murray

I finally had an opportunity to stop in at the Fishin Hole to pick up my door prize for the Bow Clean up. I introduced myself to Bill Robertson (manager) and told him why I was there. Bill immediately went into the back of the store and got the Shimano rod and reel and tackle bag he had set aside. It is an excellant rod and reel from an excellant store. Bill, if you do read this site at all, I thank you for your generosity. You have a great store and I will be checking with you in January about that switch rod. Murray

Sorry about that, I tried the link yesterday before I sent the message and it worked. I just tried again this morning and it doesn't work. What can I say? It was basically what you were doing except that the pattern called for an underbody wrap of chartreuse thread. The overbody layer of pearlescent tinsel aloud the chartreuse colour to show through. Give it a try. Murray

Try this link. www.rockymtnfly.com/fly_tying/Lightning_Bug.aspx Murray

Yea, bottle caps were all over the place. Rick and I pulled out a TV that will need some serious work to get it running, the picture tube was broken. I also found a couple of full beer cans. I have to say, the sponsors really came through with some serious items. I fully intend to support them as they have supported us. Murray

What an excellant turnout. I tried counting a couple of times, some where around 27 showed up. That number could well be out though as I suspect a lot of the good people that helped do the cleanup didn't make it to the Bar B Que. Anyhow it was real nice to meet people and put a face to the names I see on here every day. Matt, take a bow. You did a great job putting this all together. I was sure surprised by the donations from all of the sponsors. It just goes to show what a great community this is. My personal thanks to the Fishin Hole for donating the Shimano rod, reel and tackle bag that I was lucky enough to win. Lets do it again next year. Murray

Rick, I'd be happy to give a hand. Maybe it still works eh? See you tomorrow. Murray

Matt. No sweat, the Bar B Que will be there as well as an extra propane tank. What time do we meet at Fish creek? I'll see you at Policeman's Flats tomorrow. Murray

I can bring a Bar B Que and 3 5 gallon water jugs. I'll pick up an extra propane tank also. Ive got room for three other guys in my truck if anyone wants a ride. I live in the south end of town. I'll check back on this thread for messages re: rides and such. Murray

Just a note, I have room for three passengers if anyone is stuck for a ride to Policeman's Flats on the 19th. If anyone needs a lift just send me a PM. Murray

Just a thought, but I think I'll wear my FFC hat for the Bow River cleanup. The times I have been out on the river this year, I haven't seen very many people wearing their gear. What are you saving it for? At least this way, the general public will see us as a concerned group of area Anglers looking after our river. What do you think? Murray

Headscan, I have no idea what kind of line he's using.He bought the rod,reel and line from Courtney the first year he was out for the Fly Fishing Expo at the Max Bell a couple of years ago. He had a bit of a problem in that the reel would not hold very much backing, only about 75 yards or so. He upgraded to a bigger reel and now has lots of capacity. If you find another line that works well, let me know. As it is now, the switch rod is one of the best things for him. It lets him cast to rising trout like the rest of us. Murray

A good friend of mine has the same switch rod as headscan. For him it is absolutely, the only way to go. Let me explain, he is paralyzed from the waist down and has braces on his lower body that allow him to walk. This of course means that he supports his 200 pounds on crutches. Over the course of the last 60 plus years, his shoulders have taken a beating and he cannot do a conventional overhead cast. Withoutr the switch rod (or spey rod style) his fishing would have to be trolling or similar. The switch rod allows him to park someplace beside a stream or sit in a boat and cast to rising trout like the rest of us. I'm thinking of picking up a switch rod so we can both fish out of the same boat. Murray

Excellant idea Greg. I remember looking forward to and reading some of the ones in the past. I really like the idea and hope someone takes up the challenge. I'm sure the stories will be enjoyed by all. Murray

It's been a while since I floated from Glenmore to 22X but if memmory serves me correctly, it was somewhere around 4 or 5 hours in a pontoon. Do drift boats travel at approx. the same speed? Another 2 1/2 to 3 hours will get you to Policeman's Flats. I wouldn't mind taking the pontoon out for the same float on Friday if you wanted to meet up. We could drop a vehicle off at the far end. Send me a note if you're interested. Murray

I know you said an hour and a half drive , but one spot you may want to consider is Payne Lake. It's about 2 and 1/2 hour drive but it is right on the lake. It has lots of rainbows in it that are quite eager to play. You are also in close proximity to several streams, most less that 1/2 hour drive. (St. Mary's, Wateron and I think the Belly is close as well. They charge 18 bucks a night to camp and they are still open. I think you have to bring your own firewwood though. Murray

Hey Mike, welcome to the board. If you're looking to pick up a rod here, most guys use a 6 weight, floating, weight forward line. There are several shops in town that can get you into an outfit that will fit your budget. There are also a few guys selling used gear here on the board. As far as flys go, there are a bunch of guys that write on the board that can answer this better that I but, I would tie up some of the standard nymphs used everywhere. Hares ear, Prince nymphs, Pheasant tails, San Juan worms, Caddis pupae,Evil Weevil. Sizes 16,14,12. Colours of black,olive,tan,chartreuse. Streamers work too. Try wooley buggers, Bow River Buggers, Sculpin patterns, Clouser minnows,try sizes of 10,8,6 in black,white,oliveand maroon or wine red colours. Murray

I believe there are pros and cons for each decision. Personally, I like the idea of the pontoon boat. You have already mentioned a couple of the pros, let me add a few more. First off, your day on the water is not tied to wether or not your partner can make it. If you decide to go for a float, simply load up your boat and go. I have been disappointed far too many times in the past waiting for someone else that says yes and then doesn't show up. Now, I just say I'm going and you can join me if you like. Next thing is the cost. A pontoon is very affordable and it fits in my car. No trailer to tow. Third, pretty much any small lake is good to go with a pontoon, even if you have to pack it in on a trail. It may be difficult to pack it up to a 1/4 mile or so but not impossible. As far as drifting faster than a drift boat, that is probably true but you can control it with the oars There are a couple of negatives as well. For instance, if you catch a bigger fish, the fish heads north as you are going south. It can be exciting as a lot of things are happening all at once. IE: guide the boat to shore,reel in the extra line,dont drop your rod or oars and dont lose the fish. any how, these are just my thoughts. Murray

Birchy, I have the William Joseph model. When I first got it, I played around with it around the house. I can tell you the temperature of the kitchen floor, walls and windows. I could even measure my own temperature by pointing it at my arm, but I have never taken it to the river. If you wanted to take it out for a spin I would be happy to lend it to you. Send me a message if you want to borrow it for a bit. Murray

Earlier this year I picked up an inflatable life vest from Russel's Sports. It is comfortable to wear and does not hinder movement in any way. I think my cost was somewhere around $150 or so. I believe Kyle is right in that you really only need to have a life jacket in the boat with you but my thoughts are why not wear it. I imagine if you tipped over, there are a lot of other things you would be reaching for and quite possibly never be able to grab your loose life jacket as it floated away from you. I will never go floating anywhere without mine on. Keep your eyes open for sales. I think that new Bass Pro Sports at Balzac should be opening soon. Murray

Try using a 12 or 15 inch piece of 2 inch wide masking tape fastened to the desk sticky side up. After cutting anything off, simply stick it to the tape. When you're done tying, all you have to do is scoop the tape into a ball and get rid of it. Its fast,clean and cheap and it works for me. Murray

I just finished checking out E bay. There are a few pairs of breathable waders listed. You might be able to get a bargain, depending on size required. One pair are currently sitting at $26.00 with 1 day left on the bidding. http://cgi.ebay.ca/Hodgman-Wadelite-Breath...1QQcmdZViewItem Murray

Rick, that was a great story, you have a real story tellers knack. Today I decided to forgo fishing in favour of raking the lawn. Now I not only feel every one years, I ache too. I think I made the wrong decision. If you're ever up at 5:30 and want to hit the river on a Friday, give me a shout. Murray

My very first rod was a 6# Orvis Clearwater. I used it exclusivly for the next 4 years. It was a great rod. I'm kind of sorry that I gave it to my son a couple of years ago. It was a mid flex 7.5 I think and it really suited my casting style to a "T". I know everyone has a personal favorite make of rod, well the Orvis line is mine and I dont think you can go wrong with the Clearwater. The only thing I dont know for sure is if it is available in a 4 piece. Mine was a 2 piece as the 4 pice rods were fairly new then. I loved it and wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Murray

Ive spent some time at the Best Canadian motel in Blairmore. It's O.K. as far as price goes. The rooms are just regular motel rooms, nothing fancy. Their phone number is 562-8851. The Highwood Motel phone number is 562-8888. There is another one out on the highway between Blairmore and Bellvue. I think its called Goat Mountain Cabins or something like that. I'll have to run out to the truck to confirm. It's right alongside the Crowsnest River and looks real nice. I'll get the number and post again in a couple of minutes. Murray The correct name of this place is called Goat Mountain Get-A-Way. P.O.box 1166 Blairmore Alberta. T0K 0E0 Phone (403) 711-2430 (I'm not totally sure of the the phone number prefex) The rates I was quoted last year were as follows Peak time from June 15 to Sept 22. Weekday for 1 person $105.00 and 120.00 for 2 people. Weekends $135.00 and $150.00 Off peak times from Jan 2 to June 14 Weekdays for 1 person $85.00 and $100.00 for 2 people. Weekends for 1 person $100.00 and $115.00 for 2 people. Having said all that, I have never stayed there and have no connection to the place other than simply having driven by. Murray

I started to read this thread as a matter of interest to see if other people on this board have similar ideas as myself with regards to river etiquette. First off, let me say that I do float upwards of 10 or 15 times with my pontoon boat. In the last 5 or 6 years, i have passed litterally hundreds if not thousands of wading fishermen and ladies. Not once have I deliberatly encroached on anothers space. Notice I said deliberately. There have been the odd occasion when I have not noticed the people on shore, or when I am fighting a fish and actually trying to get to the shore, that I have drifted close to another angler. I only say this to point out that I am not completely innocent. As I scrolled down the various posts, it struck me that a lot of people that walk and wade are all for river ettiquette as long as it's the boating crowd that is giving way to them. I even read one post with veiled threats of throwing rocks or deliberately casting at the boaters. That didn't sound all that courteous to me. Granted the one guy that said it was time to start packing rocks qualifyed his statement with a (ha ha just kidding). I know of no quicker way to start a war than having people throwing things at each other. It seems to me that river ettiquette works (or should work)both ways. It's simply a matter of respect for each other. My default position is to respect everyone until it is proven that that respect is not warranted.