walker1

Dutch I agree with a lot that you say about using the dry and not the bobber thing, BUT, this is the Bow. It is alike to many waters but still very unique. The Bow went from excellent dry fly fishing in the 70's, to good in the 80''s to inconsistent in the present. ( Mclennan books) That said however, this year has been an excellent season for dries. The best in 10 years according to one shop owner. I say this and I am not even a dry purist on the Bow. ( most of my dry fishing is south, crow, liv, oldman,elk, etc.) Having success does not always mean catching, but, it sure does help with the newbies and oldies. Lets face it, when we take kids out they get HOOKED when you land anything. My little guy also just likes the experience of getting out but, I think you all know what I mean. The Bow being UNIQUE needs to have a fisherperson who is very addaptive to what is required on that given day. I fish nymphs, steamers and dries. I bet anyone who fishes the Bow a lot would agree that in order to have the most success, teach a newbie to nymph first. ( on this river) You make a good point about the dry for following water trends and drag, but as mentioned by BC, the indicator will also permit this.

Damn nice pics as always Clive! When the water gets so low down there I never seem to do so well and have not made the trek south in a few years during October. You got me thinking about a trip soon.

I 100% agree with the last two statements.

Rickr Did your wife make you A.) get married or B.) lock the door Just kidding as I read the last part!!!!

Along with others here, a 5 wt sage sp. Awesome all round. I have a 7 wt VPS for streamers and the recent discontinued 4 wt. XP for dries and down south. I keep telling myself I do not need another rod but we all know how that will turn out in a few years. IMO get a 5 wt.

priceless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is " happily ever after" for sure.

That is a biggun.

Nice bows there for sure.

Stillwater If you bought Guides for 200 bucks that is an awesome deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Half price easy and they are great waders. Good job.

Peak a boo. under 200 are very solid in the base model for flies 2-20 No complaints other than it will not tie the flies itself!!! Doh!!!

Westwinds is where I bought mine. I believe Bow River Troutfitters also carries Simms.

I second the Simms Guides. On my second pair since 2001 ( Simms replaced the originals ) with 250-300 days . Back then I paid about 600 bucks. Today they are around 450. Good ol Canadian dollar !!!!!! Sent them in recently for minor abrasion repairs and pinholes. Had them back in 16 days. great customer serice IMO.

Way to go SD! Now I have to look at a spey rod in the future and hide from the wife. I feel like I am 14 again! Seriously, those are great fish. Love the one in the water at your feet. Might PM in the future when I plan a trip for a tad of info without asking for secrets. That is not my style! Nice report.

With regards to the scratching issue. You can spend whatever amount you wabt, but, if the set you buy are polycarbonate ( what most people buy) they will scratch. Mine are Action Optics (riptide) that I bouught 5 years ago and were about 200 bucks. They are glass which is heavy but not a mark on em! Worth every penny. As MTB stated, most would tend to take care of the expensive ones.

I second the Vic Bergman video. Great flies and shows Vic throwing them on the river.

Shuck What I did 6 odd years ago was buy Blue Ribbon Bow by Jim Mclennan. Awesome book to say the least. In the book there is a section with many patterns for local water. I chose about 10 flies I had success with and bought material for these particular flies. The material list is provided for all the patterns. Go buy the hooks, material, etc, and I would recommend tying a few dozen of each before moving to the next. A lot of guys start this way. Do not try to try 50 patterns right away!!! I would suggest: sjw bhpt grhe w.buggers golden stone and choose some of your own liking Also, as others had pointed out, the web is a great place for info. Good luck and happy tying.

You could be paying 2 to 3 bucks a fly!

I think fish over 24 are uncommon, but, are there. I have seen the proof live and on this board. However, I have 8 plus years in on the bow and throw everything at em. This, I realize does not make me a pro. I do not do a lot of dry fly on the bow as I agree with the statements made, a streamer or nymph will take more big fish. If you target the biguns with a dry you can get them. Probably landed a few dozen at the 24" range and only a few over this debatable mark. One brown was a measured 28". This is why I have my opinion. BTW, I can vouch as I am sure 10 others can, that Russ is a great fisherman. I hate to say it, but, most people do not measure accurately at all! Sure some do, but............. IMO

So true it is.

Materials, tools, lamp,vice et. 1500.00 estimate 3 large boxes with nymphs, streamers, dries with about 150 in each. 1000.00 boxes carried in vest at a given time 1200 total 3700.00 Yikes!!!!! glad my wife does not read this stuff. Ha Ha However, I do have a lot of stocked up supplies that are paid for. i like to tie during the winter with the Habs on and a cold one. I plan to wrap 1000 this year so I think it pays off. Some differ on this. I never factor in time on the argument does it save $$$$ as it is a worthwhile hobby. Anthing to justify this to myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those are spectacular browns on his webpage. WOW!

Nice pic Clive. Those crow bows are the best for color.

That might be one you would not practice C and R on eh Clive?????

Snapping leader with the bigger rod on hookset is common and I know all to well. Mine was with a 7 wt. VPS. Had a great bow float 3 summers ago and the hopper fishing was awesome on the 5 weight. Awesome until I broke it!!!! Rigged the 7 with the hopper and bam, broke off 6 nice bows that day. Big diffence in rods and setting of the hook. Funny thing was, we both hooked about 30 fish that day and we both broke our 5 weights. Not to often you laugh when you break 700 dollar rods. REMEMBER THIS DAY RUSS???????