bloom

I'm a bit biased, but I really like the product. Head on down to FishTales (sponsor here) and take a look at some rods. Amundson will also have a booth set up at the Fly Fishing Expo at the end of January, and you can see the rods and try them out at the casting pond there. I'll be there helping with the booth. My favourite rods in the line up are the wind warrior series, and the midge. What rod are you looking at...what wt...what are you looking to use it for (ie. mostly nymphing, lake fishing, etc) Let me know if you have any other questions.

Damn, your poker 'snack list' is pretty similar to mine. The only thing I sometimes add is pans of nachos and mushroom caps filled with bacon and crab.

Damn, that looks like a lake fish.

Ya know the Crow, Oldman and Bow are some fairly fertile streams that should be able to grow big brookies. How about we put some of those 'all head no bodies' brookies into a bucket and take some down. In a few years we would have an awesome brook trout fishery...guaranteed (might take a few buckets full though). (better put here so no one actually thinks I'm serious)

Actually Taco, thought this might be more up your alley...Bacon Stuffed Invasive

Felt...I don't buy all this didymo stuff. I know it's there but it seems a little like it's all a marketing thing right now for some companies. There's so many other things that transmit it, that banning felt won't make or break the situation. I'll even bet a beer or two that Simms will go back to making boots with felt soles again. That rubber crap doesn't do it for me.

I'm a sunglass junkie...used them all almost at one point...currently own Smith, Oakley, Serengeti, Bolle, old Action Optics and Maui Jim (All of them polarized). Favourite pair is the Maui Jim Stingray.

Just another bump...would be there if I was anywhere close to Lethbridge that night. Was there a couple years ago and it was a great night.

Mec for sure. Good price and they fit well.

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.

Nice pic.

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>

I like lighter rods, so I wouldn't go for anything over a 6wt for trout lakes or the bow....and I fish some private lakes where a fish over 10lbs is not uncommon. If you're unsure of the 3 or 4wt, check out the Amundson Midge at FishTales. It's a rod modelled after bamboo rods with two tips (a 3 and 4wt tip) and a moderate action. Use the 4 wt tip with a 4 wt line, and a 3wt with the 3 wt line. Lots of other applications, but simple put, you have two options depending on the creek.

OK, I'll say it before someone else does... "If your wife will only let you get 2 rods"....get a new wife. Seriously though, 6 wt for Bow and lakes, 4 wt for Crow, Stauffer, mountain streams etc. Going too light makes it tough to cast when the wind starts to blow some.

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