Flyfisher

A mermaid.

Vibram soles aren't the answer. The problem I see with that rule is that anglers may not disinfect gear regardless of sole material (soles are only one part of a boot and than there's waders). The rule may well create a false sense of assurance that "every's Ok because I've got Vibram". Effort should be directed at educating/requiring anglers to disinfect, with broad availability of disinfection solutions readily available for purchase at fly shops and any stores carrying angling equipment. Vibram soles don't always cut it safety wise on slick boulder strewn freestoners.

Did it come out of a system having brookies and bull trout? Could be a hybrid of the two. If not likely a splake if lakers and brookies present in system.

Enjoy: https://vimeo.com/27202894

Stay away from cannonballs they are useless anchors if windy.

What Bron said 2 Scotty anchor locks. I use them on my 14' aluminum Lund with 2 15lb bell anchors.

Walk and wade access no problem. Of course in boat you have much more available water.

I've been in attendance most years. You can find me helping out at the kids fly tying table. Reps show case gear along with new products etc. There are fly casting demo's by certified fly casters, seminars, and of course fly tying through out the weekend. I recommend going.

I don't see any sport in that. An all time low for hero shots.

Probably a natural barrier? Must be one or more protecting Sawback since no rainbows are there. Rainbow Lake was stocked with rainbow, gene pool may be moving downstream only out of the lake if there is a barrier protecting it from upstream migration. The video left me with similar questions to yours. The bow and tributaries are full of rainbow. A recent study in the USA Rockies showed that there is less occurrence of hybridization in higher in elevation cutthroat populations.

If Alberta wasn't somewhat of a one trick pony economy so reliant on oil it would likely take some of the sting out of unfavorable market conditions and pipeline line decisions when they come into play. Bron nailed it when he said "we gotta sell oil." in his post above. Folks, BC isn't against pipelines per se, just stupid ones like the Northern Gateway proposal.

I'd stay away from a sling pack if you wear a vest with stuff in the pockets and what have you's hanging off the front such as hemo's, nippers, floatant etc. Having a strap cutting across the front of a vest of full pockets would be a pain. Go with conventional shoulder straps.

See if you can get your hands on some fumed silica as it is by far the best dry floatant available. I've been using it for years and nothing else compares to it. It is used in fiber glassing processes for flotation as the stuff is highly hydrophobic.

Sage: any chance of a synopsis on what you heard at the meeting or a link to some info?

Have never been witness to "noxious" yellow foam after heavy rain on the Michel. Been fishing there for 20 years. Selenium levels are an issue in some parts of the Elk system, the most notable being the upper Fording where selenium levels have elevated to levels that have adversely affected juvenile westslope cutthroat. Naturally occurring elevated selenium levels in the Elk watershed are exacerbated by exposing the land where mining takes place to erosion. Selenium is transported over time into the water table. Who knows what the long term affects will be. I think WyomingGeorge is stretching things a bit when he says mining and healthy populations of trout can co-exist when referencing the Elk Valley and selenium, long term co-existence remains to be seen, especially in the face of even more development.

Considering that I engage in a blood sport (fly fishing is a blood sport) it wouldn't feel right if I never kept fish for the table. I enjoy eating fish. I give the odd fish to my neighbors and they greatly appreciate it. There are hundreds of stocked lakes in BC and I see no reason to not retain some fish for table fare. I'm very particular about the fish I keep, they are almost exclusively rainbow trout that come from stocked lakes, lakes that grow tasty, orange/red, firm, fatty fleshed fish, and are tasty all season long. They invariably come from gin clear marl lakes that never winter kill. Scuds compromise much of there diets.Thus they have no hint of that mud taste that lake rainbow often have. I do not keep (for conservation reasons) stream westslope cutthroat trout even where permitted though good cutthroat streams that grow sizeable fish that allow for retention are few and far between in BC. It would strike me as somewhat perverse after catching hundreds of fish in a season to never keep any for table fare. What better food is there? The vast majority of fish I catch are released.

I think there's a valid argument that as a lot, we fly fishers have been somewhat seduced into an excess of photo ops all too often I think at the expense of fish we catch, largely I think due to the ease that technology provides for taking a photo or video and posting it on the internet for all to see. I see a disturbing number of photo op C&R fish that appear to be gassed. Zombie eyed fish that in my mind clearly should not have been put through the added stress of an out of the water photo op. In my experience a fish that has not been overly played out will have its eyes looking down trying to see what's stuck in it's mouth, and when I see that and the fish is still in the water I think there's someone who has done it right.

I'd add Gatti to the list. Hard to know which is favorite without owning or fishing at least two different models from each company on the list. My favorite rods are the ones I use for dry fly fishing and for chironimiding; Loomis, Gatti (Italy) and CTS (New Zealand).

I have the same model waders, best I've ever had. Warning for you folks coming to BC, devils club is to be avoided at all costs!

Tie-Fast Combo tool. I've had mine for 15 years, it sees a fair bit of use, still good as new. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Tie-Fast-Combo-Tool/743540.uts

Two favs for dries. 8'6'' 4wt. Loomis GLX Streamdance presentation. Gatti FRTA 9ft in a 6 wt.

I was the poster that recommended the Serola Gel Arc elbow brace. Good to hear it worked for you. I've been using it for years and no problems since.

You are right as it stands now. Bans don't work on the people doing the most of the damage. Bans with adequate enforcement, and good options for redirected use into low impact areas would be a big improvement. Enforcement is critical.

I like 9 1/2 and 10 ft. rods for lake fishing,10 footers if doing a fair bit of chironimid fishing. However being that you are in a float tube and not a boat (standing platform) of some sort, a 9 ft rod might be a better choice, as landing and netting fish will be easier from the low position on the water. I'd also suggest a 5 wt. for lakes, as wind is often an issue. Should you go for a 10 footer keep in mind that the higher the modulus (= higher cost, lighter wt.) will be bonus on the arm. A medium to medium - fast action would be my choice.

Thanks Pokerfish. Neat idea on the caddis.