ArsenalFan

Sorry about the whiner of a post. I am just real frustrated. It used to be my FAVORITE thing in the whole world. I just can't get this monkey off the back.

Ah. Nice to return to the forum. It has been a few years. Anyhow......5 years ago I would catch at least a dozen fish a day on the Crowsnest, Bow and smaller streams. Huge browns on the dry, streamer. Tied my own flies, made my own rods. Spent countless late weeday evenings at Policemans chasing big boys on the dry. The last 3 years have been absolute *hit. That is how I see it. You don't go from feeling like you could guide to getting skunked on nearly every trip by chance. The rivers just are not fishing like they used to. I am going down to Montana this year and hope to relive the feeling I used to get nearly every time I hit our local waters. I can only hope this is just a cycle and that my beloved rivers will return to their former glory. I took up running now as I decided if I was going to spend 12 hours walking a river without a sniff, I may as well get some cardio. So my $ has went towards running gear and snowboarding equipment. Broke my 4 weigh 2 years ago on the Oldman (another skunkaroo) and never replaced it. Hell.....I even took my kid to Bow Habitat station 4 days after it opened and there wasn't a damn fish to be had. My love for fishing isn't what it used to be. Sad but true. They may not smell desperation but they must sense "pissed off."

No Copper. Your redneck ass is missing the point. Your whole pitch about discrimination is laughable and insensitive towards our Native population and forum posters. You sound like a Mitt Romney supporter who likes to crank the Ted Nugent on your vacation days away from the oilpatch.

A few Natives clubbing their legal limit doesn't bother me at all. I think some people need to take a Native studies course. Looks to me like they wanted to get em out and club them as fast as possible so they didn't suffer. I hope they filled their freezer. I deal with Natives all the time and they are the most honest people out there.

I think the point is that waders are marketed as "cool, warm, dry, durable" and thats how they can get away with charging $400 bucks a pair. So I think more than 10 outings would be reasonable. But as I mentioned, the new and improved Orvis waders are tough to beat with respect to quality and durability. I love them and will likley buy another pair. And I WILL NOT be sending my current waders back when they leak as I have enjoyed many days on the water. I sent the ones I mentioned (designed and sold before 2010) back as you should stay dry for more than 10-15 outings if your spending $400 bucks. I trust you concur. All the best!

I actually felt vindicated about all my complaints when Orvis posted this about their new waders: "All while a new five-layer fabric in lower leg increases abrasion and puncture resistance. Rear leg seams save wear and tear from legs rubbing together."

This has been a sensitive topic in the past. I can tell you that Orvis weighters used to be absolutely crap. This is no joke: I sent in at least 5 pairs of pro-guides (this was all before 2010). My wife put on a brand new pair of cheaper version, stepped into the Missouri (first time ever used) and leaked within 5 miutes. No joke. Pro guides would leak within 10 trips. The problem was that the seam was on the inside of the leg - it would rub and deteriorate if you were a walk and wade fisherman. The "pro guides" never had a complaint as they were in a boat most of the time. To make a long story short, I am now on my third year with the newly improved pro guides which do not have the seam on the inside of the leg. They seem to be holding up really well. Orvis has a no hassle guarantee and will take your waders back and replace every time. This is the reason I continue to shop at Orvis and their affiliates. Their warranty is second to none. The fella who told you they were too old is full of crap. Send them in and get a new pair. Their reels and everything else are incredible. I call a spade a spade.

Lost my net on the river tonight and was wondering the pros and cons of using a net. i mainly fish the Bow and Crowsnest. Should I just get one of those ketchum release tools and forget buying another net?

Brian is the bomb. If it wasn't for him I would never have learned how to fish. My first experience was 28 fish in 1 day. Nuff said. I am glad to see he is still guiding. Always a blast to fish with. Darren.