all in, he took me in the parking lot and showed me how to cast, I walked out with: rod and reel, a handful of assorted flies, a net, and a copy of Barry Mitchell's book. I went to a park and practiced casting until it got dark, went home, packed my *hit and took off at 6:00 the next morning. I fished a great section of the Pembina and got into brookies and rockies right away on caddis and stimmies. These fish were caught at close range with very little technique but it sure gave me the confidence to pursue trout on the fly. Next trip was unexplored waters NE this time past Whitecourt. I got into some small tribs of tribs of the Athabasca and had the time of my fishing life on grayling and wherever you could find a good fast run or deep pocket, which are rare on those mud bottom creeks, you could be sure you could find a scrappy rainbow. I cut my teeth flyfishing in those areas mainly because it was closer than the foothills rivers and frankly the grayling are so eager I could not resist them. Gradually I worked my way down the trunk road and got my taste of the excellent flyfishing to be had on the upper reaches of the better known rivers around Nordegg as well as having my ass handed to me desperately flogging my rod at every fishy looking spot for 3 days or more swearing to never friggen' step foot there again. By this time it was too late, all I could think about was watching that little piece of thread and hair get sucked under by some hungry trout and thankfully as time went on I was able to teach myself the basics and had fair to good luck most of the time. As a side note: there were two books that without I'm sure I'd not still be flyfishing today. Barry"s book, which is a must have for anyone looking to have a good time with a fly rod in this province. I've since had it signed by the man himself and have had the pleasure of shootin' the *hit with him a couple of times he's a great guy and after running in to him a few times over the years he's told me fishing story or two and I've picked up what he was putting down if you know what I mean . I suppose he'd be the leading authority on my favorite river and it's a good feeling to get the respect from some of these salty dogs who've put into the sport to ensure these fishing stories continue to be told. The other is Clive's book which was literally my tutorial on casting, reading water, technique and even gear and line selection. I look forward to meeting you one day and when I make it down to that end of the FTR I'll make sure to have a couple fine cigars just in case you might have a story or two. Can't really say enough about either book.....so if I could offer any advice to anyone new to the sport it would be to pick up a copy of each. Anyway, I try to visit some place new every season as well as explore new sections of the faves and am quite sure it will be a life long adventure. I've already started the inevitable evolution of the flyfisher and it almost seems it means something different to me every year. I've yet to start tying my own flies as I have several other fanatical outdoor pursuits that I like to invest in but that is clearly the next step in my flyfishing journey.

My favorite Humble video yet. Awesome! I love cutthroat, and the places they live. Enjoyed the soundtrack on this one as well, great job.

Wow! Your last few posts have been great Doc, I can only hope that if I ever run into you on the water I happen to have a bottle of scotch handy so that I may pour you one and hear some of your stories in person. As for me I fish to get away. I seek out solitude and thrive on the humbling feeling that can only come from disappearing alone along some high gradient mountain stream. I like to hear nothing besides the rush of the water, perhaps a woodpecker knocking on trees. I find it grounds me to be out in nature and realizing how huge the world around us really is and how truly small each of us are in the grand scheme of things. I am truly humbled every time I step out into the bush and I've yet to find anything else in my life that provides me with the same feeling. I spend a great deal of time outside doing various activities in all seasons but nothing gives me that sense of amazement that comes from discovering a new stretch of water or watching a Heron cruise a river bed or see the sun glisten off a glassy glide. Of course the fish play a big part and in the moment it is really all I can focus on but at the end of the day whether it's by a fire or in my truck driving home I get hit by everything else that happened around me and I feel calm. In a nutshell I flyfish because it takes me away from the rat race and affords me much needed mental clarity. GREAT post Doc, thanks for sharing. I look forward to looking back with the same fondness and eloquence you exhibit.

Awesome story. I'm sure the employees at CT are all heavily sedated before every shift. 9 out of every 10 times I go there I leave empty handed, I go because there is one really close to my house....convenient-not so much.

This thread does smack of reasons to license guides, but what would prevent these guys from passing a written test, etc?? Think about that... Looking at pictures of the guys I could think of a thing or two.

Good work on digging that up Rick. Funny stuff.

Has anyone seen on the news or perhaps even purchased one of these talking dolls? I think it is called "baby mommy". It gurgles and coos just like a real baby then all of a sudden it says quite clearly "Islam is the light". I find this quite funny really, all these frantic parents running around buying the seasons most wanted items and lo and behold the coveted talking doll that little girls across the land cannot put down is passing subliminal messages. They interviewed some lady outside of a toys'r'us and she bought one for her granddaughter and "after" she heard from someone else she was able to pick up on this message and was taking the doll back. She explained how she talked to store manager and was hoping to get the dolls pulled from the shelf. They played the doll for several other people in the parking lots and no one could hear anything but baby talk until they were told what it said and then it came on like a light, no pun intended. Clearly it is a total fluke......or maybe not. Maybe they are strapped with explosives. People are so paranoid, I wonder what would happen if it said "Jesus is my Saviour"?

Here's my old man's remedy for cold feet......or hands or anything else. Do jumping jacks and wiggle your toes. I worked with him out in the bush surveying right out of highschool and as a freezing young lad I'd want to do a jumping jack right into his balls every time he said that. On the other hand it does work. On a side note you may want to step out of the water before attempting this technique.

That's awesome. I wonder if someone slipped it in there on purpose?

Well aren't we a saint. What flippin' difference does it make why you read the regs as long as you do. Must be tough to land a fish off that high horse of yours....sheesh.

Animal from the muppets. I know this is so gay but my second choice would be Brad Pitt. -has a knack for attracting super hot ladies. -rides a motorbike. -smokes the herb -has at least cast a flyrod. .......oh and he is sooooooooo dreamy.

Dude you are so missing the point on this. I don't assume the guy in the photo figures he's better than the bear. I don't really think guys hunt because they are on a power trip and frankly I could give a *hit why they hunt. What bothers me is mostly a carry on from the last thread how we can all look at the photo of the "nice" bear that buddy shot and understand how he must have felt or why he finds enjoyment in the hunt. Thats fine and good, I seriously have no problem with that. Good job. Nice shot....whatever. It will make a great rug and a lifetime story, no doubt. But as for the sow who was hunted down and shot leaving orphaned cubs we feel great pity for the man who was killed and how horrible it must be for his family and good thing they caught the bear and everyone is safe. We are heroes yay! The evil bear is dead. Rejoice. Talk about hypocrites.

That is sweet. I remember seeing one when I was a kid and it traveled a more horizontal path, very cool stuff.

SamIam, I'm not saying there is any difference between a deer or elk or bear or spider or whale or fish or anything else that lives on this planet. All of it will die and go back to feed everything else. And we all kill and eat and consume and pollute and the cycle goes on and on. I'm still not sure how besides the fact we are human and for that reason alone are more sympathetic to our own kind equates to our lives being any more valuable. I don't feel shooting a bear is any more or less cruel than C&R fishing. I'm not worried that the bear in these photos suffered. I even understand why someone would do that, same reason I fish or snowboard or mountain bike, because it's fun, I like too. We are the one of the few species capable of doing things for fun, does that make us more valuable. We are smart enough to develop tools to accomplish almost any task including ambushing and killing things, but is it our right as a species to exploit that power? Just because we can doesn't mean we should. I'm no angel, although I try and make a point of doing what I can to tread lightly. I have more respect for the planet as a whole than us as individuals, and if you see a difference between the loss of a human life and any other life then I think you are failing to see the big picture. To me that is our greatest fault as a species, our desire to conquer and control instead of doing simply what you need to survive. I feel we are all born onto this earth equal and whatever happens after that is our own personal experience but to think that one is more or less than another is arrogant. Again, not against killing. I think about killing all the time although it's usually in traffic or in line at the grocery store. I am against self righteous pricks who think the earth is spinning for us alone and fail to see the mess we are leaving behind. I'm not saying I'm not leaving behind my own personal mess but at least I don't feel it's my right just because I'm human. Do any of the folks who feel I'm a bleeding heart lover of cutsey wootsy teddy bears and bambis have a decent argument to make or will there be more bullshit chatter about how I can't feel a bears life is worth something and have the nerve to hook a fish or buy a steak at safeway.

For the record I don't post these replies just to stir *hit up. I'd genuinely like to hear from anyone who can present a good argument as to how the killing of a man is any different than the killing of any large mammal. What would be the difference if I were to hide in an alley and shoot the first person that walks by or if I sit in a blind and do the same to big game. Besides legality of course which are our rules not theirs so I'm not sure they apply in the great scheme of things. Anyone? I also won't accept sustainable harvest as a means of promoting healthy populations as that concept could easily apply to our species in terms of global demand for resources.

That feller needs a pedicure in the worst way. Andy, get off your high horse. What makes a human life any more valuable than a bears? Don't lose your *hit and start flaming, I want to hear your reasoning behind this. What in the hell gives us the privilege to believe it's us versus them. We are all animals. I honestly feel worse when I see pictures like that or see a deer lying in the ditch than I do anytime I hear of any human eating it. Why? Well since when has a bear come and attacked anyone in their house. Ever hear of a deer driving a car into anyone? Ever been chained in the back yard by a dog. Most animals just go by instinct where as we just randomly go around and eff *hit up, purposely, willfully. This top of the food chain mentality is utter bullshit. Without all the tools and machines we are helpless little pink piggies that could hardly survive one winter in this climate if left to our own resources. I always get worked up about these bear topics, the last thread regarding the sow with the cubs that ended up shot had the same tone. "well the bear was dangerous rah rah rah....." fine. I can accept that. Some redneck just got himself a giant rug, sweet, I'd lie on it. I'd enjoy a steak if he offered it. My neighbors son loads me up with game every fall for shoveling his moms walks all winter. I love it. Would rather eat game than some chemically raised bovine but to say we have any more right to be here than any other native species of our vast wilderness is arrogant and sick if you ask me. Torture fish, shoot bears, kill trees, bomb countries, pollute oceans do whatever the hell you want andy. But if you feel sick to think of someone comparing a bears life to your own then let me leave it at this. My reaction to see a photo of you face down in the dirt with a grizz paw on your bloody carcass would be almost exactly the same. Although I must admit with the bear I would go "what a shame" if it were a person my first thought would be they had it coming. I realize I need to be less emotional on this topic but it really drives me nuts to listen to the self righteous crap people spew sometimes. The proud look on father and son faces as they lean over that big bastard as if they took him down with their bare hands is what makes me sick.

I hate wind