jack

WOW! Sorry to confuse anyone with an alternative question. Maybe my point wasn't clear(or generic enough). Why would one have to consider two or three different boots, all with different types of soles, when there are boots with interchangeable soles out there" ? Does that help reduce the "advertisement factor" ? By the way, I found that after one sole came loose on me, I am more particular about cleaning any mud/gravel/sand out of the perimeter groove before I insert the sole. I don't think "brand loyalty" comes into anything as far as I'm concerned. "Names" are a pet issue with me. Name marketing is just so much BS, but as we know, a "name", with enough effective marketing can sell a tremendous amount of crap. Lots of people will buy "a name". But, that a different topic, huh? j

Simms sells some great stuff, their warranties(which the consumer also pays for) are excellent. However, for real versatility in soles for the different conditions one has to contend with as a "serious" wader, why wouldn't you consider Korkers? Why get stuck with just one sole? Their "Boa" lacing system makes all others a joke. And six different soles that are available? I just think their fit, flexibility and sole adaptation is far superior to anything I've had in 20+ years. Certainly haven't needed anything else in the past 3 years. j

I will be playing with it on the Kettle, Granby, Elk and possibly the Crow, around July 22nd to 30th. Will let you know. j

Is that for an 1106 Combo(including Trend 7/9 Reel), Wolfie? The Wind Warrior 1106 "Switch" Rod retails for $279. As I said, the Wind Warrior dealer in Alberta, so far, is Alberta Rose Angler. If Arne does not haven it in stock, he can get it in a couple off days out of the warehouse in Burnaby. j

Tyer: Can't help you with the 13 footer, but will be taking delivery of 11' 4pc in that weight range on July 17th, for testing. If the rod is "a winner", there will be blanks available post-production, by March 2010. j

JayVee: The only shop(so far) that is handling them is Alberta Rose Anglers in Lundbreck. However, Brunsie has one and he can make it available to try(but only if he isn't on the water somewhere(every weekend!) The blank that Rick got is the WW Stillwater blank. Comes in 5 and 6wt, 4pc. j

"Correspondents say despite the hoo-ha caused online, newspapers in Nigeria have not picked up on the story yet." Maybe there are not that many people in Nigeria who have time to walk around ready and waiting to be "instantly offended" ? j

Kind of depends on what is on the end of the line, doesn't it? Technically, flyfishing is not only using a fly, but using a line that "carries" the fly out on a cast. The use of such "flies" as wooly buggers and other streamers(which are properly called "lures") is not really "flyfishing", in the purist and purest sense of the term. Like that tenkara method, Terry. My late father-in-law(Nisei) had one(12' 3pc noodle bamboo) that he acquired as a young man. I didn't have much interest in it when he first showed it to me (when my wife and I were first married, 34 years ago) but now that I'm old and curious about "kewl/old stuff", I must try and find out what ever happened to it. Thanks for the reminder, it might just make a "next winter" project. j

Even MORE amazing, Drew. Caddis. j

Columbia River, Castlegar to Genelle. j

You skipped some zeros, I'm sure you will mean "Top 15... hundred, by next week!! j

Chan's Redbutt Chironomid Chromie Chironomid Bloodworms Tom Thumb Lady McConnel Baetis Dun '52 Buick Werner Shrimp Kamloops Pupae Carey Special Sixpack brown micro leech blood leech j

The biggest problem with attaching fluoro to mono leaders is that the fluoro is harder than mono and will cut through it under strain. That's the reason Seaguar has gone away from standard fluoro line and tippet and is producing only double extruded material with a hard fluoro core and a softer(same consistency as mono) outer layer. Depending on what breaking strength I require, I use Grand Max for the lighter applications, but also use Seaguar InvisX fishing line(4-25 lb test) as tippet/leaders also. Comes in 200 yd spools, so in most cases one purchase gives you a lifetime supply. http://www.seaguar.com/Products_IX.html I am looking at "Carbon Pro" for 2lb test leaders, just haven't found a source, yet. j

Parts of the channel are subjected to some incredible bikini hatches, especially on weekends. j

I got the "new" Sharkskin "Magnum" 5wt this spring, just spent a month and a half using it exclusively for chironomid/long leader/indicator techniques. Yesterday, I used my 2007 original Sharkskin Trout Taper in order to compare. I found that the "zing noise level" is less with the new line, the '07 does sink at the tip, more than the Magnum, and the Magnum is by far, a superior chironomid line. The Magnum taper is, I think, designed to compete with Rio Gold and other enhanced weight forward lines. I still find that the very best value for a chironomid line is SA Headstart. Cheap like borscht and very effective. j

Get Don Andersen in your corner on this one. j

Islander Reels? Yup, they're OK. Every one of them!! j

I doubt if that's possible. (Here comes the aforementioned subjectivity and preference, as well as some knowledge-based bias) ZAxis is a "casting stick" in my opinion, while Scott tends to build "fishing sticks", even their fast action ones. j

Rod "action" is always subject to personal objectivity and past preferences. (Is this a 2pc by any chance?). The S3 is light and fast, but, has a progressive taper that allows a gradual increase in "backbone" as the load deepens below the upper 1/3 of the rod. They are highly sought after. I liken them to a Gatti G4 with "attitude". There are similar rods "out there" that are not as pricey. The S3 is to me, what a fly rod should be like and my own rod design criteria reflect that mindset. j

Appreciate the objective input, guys. The national head office is in Calgary, and I think probably it is his intention to stay for some time, which will include a family. Move will probably not be until late summer. "Fishing" is not on the radar, yet, he is still involved in competitive teams sports, baseball, basketball, volleyball, etc. j

http://flyfishcalgary.com/board/index.php?...=8565&st=20 j

If they are TFO "First Cast" they are probably out of China, same factory that makes Cortland entry-level lines(and many other brands). If they are TFO "Special Delivery" they are probably SA made. Just my guess from looking at the product and packaging(and knowing a little about both suppliers). j

Ryan: Apply at all the colleges/universities/SAIT. Should be the same as here in BC. They are changing out systems right now and are always crying for IT people. My "much better half" is the administrator of Thompson Rivers U. campus, here in Bill's Puddle, and they and the main campus in Kamloops are always short people. j

No details at all, Mike. Head office is in the NE, but there are several other locations possible also. "The Man" just told him to start packing his bags. If/when he gets a house set up, my honey and I will be there. Trade you river time for stillwater lessons. j

Doesn't matter if he fishes, Colin, The "Old Man" will come and visit !! j