kstick

I had a set of Rivertek Boas that were in almost identical condition to Bailey's, also after two seasons. In that time I replaced seven laces. The first lace I broke was on ice, the rest were on sticks and similar snags that got me while hiking along streams. I did get the free replacements each time but once when I needed them while on a trip. However Boa will send a replacement set of laces and a spare set to keep with you or take along on a trip.

Great topic, lot's of good points. I occasionally post reports, but I read them more frequently. I don't read looking for specifics other than water level, clarity, and maybe some general insight about current insect hatches. The Bow is a big stream, and when I have time to fish it I have to plan for a 2 hour drive and like to have a little "local knowledge" to go on. Last week I read through reports for a few days, then walked and waded on Friday. It was generally a slow day, but it was worth it for the one feisty, large Rainbow I caught after switching to a streamer - something I probably wouldn't have done without having read the reports. Our smaller Brown Trout streams and Cutty streams are more vulnerable. I worry when I see streams named in reports. But, for the most part those reports are few and far between on this forum. Unfortunately, there are some FB groups where streams are named and photos are posted of fish held high and dry or laying on sand etc. This brings me to my final points. As a middle-aged, long time fly fisher I feel a responsibility for protecting the resource AND for educating newbies. I've been in AB for 18 years and still feel like a newbie on many streams. I have taken newbies to some of my favorite places, and I've asked them not to tell anyone else. Show but not tell if they also appreciate the concept of resource conservation. I also like the idea of photos showing fish, flies, and streams in the background, as long as the fish are properly cared for. Newbies or anyone else can learn fly selection and fishy water from a picture without having a stream named. And some of us will occasionally recognize our favorite spot, or even a fish.

I had a pair of Simms Rivertek Boas completely fall apart in just over 1 season - seams and stitching. And on top of that I used the warranty to replace laces 6 times. I liked the fit and the ease of use, but they are not made for bush whacking. I stuck with Simms and after a longer, harder season of fishing my new G3 Guide boots still look brand new, except for worn out laces.

I take my dog fishing and I carry a leash in case it is needed. I have used the leash when other anglers seem worried about him, when he may spook their fish, when adjacent land owners have been concerned about their livestock, and when there are other people pursuing other activities nearby. Usually when we fish he is off leash, but not running at large. If you read the rest of the Mountain View County by-laws you will learn that "at large" does not mean off-leash: (o) “Running at Large” shall mean any Dog not under the Physical Control of a responsible and competent person and off the property of the Owner or Keeper (k) “Physical Control” shall mean: (i) A. restrained or adequately controlled by the owner; B. restrained by a leash; or (ii) kept in: A. a container; B. an enclosure; or C. a motor vehicle. If your dog consistently obeys sit, come, stay, heel, etc. he/she is adequately controlled and you are not in violation of the by-laws.

Interesting topic. I started fly fishing on Northern Vancouver Island in 1987 for coastal cutthroat, resident rainbows, and eventually summer & winter steelhead. I was a deckhand on a salmon seiner at the time and from 1988-1997 I skippered a salmon seiner and worked as a deckhand for halibut and herring. I moved to Lacombe to work at the small university college about the same time the salmon industry changed. Still in administration at the university in Lacombe, it's too far from the ocean! And even too far from any trout stream other than the Red Deer River. Since I've moved here I've fished the Bow at least once a year but no more than 8 times/year. More of my fishing is on the central AB brown trout streams, with the occasional trip to a cutthroat stream also thrown in.

I picked up a Blue Sky light for - line wts. 3-5, tippet sizes 3x-6x at Cabelas in Spokane last year. It was 5' 9" finally needs to be replaced. I will be back that way in just over a week and will pick up at least a couple more. I used the green coloured leader and it didn't seem to spook any big fish. I added 3' of 3x and another 3' of 4-6x after that and it turned over light dries as well as heavier nymphing rigs. I will buy the white leaders this time around.

Rumor has it that Samsung will release the Galaxy S5 in February, it may include water/dust resistance. If you can't wait until then Sony's Xperia Z is available now with water/dust resistance. I've owned a Galaxy S4 since June and am still thrilled with it - no screen protection and not a mark on it.

Not sure about that section, but Green Hoppers are hopping and fish are rising downstream a bit.

I'll 3rd the others' advise! There are several options for counselling: Alberta Health Services has a number of services and programs; the Calgary Counseling Centre has options; McMan Youth Family and Community Services Association has a family development program that supports parents and children; Wood's Homes has programs; Hull Services has options. Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority (CFSA) is a referral resource that can help find the best service for your young friend and his family. In the meantime be a positive role model. Let him see you get angry and deal with it constructively and appropriately, accept (love) him unconditionally, but don't allow him to feel rewarded for his bad behavior. He may be a hurt and angry child, but kids are inherently resilient. It's too bad that more kids don't have someone like you willing to step up for them, best wishes

I grew up right next door to L. Qualicum Falls P Park. Sure do miss it, sure is gorgeous! Sorry about the fishing.

Looks good - I thought I had mistakenly hit the wrong line on my Bookmarks list.

Not fly fishing, but several years ago I was standing on the stern of a commercial salmon seiner waiting to offload the days catch BSing with 3 other guys, one of whom was buzz bombing for coho. With one awkward looking cast I instinctively ducked, the guy to my left actually heard the bale on the spinning reel click back down so he ducked too. While he and I were looking at each other after hearing the buzz bomb whistle overhead the guy on my right all of a sudden says "is it all the way through?" Sure enough, one point of the treble hook had gone through skin-cartilage-skin on the bridge of his nose. One of the other guys on the boat then went and clipped the other 2 points of the hook away and tried to push then pull the offending hook point out. It made a good case for pinching down barbs because eventually one guy was pulling on the point with vice grips, another guy was pushing on the clipped off hook butt, and third guy was trying to hold the victim's head still. The poor guy had to wait until the next morning to see a Dr. in Bella Bella to have to it removed.

I'll give Country Pleasures a shout-out. They've treated me well over the years, and I haven't bothered tracking down Fish Tales yet.