monger

That's why you never wear waders when Cutt fishing

Great day today collecting for fly tying materials. I'm gonna hate going back to work on Monday

Both my buddies got elk ( 4x5 and 5x5) opening week, and I shared in the meat. Last week I let a 5X5 walk by as I didn't need that much meat. A few hours later I was blessed with the whitetail and a mule doe this week. First load of jerky is done! Sounds like you had a great season with tons of wildlife experiences. I've never bow hunted for moose...maybe next year (Priority 6). I haven't bow hunted for elk for a while. Calling in a mad, screaming bull is such a rush...need to do that again soon. I just picked up a new target this afternoon to shoot pointy sticks into...you've inspired me. Off for one last pheasant hunt with the dog tomorrow. I think she might sabotage my bow before next fall.

So Adam, did you find any of these? I didn't fling any arrows this year, my pointer says we have to hunt birds in the early season. Did manage to collect some fur for caddis flies though

Thanks for the link Adam. Some good thoughts buried in there. I think it really all comes down to defining what personally gives you the greatest satisfaction. With time, many folks feel doing things in a more challenging manner results in more satisfaction. I can definitely see where getting a steelhead to take a dry would be more satisfying for ME rather than watching an indicator sink. I don't feel I need to attack folks for using a legal method other than my choice for the day. A friend went to the Skeena drainage last month and caught lots of fish...but he didn't find one that wanted a fly on the swing. Maybe next year he'll get one. It will be interesting to see if it changes his point of view on what method gives the greatest satisfaction.

Cool, dinosaur fishing! Kind of fitting for an "experienced" fellow like yourself. Always fun to try something new.

Good news. Hopefully the fish population starts to thin out a bit over the next couple of years allowing for better growth rates. Beautiful place to spend a day.

I want your ruffie honey hole....that's some fine eatin' bird....no catch and release for those guys

That doesn't look/sound like fun...I'm never doing it if it makes you all weak in the knees

Thanks for your thoughts Dutchie. I can see the attraction of catching them the "right" way. I've caught lots of fish in my day and numbers are becoming less important as well. I guess there is just a desire to touch one....I'm pretty sure I can hold off on the egg for quite a while. Satisfaction of doing things the hard way is usually a pretty good bonus. I may come and borrow a book from you for some winter reading. Thanks for the offer I hope my pointer doesn't find out about all this fall fish talk...she has me booked for pheasant hunting all next week. Brian....I are a fish whore as well....sometimes it's just a blast to catch so many that it makes you giggle like a little kid Cheers, Rob

Thanks for your views pkk. It is easy to see where you are coming from.

Brian, you're such a fish whore. I think after a few days of no bites I might want to touch one too... Maybe after the skunk was off I could hold out longer. I feel dirty already and I haven't gone yet.

Rightyeegs, have you ever had the chance to catch steelhead on dead drifted dry flies? Would this be the ultimate experience?

Interesting discussion. "real steelhead experience"....that sounds great. I guess it is a choice of how we want to get our "fix". I can definitely see a progression from wanting to catch lots to catching fish in a challenging way. It is a matter of personal choice how fast (or if) we ever make that transition. The first one must be pretty special. PGK, please sell all your hunting guns and start using a long bow because otherwise you're just missing out on the experience.

Imagine a run was getting nymphed with a big orange indicator....and the steelhead were eating the indicator like they were starving. What fly would you put on and how would you fish it. Thanks for everyone's input so far

So using a single handed rod (or 2 handed), with a strike indicator and with some artificial "egg simulating" fly/lure sounds like it is against the "traditional method". I am curious about the reason why. Is it because it is far too effective and you end up catching too many fish (possibly injuring too many, native fish are too valuable to be caught so many times)?. Does it make the catching too easy? Kind of like nymphing for Cutthroats? Is the thrill of catching one on the swing worth the hours of waiting instead of "slaying" a bunch by an easier method? I'm not trying to start a riot...just want to know before I head out.

Agreed Taco, I hear real eggs caught a fish once. But what if you just used an "egg fly". I've never been steelheading and am just wondering what the experienced steelheaders think.

Good show! Congrats on going while so many people seemed to cancel their trips. It looks like it was worth the effort.

Is nymphing an acceptable practice for steelhead? I've never been so I don't have an opinion at this time. Lets hear some thoughts.

Not talking about different species....just different strains of Rainbows....like the ones already stocked all over Alberta. Do you think the government will/should stop stocking rainbows in all the lakes/ponds where no spawning occurs? So all the folks living far from the mountains should only be able to catch pike/walleye/perch? How does stocking "native Cutts" in a lake with no spawning help out the Cutts population problems that exist presently? Different strains of Rainbows that are adapted to certain environmental conditions should grow better in certain spots. They don't have to be triploids in order to do better under the right conditions. As long as the government is committed to growing rainbows for ponds/lakes, why not grow fish that can grow more efficiently in the right type of environments?

Apparently thoughts are being bounced around about building a new facility to raise trout. Incredibly, there is even discussion about raising a few different varieties/strains of rainbows that are specifically adapted to certain types of environmental conditions. It seems that there are some folks with BC backgrounds that are creeping into Alberta. Hopefully, we as anglers, will benefit from some new (to Alberta) ideas on the subject of growing fish in lakes.

Went bird hunting and got an elk shed. Luckily we had some orange on so we didn't get hurt

Great pics. Please don't paint the fish like that. I was amazed at the fish colors when fishing in Yellowstone Park years ago. The variety of colors presented was like a bunch of different kinds of fish...it was awesome.

And you should really use a Nautilus reel. The critters were ammonites. My father in law used to collect and make jewelry. He has a complete one that is about 16" in diameter. Some sites along the Bow and good spots in Montana.

High water, adventure seeking fish get in some interesting places. I've seen similar things in the past where the locals feel they just couldn't possibly leave those big fish in a small pond. Few fish, lots of food...it's a good recipe for a serious fish. Check the regs for closure timing on river (floodplain) and tributaries