bloom

Seen that often on the Crow, but only with whitefish. It's not uncommon for them to use you as a current break.

Thanks, I'd be delighted to meet Big Earl. Just let me know when and where.

The SA reels are nice, but go up to the system 2 reels. The System 2L 4/5 should work good. The drags are great and they're lightweight. Used them for a while. I've owned 4 different SA reels, and the system 2 series is a great bang for your buck. Stay away from the lower end ones. I started with the System one 5/6 and blew the drag out on 3 or 4 different spools.

The girls have their own spinning rods that we set up just like a fly rod (indicator above a fly). This has been working better as the rods are only 3' and 5' long. They have fought the odd fish on my 9' fly rod, but I need to reel for them as they need 2 hands to handle that long of a rod. We're planning on building my 6 year old a 6'6'' 4 wt this winter. She's already picked out the blank and wraps. Most lakes go in cycles, and most of us knew at the time that consistent fishing for 20''+ fish wouldn't be the norm (and we did enjoy it while it lasted). The original fish grew so big, so fast due to that stocking having no competition in a barren lake. Future stockings didn't have the same growth rate. I think both stocking and harvest have played a role. The goal never was to create a lake with 26'' fish in it. The lake came about due to all the other lakes in the area being meated out once it started to produce fish around 14''. Bullshead was meant to provide a consistent fishery. Before, everyone would fish one lake because word got out that it was producing big fish. It would soon be meated out, and then we'd have to wait a few more years for it to grow big fish again. Bullshead now always has big fish. We still caught more than enougth 20''+ fish this spring, and I expect to catch a few again this fall. The lake's not always friendly to everyone though. It's good that a lot of people still get skunked going out there (in fact about half the boats/groups last night did).

Nah, I'm actually a wimp...I scream like a little girl every time. My 6 year old usually tells me to calm down.

For two wets, I always tie the fist on as normal (improved cinch knot) but leave a tag end that is 12-16'' in length. To this tag end, I tie the second fly. It's tough to tie on the first one with such a long tag, but I've found that if you just hook the fly to something (ie. leg, eye of a guide, etc) it's easier to tie if it's anchored somewhere. I like how the first fly sits more perpendicular out from the line on this set up. I feel I get more hook ups than if I tie the tippet straight to the bend of the fly.

Just got in. I've spent a couple hours out there over the last couple of nights. Fishing has picked up again...really consistent, and there's more than a few 18''-19'' caught. I had my8 year old nephew out last night and he went 1 for 8 and I had my 6 and 4 year old out tonight. The 6 year old went 2 for 6 and the 4 year old just netted my fish. We only went straight out from the boat dock. Left the boat hooked up as I might head out tomorrow. Fishing is starting to pick up. Size is still down, but we'll be catching the odd 20+'' come fall. Same method as usual. Little leech (bloom leech) under indicator. Got to love it when 2 different boats ask a 6 year old what she using...and she outfished everyone but one!

What a gamer...now go find some fish.

I'm heading soon to the Elk, and the reports I've recieved are that it's fishing great right now. I usually have luck up that way with terrestrials, and my standard yellow foam humpy. The Fording is up that way and it's worth checking out.

love the caddis. The foam body ones are great for skating around on lakes!

Have the higher end wardell's bought them about 4 or 5 years ago. Put a lot of time in them, they're really worn, but still work good. About 4 or 5 spots with aquaseal, but that just adds to the look. Good fit and rugged. I have a pair of patagucci watermasters in the closet but still haven't bothered to retire the wardells yet.

Yup, flyslinger nailed it. 50 years ago on the Campbell River steelheading with Roderick Haig Brown. Spend the morning at lower Island Pool, and then walk back down stream to the Sandy Pool, and then finish the day off right off his door step at the Line Fence Pool. Also, anywhere my two daughters want to go!

HIS SHOES POPPED OFF! Holy crap...what on earth were those med guys doing letting him walk off on his own free will.

Nice looking fly...good work.

Yah, I've heard of people using the old thermometer and a string method to find the thermocline. They would keep dropping it down and taking temp readings every few feet. Now if someone could make a fish finder with that feature on it...

come on, what's a thousand feet They were probably comparing the tallest hill in Cypress to the town site or something like that

Haven't ever come across any of this data. I've spend my last two summers on the Island, and this morning was my first trip there since mid June. I don't hit Bullshead during the summer a lot, but I may have to start packing a thermometer and some string with me when I go. Bullshead is very close to being 'in the mountains' (people keep telling me that the Cypress Hills is close in elevation to Banff) and I would be surprised if it ever reached 80 degrees. The lake is one of the biggest and deepest potholes around, so it will be the last to 'summerkill'...problem is though that it also contains the biggest fish which are likely more susceptible. And it's been stickin' hot here in July.

Anything along the line of alternative or older punk. I've been getting into books and podcasts lately though. There's some good flyfishing pod casts out there and I really like the books for the LONG trips. Funny thing is though, no matter what it is, it instinctively goes off whenever the lake/stream is in view....it's like it's time to start focusing.

Fished Bullshead early this morning. Weeds are good for this time of year and there's lots of water over 20'. Didn't see any dead fish. Did well, but size was down (nothing over 16'') No surprise though for late July. Probably won't hit it again until late August.

Terry at Fishtales is a great guy to fish with.

Speyside whisky, now you're talking. I've just been getting into this Scotch thing and it's getting scary...sort of like starting to flyfish again. Good thing the wife thinks that a good bottle of scotch is only $20-$30. Just like my fly rods are only around $100 Right now, my favourite scotch is a Speyside, Macallan 12yr. Tried a few others and they're OK too (Glenlivet and Glenfiddich). Next on the list may be a Longmorn 15. How is it? How about ditching some of those staffs and replacing it with some scotch

Sorry, but I'm a believer in the mortality being higher than most think. I'll see if I can find one of the studies floating out there. Just because a fish swims away doesn't mean it survives. That being said though, this is a blood sport, but you do what you can to limit your impact when you handle fish. Fish as long as you want!

Yup, the fly tying and the Montana (Rocky Mountains) sections there are one of the best. The Western Canada ones a little dead though

All GREAT pics, but hands down Reg's of the fish taking the fly in the lake is the BEST. In fact, one of the best I've seen anywhere.

Drove by Bullshead today. Looks like the tail end of an algae bloom and the lake is at 100% capacity (full). Good to see.