Smitty

Please consider my entry! Smitty

I'll bump once if that's ok. Coming down tonight for the Expo, and staying tomorrow, leaving Sunday morning Would be grateful for any help or donations, when I start the club up again in the spring at school. May not have a chance to check pm's, so I am leaving my phone number, in case you want to 'hook' up, lol. Thanks! Mike Smith, aka "Smitty" 780-970-7886 text or call.

I am reviving this thread, only in the spirit of strike while the iron is hot. I never did make it to Cowtown in a timely manner, nor did I follow up in terms of getting stuff/donations here. However! I am coming down this weekend from Edmonton to the FF Expo. So, it would be convenient for me - and any FFC members - to meet. That's assuming anyone is still interested. The query was if someone will donate any old or hardly-ever-use-it-anymore flyfishing equipment. I am looking for the following 1. Rod and reel combos suitable for kids from grades 6 to 9. Like 4 to 7 weight, mostly 5's and 6's. 2. Old flyfishing vests, same sizes as above. 3. Any form of wading equipment, hip waders, rubber boots, nylon, neoprene, etc. 4. Fly tying equipment; primarily vises and tools. A huge thank-you in advance! By all means, if you wish to stay anon, go ahead and pm me please! Thanks again! Mike

I'm from Edmonton, I'll be at that show, and I'm planning to go to the Calgary one the weekend after. Smitty

The West Wing. Best. Drama. Ever. Smitty

I think its ironic a guide would complain about shuttle prices. Most memorable in recent years was Bowcrow's detailed list of expenses in regards to guiding. Let me be clear; I am sympathetic to guides and what a tough living it can be. I too have owned business's and many members of the public are far too quick to equate "what I charge = what I put in my pocket", lol. They must have been employees all their life (note: I am an "employee" now, since I have gone back to teaching. And I don't get to deduct a damn thing! Like the 3241 pens and pencils I buy the kids every year. I digress...) Put it differently, over the years, we've had numerous guides tell us how much their expenses are and how little profit there is when you factor in x,y,z,a,b,c,d,e,f,g expenses. On top of that, factor in taxes. And yet, we can't look at the shuttle business through the same lens? They have expenses too. However, I will say that increased competition is a good thing. For sure a monopoly sucks; much better to at least have choice A versus B for customers as an absolute minimum. Just saying that making your living off a business associated with sportfishing tourism isn't going to make you rich; guide, shuttle driver, shop owner, whatever. One thing I'll say is don't begrudge an owner putting a money in his pocket; remember, being a capitalist means you assume risk, yes? Smitty

I know one of them; my best friend's older brother; James Rajotte: MP Leduc-SW Edmonton. No secret agenda, and he works harder than probably a lot of people on this board, including me (and I work pretty hard as a teacher). If there is a heaven,hell, or something in between, I'm putting hell as a distant third. So I am glad you said "MOST". There are poliitcians who are worth the money they are paid, and do have a sincere interest in contributing to the advancement of our society. Sorry. Naive, rose-colored, glass-half-full, rant-rebuttal thread-hi-jack done. Smitty

Ya know, I have been watching this thread the past few days. Here's what I've gleaned; 1) Dutchie's posts make me want to go steelhead fishing. Simple as that. And, with my school board's new proposed calendar for next year has a week off in November (relax, us teachers don't get off easily, kids would then come back one week earlier in the summer), looks like my dream steelheading trip may be do-able. Is the 2nd week of November a good time to go? 2) Rickr's comments about it being a fish of 1000 a-holes certainly seems to ring true. Won't point fingers, not necessary, we all know our regulars, but clearly "jackasses" are "jackasses", and "idiots" are "idiots". A little surpised the mods allowed the thread to continue on past some previous posts, maybe they've made a choice to relax the rules. If so, fine, but what gets lost in the name-calling is this: people probably have some good points, but the tone ruins it. We all know that to be true, obviously. Having said that, I have no doubt certain methods of angling for steelhead undoubtedly prove more fun, satisfying, fulfilling,...whatever. We all "evolve" - is that the word the steehead addicts would have me use? - to preferred methods for a variety of reasons, none of which have to more sophisticated than "I like doing it that way, because it pleases me to do so". But to assume you can judge who is or isn't a "douchebag" depending on whether they nymph versus swing, whether they use one handed rods versus two handed rods, whether they use centerpin or not, is ludicris. Full stop. End of story. Doesn't matter whether you're a newbie or have been fishing steel for 40+ yrs. Or, as my grade 8's would say "takes one to know one". Perhaps that's insulting to my grade 8's. Lord knows the more than a few of them have more maturity or tact than a few posters here. Sure, "encourage" people to try a method like the swing, which may deliberately decrease your numbers, but exponentially increase your fun/addiction. Sounds like a plan. But the "holier-than-thou" attitude that goes with that "encouragement"? Get. A. Frickin. Life. On the other hand, ah well, c'est la vie. Its the mods board, after all. The FFC belongs to all of us...sort of. So its just another upcoming season of shack nasties and the occassional (or rare, if you live in Edmonton like me) foray of winter fishing. One thing's for sure, I've put on some fat for the winter -its going to be a cold one - so I know my skin is sure thickening up. Smitty P.P.S. So, like Jeremie suggested, I think I'll plan next year's trip, first ever. First thing I'm gonna buy is a jet boat. Then some beads. And some roe bags. And some gas-propelled spear guns. P.P.S. I am making a plan to personally ban all dry-fly fishing for cutthroat for the 2012 season. In fact, I'm going to swing 3 wet-flies, and for that 2 week period in August, where legal, I'll bait my royal coachmans with a maggot. I'll be your huckleberry...

Clive: Do I have your permission to use your photos at school? Smitty

Can someone explain to me the difference between AWD and 4 wheel drive? I used to own a Dakota with shift on the fly into 4-High. Then park or neutral to get into 4-Low. Fine. No prob. But is AWD apply the same power to 4 wheels as when you are in 4x4? Are AWD vehicles always in AWD mode? Can I expect the same off-roading experience in AWD as 4x4 (probably not, right?) Just thinking ahead to my next vehicle. Smitty

Don, there is no issue with you providing any information to the biologists. Same goes for anyone else on this board who shares your views on otters. And yes, there is a "lot of talk" on the board. People rant and rave or discuss and opine. Well, of course! Its a forum. You're not compelling me to take action by admitting that you have no idea to what extent otters impact streams. Should we just blindly support an otter cull because you say so? Should we all grab the phone and start phoning biologists providing otter sightings, even though you can't substantiate the value of the information? Biologists already have a lot on their plate. Bottom line is that I respect your opinion, and I deeply respect your contributions to fish and wildlife management in this province, but pushing words back and forth - and you obviously know this - is part of the process of convincing people for support on any issue. I am not convinced, but am willing to be. Smitty

A fine, balanced counter-argument. Completely agree. Smitty

That's my home region. They'll definitely be on terrestrials. Ants, beetles, Hoppers. Add Royal Wulffs, Tom Thumbs, EHC, and parachute Adams, and you're set. Smitty

Oh, I only wish. The gentleman from Howard's Hackle said in the paper it 'only' took him 25-30 years to get the breeding done right to get the desired quality for hackle. Though, I'm sure you could be collecting eggs sooner than that... Smitty

I agree. I'm in the market for a large arbor reel, and these models do seem heavy. Smitty

Hi Everyone: Just seeking some advice on cameras. After 10 years my Pentax Optio Wr-33 finally died. It was a great camera. Lucky me, my father has generously donated Air Miles to get a new camera for the both of us. He has points he never uses, so we figured what the heck. So my choices are limited to the following models, any opinions are gladly welcomed in helping me with my decision: (I do want a tough outdoors camera, hence the choices are models that are shock, water, freeze, and dust-proof…): 1. Sony DSCTX10 2. Fujifilm FinePix XP20 3. Canon D10 4. Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 I have searched the forums, but I thought I’d get some advice based on these models only. Thoughts? Comments? Cheers! Mike P.S. I know some of you have the Canon D10, but I was wondering how that model stacks up against the other 3...

I hear Dale Hawerchuk is available, and he's supposed to be awesome... Smitty

Well I disagree whatiniceguy. First, my point has nothing to do with who is officially being blamed. Its irrelevant to me what the police chief says. That's not my point at all. I do blame some fans, anarchists or not. My point is that I think similar stuff would happen in Edmonton and Calgary if our cities were comparable in size to Vancouver with the attendant diversity in population. Lets see what happens next time Toronto or Montreal loses a game 7...(could be waiting awhile!) Vancouver is a world class city that was clearly demonstrated during the Olympics, and, more specifically to this issue, to the thousands of people that showed up the next day to clean up and feel the shame of those idiots. Smitty

Guys: Vancouver does not have a monopoly in hooliganism. Edmonton had douchebags in 2006, Calgary in 2004 (don't get in a huff; I recognize that the Calgary fans didn't do the same extent of damage; but then again, Calgary is not the same size of city as Vancouver). I think every NHL city in Canada would have had a negative reaction. Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto the most negative, because they have the highest populations. This is not a Vancouver sucks thing. Its a "there's a small minority of thugs in every city willing to cause s&*t" kinda thing. Smitty

Love the uni/duncan loop knot. But it is a slip knot. Unless...you threw in the overhand knot first...interesting how I just thought of that... Smitty

I too have started using the non-slip loop knot. I found two keys to keeping the loop small: 1) Have it small to begin with as you pass the line through the eye and back through the overhand knot. 2) Even more so, when tightening, try just pulling on the tag end. I find pulling on the standing line, increases loop size. Smitty P.S. Phil Rowley has said on a couple of occasions that he doesn't think a big loop size affects whether the fish will bite or not. So I probably wouldn't get overly concerned about it.

Sorry Jim, another question: How long does the "season" last for Quirk creek? Will you be having outings in September-October (when school starts up again?) Mike

Glad to get the discussion back on track, lol. To those of you are new to flyfishing and asking the same questions as Matt in regards to spring creeks, that sentence was written perfectly. The adjectives "delicate" and "unprotected" are exactly the point I was making. Thanks SilverDoctor! Cheers, Smitty

Short answer: yes. Qualified answer: Daughter gets to take highly trained and skilled attack doberman that only responds to her voice commands on said date. (Don't take offense Matt, same would go for all guys...) Smitty

MattH: Spring creeks, generally speaking, are few and far between in this province. Most streams are freestone, and/or rise out of muskeg bogs in the foothills via runoff, glaciers, snowmelt, etc. Point is, most guys guard their "secret" spring creek spots more closely than their firstborn. How about some books? -if you can find them-: 1. Trout Streams of Alberta, by Jim Mclennan 2. Due North of Montana, by Chris Dawson 3. Alberta's Trout Highway, by Barry Mitchell Also, did you try using the search feature in this forum. Why not give that a go? Finally, how about one of the most famous spring creeks in the entire province; Stauffer, aka North Raven river. Try that one. Not the most realistic question, in my opinion, when asking for spring creek spots, in terms of getting straight answers. Just sayin'... Cheers, Smitty