rhuseby

Nearly all saltwater fly hooks have straight eyes, and holding power is really important there. I suspect that it really doesn't make much difference except in appearance. Has anyone seen any sort of scientific study on this?

Thanks for the suggestions. It looks like I'll have to take close looks at both the Canon and Panasonic. Tough may be the deciding quality because I do use gear pretty hard. Thanks again for all the advice.

I've just gotten back from BC and had a total brain faet that resulted in my camera disappearing into the rocks of a breakwater out at Tofino, finishing with a faint splash. only about 140 photos went with it. At any rate, for you camera gurus, what would you recommend for a replacement? I am not a full-on photo guy, so I want a pocket type that will take good photos within it's limitation, as well as video. Te video does not have to be high quality. Just the sort of thing that will record kids screaming as they fight a big fish, etc. I'm hoping to keep costs under $300-350. Any suggestions.

You can fish dries just fine on a 7 wt. I've used a 7 as my primary rod for years, because it makes changing tactics easy. You can fish dries down to size 18 easily, double nymph rigs and 4-6 inch streamers if want to chase something like pike. It's your choice but if you really only have room for one rod, a 7 will do it.

No matter how small and sensitive your indicator is, there times when a fish will suck in the nymph without making any sign. I have watched a brookie suck in a nymph only 16" from a small yarn indicator and not cause a visible quiver in it. All you can do is watch the hopper closely and strike at the slightest movement or slowing. You'll have a lot of false strikes but you will likely pickup some extra fish.

Medium to meium fast action rods like the Signature require a slower stroke than the very powerful fast action rods. I have a signature 5 wt and casting it is very different from casting my Crosscurrent GLX saltwater rods. A good basic line that works fine on the Signature is the Cortland 444SL. It's less expensive than many lines, casts well and is durable. It will not reach as far as many other lines, but for most applications, distance is less important than control and the 444 will cetrtainly let you do that.

Get out there. I fish alone about 90% of the time, including up in the mountains, much of my mountaineering was done solo (not on glaciers, however), and almost all of my sheep and elk hunting was done solo. My knees are pretty much shot now so I don't go into the rough country except to fish. Alan2 pretty much nailed it. If you have experience, you're safer out there than on the drive to the water. Just remember to evaluate every tricky spot and be prepared to change your route or plans on occasion to get around really hazardous spots.

Boo, hiss. How did you find my secret stream? It is a great little spot isn't it. Population is down numbers wise this year, but the average size is better, as you noticed.

Yes Junior. A 7 wt is my standard Bow rod. Just see the story of Kungfool's big bull to know why.

I had an interesting experience yesterday. I was out with a friend who's just getting into flyfishing. He had bought a TFO Axiom 6 wt. We were working on his casting and mending and he was having difficulty, so I let him use my TFO Ti for a while. He had no problem laying out 30-35 feet of line and a nymph rig, and making the mends necessary to keep things working. The difference is that the Ti has a noticeably softer action than the Axiom. He's going to pick up a 6 wt TFO Series 1 before his next trip. If you are out looking for a rod when you're inexperienced, or if you're advising someone on their first rod, it's a good idea to look at softer actions ( medium to medium-fast). The timing required to work them is much more forgiving than the fast actions like the Axiom, and less experienced casters will find them much easier to master. I told my friend to keep the Axiom, as in a year or two he'll be able to use it much more effectively in appropriate circumstances. Too often people will be sucked into the high performance rod trap and buy rods with actions that are not compatible with their skill level. Cast before you buy is a good rule, and one I religiously follow now. On a positive note, my friend landed two rockies and lost a couple of other fish, his first action ever on a fly stick.

Chota STL+ have felt soles with spots for studs and include a separate package of the studs. They work great on the Bow, really grip through the slime. Just be aware they have a nasty lack of traction on dry rock. Trade-offs.

I really like seeing the footage of the altenative species as well as the usual tarpon and bones. My daughter and I are planning to hit Cayo Coco for her high school grad present (no, I'm not telling you young guys the dates) and we want to catch some of those alternatives as well as the big 3. thanks for a nice video.

Alberta Fishing Guide has lots of info on both areas. Any trout rod will work for grayling, although most grayling in Alberta will be under 16", so you may enjoy using the lighter end of the trout rod spectrum.

I have used different reels on the same rod lots of times with no impact on the casting. You may find your hand feels best in a slightly different spot due to the balance change.

Caught a rainbow on the Highwood 25 years ago that had the loop of a snelled hook sticking out of his mouth. The fly had managed to slip right into that loop. Also a muskrat, two mallards (losing track of a caddis pattern at night on the Bow), one cutt and one brookie here in the city. Pretty normal stuff judging by everyone else.

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One consideration is how deep you regularly wade. Once you are over about mid-thigh a basket can become a pain in the butt. Once you are used to them, they can be very helpful in some situations. I only use mine on saltwater, and not all the time then, but it makes a big difference in line control at times.

Instead of worrying about which is best, hit the Flyfishing Exposition in January and cast some of the rods at those 15-35 foot distances you usually get on small streams. When you find one you like, bingo. Everyone has different casting mechanics and preferences, so you need to find what works for YOU.

And here I thought we didn't have any flying fish in Alberta.

I've worked a lot of Christmas eves and Christmas days. I'm working both this year. Dreaming about fishing past and present certainly helps pass the time if it's slow. Not to mention a little fish porn. And a Merry Christmas to all, and a very Happy New Year too.

Let's see, 35 years with a long rod. Berkley 6 wt (broke in screen door) Berkley 6 wt (stepped on while releasing a fish) Fenwick 5 wt (gave to a friend when I got the next rod) Golden West (Mike Maxwell) 10' 7wt (My only rod for 18 years) 4 wt Loomis 7 wt TFO (bought when the Golden West finally delaminated from being clousered) 5 wt TFO 8 wi TFO 8 wt Loomis CC GLX 10 wt Loomis CC GLX 10 wt Sage Xi2 The last four rods have been aquired for saltwater in the last 3 years. I'm obviously not a rod rat compared to some of the folks on the site.

There are times when fish will shy away from flashy flies, ie. those with a gold or silver bead. At times like these, a black bead will often produce.

That is some of the most assinine behavior I've heard of in a long time. I started with a spin rod and bait, and my kids still use primarily spin gear, although there is usually a fly attached these days. As long as you're following the regulations I could care less what method you use. I have been known to physically threaten people who acted like towards kids (and not just my own). Kids can be totally turned off for life by experiences like that, although most will get over it with some encouragement. I sincerely hope this idiot is reading all of these comments and crawls back under whatever rock he dared to drag himself out from under.

It's definitely desolate and it was a bit cool. Still sat around in shirtsleeves reading till after sundown. I've gotten to point that no matter where I go, I'm taking along some kind of fly rod and a few flies. There's nearly always something to catch, no matter where you go. Rickr I used the cartreuse and white clouser for about 90% of my fishing. Other flies catching fish were white deceivers with lots of flash, and 1/0 Crazy Charlies in olive and tan. The chartreuse clouser has taken almost every saltwater species I've landed, even when it hasn't been the most productive pattern. And yes, pacresel, it has caught more than a few freshwater fish as well.

Flyfishfairwx, it's a tent I got at Mountain Equipment Coop about 10 years ago. It's survived pissing rain in Tofino and Campbell River, lots of trips here with the kids and now Baja. A good little unit.