darrinhurst

Looks like you had one hell of an August!

I think he's saying that it's just a matter of time before someone does, and then it will be a Darwin Award Winner for sure.

You are right. Out of all of them, Wholesale has more reason to be concerned, there is no doubt. Same clientelle, same market. However, they are owned and operated locally. And they have a MUCH better location and an extremely long history in Calgary. They still have the upper hand in a lot of respects.

As funny as that is......what a couple of real maroons.

Pfft. Let them come. The "big bad Americans" have come in before and everyone was scared. I remember a few years back when Krispy Kreme was coming to town. Everyone was panicking that it would be the end of Tim Horton's. Where are they now? Closed thier doors not too long ago. Even putting thier wares in all the WalMarts and Petro Canadas couldn't save them. Tims grew exponentially and is stronger than ever. Moved into the US if I am not mistaken and doing well. Several years ago, an Eagle Hardware (if I remember correctly) came in promising lower prices and better service. Opened up a HUGE store in Edmonton on Calgary Trail and Whitemud Drive. Prime location, lots of drive by traffic, etc. Lasted less than a year if memory serves. Turned into a high end furniture store and then into IKEA. My point is, these "big box" stores will either succeed, or they won't. Home Depot stuck around, but now Rona is doing better than they ever have as direct competition. Number one rule in retail is to not be afraid of your competition. Just do what you do best that got you where you are today. The folks at Fish Tales, Hansons, Wholesale, Bowriver Troutfitters, likely aren't shaking in thier boots at the arrival of BPS, they probably welcome it, because they know in thier hearts that they will OWN them when it comes to two things, in my mind 1. Customer service, and 2. Knowledge. I'll bet that not ONE of the folks at BPS could hold a candle to the dudes at Fish Tales, Westwinds, Hansons, Bowriver, or even Wholesale when it comes to fishing the Bow or some of the other rivers around here. That's where the mom and pop shops of the city will have thier advantage and that's why they will survive. As for me. I won't go to BPS. I live in the SW. It would take me an hour to drive up there. I might visit it on my way to my buddies place in Airdrie, but that would be the only time. I'm not worried and I am sure that they aren't either.

If that's the case, you could do that with headscan's line loop as well to make it glide through the guides better.

$2.00!! I just spent $8.00 on mine! :$*%&:

LOL That's awesome! I'll be sure to get my next one from there. I actually bought one this morning over at FishTales. Works just great. I have room for one more though.

Awesome! The waders fit like a glove and the Equinox is everything I hoped and dreamed it would be. The only thing that pisses me off is Cabela's is saying that it doesn't come with the retractors, which it does. It didn't come with any. So I'm pissed at Cabela's but stoked with the pack itself.

lol Thanks. nice to know I'm not the only one living in the middle of enemy territory.

Do you keep them full length or do you trim them down some?

I saw a set of Braided Loops for connecting leader to fly line when I bought some new leaders this morning. The package said that they had a 30lb test to them. Seem kinda gimmicky to me, but also useful and less awkward than the mono loop tied onto the fly line or doing a nail knot everytime. Anyone ever use these things? PS - I did a search already and didn't come up with much. Some of you had discussion in the Spey Casters lounge about Kevlar loops, but not sure if they are the same thing as I am not a "spey caster" and I don't even know what "spey casting" is.

Picked up a couple of 1x leaders today, as my 3x got :$*%&: yesterday. (HOW did I get a knot in the line IN the thingamabobber.....) All set for some more nymphing!

lol No, I don't know Birchy, but I saw his pic with his kid and thought that I would change mine. My son is just over two years old, so not quite a new born and I am sure my wife will do everything in her power to make sure that he, nor my daughter, are Oiler fans. lol

Groaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan.

Yeah, I was using a 3x, had four or five wraps. Not sure. Maybe is the line that's breaking and it just LOOKS like the knot came undone. Not sure. Either way, it's annoying...lol I always give it a good tug test to make sure. There were times where the line did break, so I tied it again, and then it didn't. So, maybe the knots are good, but the line/tippet is bad. I am sure I'll figure it out. Thanks for the link, I'll be sure to check it out when I'm "not busy at work".

I used the clinch knot. not the super clinch or whatever it is. Is it possible to wrap/twist the line too many times? Everyone says wrap it five or six, but what if you do extra, like seven or eight? Too much?

What would I do? I'd go with my gut and what I like. If you have a particular aversion to Hondas.....er....I mean Sage, then go with what you like. I have a TFO as my first rod and I love it. What I like most is that I was able to get the same warranty as the Cadillac of Fly Rods, for a fraction of the price. Hell, I'm contemplating getting a second so that I have a spare rod to bring for my freinds who don't fly fish. But, I'd hire a good lawyer first as my wife would leave me if I spent another $700 on fishing gear.......

I was out there again today. And did the same nymph thing. I used a 3x, not a 1x, and used the same gold stone and then a copper john on the shank. Watched the indicator and set with any un-natural movement, and I set one! Don't know what kind of fish it was, judging by the colour of the belly, I would have to say it was a brown. I don't know for sure because the damn knot on the copper john undid. Again. There are now TWO browns in the bow with my hooks in its mouth. He was fitghting a fair bit too. And I even had a net this time...... Also was a great way to test out the new waders and my new Equinox Chest pack Both showed up yesterday.

Well, isn't the indicator SUPPOSED to bob around? I thought that it does that when the hook is dragging along the ground to let you know that your line is long enough from the leader.

I am a begginer and am trying everything I can to learn this sport, and I am loving it as I do. I had an opportunity to head out to the Bow before work this morning, and in doing so, I had a limited amount of time to actually fish, so I said that I wouldn't change things up and stick to one method. Nymphing. I did basically what you said, here, but I used a Golden Stone with an SJW on the shank. At first, I wasn't getting anything, so I decided to move down stream and let my rig drift as I did so. And I'll be damned if I didn't get a strike while I was walking down! Of course, I couldn't get the hook set. I must have the same issues as you regarding this, but I am also a beginner, so you should be hooking more than me. Anyway, I did this a few times, had a few more strikes, or what I think were strikes anyway and loved every minute of it. I can't wait to get out there again.

I was lucky enough to get out to the Bow again this morning, down in the Burnsmead area. (Sunked again, but that's another story) And as I await my waders to come, I am still wet wading. Ever notice that even as you sit, 5-6 hours later, that your feet still feel like they are in your wet wading boots mid shin deep in water. I love that feeling

It sure was. Thanks Birchy.

I'm no pro, but I have heard many people talk about the benefits of using a heavier weight line on a line specific rod. eg. 6wt line on a 5wt rod. In fact, since I am a beginner, it was recommended that I try that on my 5wt. Haven't yet, but have been considering a new reel that will take a 5/6wt line and using a 6wt on it. As I said, I'm no pro, but I have heard of it happening.

Hey, sounds like a plan! I can catch nothing with the best of them!