rhuseby

The issue of bull trout redds is not as bad as you are concerned about, because the main spawning areas for redds, in Kanaskis Country streams at least, are all permanently closed. These include Storm Creek in the Highwood, upstream of Gorge Creek on the Sheep, and the stretch between Canyon Creek and Elbow falls on the Elbow. You may are likely to encounter some redds in other areas, but they will be somewhat scattered and the lighter gravel will be fairly obvious. If you are thinking of getting into the water, try to look in from an elevated vantage point, and then the redds stand out quite well.

My experience on the Bow isn't as extensive as a lot of guys on the forum, but my basic rule is that nymphing, I work up. Streamers I work down swinging the fly. I will make at least 10-15 drifts with a nymph, working out about 1-2 feet each succeeding cast. If I don't get a hit, I move up about 15-20 feet and stat over. Swinging the fly, I make a cast, swing it, take a step and cast again. Swinging is a much faster method of covering water for me, so if I'm not sure where I may find fish, I'll often start with it and see what kind of water the fish may be laying in. Then I can nymph similar stretchs the rest of the day. I don't own a boat of any kind so I've just kind of evolved some tactics that work for me. Good luck.

I don't have any knowledge of the newer Battenkills, but my old Mk V is over 25 years old and still going strong. The drag has never been great, but a little palming takes care of any problems. Otherwise, indestrucible.

There's no fish in Crimson itself, but you'll be right in the middle of some of the best fishing in Alberta. Shunda is an hour away, Stauffer is about 45 minutes, the Baptiste is 30 minutes, Prairie, North Ram, Blackstone, even the North Saskatchewan itself. On the Norst Sask, there are a couple of good holes in the historic site park, for big rockies and smallto medium browns. There are a couple of eddies north of the park that have always produced pike up to 10 lbs as well. The best places for flyrodding are Shunda and the Baptiste, browns in Shunda and brookies in Baptiste. If you want the familiy members to get some fish though, just go down the road to Twin Lake, 5 minutes back towards Hwy 11 and fish for rainbows. I believe they have built a fishing dock along the north shore, and there are lots of places around the shoreline you can fish from with spinning gear. I spent 3 years working around Rocky and it is the absolute heart of brown trout fishing in this province. Sneak away for an afternoon and hit Shunda for sure, smallish dry fly about 14-16 and you'll get some browns for yourself. I envy you.

Gear's in the car almost year round. Take out between trips whn the weather's freezing so that the boots aren't frost damaged. Never a break in so far.

Hey Taco, you mean like "8 shots and the buffalo kept coming". That is a damn fine video I would say. Shows just how tough African game is and why it is. Can you imagine an elk surviving that, taking nothing away from elk for toughness.

As I understood the train situation, the rainbow stock being carried was from the McLeod River in northern California. It has a mixed population of resident rainbow and steelhead, and there were fingerlings from both parent stocks in the batch. Does that match your information, McLennan? (Jim, I presume)

One possibility to consider is the Calgary Hook and Hackle Club. As part of their regular meetings they have beginner fly tying sessions after the business portion. Visitors are welcome to drop by for a meeting and see what the clubs all about, which is how I became aware of that fact. They also have a decent library of books and vidos for members to borrow. Others guys will no doubt know people who can put you in touch with some guys who run courses. If you want, I might be able to help you out. Send me a pm if you want to try and get together.

Am I asleep? Am I at work? Do I have the kids? If all three answers are no, it's time to fish. That said, my basic experience is that the most productive time for fishing is generally from about 0900 to 1300. Lots of exceptions, but over the year that seems to be consistently the best for me.

Pipestone. I don't have a clue about the origin of your rod. Like a lot of new technologies, when fiberglass started to beome widespread in the 50's a whole pile of small manufacturers sprang up, and large corporations would set up a little side operation to see if they could make a profit. Some of the real tackle geeks might be able to id it for you. You should be able to use the rod safely though. Just be really carefull not to rap it against anything since a lot of older rods didn't have any lateral strength in the weave. The fiberglass rods I've used all have a fairly soft action which makes it hard to get a lot of distance, but they tend to make really nice deliveries on short to medium range casts. Have fun with the old girl and treat her nice.

Bought my first flyrod in 76 just before I went to Great Bear Lake as a guide. First few times using it, I went to Stauffer Creek, talk about the wrong kindergarten. Used it almost exclusively since then. Hey Don, I remember running into guys with rods from you in the early 80's, when did you start selling them?

Good luck. Hope you're in the water asap.

I just feel sorry for the poor guy who nails him with a car when he's on the wrong side of the road.

I've had 2 pair of the cheaper Wardells. The first ones had about 120 days on them, and the current ones are getting near 150. I'm hard on my waders, in and out of canyons, crawling on knees, bush-whacking, riding a mountain bike with them to save carrying extra stuff (no one's ever accused me of being smart, just lazy). Once in a while I curse them for being flimsy and then I stop and think about what I do to them. I've never owned a pair of the high end breathables by any maker, so I don't have a direct comparison. One thing I do know, don't walk into barb wire fences.

Donnamatrix. Just trying to be nice to the guy with five rigs, maybe he's getting out his friends as well. I can't see even the morons who destroy the country having five rigs of their own. I'm with you on the random issue.

A guy I used to work with was a park ranger down in the Highwood and got treed by a black bear. When the bear saw him up the tree, it started up after him. Luckily he was young and agile, and jumped about 5 feet across to another tree. The bear goes back down, and starts up the second tree. My bud has to jump back and forth about 4 times before brer bear gets tired and takes off. He had radioed for help and when the fish cops and other rangers got there with guns, they said he looked like he had lost a fight with a bagfull of wildcats. He's been spooked about bears ever since. Guess I would be too.

One minute you're wading along a creek casting to a rising fish, and the next you're asking St. Peter why the pearly gates are open. Let's hope the trout still rise in heaven.

Called in sick once to fish, and that was when the ex and I were having "issues". However, let's get real, given a choice, you know where I'm going. However that's why God invented morning and evening fishing, so you can still fish on a work day.

Just make sure that you can run faster than Ben Johnson on roids. I almost peed myself watching that.

Cell phones are a work of the devil, and the good lord was just looking out for your soul. Oops, was I speaking out loud? Better luck with the next one.

Tough one, but I'm going fishing.

1. Baja (good bud has fished it alomost every winter for 15 years and raves) 2. Great Bear Lake (guided there for a summer when it was crap in the mid 70's and it was awesome then) 3. 50 mile radius of Nordegg I'd take my daughter and son, but if Sean didn't go I'd love to have had the chance to fish with Rod Haig-Brown.

I find that cutthroat are very variable in colour pattern. In some parts of the province this is due to different strains beiong stocked over the years, but even in streams where I believe the strains are basically native there is a lot of variation. You will get the really rosy and yellow, heavily spotted ones one cast, and the next cast will pick up an almmost silver one with few spots, then you'll get one with many very small spots. Quirk Creek is like that among others.

3 hours for the underbody!!!!!! Man, I hate spending 20 minutes on a single whole fly. I like them to take less time to tie than it does for me to lose them. Gorgeous fly.

Nice memories you've got stored up there. Some great shots.