SNAPFisher

Not me but I've done well recently in alternative energy which good to see for all kinds of reasons

Can I share the blog and link on the Alberta Outdoorsmen forum?

Thanks, that is a well written survey and the management plan is looking really good to me. I appreciate the opportunity. Don't get me started on OHV users. I've had to fight for the last 4 years just to keep my own land free of lawbreakers. Most worthwhile fight I've ever undertaken.

I had an incident last year when I was living in Calgary. I was on the South side of the Bow approaching the HW. The bank was a mess so I went up and wanted to just go over the 40 feet and back down. I knew there was a truck parked up there but didn't know it was the land owner. The big black dog, not sure of the breed but it is truly massive, barred it's teeth and was headed my way. He yelled an order or two and came up and stood between us. That was the only thing that stopped something from happening. He had to restrain the dog and put it in the truck and close the door. The other dog seemed fine. The black dog was big enough to make the outcome pretty much not occur in my favor. I've been around a lot of animals and dogs and never have a seen a animal act this one minded. If the owner wasn't there I don't think there was anything I could have done differently, body language, voice or anything that would have stopped it. That was scary for sure and the next time I had my bear spray with me just in case. I was trespassing when I went above the bank so I was in the wrong. Anyways, I apologized and we got to talking and he is a fisherman and fishes there when he is not protecting his land. Out of the 10 or so times I was there I saw that truck and dogs there about 8 of them - all weekdays. And, he is not fishing at those times. He is watching over his land. I'm not sure when he gets time to fish .... So just a warning to stay away from the particular section and don't go above the bank. I just think about the day when he is distracted and ole blacky is near the bank and decides to go down to do something to someone. Hopefully doesn't happen but all the factors are there that it could. Otherwise, time to hit the bow tomorrow! Stoked!!!

Same here! Had a simliar experience. Also had one bull attach another about the same size while I was trying to fight it in. And, for the first time I had 2 bulls chasing the white on my line. They are so agressive right now. ham, lol, reddest bull I have ever seen

It has also been awhile since I specifically targeted rockies and bulls. Bull trout sure are one tough customer. And voracious too. Some great highlights from the weekend And another Rockies for the smoker Nice piece of chinook Sunday started off with a bang! Managed a good underwater shot of this mug Next! Cheers!

Have an Arctic Spa. Its been running perfect for 4 years now. I won't bother with the fully insulated and efficient comment because they are all claming that. It is cheap to run for sure and easy to maintain. Gets used 2-3 times per week in winter and once per week in summer, on average. We live on a farm and the tub is out "next to nature". Great place to watch birds from. Not sure if your in town or not. Good luck!

Yep, amazing! I think I recognize those swells. Let me guess, North side of Langara, North East a bit of Lacy Island with the lighthouse somewhere behind you?

What he said.... Nice bows though! Congrats on the great day.

The wife had a conference this past Mon/Tue in Red Deer so I tagged along for the fishing. Red Deer is scary high and filthy. No luck for a few hours of fishing on Monday but the beer afterwards made it all better. Decided to try the Bow today. Fished at policemans flat. Very high water conditions but found a good back eddy. First cast with a streamer got me this: 21.5 inch. My biggest brown to date. Just after I released the fish two deer spashed in the shallows about 100 feet from me. Don't think they saw me. Then I saw a couple of gold finches and then a wilsons warbler landed pretty close to me and started singing. Seems like things were lining up and turning sweet.... I got my butt kicked for the next 2 hours and left with just the one. No complaints BTW, fish were hitting the surface pretty good in the afternoon. Got to see some browns chasing in the shallows too, probably minnows. Tried various dries with no luck. Cheers!

Drew, congrats on the great trip! Those are some wonderful fish. An impressive size range. Best season is just starting too. Thanks for sharing the experience and images. Cheers!

Thanks! I got a good chuckle out of that one. Cheers!

Yep, I know it and live, but, there are limits even for me. Showed this post to my wife. She had two comments: She always makes me laugh.

I dunno man. I thought I was nuts about fishing but you make me look like a "nancy" in comparison. I echo that there must be a better way even than the last one you posted. Is it really worth taking these kind of risks into high alpine lakes that have fish with a very short growing seasion (i.e. smaller than average fish)? Okay, now that the shock is over, I applaud you. Good luck on your continued search into alpine trout!

I'm trying for contracting as well. Thus unsuccessful so far. The market is tough right now. You will have to be patient until the right contract comes along. In the meantime make do with what you can get or are comfortable with. If you do have the means, Calgary seems to be a bit healthier right now that Edmonton. Good luck in your search!

Yep! That is an exceptional brookie. Congrats! Thanks for telling another great story of Fortress...one day

Nice pics! Thanks for sharing.

LOL! I was disturbed by that picture too. Thanks Jeremie. I'm looking forwards to the rest of the pics. Good luck on your remaining days out there. Cheers!

Brugal and Flor de Caná you most say.....I'll try em!!!! Great thread! I also 2nd the Pyrat XO if you haven't tried it. I've never mixed it yet. Great "ice fishing" rum Appleton Master bleand is amazing. I'm smelling a bottle of it right now. Strong vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugary....gotta go!!!

Thanks for forwarding this Neil. Very appreciated. I'll fill it out shortly.

Some really nice looking water there. That last pic is pretty special. I think you'll have everything mastered in short order. Good stuff!

That will be amazing. A 35lber would be tough on any setup. I think a 9 wt might be a bit light but not for most fish. Best of luck up there on getting into the fish. cheers!

75 feet down was the best depth. Yep, used the downrigger. Scotty has a separate holder type for fly rods. However, if one wanted to do it all with the fly rod the best advice I would have it to use a sinking line, probably type 7 would be best, and cast out something like a large clouser (5 inch). The ones I have bought are a bit "weak" on material. Tying one yourself would likely yield better results and I would add a decent bit of maribou to the collar with some crystal flash as well. Casting it out and letting it fall until under the boat should work for these lakers. There was quite a bit of activity even at 30-45 feet on the finder. Had one even hit while the rod was in the downrigger holder on the surface....didn't hook up though. I'm going to try this type of technique on the next trip. I got this setup for ocean fishing with the fly rod. Can't wait to catch a fiesty coho on this kind of setup.

Had some fun fishing Cold Lake with the fly rod this past week. Fished on Tuesday and Wednesday, nice weather and calm. The fishing was plain awesome with 14 landed on Tuesday and 10 on Wednesday. Tried out the new 10 wt with Amundson reel. Got to say the drag on the Amundson 9/10 wt is the best I've used. It had no problem slowing lakers when needed. Best fish landed was a 9 lber. The thing I'll never forgot about this one is I that I got it to the surface quick and thought "Not much of a fight on this one...". Then it sounded from the surface down 110 feet to the bottom...non-stop...had the drag on and was palming the run the entire time. Got to see the line on the fish finder make it all the way down and then slowly make it back up from 110 and it fought all the way up. That was impressive. Cheers!

Plan to be up at Cold Lake with my dad. Plan on taking the fly line off the 10 wt. Attaching the remaining backing to the downrigger and troll for some large lakers on the 10 wt fly rod