crookednose

Thinking about trying to target Lake Trout in the coming weeks - has anybody had much luck with a fly rod? Having never targetted them before, I know very little - but from what I understand, they typically like to roam in deep, cold water. I figured they may be moving to shallower water with the fall conditions - but this is just a hypothesis. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Are you shooting Canon, Nikon, or other? If you have to choose between the two (18-55 vs. 55-200), go with the 18-55 - it's a more versatile lens for everyday stuff and you will probably find 55mm to "tight" if it's the shortest zoom you have. You can always rent telephoto lens from certain camera shops in Calgary for the weekend (i.e. when you know you are going to need one) for a very reasonable price. After having your camera for a little while, you'll know if it's something you want to take up more seriously. That's when you can start to expand your glass collection. To me, it makes the most sense to invest in some good quality lens' because they will last (really, the technology isn't changing all that much - especially in comparison to digital SLR bodies). The 50mm f1.8 will be a fun lens to play around with in low light conditions ... and it's quite affordable. When looking at lens', don't forget to multiply the zoom ratings by approximately 1.6 UNLESS it's a lens designed specifically for digital SLR's. I've bought stuff from this website in the past - with the dollar close to par, you can get some pretty good deals if you buy a few things to even out the shipping costs. www.adorama.com

Howdy folks, I was fortunate enough to get out for an hour on Saturday afternoon within the city limits. I was oddly suprised when I just about stepped upon what looked to be a dead brown trout. It was not moving at all and laying on the river bottom in about knee deep water. It was still facing into the current, but it's tail was contorted in every which direction - it definetely didn't look natural. I walked all around it (stepping within inches) and didn't get a reaction at all. I then decided to give it a little "nudge" to see if it was infact alive ... and sure enough, it was startled and then swam away. Looking around some more, I saw close to ten fish all in a similar "dead-like" state. Most were off on their own, but I saw one HUGE fish with three other fish huddled around so close they were touching. It was something I've never seen before. Any explanation to this sort of behaviour? PS ... didn't catch anything ... forgot my wieghts at home and had a tough time breaking throught the semi-slush that was floating by.

I can offer a whopping 3.5 months with 11 full days on the water!! I didn't catch anything until day three ... and funny enough, it was a 3.5" cutty from Gibsons Lake, near the Kokanne Glacier.

One last one of Lake O'Hara ...

More pictures ...

We ended up staying at the Abbott Hut for two nights - I must say, I was not very excited about lugging my gear up there, but it was an absolutely amazing place to crash for a few nights! Only managed to fish for about an hour on the last day of the trip (Monday, 1:00 - 2:00) but had pretty decent luck with some elk hair caddis (gold body) in the North Bay and the little stream that exits (1 x 14-16" cuttie brought in, 1 lost). On the bus ride back down I was chatting with a gentleman who camped right at Lake O'Hara. He had really good luck on the Sunday night (apparantly pulling in about 25 cut's). On a seperate note, I was talking with one of the Rangers and she informed my that this is the last year the Lake will be open for fishing ... Off to Yellowstone / Zion Canyon for a few weeks now!

Thanks for all of the comments! I am very much looking forward to Lake O'Hara this weekend - I've heard much the same in that it is one of the most beautifull places in the rockies. I broke down and bought a new Sage 4 peice (5wt) to fit in my pack a little better Can't wait to break it in! My time in Yellowstone is actually quite flexible ... and by the sounds of it, I'll have my fair share of area's to explore. Thanks for all of the comments and advice. I'll provide updates when I return - hopefully I'll have some good pictures to show for it! Cheers

Realizing the two are completely different topics, I'll be on vacation on two seperate trips this next month. Has anybody fished at either Lake O'Hara or Yellowstone National Park (in Wyoming)? I've heard Yellowstone should be a good time ... but have no clue about Lake O'Hara. I'll be backpacking for the week so I wonder if it's worthwhile to lug my fishing kit along. Any comments would be appreciated. Cheers!

Thanks very much gents ... very good advice. I'll have to practise the two points of contact (I'm not going to lie to you ... it felt pretty awkward last night), but I can see how it will help. I will (hopefully) have a chance to practise everything this weekend down in the Livingstone area ... I'll let you know how I fare! Thanks again!

I'm quite new to the sport and encountered some troubles this weekend. So here's the dilemma - I'm fishing upstream, stripping my line and I get a strike. I pinch the line with my rod hand and set the hook. I think I'm supposed to keep pressure on the line to prevent the fish from dropping the hook, so what is the best way to reel in the fish keeping in mind I have extra line loose from stripping? I've just been bringing the fish in by hand lately, but I reckon you must have a reel for a reason! That said, I've read a bit about playing a fish and using the drag of your reel when a fish runs. I guess you probably use this tactic when playing a larger fish so you don't snap your leader. Again though, how would you let your slack line out (while keeping pressure on) until your reel sets the drag? How much line do you let the fish take? How long should you play the fish before you bring it in? Any help and advice would be appreciated. I set the hook a few times this weekend, but lost most of them while bringing the fish in ...

I was up at the Highwood this weekend too and had trouble setting the hook (I counted 11 strikes on 5 different fish). As this is only my second time out (aside from an intro course I took) can anybody offer any advice?