bighopper

bowbonehead, ----- Thanks for your comments. I agree with most of them, but have resorted to some of the rock pile areas since many of the usual places on the Bow have become much more crowded this year because of Covid conditions. Actually, many of these areas are wadeable, especially during the low water level periods since mid-September of this year. One example of a possible stairway design could be a simplified version of a stairway shown in the link below --- a secure, flood-resistant stairway constructed alongside a drift boat slide-ramp on a steep river canyon in Oregon https://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=217569

Recently, I've spent some time going back to some spots on the Bow that I haven't been to for over 8-10 years. Unfortunately, I've found that many of them are now much more difficult to access because of gigantic piles of very large, sometimes sharp and jagged, rocks and boulders used as flood control berms that extend down to river. Some of these are not only within city limits but also are several kilometers below city limits. I guess the City of Calgary has authorized these, but what about those far downstream of the city? I'm not the most agile person around, and getting down some spots without breaking something requires a lot of caution and sometimes even planting my wading staff in a secure rock crevice and sliding over trouble spots on my rear end. Was wondering if anything could be done to have existing and future "rock pile berms" retrofitted or constructed such that at least one area would allow easier access to the river ----such as a wide wooden plank with a rope to hang on to, or some stair-steps, or a narrow gravel trail, or something similar? Am not sure who else I could contact that might be interested in trying to improve these issues----River Users Alliance, or other organizations? Any suggestions?

If anyone is interested, Water Master (Big Sky Inflatables) in Stevensville, Montana is having a Black Friday Sale on for a few days with 20% off raft prices.

For streamer swinging, I recently have begun to use a 9ft 5wt Z-Axis rod with a short 11ft, 200g Rio Trout Max #2 shooting head with a 10 foot MOW tip attached. The Trout Max was attached to 30lb Rio Slick Shooter mono running line. One handed Spey casts of 50-65 ft or so are surprisingly easy. I no longer need room in back for the backcast, as was previously needed with a Teeny 200 sink tip. I also use a 12 foot Spey rod for streamers, but for the Bow I think that I'll be using mainly the 9ft rod with the Rio Trout Max from now on, as it is much lighter.

Broken Simms wading staff--Free to anyone who wants it. Took a spill on a wet slippery streamside grassy bank on the Deschutes R. this October. Top section of the staff broke in two near the locking eyelet hole that is close to the top of the staff. The lower 3 or 4 folding portions are OK. Possible that someone with welding skills might be able to repair it. It comes with a sheath, but not with the retractor and clip which I have transferred to a new staff that I purchased in the US. Let me know if you want it. I can leave it at my workplace for pick up.

There was a tippet test published a few years ago. Trouthunter came out on top. I ordered some and was happpy with it. See test results at http://www.yellowstoneangler.com/gear-review/tippet-shootout-seaguar-grandmax-trouthunter-orvis-mirage-riopowerflex-pline-dairiki-varivas-sa-climax-maxima-froghair-stoft-umpqua

CDone, Don't know if this would be helpful, but you might want to check out "Fishpond Sushi Roll" lfy holders. See http://www.caddisflyshop.com/fishpond-sushi-roll.html

I drove through Whitefish to get to the Kalispell last Friday, using the Roosville crossing. I chose this road as some days last week the Going to the Sun Road on the Carway route was reported to be closed closed or slow. (possibly due to fires). I overheard several people in Kalispell complaining that they had several problems on Friday using the Highway 2 Caraway route instead of the Roosville crossing. There were one or two delays of 3 to 5 minutes or so on my trip due to road construction near Whitefish, but otherwise conditions were good.

I have taken a walk and wade trip with each of them several years ago. Both are excellent guides that have a lot of useful knowledge to share. Don't know if both are still guiding this year.

It's OK. I've taken bear spray across the border several times at checkpoints in Montana and Idaho. Just be sure to tell them that you have bearspray and you are going fishing.

It was probably the Fishin' Hole at 3320 Sunridge Way NE.

Just an aside----there have been some days when there have been numerous party rafters, bikini hatches, and some Jet Skis below 22X. One day in particular several years ago during a heat wave of plus 31 to 32 C temperatures (I think it was during a September Labour Day Weekend), we had to park our drift boat several times in a stretch below Policeman's in order to avoid the constant ongoing raft and bikini traffic. There were even 4 or 5 law enforcement officer-types on jet skis going back and forth all over the place. In fact, they were the main problem since they seemed be mainly checking out all the bikini-occupied rafts, while leaving a trail of wake and noise going from one to another of these for interrogation and close-up views.

You might want to contact the Sports Medicine Clinic at the Univ. of Calgary for your collarbone problems. Their doctors and physiotherapists have seen and have treated thousands of injuries of all types as many of their patients are amateur and professional athletes. I have always received great treatment and advice there.

Wow! Great photos. The middle one is amazing! Thanks for sharing.

I would recommend a Ross Evolution LT, which is also sold by Cabela's. It is a nice reel, and has a lifetime guarantee. Mine got accidentally run over by a car and bent out of shape. I contacted Ross Reels and shipped it to them via FedEx ($18). Got the reel back within about 2 weeks in just about brand new condition, and return shipping via UPS was covered by Ross.

The image in Gaffer's post is just like the one I have used for an anchor. Works fine for my drift boat, at least in water that is not moving too fast.

Can anyone recommend a good computer repair technician or shop in Calgary for a Dell desktop that is out of warranty? Thanks.

Bearspray vs Guns The following information was presented recently by local bear expert Stephen Herrero: Bear Spray By AssociatedPress Sunday Mar. 25th, 2012 - 6:29pm Study: Bear spray tops guns in stopping grizzlies MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) -- A bear expert says a study has found that people using bear spray during grizzly bear encounters are injured far less often than people using firearms. University of Calgary's Steve Herrero tells the Missoulian that 98 percent of those who used bear spray walked away unharmed, and no people or bears died. He says 56 percent of those who used firearms were injured, and 61 percent of the bears died. The firearms study involved 269 incidents with 444 hunters. The bear spray study had 72 incidents with 175 people, though some of those might have been less dangerous encounters. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks bear manager Mike Madel says the results are pretty persuasive. The information was presented last week at the Fourth International Human-Bear Conflict Workshop in Missoula. ------ Information from: Missoulian AP-WF-03-25-12 2224GMT

Got this info in an email message from Alexandra Morton. Link to NY Times Article is below: Dear Wild Salmon People: The New York Times just published an article on test results from a coho salmon we found dead in the Fraser River. I am glad this got out, thank you to the New York Times, because I was not allowed to tell you. http://alexandramorton.typepad.com Alexandra Morton http://alexandramorton.typepad.com

Here is a link to a grizzly bear attack in Alaska just a few days ago. Luckily the victim survived. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/wjw-man...,0,271838.story

I visited the Bass Pro Shop in Las Vegas, which is actually connected to the Silverton Casino/Hotel. The fly fishing section seemed to be OK. The wall on one side was largely a giant glassed-in aquarium filled with an impressive population of large rainbow and brown trout. (I won some money at some casinos, so was able to buy a reel and line at the shop).

------------------------- I used to live in Portland many years ago, and there wasn't much caught in the Willamette in the area immediately around Portland (at least at that time), except for Spring Chinooks around March or April (mostly trolling or anchor fishing from boats with gear). Your best best might be the Sandy River which is only 10 to 20 miles away. There is a run of silver salmon around Sept-Nov, and seasonal runs of summer and winter steelhead. Also, the Deschutes River is about a 2 hour drive away from Portland and there is usually good summer and fall steelhead fishing there. You should check out the Welches Fly Shop website at flyfish@flyfishusa.com , or Google it, as they have lots of info on fly and Spey fishing, river reports, etc, as well as info on guided trips on the Sandy and the Deschutes. Also there are some rivers near the coast (about 90 minutes away), such as the Trask where large Fall Chinooks up to 60 lbs or so used to be caught on fly tackle in October and November (I don't know about current conditions). (I caught 53 and 34 lb Chinooks in the Trask one day several years ago on red yarn and eggs, before I was into fly fishing). You might also find some info about the Trask or other coastal rivers by contacting or phoning Jim Teeny , the developer of Teeny fly lines, located in the Portland area (Gresham, OR). (see his website, http://www.jimteeny.com/index.html)

Toolman, Thank you. I will be there on Sunday (I assume you meant Sunday). Don

Are there any openings left for the Sunday class at 9AM? If so, I would like to attend. Don F