Fishscape

I'm curious to how many flies most people carry. Also, it would help if you provide some idea where you fish. Me: Bow, Crowsnest, Oldman and tribs, central AB brown trout streams. 1 SA box ~400 nymphs, 1 box stonefly nymphs, 1 box stonefly adults, 2 boxes streamers, 1 box general mayfly and caddis adults, 1 box mayfly emergers, couple miscellaneous smaller boxes of what I think might be hatching. One terrestrial box. I might leave 2 or 3 behind on any given day, but I almost always have at least 4 full boxes. Seems like a lot.

Chin up. Even a blind pig finds an acorn once in awhile.

I have also never caught a brown on the Bow, but plenty of bows.

I should mention, unless you carry it all the time and can grab it in a hurry, it don't matter what brand you got.

I have used it. It works. Was followed and approached by an aggressive black bear in the Yukon. My field assistant and I bounced some rock samples off him, which did not stop him. He continued to approach rapidly as we backed up. First can we sprayed did not go far enough (less than 3 m, no wind). Waited for him to approach to within 2 m, then gave him a cloud. After a second or so, he took off in the brush. No trees about, could have gotten very ugly. Bear was drooling a lot, could have possibly been sick or something. Never had trouble with grizzlies. As long as you give them warning, they usually take off.

Scary. Local RCMP might now the individual in question. I keep bear spray on my belt, in my pack, or with me in my tent all the time now for protection. It's more for humans than bears, though I hope I will never have to use it. Incidentally, I have used it on a black bear in the Yukon that was aggressive and it really works, although the range can be less than 3 m or so, depending on wind. Black bears much scarier than grizzlies. After many summers in the bush, never had trouble with a griz.

Thanks for the tips guys. The river continued to be a cruel mistress today, giving me a whipping (and not in a good way). One on, none landed.

Niiiice.

I'm in my worst slump ever. I have not landed a fish since last September. Bow, Crow, Oldman, it doesn't matter. Could not catch a fish lately to save my life. Maybe fish are like women?

Anyone have links to the pictures on fb?

Are there any pictures or data post-flood? Can the increased monitoring data be requested from ERSD? Has anyone been to the site lately?

Thanks for the info guys. I will admit to being a fussy perfectionist. I hate those all-in-one tools that do everything poorly and nothing well. I thought it might come is handy for changing water depths and speeds, but mending, changing sink time and retrieve rate with a type 6 sink-tip might be the btter choice. I try to avoid loop-to-loop connections, at least when fishing dries, even though it takes me 10-15 dmn minutes to tie a decent nail knot. Paul

As far as I am aware, the fishing on Clear Creek has not been the same since it backed up during the big flood on the Clearwater. The few times I have been there in the past years, there is also limited cover, shallow water depth, and lots and lots of mud.

I have been looking at RIo's Versitip line and comparing the pros and cons versus carrying a spare spool with a dedicated sink tip. I am interested in any observations/opinions. Especially re durability, loop-toloop connections, ability to turn over monster streamers, etc. I should point out that this is not for the Bow, where I use floating line. My home water has very deep pools separated by long stretches of largely barren water (especially in the colder months). I was thinking a dedicated type 6 sink tip might be a bit restrictive. Thanks for the feedback. Paul

Alternatively, use the bear spray on your friend, then run!

This is actually about fly fishing gear as well. I suggest you give it a read. Enjoy. http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/03/hammerforum-com

Thanks for the tips. Cheers, P

I usually get mine from Blue Ribbon Flies in Yellowstone or from Troutlfies, although the first doesn't have the particular flies I am looking for, and the second is closed down at the moment. LeLand seems to be out of many patterns. Any suggestions? I am from out-of-town and there are no fly shops around here. Thanks.

I tried one, along with a whole selection of other 9', 5 weight rods. I found the action to be strange. Whippy tip with stiff butt section, almost like there was a hinge. I decided on a Sage VT2, which felt much smoother and can throw tight loops. I have a 4 wt. TFO signature series, which I like more. Paul

I've never fished with glass either. I guess I would need to try it to see how it feels. Thanks for people's tips.

I'm wondering what the best nymphing-specific rod is out there (for the Bow) and just how much of a difference it makes? I was reading about the Sage 99 series and thinking about the extra length for mends and well as an action that may create more open loops. Does that make it harder to punch flies into the wind? Anyone tried one? Paul

I have been looking at the TXL and ZXL. Any idea how they compare? I don't have the opportunity to try both at this time. Paul

Well, not quite that much. Spend, I mean. I'd like to try one sometime though. Paul

I am looking for a new 3 or 4 wt rod in about the 7' 6" to 8' range with a more "traditional" medium action. Basically, a small stream rod with great presentation capabilities for fishing technical streams with small dry flies. I have a 9', 5 wt. Sage VP that is my all-purpose rod, but it's too long and not delicate enough for small stream applications. I have used a 4 wt, 8' signature series TFO rod for several years, and it does the job, but I get all kinds of vibration in the rod (probably due to my crappy casting mechanics) and I'm looking for something better. Smoother and with great accuracy in the 30 foot range. I know you got to get out and try different rods to see which rod fits your casting style best, but I am looking for suggestions on what other people like as a starting point. One topic is length: do I go with 7' 6" or shorter or 8'? Also weight: is 3 ideal, or maybe 2 or 4 wt.? Price is not so much a concern for me if the rod is good, but I don't buy a brand because of the brand or because other people like it. Think: perfect rod for the willow thickets on Stauffer Creek when the PMDs are hatching and fishing BWOs on the Oldman or Livingstone in late September. I was thinking: - Sage TXL-F series - St. Croix Legend Ultra - Loomis Whisper Creek GLS - Loop Opti Creek - Amundsun Midge - T&T Whisper-Lite Any suggestions? Bonus if you can pick one up in Calgary. Thanks, Paul

Thanks guys. I like the beadhead pattern a lot.