Smitty

Well its good lesson in ordering from a solidly run business... Just tried ordering from Icky's...nice website + discount coupon code + good rep. Slight problem; they are out of many, many, many patterns and sizes!!! Just dropped $80 on a competitor. Too bad Icky lost my business...I really wanted to buy from them! Next time, I'll know not to leave it to the last minute (trip starts July 16th) and order my flies in May! Smitty

These are the guys you have to convince, or, forget convincing, just out-number, out-vocalize: http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=139744 Mods: I hope its ok I linked to the "Other" board. Just wanted to add that dimension to the conversation, and see what us "organized" bunch of "elitists" are up against, lol. If I've broken a rule, I won't be offended if I have to delete the link. Just thought this would show Bigtoad to see "what we're up against". Smitty

Well that would be good news for sure. I don't fish Spring, so I'll happily take your info over mine. I know Dolberg at one time had perch, and now even the regs say that Dolberg is perch-free. I was stunned when I read that. Always thought once perch are in, they're in. I stand corrected (very hopefully) on Spring lake. That is one lake that can produce trout past 8lbs (if you believe my dad's generation). I was very lucky to be young enough that I took a fly-tying course from Reg Denny; he had pictures of trout that surpassed 8lbs from places like Star and Hasse. But do those lakes produce 8lb trout now "regularly"? Don't think Hasse does anymore; not with the perch and pike. Anyways, I digress. I don't like when I become cynical; its doesn't befit someone who teaches. Just saying that I should recognize the truth of "just because something isn't difficult doesn't mean it should be attempted." So I'll support the petition for sure. Who doesn't want to catch bigger fish? I would suggest to Bigtoad that selecting so many lakes (maybe was just using them as an example) could be very problematic. Government simply won't make wholesale, blanket changes to a bunch of lakes. I think its better to talk to the biologists and select 1 to 2 -at most - additional lakes per region (ES1, ES2, PP1, etc). I think more action will result from targeted, specifically selected lakes, as opposed to trying enact systemic change. Smitty

Its all in the tone, my friend. And, to cite an exaggerated example, all one has to do is look at Fox News to see how "facts" can be spun to have a certain slant. For example, one might "fairly" say, that, when walleye stocking was suspended years ago, this province became "trout obsessed" instead of walleye obsessed. Yes? Anyways, round and round we go, to the petition, I still say no! (look, it rhymes!) Smitty

Good sentiment, but some good points (see analysis by Dave Jensen and Dryfly) can be found here: http://flyfishcalgary.com/board/index.php?...c=17596&hl= I'm tempted to vote yes, but I'm not sure it wouldn't be a wasted effort. Justfloatin makes good points. The majority of anglers like their 5/day, put-and-take meat fisheries. Very difficult to change mentalities and get those existing fisheries changed. Look at all the controversy with Bullshead and Police Outpost. Much better to create new ones, but Alberta does have a water vs angler problem to work through. We really have to think this through - take Spring lake for example, near Edmonton. Totally overrun with perch. Absolutely a useless gesture to make it into a trophy lake, in my opinion. I'd stay focused on "newly-created" fisheries and leave the existing ones as they are. Smitty

Thank-you for a more thoughtful response without the insults. In fact, I agree with you. Mr. Eden's stance on walleye has very little to do with the actual wording of the petition. That is exactly my point; I'm all for fisheries enhancement and increased enforcement. So why did he even bother in the first place with the divisive tone? He could have made all his points without including the rant against walleye. So, again, because he does identify walleye stocking as a "key problem" on his website, and because of that tone, I, for now, am holding back. Lets not pretend that the information on his website has absolutley nothing to do with his entire message summarized in the petition, because he is the one making those very tenuous connections, not me. Regards, Smitty

Wow GrnDrake. Totally a**hat reply. Uncalled for. Clearly you missed my point...perhaps you "suffer" the same issue as me, in terms of reading comprehension? Or you just can't stand someone who has a differing viewpoint? Smitty

One thing I did not appreciate that much was the divisiveness of the tone in regards to the walleye criticism. Mr. Edens has conveniently forgot to mention that walleye stocking was suspended for several years. Also, walleye, being a different species, are generally stocked as tiny fry; the predation / mortality is high, hence the higher stocking numbers. Bottom line is that (1) his efforts are laudable for the most part, but (2) pitting species against species, and by association, anglers versus anglers is not helpful. I'll keep an open mind, and as I said, several principles are obvious and worth supporting (more enforcement, duh), but I am not signing it, for now. Mr. Edens needs to convince me that his anti-walleye rant/stance is justifiable. Because it really is not, imho. Cheers, Smitty

Well, I'm on a little dicey ground because I've posted pics of students on an internet (public) forum. So, in the effort to comply and be slightly paranoid or anal about it, I'll refrain from mentioning the school. But I will say I work for Edmonton Public Schools. And thanks BBT. Smitty

You know, the funny thing is, is that it was hooked in my forearm. There must not be a lot of nerves there, because it truly didn't hurt that much. The worst part is that I was doing the hopper-dropper combo, and, though i am pretty diligent, I forgot to mash the barb on the dropper. So there I am, try to "back" the hook out, and let me tell you, it is impossible. There is no tough cartilage like a fish's mouth to leverage against. So there I am, trying to push, pull the stupid thing and my skin just stretches along with it, to the point I could lift that first layer of skin 3 inches away from my forearm. No dice. So the pic you're seeing is when I finally got clever, I pushed the point through to the other side to expose the point and the barb. Then it was a simple matter of just cutting the point and the barb off with the sidecutter portion of my needle nose, and presto! Hook pretty much just fell out. Anyways, good lesson for all, especially me. It is so much fun taking kids fishing. I hope that August trip gets approved. Smitty

Okay, think I got the pictures figured out. Man, what a pain in the behind when you don't know what you're doing...lol: 1. The finer points of casting: 2. More Casting: 3. The finer points of tying knots: 4. Fishing: 5. Tangles are a part of flyfishing life: 6. Getting Ready for the first stream fishing trip (Freeman River): 7.Stream wading and fishing!: 8. Stuck! (Her foot is buried in mud): 9. My worst hooking accident in 25 years...done to myself! Good example for the kids...lol 10. His first ever Arctic Grayling, first ever time flyfishing a stream:

Hi Everyone: Besides running this forum, the mods also deserve thanks for providing a platform to ensure young people take up the sport. That also means I need to thank-YOU; especially BBT, Hanson's Outfitters, Murray, Monger, and everyone else in assisting me getting my students equipment for the Flyfishing Club I run at school. This year I was able to take the kids out 3 times, including a first stream fishing trip! And, as we speak, I am working with the school board to get a 4-day, 3-night trip approved for August to the Ram Falls area. Keeping my fingers crossed... (Tried posting pics, couldn't find the instructions on the forum, then I find out photobucket is blocked...damn frustrating, lol) Anyways, cheers and grateful, Smitty

Essentially, similar to a swivel but they are just a ring. Used quite a bit in European nymphing techniques; helps with adding droppers, and/or eliminating the need for a knot, allowing a dramatic tippet sizes that are significantly different in diameter. http://www.jsflyfishing.com/cgi-bin/item/LL-295020-0000 Anyways, ok, FishTales does shipping, cool. Now how about those waders? Anyone going to Edmonchuk? Smitty

So Monger has kindly donated a set of childrens waders to my Flyfishing Club. If anyone is coming to Edmonton over the next few weeks, we'd appreciate the help! Cheers, Smitty P.S. And, if possible, I do have a personal request to make in terms of fly-tying materials, if anyone is inclined to pick some stuff up for me, seeing how Calgary fly shops have 10x the selection than Edmonton. Specifically, I am looking for purple, black, and blue UV polar chenille. Also, tippet rings would be cool. Do any of the fly-shops carry tippet rings.

Good question. I intend this reel to be my "go-to" reel for the 5-6 weights that I own. So, with the excpetion of using my 3-4 weights for the small streams, I pretty much intend to use this reel all the time on lakes; floating line techniques to trolling type V-VI lines. For the rest of the time in flowing waters, I'll be using it for larger rivers like the Bow and the Oldman. So it will be part of my main set-up for lakes and those larger-type rivers. Thanks for the question. What about an Islander IR3? Comments on that one, anyone? Cheers, Smitty

Well I do appreciate everyone's perspective's; I didn't think I had limited the choices that much with 4 brands and 7 reels. Clearly, some of you don't like any of those choices, which truly does surprise me. You'd think once you get into the $200-$300 range its a good bet you're buying a decent reel. I played around with those models at the store, they seemed pretty good, especially the BVK and the Sage 4200 Series. I did like them. And fundamentally, the advice is sound - get the best reel for the buck. Just surprised that few or none in that list would qualify, based on a lot of the opinions thus far. Thanks for the advice! Smitty

-sigh- now I am chuckling; perhaps I can get the store to special order Lamson's or Bauer's, hopefully they'll get there in time for the manager to discount them for me, lol. Look, I know what you guys are saying but I prefer to get them from the store and not deal with Ebay, US shipping, etc. The store I deal with has excellent customer service. I am prepared to wait for the sale because right now I have some old (from the mid 90's) Orvis Battenkills, just looking to sell them eventually and get something from the 21st century that has a large arbor and is lightweight. So anyone else have experiences with the reels...from. the. list? Smitty

Just a reminder, I am choosing from the list. lol Uber - I am quite surprised by your comment. I picked up the BVK the other day and I felt it was rather light myself. Smitty

I know we've done reel threads before, but I asking something a little more specific, because I am limited to the models below: Knowing that there is a sale coming up (somewhere I can't mention, because its a non FFC sponsor), what reel would you choose between the following: 1) TFO BVK 2) Sage 2000 Series 3) Sage 4200 Series 4) Redington Rise Series 5) Redington Delta 6) Madison II by Montana Fly Company 7) Amundson Trend or TXS reel (cheaper models) With the little research I have done, if I had to choose today, it would probably be between the TFO BVK's versus the Sage 4200 Series. Thoughts? Comments? Smitty

Or, how about "Negligence is not an accident". And of course the companies didn't plan this...who would intentionally be negligent and then be on the hook for the mess, the costs, the clean-up, and the bad PR? Smitty

Hi Everyone: Headed to the Crowsnest pass this July; would like to fish anything pretty much south of hwy 3. Headed down with a couple of friends and families, we were wondering besides the usual assortment of hotels, motels, B&B's, are there any cabin accomodations in the area? We could go as far east as the Belly river, as far west as Coleman, anything south, and as far north as Chain lakes (prefer south though). Or perhaps any guest ranches that can accommodate 12 people? Thanks in advance! Mike

And just think, tomorrow I take 12 kids flyfishing, and every kid will have rod...thanks to Hanson's! Cheers, Smitty

Thanks for the tips everyone! I am teaching junior high aged students; just so you know. In my experience, the thumb-on-top grip promotes excessive wrist action and it can be difficult to correct. So this year, as an experiment, I am choosing to try the extended finger or key grip. I'll see how it goes. We do cover a lot of the "theory" during lunch time classes, so the kids should be grounded in the basics; but I think I'll include more diagrams... I do find watching the back cast has helped a number of kids, but I wasn't explicit; I do have the kids stand sideways so that they can accomplish this without the "hook" or "slice"... And Junior's point about straight line path is well taken... Cheers! Smitty

Hi Everyone: As I approach my first "field" trip with the kids to Summerside Lake, I'm creating these pocket sized cards they can carry with them. Each student will be given 4 cards; on the front of each one is the diagram of a knot. I've chosen the non-slip loop (rapala) knot, improved clinch, surgeon's loop, and trilene knot. I'm thinking of adding a couple more including the surgeon's loop, perfection loop, etc. Any suggestions on more knots is welcome. However, the main thrust of this post is on the back of each "knot" card is something I've written called called "Casting Tips". So, I've copied and pasted below, what I have written. Please feel free to add, edit, criticize, delete. There are lots of experienced casters with plenty of knowledge and expertise. I'd appreciate your feedback! Theme 1 "THE BASIC CAST": 1. Use the extended finger grip or "key" grip when learning how to cast. 2. Always start your cast with a tight line, with no slack, rod tip low! 3. Begin the back cast by lifting the rod with your forearm, starting slow, but then speeding up quickly. SMOOTHLY accelerate! 4. Then, with the rod, pointed at 1 o'clock, ABRUPTLY stop the rod with a SMALL snap of the wrist! 5. PAUSE! You must let the line unroll. Timing is important here: wait for the line to unroll, but don't wait too long. 6. The forward cast is exactly like the back cast, but done in the opposite direction: start the forward cast with your forearm, smoothly accelerate, then abruptly stop the rod using a small wrist snap, and pause. Theme 2 "GENERAL CASTING TIPS": 1. The tip of the rod should travel in a straight line path, not in a oval shape. 2. Where you stop the rod tip, that's where the line will go. 3. When performing the forward cast, think of driving the rod straight forward, NOT DOWN! 4. Avoid "floppy" wrist! Only use a SMALL "snap" of the wrist at the END of each cast, NOT DURING the cast. 5. Don 't forget to stop the rod ABRUPTLY! 6. Don't forget to PAUSE at the end of the forward cast and the back cast. 7. Turn your body slightly sideways, so you can WATCH BOTH the BACK AND FORWARD casts! Now, I can repeat those "THEMES" on the 2 remaining cards, or I can add new ones. Don't want to overwhelm with information, but if you have any more themes or suggestions, by all means, suggest away! Reply however you think is easiest to read/understand; just use cut and paste or refer to the tip/theme number. Cheers. Anyways, thanks in advance. Mike "Smitty"

@Weedy: Ah...the sweet smell of red-herring hypotheticals Pandora's box. Love it. Its analogous to the abortion debate when people bring up rape and mother's life in danger when those circumstances account for a tiny percentile (and it doesn't matter what side of that debate we fall on..people always debating the hypothetical-rarely-happens-fringe-circumstances). But ok, I'll give it shot; The burka is irrelevant during a non-violent protest, dress in a darth vader costume if you like. If you are rioting, burka ceases to be primarily an expression of religion and switches its primary function to concealment of jerk criminal breaking crap in offence of the Criminal Code...or at least I hope that's the way it would work. Religion shouldn't be a shield for criminal conduct. Peace, order, and good government I believe the document says... @Grinr...and your response had what to do with wearing masks during a riot? We're not talking about how your company treats people, we're talking about r.i.o.t.i.n.g. That's why its not akin to whistleblowers...how did we get on this track? I think you're trying to connect 2 separate things. Like I kind og get what you are saying; and definitely I have to concede 100% you are exactly right on the safety issue - this is a huge problem in AB...and I certainly don't envy any employee caught in what must be an extremely difficult situation. The gov't, WCB, various organizations in the province regarding labor and workplace safety have blasted our province on our poor safety record. Employees should always feel free to speak out, particularly for safety issues. Is that reality? No, of course, not. So what are you suggesting? What can workers do? What is the effective means of protest? And what the heck would a mask to do to help solve the problem, lol (I know I'm over-reaching there) Oh, and Grinr, trust me when I say there's plenty of real world stuff in my job. Almost too much you might say... So, ya, just checking here...how many of us on this board actually feel its ok to conceal our identity in the commission of a crime? Because that's what rioting is... I'm as hippie as the next dude, but I have never understood the sympathy rioters get from some people just because the underlying cause of said riot is some high-minded, principled "cause" or "movement". Good God, going back to original example, MLK jr beat back the KKK and a culture of racism with non-violence (please note: I'm not claiming there's no more racism, I'm just commenting specifically on the Civil Rights legislation that got passed). He set the bar pretty high...which kind of sucks for the rest of us, in a lazy kind of way. To pick a current example, you think the Quebec student """""""protesters"""""" (multiple quotes) are really justified in their vandalism? I hope the law passes before those "protests" end and some of those cowardly neanderthals get the extra jail time... Anyways, good debate. Interesting, especially for a math guy now teaching Social Studies. Smitty