toolman

Check out how much of the water from the Bow river gets sent into irrigation ditches at Caresland. Remember, this water does not get returned to the river....ever. http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/regions/bo...gif/bowcarm.gif

That absolutely sucks...sorry to hear about your loss. Hopefully some of your gear is recovered.

I use Corkies. They are heavier and cast much better at distance, especailly in the wind, which is often an issue on the Bow or larger rivers in general. When casting short distances, the extra weight of a corkie will help load the rod more easily. In my experience, thingamabobbers and fish pimp indicators, suck for spey casting.

I had a great time, met many nice folks and the dinner was excellent. It was a pleasure to meet and speak with Conservation Officer J. Cox, who will be the Streamwatch Officer on patrol. Congrats to the Oldman TU members/executive, for planning and hosting a great evening. See you again next time.

You know it's kind of funny reading this thread...I grew up on the Atlantic Ocean, in a community of fisherman who spent their entire lives on the water and I can't remember many of them wearing sunglasses very often...Wonder why they never went blind like the Sunglass company's said they could? Personally I wear $15 welding glasses...shatter proof and everything. Actually, I rarely wear sunglasses...except when I'm brazing in the Toolshop! Hmmmm, maybe I can sell you guys my specail glasses too...say $500 pr...call now!

It's true. I was in at Wholesale sports today talking to a few folks.

Beauty trout!

Have a good one Brett!

Much better for the fish than dip nets, in my view.

Rick, Brett, Tim, I'm booked this weekend, but next week or weekend, works for me.

I think that the folks who oppose the concept of fishing at a natural barrier for staging trout, feel that it is un-sportsman. For some folks, Flyfishing is supposed to be about sportsmanship. On some rivers, nymphing with indicators is considered un-sportsman. Fishing for Atlantics with a sink tip/weight on the fly or line, is considered unsportsman on many of the rivers in the Maritime provinces and is illegal on the waters where I grew up. So, I don't think this discussion is really about ethics, but mostly about sportsmanship.

Fishing for the migrating/staging Rainbows, has no serious impact on the spawing numbers. This issue was examined and studied by SRD, in 2000 I believe. These trout are in the prime of their lives. Beyond that, I feel it's personal choice. I don't fish down there at this time of year, but I don't care if anyone else does. I like to avoid the crowds and prefer hunting for Browns.

Yes...and it's a good thing I brought the 15' 11wt. too, some of those casts were at least 15' to the opposite bank.

LOL...Hey Steve, that excellent article was written by our good buddy Dan Jackson.

Happy birthday Brian...now go slam a couple dozen today! Trout that is....

I just try and give everybody their space and that's all I expect from anyone else. That said, this season I'm going back to wearing my trademark orange wading jacket and fishin' hat, as a warning beacon for the drifters. That way the oarsman will see me from a mile away and he can give me a wide berth, as I plan on casting my fly all the way across the Fa#King Bow River too the opposite bank, with my Loop Blueline 15' 11wt.... There may be a possibility of a low flying 700grain Shooting head, with 15' of T-14 attached, coming out of the bushes and passing overhead, especailly in low light conditions.....

It does look like a band now that you pointed it out. I misread the info. from SRD.

The rust colored band around the Trumpeter Swan's neck, may be caused by "feeding in bottom substrates high in iron". ...read more info here: http://srd.alberta.ca/fishwildlife/species...mpeterswan.aspx Thanks for the pics Ed.

Opps...just had another look at the first pic. Thanks for the latest pic.

I'd have to agree with Max on this subject. A small Spey rod in the 11'6" - 12'6" range...In a 6 or 7wt. for the nymphs/drys and an 8wt. for the tips and big flies. These type of rods are extremely versatile fishing tools that can be adapted/lined for just about any fishing situation on our rivers and lakes. If I had to choose one rod for all of the fishing situations described by ReelLife, I'd say one of my Loop 11'6" ers, either the 7wt. or 8wt., would handle it all with ease, even that big gator Doc's holding. Excellent for casting from tight shorelines or from the boat and still a good feel to the fight of a 17" Rainbow on the line. (Thanks for the pic Weedy and congrats to Doc)

Great report adc and what a great fishing adventure... Thanks for posting.

It's still happening... some people will toss Pike into the bushes that they caught on the Bow, because they eat the trout. I think that is BS, as Pike are a natural part of the river system.

I have the Cloudveil 8x Jacket and can say that this is one of the best wading jackets made. I beleive the waders are made of the same material/construction process and like the jacket, have received top ratings from many veteran guides/anglers.

Welcome back Gents....