toolman

We'll be doing that next Chinook, Brent. I think it is also ok for a few guys to hire someone to help them improve their casting skills.

I would do both Schools and learn a ton of stuff. Having your casting evaluated by expert instructors will make sure you don't have too much time to pick up bad casting habits and this will really accelerate your skills. I attend every Spey School I can and I'll be at both of them.

We have been discussing the possibility of having a Loop Spey School, in May, hosted by Loop Casting Clinicians, Brian Niska and Francois Blanchet. Both of these gentleman are incredible casters/guides/fisherman. Brian has the highest level of casting certification in Canada and is a Federation of Flyfishers(FFF), Master Fly Casting Instructor(MCI) and Two Handed Casting Instructor(THCI). Frank is also a FFF Certified Casting Instructor (CCI) and one of the cleanest Two Handed Casters in the business. This day clinic will be limited to 8 participants, with the two instructors and at a cost of around $150/person. Anyone interested?

I'm in for the next gathering of the Clan...

Major envy looking at that picture. That's a dynamite combo Rusty, congrats.

I picked up a CND GPS 5/6 Spey line for my little Deer Creek 6126. And of course a Vac-Rac , Pro Combi, that will transport all 8 of my Spey rods at the same time! And a couple hundred wet flies, four fly boxes....but.. I did not buy another Spey rod!

Thanks to Rick and Jackie for hosting and good job with the cookin' Rick, delicious. Nice seeing everyone and we should do this again.

Lethbridge...never heard of it...that in Canada?

Rick, I'll bring plates, forks, spoons, knives etc.

I'll be there Rick. Let me know if you need anything and I'll bring it along, coffee, paper plates, cups, juice etc.

That's great to hear Clarki and a beauty pike. Thanks for the pics.

I've had a few folks asking about this recently.

The ice conditions were fine today, but the flows are a little low for my liking. Lots of wind, but getting milder. Tommorow may be good fishing if the flows come up tonight.

I highly recommend all of Jim's books and his latest release, "Water Marks" is just an excellent read. Jim has been high on my list of fishing mentors, since I first started flyfishing for trout.

Jones, thanks for the information. I enjoyed reading your response. I hope to get out and collect aquatic inv. samples from the Bow river very soon and will post pics in the Entomology forum.

The DC 6126 is a very nice Spey rod, which I own and use. I also own the DC 8130, which is also a very nice rod. I use an AirFlow Delta 6/7, Multi Tip on my DC 6126 and would also recommend the CND GPS spey line for this rod. The moderate action makes it ideal for close up high stick nymphing or long delicate dry presentations and streamers. I routinely use the DC 6126 with 4-5x Fluro tippets, for larger trout, without problems.

I would add that the same degreasing is often neccessary for mono/fluro, leaders/tippets as well. I usually just use a clean wet rag and give them a wipe. For cleaning Airflow floating lines, which are made from PolyUrethane and not PVC, which is used by most other line manufacturers, I've read that Airflow recommends using "El Slicko", STP "son of gun". I have been using a clean wet rag and then an application of line dressing for all of my floating lines. I try and keep my floating lines clean at all times to get the highest floatation possible and to improve shoot-ability. Some lines float higher than others, but when buying a new line, it's always a trade off between line belly/taper profiles, floatation, durability, castability, shooting qualtities, mending abilities, turnover etc. And don't forget to clean your running lines, used with your shooting heads as well.

Excellent post Islandguy and thank you. I would add, that the Airflow 14' Salmon Polyleaders, are available with a rated 40lb. B.S. Also, that it is possible to trim P.L.'s to length, to fine tune and balance your rod/line/leader system, as Islandguy did when he trimmed his fly line back 18". Edit: Just had another look at the Airflow 14' Salmon floating PL, which has printed on the package... "add level tippet up to 40lbs." The tapered end of the leader however, has a 24lb. mono loop.

I have been speaking with many new Spey casters recently and most have asked questions about the use of PolyLeaders with their Scandi heads, such as which size/length/sink rate, application etc,. So if anyone has questions about the use of polyleaders, ask away. It will give us something to talk about while it snows. Also, if any of the senior Spey guys, ie. Islandguy, Whistler, et al, would like to write something up explaining the use and selection of Polyleaders, it would be greatly appreciated.

Ta Da....great idea SIA

Hi Rob, Glad to hear that you are expanding your fishing experience to include Spey fishing. It's a great way to cast/fish and extremely versatile for just about every fishing situation. I rarely fish with single handed rods anymore. I find the two handers always more adaptable and effective for just about every fly fishing situation. My advice is to try casting a few different rods before you buy. Lately, I have really been enjoying my 11'6" Loop spey rods, both the 7wt. and an 8wt. Incredible fishing tools, but Spey rods are a personal choice and you should always focus on what works best for you, for the type of fishing that you want to do. Good Luck and let us know how it goes and bring any questions you have. We all learn something everytime there is a question. Greg ps. Have you been out to your fishing beat in Belgium, with the motorhome this winter? I hope that you are still coming over to fish with us this year.

It's not been much of a problem in the past year or two on the Bow. In 2005 there was a bit of it growing in a few locations but it was mostly scoured out in the past couple of run offs.

At that price for a 11/12 reel and three extra spools, I want the first one you bring in too Canada.

I think the convicted fish poachers should have to go too... "Don" school....

Huge Browns, beautifull scenery, night fishin', man, that's my kinda fishing trip! Well done Brudis and thanks for sharing!