KnotLikely

For spotting fish I'd say bronze, blue in my opinion isn't the best for looking into the water. This is a good video on selecting lens colour. It's Costa specific but will get you set on the right path regardless of manufacturer you choose. Peter, the host of the video, is extremely knowledgeable and has fished the globe for nearly everything that swims.

I've been using Kaenon polarized yellow silver mirror glasses for years for local fishing and steelheading. I've just replaced them with new Costa's also in polarized yellow sunrise silver mirror, and they're even better in overcast low light which seems to happen more often than not when fishing up in Skeena country in the fall. I prefer a do-it-all type lens that passes a lot of light with great contrast, and these ones fit the bill for everything except for super bright days on the flats or ocean fishing, then I bring out the blue mirror Costa's. I've tried Oakley's, Smith, and Maui Jim's and always go back to Kaenon or Costa. The nice thing with Costa is that they really support the fishing community with more than a few token lens and frame combinations.

You also have the less expensive option of simply purchasing a single hand Skagit head for an existing rod like the OPST commando heads with floating or various sink tips. I have a 225 grain head that I'll often use on my 6wt Z-axis and it's great for the Bow. You can still do all your Skagit style casts in tight quarters (or just because you want to), and in general keep your fly in the water longer without having to false cast. You can bomb out big flies with long casts (especially with mono running line), actively strip or just swing; that said, I wouldn't say it's the best method for short line indicator nymphing. If you decide you like that style of casting/fishing then get yourself the appropriate sized two-handed rod for the job i.e. 8wt or beefy 7wt for BC steelhead, and most likely east coast Atlantics, 9wt or better for chinook , maybe even get addicted an get yourself a more traditional 15' 10wt. and throw some long bellys!

If you're going to be fishing the Skeena watershed I'd be looking for a rod that throws a 500 - 625 grain line. This may be a heavy 7, an 8 or an 8/9. Maybe it's just the crowd I fish with, but I rarely see anyone fishing lighter, unless it's dryfly time. The majority of people I've fished with from Canada, US, UK, Scandinavia etc. will end up with a rod in this range, Even the the guys from the UK with their 15' 10wt salmon rods, will end up using an '8 wt' before the end of the trip.

I have a few you might be interested in: Hardy Demon 13' 8wt G-Loomis Kispiox Dredger 8/9 Loop Opti 8124 Send me a PM if you're interested and let me know what you're fishing for, lines you're thinking about using and if you like slower or quicker rods. Thanks, Rob

Looks like a great setup for the Skeena system. I have a lighter trout setup you can try for the Bow.

There will be more than a few of us jealous of your time in the Terrace area! Was out there the beginning of September for my semi annual trip and it never disappoints. Shoot me a PM, I'd be happy to get out with you to practice some casts and swing some flies. As for tips, that would depend on what kind of water/flies/lines your using. What rod/reel/line combo did you end up getting?

An 8 wt two hander is a good all-round rod for the Skeena in September. I'm assuming you're lined with a skagit? MOW tips work well. You can use some of your 10' or 15' DC sink tips from your heavier single hand rods. You can also buy a bulk spool of T-14 and make your own tips ranging from 8, 10, 12 and 15'. (lots of good info on making tips and various steelhead rigs on the Deneki site). If I can, I prefer to use DC sink tips, usually a type 6 or 8, over T-tips as I think they cast easier. I'd say tip selection is more important than fly selection, so bring enough tips to get you down in various water conditions, and bring a few spares.

Totally agree. There are plenty of great 8 wt's in the 12 to just under 14' range that I think are ideal for the Skeena system, and available in all price ranges. The Death Star (TCX 7126) is a great rod and I think more of an 8wt than a 7. If you have the budget and want a great all-round rod that you won't out grow, will throw heavy tips and big flies, a mid belly and traditionals, look at a Burkheimer 8134...absolute beauty of a rod. A true 7wt can be too light, and a true 9wt too heavy. A rod that throws a skagit in the 540 - 570gr range is what I'd say is ideal to be able to throw any tip and fly combo for the conditions you might face in that region.

I quit using hackle on my prince nymphs years ago. When it comes to tying, If it catches use it! Patterns aren't set in stone, be creative, use what you have, don't me afraid to substitute, leave out or add! My only rules are tight wraps, good proportions and don't crowd the eye.

Very sad to hear. Upon first meeting him, Gord may have come accross as a 'Grumpy Old Man', but that was just a facade. While he may not be as well known as others in the local fly fishing scene, Gord is very much a part of the history of Bow River fly fishing, and one of the long serving local pioneers of our sport and passion. He had many great stories, knew, and fished with many of the legends. He was an authority on salt water fishing, and creator of many great fly patterns. From my conversations with him, I got the impression he could spend the rest of his days casting to permit, and If I had to guess, that'd be what he's doing right now.

Had this happen to a few guys I fished with on a recent trip to the Skeena, where they wouldn't allow the lines. I always check all my gear and pray it gets there when i do.

_

If you're referring to what I said, not sure how that's elitist? Maybe I should have clarified that I was speaking specifically about the Bow and smaller more vulnerable streams. - catch and release only Most people already practice this. - no bait If you're fishing catch and release, bait bans do alot to prevent post catch mortality. Again, most people already practice this. - single fly or lure There are plenty of juresdictions that already go single hook barbless(fly, plug, spinner, etc.). There's no arguing that a triple nymph rig will put the odds in your favour, but it will also increase the amount of foul hooked fish, fish hooked in the eye, etc. - single hook, one shank, no doubles or trebles. Pretty much the same as the above, but would eliminate the use of treble and double hooks and 3 sets of hooks on plugs, which if you're fishing catch and release aren't necessary. Single fly, and god forbid, no indicators on flowing waters would force many of us to become better anglers, not necessarily a bad thing for the fish or the angler. I didn't say to elimate indicators, just that if it happened, it would result in many of us becomming better anglers. I'm definitely NOT in favour of a classified system, or limiting rod days. Like I said, not sure how this is elitist. If you want to fish spinners, plugs, spoons on a spinning rod, go ahead, nymphs, classic wets, dries. bait casters, center pin, single, switch, double hander etc. take your pick.

It's not about making it easy to catch fish, it's about protecting a resource.

Single fly, and god forbid, no indicators on flowing waters would force many of us to become better anglers, not necessarily a bad thing for the fish or the angler.

I'd like to see - catch and release only - no bait - single fly or lure - single hook, one shank, no doubles or trebles.

I think the problem in the latter area is more a function of people, construction and development than dogs. Over a decade ago, there were just as many dogs there, and fewer of us, but there was also more difficult access. Now, there is easy access, and ample parking in that area, (yet people are so lazy, they not only drive and park as close to the bank as possible, they also drive up and down the bank). There has also been construction on and off in that area for a number of years, both of these causing infinitely more damage than a few dogs. That said, it's amazing how many people don't have the courtesy to pick up after their dogs. .....I blame it on Facebook, Twitter, and handing out trophies for last place!

You're sooo high

New licenses are now available on www.albertarelm.com.

I have a Hardy Demon with a number of spare spools. It's a great system if you have a number of rods and or line combinations as spools are only $25.00 ea. With the Demon spools you have to make sure you don't wind your backing on too tight or the spool will warp slightly making it difficult to get on or off the reel.

Other than discontinued items, I'm quite confident anything priced directly from Simms will be at MSRP, so unless the CAD$ goes way above par, there's not much of a threat to the local shops. Buy direct from Simms at MSRP: add shipping add duty if applicable to non 'Made in USA' items add GST add brokerage add delivery time add uncertainty as to fit Buy local at MSRP: add GST add confidence as to fit add water Even within the states, you might save on your applicable state taxes, though you'll still need to add shipping costs and delivery time. Like Kritofr mentioned the only time this changes is when Simms discontinues items and vendors aren't as quick to mark down their pricing. That's potentially the only time bargains are to be had, and local shops loose a larger percentage of sales to direct or online purchases.

As a not so great caster, I'm not a fan of mono type running lines. I'd rather be fishing than worrying about uncoiling. If you're out in BC, bump up to 30lb ridge, the sacrifice in distance won't affect fishability, might even enhance it as you'll have your fly in the water more. No matter what you're using, always ensure that your weekest point is closest to the fly. Fly's and tippet are way cheaper to loose than tips, shooting heads and running lines.

For dollar value, the TCX is a better deal as the Z-axis has been discontinued and can be picked up for near half the price of a new TCX; though, selection is starting to become limited. You might want to look at the Sage ONE that replaced the Z-axis. The TCX is fast, and the blank feels stiff. I would say the Z-axis is a more of a medium-fast rod with more feel throughout the blank. The Z-axis is a very versatile rod, and does everything quite well. Like I said, the TCX is very good at bombing streamers, but you'd have a hard time spending the entire day using it for nymphing. I haven't had a chance to cast the Sage ONE, but I'd recommend that you try it out as it would be a more fair trade in terms of dollar value for the new TCX.

In my opinion, it's a do one thing and do it very well kind of rod, but not very versatile. If you're looking for a rod to do it all, this isn't the one. If you're a better caster looking to bomb streamers with laser beam tight loops this would be a good choice of rod.