murray

Braden, I totally agree with Mr. Botangles, don't look at the brand name and cast as many different rods as you can get your hands on. A top end, expensive rod may not suit your casting style. Settle on the rod that feels best to you. Now, having said that, I have a 4 wt Orvis that you are welcome to try out. It's not for sale so I'm not trying to unload a rod on you but if you want to cast it, send me a note and we can work something out. Murray

leading up to my actual retirement date, I found I was very uneasy about how to fill in my days. I thought fishing would account for about half of the days while the odd project might account for the rest of my time. Boy, was that ever wrong. I think I've had the rod out about 10 times since the end of April. Filling in the rest of the time has been very easy. That snow storm took about 3 weeks of cleaning up and hauling away branches from my neighbours and friends that I hadn't really counted on. I guess you could call me an apprentice retiree. I think you have to learn how to slow down and do things for yourself. Quite a change from thinking about everyone else for the last 46 years. I bought my first fly rod in 1969 in Edmonton Sporting Goods, a fibreglass rod, reel and line combo for $20.00 all in. I had no clue as to how to fish it so for the next 40 years it just collected dust downstairs. I took it out a couple of years ago and compared it to my newer graphite rods. Man, what a difference. It felt like I was waving around a 9 ft. Frozen rope. The thing flexed from the Handel all the way to the tip. Rod technology has come a long way in the last 40 years. One benefit to being retired is that now I can go fishing on weekdays and leave the weekends to the crowds. It is a nice change. Murray

I've been a member of this Forum for several years now and have been curious about, Who you are, What do you do for a living and How did you come to be fishing the Bow or other waters around here. I'll start off by saying I recently retired from a 46 year career of working on communication towers. That career took me to every part of Canada except the Maritime provinces. The shortest tower was a 15 ft. Tower on top of a mountain and the tallest was over 1100 ft in Manitoba. I came to Calgary from Edmonton 35 years ago to work for Calgary Power( now Altalink). I started fly fishing the Bow 12 years ago through a program at work called the Wellness fund. That program paid for my lessons and a few rods.

Most of the lakes have good access from shore. I guess it depends on the species of fish you're after. For trout, try chain lake, Dewits pond by Airdrie, kanasakis Lake. For pike, any of the irrigation lakeshave good fishing from shore. Try the Glenmore Reservoir, Chestermere lake,gull lake, Sylvan lake, lake Newell, Pine Coulee. Really, there is no end to the pike lakes around here. If you are financially challenged and can't afford a boat, check ot some used pontoon boats. You can pick one up for a fairly reasonable price and it will open up a lot of options. Good luck Murray

I like it, think I'll give it a try. What sizes do you use? Murray

Al, is that a version of an ULTIMATE BOATMAN? It looks like a foam body coated with a lacquer of some kind. Murray

It's an easy tie but I can't claim the pattern, the original pattern was from a book I bought at Country Pleasures. I think it was called flys of Souther Alberta and South Eastern BC by Neil Jennings. The pattern was by a fellow that used to work there. His name was Darren. Over the years a couple of changes resulted in the fly I posted. I like it because I think it looks like a bug. The fish are the ultimate Judges though. Murray

Today,for the first time in my life I was a branch manager(Poplar Branches that is). Spent the entire day cutting, lifting and hauling branches from my neighbour and my front yard. About 1000 pounds and not even close to being done. My back is sore. Murray

Great idea Brent, I'll try that. Murray

Ok guys, here is a step by step that I had written the other day for Troutlover. I used a sinking line but a floating line should work just as well. Give it a try, what the heck, if it doesn't work for you you're just out a little bit of peacock herl. Ok, let's try this. Size 12 or 14 or 16 nymph hook Black or orange glass bead Two strands of pearl crystal flash or similar for the tail extending rearward about the hook gape width Next, tie on 1/8 inch midge flex, Summer Duck colour works best. This is the shell back to be stretched forward over the body material later. Tie in four strands of peacock herl at the shell back tie in point, wrap the herl around the tieing thread and wrap the herl forward to the bead head. Tie off the herl and remove the excess. Tie in black biot legs on each side, extending back to the end of the tail. Pull the midge flex forward and tie off and trim. The last step is to apply a small bead of Clear Cure Goo. Over the shell back and thread wraps. Activate the clear cure goo with a UV light. Murray

Sorry guys, just got in from a day of playing with snow, trees and Grand Daughters. The fly is really simple to tie. Yes, there is a bead on it. The first ones I tied had a tungsten bead, they are expensive and they stop the fly from moving naturally in the currents so I changed to a glass bead and sinking line. I'd be happy to post a step by step but I only type with one finger, so maybe tomorrow. In my opinion, two things make this fly so effective. The midge flex shell back in Summer Duck colour, and the poxy over top of the midge flex. I tie them in size 12, 14 and 16. All three sizes work well.

After reading this description I fear that I am on the verge of becoming a Curmudgeon, for sure I hang out with a couple. Murray

Thanks Rob, I always intend on using a floating version but the sinking one works so well that I just stay with it. One day I'll use a floating setup. Murray

The shell back is midge flex (summer duck colour) and then a bead of Clear Cure Goo activated with a UV light. Murray

Alright, I'm going to try upload a picture. Don't know if it will work but here goes.

Yeah, the Stamps certainly showed who should be in first place. The defence kept Edmonton off the board. I was at the game and enjoyed it. I didn't even know Fred Stamps was out, as you can tell by my post. If Mike Reilly and Fred Stamps play next game, it should be a better game, closer anyway. This game made me think the Eskimos are a better team than last few years but not quite there yet. Murray

I mean Fred Stamps of the Eskimos. Going to be a great game. Murray

I would also add that that rule is designed to get people to actively participate in the Forum rather than simply sit back and get information from the regular posters. Murray

About 5 years ago, I picked up a base plate for my vise at Bass Pro in the States. It might be worth the drive out to Crossiron Mills. Murray

Great tip Lornce. Murray

There is no getting around it, fly tieing can create a lot of mess. To make cleanup easier, I take a strip of 2" wide masking tape, invert it so that the sticky side is face up. Bend the ends over and stick it to your desk. As you trim various bits of feather, thread etc. just stick it to the tape. At the end of your tieing session, just discard the tape. Murray

Send me a note, are you able to go for a fully day mid week? Murray

They have rental rods, I forget if they were spin cast or spinning rods but they were a complete set up with one lure on each rod. I think it was $5.00 for the rod rental. Adults can also fish there but need a fishing licence. Kids under 16 do not need a licence but if they are too young to hold the rod, the adult with them needs a licence. Murray

They do have rental rods at the fish hatchery but not fly rods. For $5.00 you can rent a spinning rod c/w lure. Murray

Your heads up to us is a very good thing. Much appreciated. Like the others have said, report it, they have cars up and down all the roads and with your description, they might very well find this guy. You will have done us all a favour. Murray