bloom

Different type. For that style of wet fly, look for a hackle that is really webby...it should be more soft. Yours looks a little too stiff, more of a hackle that would be suitable for a dry fly. The webbier hackle moves more in the water and gives the fly more life. I would also try less wraps...maybe 4. Good start.

Tie some flies on Jig Heads. There's lots of styles and colours and you can make some great bunny flies from them. Use a 10' leader and you'll get down.

You taking the boat, or looking for some walk and wade spots. Give me a call and I get let you know some places with good access.

Go with a 4wt...it's good to jump 2wt's with every rod. Head down to FishTales and see what they got in that price range. Cast as many as possible to see what works for you.

Nice stuff...brings back lots of good memories of my trip a few weeks ago. A lot of the same observations...great people. Saw that most of the fishing was on type III lines and leeches or minnows. The fisherman don't seem to like the 'bobber' set up, even though the fish did.

I like staying at the Best Canadian Inn in Blairmore. Not really roughing it, but after being on the water for 12+ hours, a hot shower, good bed, and a good breakfast go a long way. Also stayed at the Kozy Kabins on the Ab BC border, and the hostel at Castle Mt. Both are good also. Take a look at some B & B's...there's some good ones.

I use a 5 wt Rio Grand (~5.5 wt) on my wind warrior 1005 and find it balances it well for my lake fishing.

There also seems to be developing a 'top water' fishery at Twin in Fall. Apparently they are tossing poppers, etc (anything that floats and pushes a lot of water) into the reed beds and strip them back fast. The Tigers will explode out of the water for them.

Yup, that's the only way I know...United States Postal Service. No brookerage, but sometimes GST. I don't order from US now unless it comes USPS>

Tigers spawn in the fall, so you will get some variance depending on the time of year. I found the females to be bland and dull...as you can see in the one I'm holding above the boat. The males though are darker greens, with much more markings on them. The males will get the spawning colours as Fall gets closer. They have master angler awards for trout over 20'' in Manitoba. Tigers aren't on the list yet though. And if you fish Twin lakes regularly, you should have no problem landing a Tiger over 20''.

I use a perfection loop with slick shooter and a little knot sense on the loop for my own mental well being.

Actually they jumped and fought very well. Much closer to a rainbow in their fighting ability, than a brown or brook. Weird...but I was definitely surprised by the fight. They were all very 'healthy'.

Didn't get a lot of quality pics, as my best fishing turned out to be when I was by myself. I finally went back to my old leech under indicator system and thats when it got good. I shouldn't have done all the reading about how Tigers are minnow eaters. The other thing I finally clued into was that they were really structure orientated...there was fish all over...but lots around beaver dams, sunken logs, etc. Monger, I guess the fish over there knew I had confidence in it, and rewarded me for that. I tried other patterns below it (chironomids, pumpkin head, etc), but finally clipped the bottom fly off after 4 or 5 fish. Here's a few more

Spent the weekend in the Parkland region of Manitoba...and you gotta go! Was out there helping with the Canadian Fly Fishing Championships but not competing...but did find some time to sneak in a little fishing. Only got to hit Twin Lakes for some Tiger trout, and they are some great fish. Fishing was good, and the size was phenomenal. For my last session fishing (1.5 hours), I landed 5 fish, with only one under 20''...largest being a fat 24'' female. Was able to meet a lot of good people and learned a lot about the lakes and the area. If you're looking for any specific info, let me know. If you get a chance to head out there...go for it, there's lots of great lakes.

Some good parts to it that are important (straight flouro for sink rate and sensitivity), and the right angle connection, but I see two big problems (as most have said): 1. Lack of ability to change depths. It's important to keep changing the indicator as depth changes. I wouldn't even do this for lakes when I don't change the depth as often. 2. The time to retie after a break off would be painful. I do a similar system, and I'm now trying out the new Indicator leaders from Rio. They're about 2' of heavy butt section which is quickly tapered to 3x which lasts for the next 8'. I usually use straight flouro for my leaders, but wanted to see how they help turning over the leader when indicator fishing on lakes.

Gotta love the Drake...seen some of the clips on thier website over the years, and heard a lot about it. Looking forward to the show.

The owner (Rick) is a good guy, but not sure if you has a 'store front' anymore. I believe he's been running it as mail order, or out of his house for the last couple of years.

Yup, definitely go into a shop to try some rods. Tell them what you want to use the rod for, and your price range. Then cast, and see what's best for you. Fish Tales is a great place to start.

I don't care how many big fish anyone's ever caught in thier life. A 30"+ trout is still a BIG fish and a highlight...congrats. Fish of a lifetime is right. Awesome.

Believe it's Pieroway you're thinking of.

Ha, forgot about that. Friggin cool. In the middle of nowhere, and first we were suprised to come across someone, then second, we actually knew the guy. Nothing better than sitting on a tailgate at the end of the day with 'pops' and a little bbq. Also seeing a pattern here with me and scotch...not sure if thats a good or bad thing

So much of this is perspective. I had a trip last winter on the Crow, where we arrived at Burmis and decided to head upstream (where almost everyone goes in the winter)...couple other cars there, so we knew we would be seeing people. There was a group there rigging up when we arrived, did the whole "how's it going" thing, but found them not too interested in talking...that's fine. The funny thing was though, as you could see them get quiet, and move a lot faster when they saw we were flyfishing too. We took our time and found the first run above the bridge open when we got there. Fished for a while, and then started moveing upstream. We finally ran into them a couple runs up, and the moment they saw us, you could see them reeling in and running upstream to beat us to the next pool. We just laughed and fished the pool they left. This actually happend a few more times that day, and it never really bothered us, but I'm betting it did them. We joked hopeing to see them around the next corner, so we could see their reaction. My buddy actually wanted to jump 3 or 4 runs ahead of them (which is totally fine etiquette in my books), but decided to just let it be. Was actually expecting to come on here the day after and see someone post a report about lack of etiquette from our group, and how we kept trying to poach their water even though they were there first. It's all about perspective. Sometimes we just need to relax, and put yourself in the other person's shoes. Just because you're heading up or down stream doesn't mean that you get first dibs. Sometimes people take 'etiquette' too far.

Fishing for sturgeon is big around Medicine Hat, and I've made a few trips my self. Doc, that is the first sturgeon I've heard of that has ever taken a fly...and I've done some checking. You're da man

That's awesome.

Heard lots of stories on people finding fly lines on the Campbell River in BC. All starts with a guy using his 6 wt catching pinks and ends when he hooks up with a Chinook and says "I think I can get him in". Almost as bad as when you say, "Here, hold my beer...watch this"