monger

Fish Cat 4 is an awesome tool....way better than a tube

Do these "turns" look like Franklin's gulls

That's what happens when Bloom, Beedhead and Myth leave the prairies and head to the mountains

Great story. I love it when your 6wt feels inadequate!

Which day would you be doing this?

Sounds like fun. I didn't realize so many Caddis come out so soon after ice-off. I saw the same thing on some other lakes last weekend. Mayfly hatches are starting this week as well.

Nice day for a walk. I wonder how the bugs are going to respond to these mats of rock snot....

Excellent fish. I've had some great luck in early fall with dry flies after chasing elk around in the morning. The opportunities are limited but the quality is great.

The big fish in Sundance are not old brood stock. True, they are not perfect specimens (broomed tails), but they were released as 4 year olds. These big fish are triploids and thus may live another 5 years if handled well. It is nice to catch big, chrome fish in the early spring instead of black, old boots with a big red stripe. Some people never leave the city to experience other fishing and it appears Sundancefisher hopes more kids and their parents will get the chance to catch a huge fish. Perhaps this forum is not the place to put a rant about a private lake, but what can it hurt. If someone catches a 10lb stocked triploid in a lake near Kamloops it is a trophy. The fish has grown up there for a number of years from 5 inches. Here's a question...How many years does one of these big Sundance fish have to stay alive in their city lake to gain some respect and have similar value as a stocked Kamloops lake fish? Will that preception ever change or are they always just big stockers?

The "beaverpond" fish probably was a resident. There was some spectacularly colored fish living there. Big fish have been caught there for at least 30 years, but no photos means they don't really exist.

The day I caught the 32" brown my camera carrying buddy jammed out last minute...so I didn't get a photo. It was in April and the fish was a huge female of around 12-13lb. I had caught a 27" male in the same spot 3 days earlier. I thought it was going to be the same fish, but no. She was shaped just like Brian'a huge bull. All I could do was hold her up to the guys across the river. Another 25 years of fishing and maybe I'll catch her equal. I remember being in the Carsland bar years ago and the locals were talking of 10-15lb Browns caught on bait below the weir. Back in the day when folks used half a sucker for bait.

Biggest brown 32", next 29", a few at 27" Rainbow 27.5" Biggest brown and rainbow caught within 20 yards of each other on different years 29" snake

Nice shots Steve. How do you get that red dry fly with the bead to float....nice Alberta bonefish.

Good show Jeff. Did you hear any turkeys while you were lake fishing? Ice is coming off here too....wrestled with a 10lber after work today.

I don't see bamboo in that picture

Scadden boats http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/

There used to be a bead store in the shopping center in Deer Run. Walmart has lots of plastic beads in the crafts section...they are not metal but there is a chance they might still work.

Hey Tungsten, is that "deer" lake

Stillwater...It's best not to troll over the water that someone (who is anchored) is fishing. I've had the joy of someone trolling in a motor boat within 20 feet of me in my tube while I was anchored out in the middle of a lake. A few seconds later I had their mono running by my head with the lure coming quickly. I had to grab the line and throw the hook sideways before it stuck in me. It's also polite to not park within a super long cast of someone who is anchored...unless you ask if it is OK. To have someone park right within your casting range should be open season for some sling shot action. At Bullshead I have had guys cast lures over my head from shore while anchored in my tube. Something about sharp hooks retrieved by my air filled boat gets me excited.

I use 6wt double taper lines and in order to get some backing on the reel I have always used 7/8 reels. It's been about a 25 year program so far and my arm hasn't fallen off yet. I have even used a 9/10 reel on my 6wt and didn't notice a problem.

Quit harassing my fish with your ice fishing rod!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So if a light reel on a heavy rod makes your wrist sore...what are the effects of a heavy reel on a lighter rod? (Say a 9/10 reel on a 6wt?)

Similar thoughts for me as well Conor. It's all about the first second or two. There is rarely a fight from a fish in the Bow that is worth getting excited about for me. Mostly I haul them in to get on to the next one. Catching picky fish on dries is very satisfying. Lake fish eating emergers have always been a challenge for me. There is nothing like fooling a big fish while trying something new...pushing your knowledge and skill. It's fun to try to do something you haven't before.

Hey Der, the rod is nothing fancy. A young fellow growing up in Longview didn't have a pile of cash in the 40's. It is a Union Hardware rod. I was surprised how much power it still has though. It will see some more action in a couple of months.