monger

Congrats on a couple of great adventures. Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a great adrenaline rush.

I hope you didn't show those guys from the wrong side of 22x the secret fly! I don't know if troutlover will be able to fit that fly in his maggot container. Next thing we'll be having to share stillwater as well as moving water with these guys. Sounds and looks like it was a fine day for some bobber fishing. I'm sorry I missed out but I had to collect some more pheasant tails. Next spring will have to hijack Jared or Rick's boat and lay a wuppin' on those Chap fish.

Sundancefisher is a great guide. He always tells me exactly where to cast to catch big fish...what a guy. Jared, it sounds like you need a partner to take pictures of your big fish at Chap...I'm available.

Downstream of where the HIGHWOOD meets the Bow, on the north side...McKinnons flats is a public access site. Further downstream, north side... Legacy island. South of the four way stop on the highway west of the town of Carsland.

Agreed, it was fun...but she was easy. Here's a better example of a fair chase lake fish This fish was completely stuffed with leeches, it hardly made a splash on the jumps (not). I started fishing lakes to get away from seeing a guy every 6 feet along the shoreline of moving water. It's not a bad thing when you catch thick slabs either.

Ya, these things suck compared to 10" wet sock Cutts

Thanks for the warning Sir. I'm going to go pheasant hunting instead.

Nice dogs Russ! Those teeth are crazy. Did the sturgeon jump for you?

Looks more like up Jasper way

Congrats on the fish of a lifetime. Very cool to see an old warrior like that. I wonder if he migrated up from the Bow or just lives further downstream. Thanks for sharing your experience

Glad to hear the Wildberry reel is getting a work out Tim. It's such fun taking the kids out. I'm off with my little guy and the dog to chase Huns tomorrow. Have a great day!

Hi Russ. It sounds like you guys had another fantastic trip to BH. Did you get to do any fishing on the surface or just the regular methods? I don't think we'll go until we do a blast and cast trip once pheasant season opens. It is surprising how a 20" limit appears to have removed ALL the big fish. It proves how effective anglers are at removing the big fish in the spring. Hopefully the triploids will be less catchable by all the shore anglers in the coming springs.

I believe the triploids are only 8-13" long and were only put in this year. The fish you caught look like 3 year olds and some of them look like they haven't cleaned up much from the spawning period (anus hanging out). The triploid females won't color up in the spring of their third year but rather stay nice and chrome. The males will still color up in the spring. Looks like you had a good trip out with some nice sized fish. Did you catch anything over 20"? I wish they would change the minimum size limit to 23" so we could get one more year out these fish before they get bonked.

Excellent fish Ed. I'm glad your wife had such a great day. Be careful though, mine always get the big fish of the day...it's hard on the ego. Soon you'll have the whole family floating down the river. Days on the river make for excellent family memories.

Jayhad we were using mooching rods with MR-2 Islanders loaded with 25lb mono. I had a 10wt with me but after fighting these fish I think the mooching rods were probably the right choice. Here's the little Hali Sundancefisher reeled in (132lb). He's about 6'4" for perspective.

Sundancefisher organizes an incredible trip direct from Calgary to Langara. Between the fishing, the scenery and the amazing food, I am in culture shock trying to adjust back to life here in Calgary. Here's a shot of my first ever Chinook...35lb I believe he is organizing another trip for next September as well... I'll have to start leaving hints for the wife quickly.

Great trip with a fine fellow

Thanks Cam. Your explaination just fleshed out the idea I had put forward about the belly pulling the fly too fast. I have been rowing my buddy's huge Lavro for 20 years. I understand how the current effects drift boats ( and in this boat's case---the wind!). Good luck on your quest for more Chrome. I will have to give it a try soon.

Thanks Greg, I will have to come and learn some more about this great addiction we call fishing.

Thanks for the great reply Cam. I'm curious why the spey rod allows for a slower swing? Is it because you can hold the belly of the line out of the water and just fish the sink-tip? That way there is not so much drag on the line ripping the fly around the arc? What would you recommend for a rod and what type of lines does one need? Now you got me thinking about a trip next year! This year I am stuck with a trip to Langara to fish for Chinooks and Coho. Five more days... Hopefully SundanceFisher will want to stop trolling long enough to cast some flies to some Coho. Cheers, Rob

I understand the desire to use quality tools for the job. I'm just not convinced that these fancy reels are necessary in Alberta. But we are a society with lots of money for toys and a desire for the next great thing. Fine reels are certainly a pleasure to use and to take pictures of

"The high end drag system really helps protect finer tippets" I guess that's why I read about so many Bow river fish screaming way out into the backing. If you completely turn your drag off the fish can run to Carsland. I wonder how we all landed fish 20 years ago with crappy equipment? Man is marketing effective. I have some quality reels but the one I have used the most this year is a machined reel that I got for under $50 (and the fish don't even know).

Is it possible to catch these elusive fish by wading with a length challenged 9 foot single handed rod, or is there not enough places to cast with one hand? I think I might be patient enough now to go and cast all day for a few bites.

You can also look at a HATCH reel. Do you really need a great saltwater proof reel for chironomiding?