bloom

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.

$50 on 33

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

Must have missed my bid on the net, but that's ok...$110 on 10

$100 on 10

Rubber soles will not make it better, only worse. I have korkers and love them, but the ultimate boot for traction would be something with a sole completely covered in felt with studs. After that, the rubber soles with studs, or the korkers with felt and studs would come next (Korkers only has about 80% of their sole covered with felt due to the interchanging soles) Studs is the key here.

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"

Lets go $60 on 10. Can always add to the collection of Rushtons and Mobys.

Welcome Av...didnt' take you long to find your way over here.

Still a great song But that is one bad video.

For the Amundson, I like the Airflow Compact Scandi heads. I have both the 270 and 300 gr heads and use them both.

Yup, go the other way like Max is suggesting. In order to get your rod to load at close range, you will need a heavier line. Look at a 4 wt. I do the exact same thing on my 2 wt. At close distances and small streams, I use a GPX 3 wt DT. Cut the line in half and you have two lines. The other option of going with an aggressive front taper is not as good as an option as I listed above. Taking a line like an Outbound 3wt would get your rod to load up quicker, but the presentation would suffer. There's such a short front taper that it wouldn't present the small flies as nice.

Nice stuff, love the one with the brownie on your legs.

I like all of Gierach's stuff. Also big fan of Haig-Brown. Mostly because I love the history of the sport and have spent some time fishing his rivers.

Jeff, my wifes vehicle got broken into last Wednesday. First time anything like that has happened in our area. I got whatever you need for equipment until you get loaded back up. Got reels, lines and rods. Talk to you soon.

x2 Go to FishTales, try out a bunch of rods in your budget...and see what you like best. "But you also get a no questions asked lifetime guarantee with it, which means if your dog chews on it or you sit on it, it's free replacement." The TF warranty is actually $30 a section, even if you take it there yourself and avoid the shipping.