TroutPanther

I will keep a fish very occasionally if allowed. one specific put and take lake the fish are a really deep orange and taste awesome... Never bonk anything from our streams, except brookies. I usually do a Uclulet trip every couple of years with my dad, where we get plenty enough vacuum-packed salmon for the year.

Filled out the form. I emphasized my opinion re: the importance of these two potential launches as well as one below the bearspaw dam (like Stoney) to open up new (or old) stretches of the river again. As far as I am concerned this would be ideal and hopefully it is prioritized. The rest to me is just gravy.

Great news fishteck! Thanks for the update and to the group for all their work on this.

Interesting - I got one smallish brown earlier this year and one rainbow last year at POL that fit the description as well, with kinked/misaligned/humpy rear spines and shrunk tails. Didn't think much of it before all this whirling disease stuff hit the news and I began reading up on it... That said the deformities could have been caused by something else. I didn't take a tissue sample from the poor bastards. Looked like this pic: https://goo.gl/images/pGj0xI

Seems like a real professional.

If anyone is ever looking for an eye opening read on the subject, bottomfeeder (Taras grescoe) is a great book. Beyond salmon farming, it explores bottom dredging, shrimp farming, shark finning, and the bluefin fishery. Really changes your perspective for the better when buying fish.

Maybe a simpler solution would be to allow access to fish creek boat launch from the Sikome side? No infrastructure spend required. 22x - police is already a pretty short float. I agree it's a pain in the ass to have to head all the way up Deerfoot and back down bow bottom, but I don't think a new launch is an answer. I think opening the (in some cases existing) NW launches and a launch just below Harvie passage would be ideal as they would open up new water.

One other suggestion: late in the summer/into the fall, trailing a prince or another boatman type imitation behind a swung streamer can be deadly if the boatmen have started to come off. If not, trailing a soft hackle can work well too.

That's a good looking fly Aiptasia. Re: switching flies - I usually don't bother, which might cost me the odd fish, but that's ok with me. I find the strip cadence, depth & angle are bigger factors. If you are less lazy than me, it might not be a bad idea... I've been playing around with some of the techniques in "Strip Set" by George Daniel. I picked it up on Kindle before a long flight a couple months ago. It can be a slow read at times but definitely a wealth of knowledge in there. I'm sure he has more sophisticated streamer advice than me!

Just one more thing - don't be afraid to go back at that same fish if you miss it. I had a couple fish slash at the streamer last night, which gave up their spot. I gave it a couple minutes, switched up the casting angle (from snaking downstream to swinging and dangling in the lie from upstream) and whammo. If they don't feel the steel there is a good chance you can still get 'em.

Maybe the only thing better than getting them to eat a meaty streamer. Let's get out this weekend and find some.

I guess my rain dance (posted in another thread in May or so) was effective... Now I just need to figure out how to do a stonefly dance for when the river clears up.

I've got the pro4x in a 4 weight and really like it for dry fly fishing. It's a sweet stick for the price. Have never cast the 5 weight. Their warranty program is a bit of a pain in the ass - when I bought I had a "wildcard", which was essentially a one-time no fault free of charge replacement guarantee. They discontinued the program (after I had bought!) and they didn't honour the wildcard. I had to pay a good chunk >$100 to get the rod fixed. So you would want to read up on whatever their current warranty program is. That said, it only broke because it got stepped on in the boat. I have broken my 6 weight bvk at least once in every section. It's now a Frankenstein of various blanks.

I totally agree they need to pivot to the middle. Uniting the right, if it means a pivot right, will not earn my vote. I think the federal election showed brand Harper is broken. unless they put someone likeable up as the face of the PC party I would say they don't have a great shot. Why Kenney? Pinkster I would say as a "swing" voter that the PC brand isn't strong, they have some major work to do.

Nice toads! And beautiful shots.

Great news!

It's crazy. I will be fishing the Mo July Long... Would have liked to do the elk drainage circuit and hit a few rivers but no tags left on the wigwam/Michel so screw that BC! Will gladly hit the Mo for some dry fly fishing and maybe even further south to the Yellowstone, conditions and hangovers permitting... Will be welcomed with open arms, smiles, and cash registers at the Craig fly shops and bar... Even if I don't hire a guide to show me how to fish a stimmie! What a concept.

Great news!

I'm guessing about the same as they charge to watch you throw fluffy dries at willing-to-rise cutties... Bring cash! Still think AB should reciprocate somehow, in a way that makes sense for our fisheries and fisheries budget.

Barry Mitchell's Alberta Trout Highway: fishing the forestry trunk road is great. Was my bible when I started out. Good general advice on flies and rigging, and a good description of the rivers, streams from Montana all the way up to peace country.

This makes me super jealous of properly managed river access (I.e. Like the Missouri in Montana)... They have far less people, probably less license revenue, but they do a fantastic job providing launches, access, camping, facilities etc... So where are we dropping the ball? Absolutely crazy for a premier fishery like the bow.

My biggest 1 hander is my 7 weight streamer rod, so I think I might be a bit undergunned... Like you suggested, I think it will be cool to learn the spey/skagit casts... I realize i might be acting like a schoolgirl, but I kind of want to lose my steel-ginity on the 2 hander.

Awesome - will get in touch with Nicholas Dean and Skeena Spey and see if they've got anything open that might work. Mikeo2 - will definitely be in touch when I book. Knotlikely - I might take you up on that - will be in touch once I figure out what I'm doing.

Thanks for the super insightful reply Bcube! I'm stoked even just planning it...

Hey guys, I have been doing a bit of browsing on the net, checking out places like speypages etc. and some old posts on here trying to dig up some info on how to go about a steelhead trip in the fall. So I apologize if this has been covered to some degree. I'm not an attorney/doctor and hence don't really have the budget to drop 6-7 grand for a week at one of the high end lodges. Planning on doing about 7-10 days, motel-ing it. I have a few questions I was hoping some of the more experienced steelhead dudes and gals might be able to shed Some sage advice: 1. Any recommendations on good guides that would accommodate 2-3 days of fishing, so I could try to apply some of the learnings to DIY later in the week? 2. Alternatively, any more "rustic" trips that might fit the bill and not put me in the poorhouse? 3. Good all-rounder 2 hander rig for a newb? I'd want something I could grow into and not think is total crap once I learn how to cast. (of course I'd take it out on the bow beforehand to get some practice in before my trip) 4. Is it worth bringing a drift boat/inflatable or just walk and wade to save the hassle of hauling a boat up? will it even matter if I'm competing with a bunch of jet-dudes? 5. I was thinking about going late September, but I'm open to go earlier or later... Given my timeframe, home base in Smithers, Terrace, or a few days in each? Not looking for any secret honey holes, just more high level logistics and such so I can suss out some options. Im sure I could just go for it and figure it out as I go but any input is appreciated! Ps - once I figure it out and get a 2 handed rig, will trade beer (or a float in my boat) for 2 handed lessons!