FlyFishingEMT

Haha ok so this got a little heated and yeah I didn't mean to stir the pot asking about anchor chains just thought there might be a few guys out there who use them. I guess I'll just give it a try and see how it works and if it doesn't work as good as my old Hyde issued anchor did then I'll pick up a new anchor.

So you use one? The guy that gave it to me says it stops the boat fast so I can't see how it could be worse than an anchor that leaves 30lb's of lead in the water or that is too light and drags excessively? Technically speaking wouldnt any anchor used during spawning season be a bad anchor?

I bought a Pieroway Element 9' 6wt last year and really like it. I haven't managed to break it yet so I can't offer up any warranty experience but what I will say about Pieroway Rod Company is this. When I first moved to Calgary a few years ago Brad from Pieroway volunteered to take me out for a walk and wade and taught me a lot about fishing the Bow. The whole day on the river he never tried to sell me anything instead just helped point me in the right direction with my casting and taught me a lot of techniques that would have taken me a long time to learn on my own. I personally believe they make a pretty solid product and do their part to promote fly fishing locally. I fish a Sage Launch 9' 6 weight and a Pieroway Element 9' 6 weight and I definitely favor the Pieroway. My Sage Launch caused me lots of problems last year. I had to send it for repair three times. First the reel seat broke and then I broke two blanks later in the year. One blank broke on a roll cast and one broke when I had a fish on. Each time the warranty work took between 4-6 weeks which is really annoying in peak season. I understand the Launch is not an expensive Sage rod but it's the most expensive rod I own and its the only one of my 6 rods I've ever broken. Anyhow I guess all I'm getting at is that I stand behind my Pieroway Element and I think it's a great rod for the money.

I just bought another drift boat down in Washington and the guy gave me an anchor chain which he claims works very well although I haven't gotten to try it out yet. It would be very simple to make and easy to adjust for the different river conditions throughout the year. Heres a link in case you haven't seen one. http://www.miriverworks.com/anchors.htm

since it has pedals do you have to register and insure it?

Do drift boats have serial numbers? I've looked everywhere on my Hyde and can't find one.

Thanks for all the good info guys. I put a deposit on a 2010 Lavro PFD 15' so I'll be going to get it soon. Now I just gotta find a new home for my Hyde.

Thanks Dutchie I appreciate it! That seems like it shouldn't be too hard. Maybe I'll take a tent in case I screw up and have to stay an extra day or two to sort things out.

I cant imagine it is that complicated of an affair. Would you hire a broker in Canada or the U.S? Every boat in Calgary to my knowledge came from the States at some point. I'm not aware of any local manufacturers? Might be something to consider though thanks for the advice.

Looking at a couple and haven't decided. Not buying a Clack or a Hyde though. I Would like to get into a Lavro but the newer models are hard to come by used so I might buy new direct from Lavro.

I'm looking at picking up a drift boat and trailer down in the States. Anyone know what I will need to do to bring it back across to Canada? I expect I will need two bill of sales for the boat and trailer but aside from that I am clueless. Some things I have read online say I need to pay tax, some say I will have to pay duty? I've also heard you need to have the trailer registered soon as it crosses the border? Anyhow just looking for some helpful info so I know what to expect before I make the trip to buy a boat. Also if anyone knows whether or not it makes a difference if the boat is new or used that would be helpful as well.

Awesome pictures and awesome fish. I've only saltwater fished once and I caught half a barracuda.

I run a 55lb cheap bass pro electric motor on my Hyde and it moves it pretty good even in heavy winds. I also bought the Hyde motor mount but I've never used it. If I was going to hook up a gas motor I think I would but just using an electric motor I don't think its worth the trouble. Be careful if you are venturing out onto big water. Drift boats and waves are not a good combination. I got caught in a storm out at crawling valley last year and it was pretty nerve racking trying to get back to shore through the white caps.

Very nice pictures Gary! That picture of the eagle is really neat.

FFC VS Joseph Kony?

When I was there this year the schools were using the launch for their field trips on the Bow.

In my Hyde I have bench seats in the front and middle which are awesome for over night trips and keeping things dry. My rear seat is on a post and I hate it. Fly line gets wrapped around it easily, it wobbles and always feels unstable. I think a pedestal or a cooler seat would be a good addition to any drift boat by comparison to a rear bench or post seat. The other thing I don't like about my boat is the rear Hyde knee brace is flimsy and feels cheap compared to the front knee brace. I think having a really solid mounted rear knee brace would make a big difference especially since all the beers will be under the rear seat.

I've heard although I have nothing to back this up the biggest one caught in Alberta was 108lb's. I know a guy who based on the length and girth measurements he took figures he caught one that was 98lb's in the SSR.

Caught this one in June.

Hey Jeff I'm from The Hat and I sturgeon fish whenever I get a chance if I'm down there. My recommendations would be go to the outdoorsman and pick up a couple jack or pickerel rigs 6oz weights and jumbo dew worms. I usually cut the worms in half or thirds for two reasons: 1. I'm cheap 2. Suckers,Walleye, Goldeye and Burbot are less likely to steal them off your hook. Sturgeon as far as I know don't really care because they are more attracted to the scent of the worm I think. The next step is you need to find a BIG deep back eddy and toss your bait out as far as you can or wherever you think its deepest. I've caught hundreds of them this way and sometimes 30 or more in a day between me and a friend or two. I only use worms now after experimenting with spam, roe, escargot, catfish pellets, minnows and leeches. None of these worked except salted minnows and leeches. I've caught lots on leeches, not so many on salted minnows and none of the sturgeon I caught with these were very big. I have only ever caught BIG sturgeon with worms. Hopefully this helps and gets you into some fish. Watch out for rattlers

Thanks a lot that is a great site. Same things Hyde sells but much cheaper!

Yeah it would be nice to see them before I spend $200 on a pair. If you have time sometime that would be great.

I emailed Premier Fly Fishing and those Oar Blades are $100 each compared to Hydes Magnum Oar blades which are $75. I would like to go with the Premiers but I have other things I need to order from Hyde so I don't know if I can justify the shipping costs on two separate orders.

Those do look pretty cool. I can't figure out how much they are or anything on their site it keeps sending me in circles. If the price is fair I might give them a try.

@NoTyFly - Bass Pro Oars are just a little too short I think. The shaft on most drift boat oars are about 9ft and Bass Pro only has oars up to 7.5ft unfortunately. @Gaffer - I'll let you know what I find out I really don't want to order the ones from Hyde but it may be the easiest option.