rhuseby

It's interesting that most of the tiers here seem to prefer the higher end hooks. For over 95% of my tying I use good old Mustads. I do have some break while pinching barbs, and they need to be sharpened, but I find they are almost no breaks or bends while fishing. Also considering the way I go through flies, expense counts for me. I am not denying that the expensive hooks are wondeful products for the most part, but I will stick to the tried and true.

Okay, I've got to figure out to post a photo here. I got a red Octopus on a fly at Campbell River last fall, and have a photo.

Life doesn't always find a way. There were no fish in Twin Lakes prior to trout being stocked, and there were millenia for fish to naturally occur. The same is true for many other water bodies with fish bearing capability in this province. If there is no existing or previous natural corridor for fish migration, natural populations are unlikely. Perhaps we should look at BCs approach. If illegally intorduced fish are found in stocked water bodies, ALL angling is prohibited till rehabilitation is complete. This may punish the innocent, but it does ensure that the perps have no opportunity to blend with other anglers while catching their imports. Just a thought to provoke some discussion.

So, don't use tippet heavier than 20 lb!!!!! I don't want to be holding on when one of those lets loose. But please let me hook a fish big enough to do it.

Nice to see some redtailed surfperch shots. They pull as hard as anything for their size, a major hoot on the flyrod. What resort were you at?

Proof that you should take a rod with you everywhere you go. Good job.

Pretty good video. My daughter really liked it too. I have finally discovered a reason to go to Ontario, ie the gar.

Best tip of all. Find the right woman, my girl lives 1200 km away. Smuggling, no problem.

I haven't been to the Bahamas, but one thing I've learned over the years. ALWAYS take a rod and some flies when travelling. Sure you may not catch any glory fish like bones or permit. Who gives a rat? There will be something swimming around that will swat a well-presented fly. Take a few clousers, deceivers, and some crazy charlie types and fish right out front of the resort. Try all the different types of water you can find and watch for any sign of fish. Also, talk to any of the locals you can. You'll be surprised at guys that don't fish themselves but have a buddy so they know a fair bit, and they usually aren't very secretive. Have fun, and let us know how it goes.

Most fish and wildlife and conservation officers use a basic rule of thumb. You don't have to check flyfishers. Stop and think, how many fly types have you seen committing violations? Sad but true, the vast majority of violators are using spin gear. Lots of times I've seen and talked to officers who had checked several miles of river by walking and using binoculars, and only the violators have been talked to. And when somebody in the bottom of the Sheep River canyon gets hit for using bait, they know they aren't safe anywhere.

Baja (this coming October), the Amazon, Guinea Bisseau in the salt, Coral Sea off Auatralia, Cape Cod in June and September, Victoria Island for arctic char (where my dad fished 30 years ago), Cuba, the Queen Charlottes, every gamefish species in Alberta, 150 life total species. I won't get to do all of them at my age, but it'll sure keep me trying.

Now I can feel like a successful dad. My daughter shot her first buck on Saturday. Nice little 4x5 whitetail. Now I just have to a) get my son his first one, and get some damned meat in the freezer myself. Times running out fast for these shananigans.

I'm in the old school. Screw the gloves, man up and fish. I knew all those years of ice climbing were good for something. And yes, I'm past 50, so my blood goes around about once a month.

There may be some of you guys that remember reading a book by Steve Herroro "Bear Attacks - Their causes and avoidance" back in the early 80s. Steve was a prof at U of C. A very simplified summary of the book is that attacks by black bears are almost certainly predatory in nature and you MUST fight like hell. Most grizzly attacks are defensive, protecting cubs or a food source and playing dead is the most successful stategy. However, if a griz attack persists more than a few seconds or if it involves entering a camp, it is likely predatory and fighting is most appropriate. Now, are we calm enough to identify species and select strategies? The loaded question. One other point on bear spray. Extensive study had shown that it has an effective deterrence rate of 90-95%, similar to the pepper spray carried by police and used on humans. That's good odds, but it does mean that about 1 bear in 10 or 20 will be sufficiently motivated to ignore the spray and come for a visit. Fortunately not many people will have more than one close encounter in their life.

Young and dumb and gonna live forever.

Could you hear any crunching during the dinner? I've watched dragonflies eating a couple of times and it's amazing how loud the crunching sound is. Wonderful shots.

I don't know about the guides, being well down on the broke end of life, but Grice bay will give you a decent chance at sea run cutts and coho. Without a boat, you will only be able to fish from the boat launch area, but you will stand a good chance of fish every time. Fish the ebb tide, especially the bottom half, and use pink flies ( I say again, use PINK flies). Spent 5 days in Tofino last September and got fish at Grice every day. Also try fishing from rocks where they butt onto sand beaches. Use a fast sinking head and smallish flies (2-3 inches long) in red or chartreuse to get some surf perch. Hard fighters and cooperative. Have a hoot. It's a great area.

Excellent eating. Better than trout in my opinion. Blackened with cajun spice or chili powder is another option.

Why do you want 4 piece rods? Unless you're planning on flying to some destination, and who doesn't want to, a 2 piece no disadvantage. Maybe if you drive a mini car? I've found that I always get some rotation in the joint between the butt and second sections of a 4 piece while casting. You just have to move it every so often, but it never happens on a 2 piece. A minor peeve of mine.

One treble hook, with three points, is one hook. A lure can have 3 hooks, treble or single, on it. You will never get busted in Alberta fishing a plug with three trebles on it. The other discussions about hook damage, tangling, etc. are all valid. Check your regs carefully in BC though, because trebles are prohibited on many waters.

Be cautious with flares. It's not as bad thhis year, but they have started a few fires when they land in the bush! Besides, how much stuff can you carry and get into action in 5 seconds or less.

Westwinds is where I spend the most time. I've been in most of the others except for Hanson's and have found all of them helpful and good service. I stay out of downtown so I've never been in Hanson's.

I've fished it a few times over the years, always coming home from Kananaskis Lakes. It hasn't been great fishing, but I've always gotten some action. Biggest ones have only been about 12 inches, but there may be some bigger holdovers. Usual chironomids, leeches, and Dr. Spratleys have taken fish.

I was up there on Wedndesday and Thursday. The North Saskatchewan was not really high but very dirty, and all of the tributaries to it and the Red Deer that I fished or looked at were high and coloured, including Stauffer, Raven, Shunda,etc. However, a lot of the stream flow guages on Alberta Environments web site have dropped considerably the last couple of days. You can probably get into some fish somewhere, and there are always some of the lakes as last resort.

There are some shallow beaverdams at the west end of Vermillion Lakes that always have some brookies willing to dance. Just another possibility.