H2O

No saw, just a small axe and some well placed karate kicks

I'm stuck at home today because I"m on-call while everyone else is probably out walking the Bow. But reminiscing is fun, so here is a couple of mine from last spring:

Back home we call it a "Nor Easter". The good part was you had school off for a couple of days. The bad part was you had to spend the first day digging for the family vehicle.

Ok, so I've teamed up with a Jedi master. 500.00 on #9 for Yodatrout & I.

How about Keith's? Everything from the Maritimes is better. Well, we can figure that out I'm sure. Give me a call sometime.

Very funny Brian, that was the Bitterroot river, but ya, not a great idea. I've floated the Missouri only about a half dozen times but can tell you that early May would be a great time to go. There are no crowds at that time of year. You may get some awesome dry fly fishing to large pods of sipping trout. The river below Craig has it's flow rate regulated by the dam at Holter. If your down there early enough in May you be able to still see the schools of large Rainbows up at Holter Lake above the dam. The great part about the Missouri @ Craig is there is a road on both sides of the river all the way up to the dam which allows for some easy walk and wade access. There is a nice pub in Craig and within walking distance to the campground, river, fly shops. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Once you get into Craig you could head to the "Trout Shop", you will be able to get some the river report and pick up some hot flies. The owner loves Canadian beer you can't get in Montana, maybe you could bribe him for some secrets. Hopefully, I can make it down there this May too. Good luck.

Your giving up already? I'll split it with someone else who wants to go too.

We're a low cost carrier Brent.

Two against one, no fair. You two suck, 425.00.

You bet, born and raised. Ha, what kind of geek are you, engineer geek right?

Ya, what he said, here are some pics from that trip: http://www.flyfishingthebow.com/Fortresslake.htm

I'd love to float the reserve section. I'll go 375.00.

Hmm, do you think they'll have any jet boats?

I've got a boat. But, I've already got an extremely reliable service. What are you going to do about April, May, June and September & October while your in school? You'd have to come out with a pretty reliable long term service in order for me to get my keys returned and alienate the other company.

A convicted felon?

If you decide on the heli trip to Michel get the helicopter pilot to drop you off above the falls at the upper lake and setup up there with your tent, the view makes it well worth the short hike down to the 2nd lake. This is where I took this picture in August: An amazingly beautiful place that I would love to (and will) go back to.

Had I known you were there I would have.

Great to meet you Courtney, see you in March!

I don't think claims of durability are anything new in the fly line industry. Back in the 80's when I used the Cortland 444 and Lazer lines I've returned a couple of lines to Cortland after a couple of years of use when they cracked sooner than I expected, they were always replaced free of charge. Funny thing is though, back then it never occurred to me that I needed to cast 80+ feet to catch a trout.

Great, thanks for your help guys! I'm tying them for an Xtreme Wilderness trip we've got booked for June 29th in Alaska for King Salmon. Not sure if they have the single barbless hook rule there but since the leftovers will be used in B.C. that's the way I'll go. I really like the idea of being able to swap the hook out if one bends out, that seems to happen to me a lot with salmon. You bet, rabbit strip patterns.

Keith's for breakfast eh Rob? A true Islander. I remember when I was only 13-14 and Keith's was a luxury, could only afford Rich back then.

Interesting Al, but apparently I've been living in a cave, what's a split ring and where do I buy them? I think I saw one of Max's articulates at Fishtales, looked very nice. I'm looking to tye some for salmon fishing, is that what you use them for?

A friend of mine who doesn't fly fish still has his late father's gear. I took a look through it and found these: My friend grew up in Calgary so I guess the sanjuan has been around for quite some time. I'm thinking this is from the 70's? Any you Calgarians remember Kling's Bugs? Too bad leaders weren't still 39 cents. But 0X was only 6lb test? There were also a couple of gigantic fly rods, I will assume that these are spey rods as this man did a lot of salmon fishing in B.C. as well.

Thanks guys, that's great news with Policemen's! Ya, under the bridge. So, I wonder what will happen with the launch? The circle road around from the ramp is all dug up now.

Glad you see the humor in that Taco Nothing wrong with nostalgic, I'd have one myself if I could afford it.