bigalcal

SJW=NATO No Action Talk Only Big Al Mayor of the Cutty Hut

Old Bonanza Daniel Boone Andy Griffith Six Million dollar man Cheers New Person of Interest CSI's Law & Orders Dexter Sons of Anarchy Desperate Housewives Criminal Minds And I really love, love my PVR!!!

As a kid our family (from Montreal) would always spend time camping in the Adirondack Mountains, Upstate New York near Lake Placid, There were a lot of lakes connected or a short portage. We would fish the lake we camped on for perch and sunfish but there were lakes stocked with trout close by. I used to stand there and was mesmerized by the fly fishermen, standing thigh deep in the lake and the magic and sound of their casts. A few years later I worked in a sporting goods store and bought a Garcia fibreglass rod and a reel. I did some reading and stood in my backyard and learned to cast on my own. I then went back to the stocked lake, clad in rubber chest waders, vest, net and a WICKER CREEL!! I caught a few very small speckled trout and was hooked. I later fished the local rivers (Ausable) and had no success. I could cast (kinda) but I had no idea where to put my fly!! Later I moved to Banff and I would hike into lakes with a co-worker and catch cutties. I stopped flyfishing in the mid-80's. I moved to Calgary in 1988 and about 10 years ago I met a guy, Darryl, that loved to camp and fish and he began taking me random camping and flyfishing on the Upper Oldman. He wasn't much of a help as he would take off, fish the fresh water, brag about the fish he caught..and KEPT them and still had time to mock me about getting skunked. I had no idea what I was doing. I had a few regulars at the bar I work at (Rose & Crown) that were avid fly fishermen. One of these guys was a wee older Irishman by the name of Sean Darby. I started to go fishing with him and the guys (Jeff, Brent, Murphy) and we would head down to the Crow and the Gap. I learned so much from him and he taught me so much about fly fishing. He would take the time and show me where the fish were, the perfect drift and especially the entomology. He showed me as well as 3 other guys. He stands to the side now and watches us all catch fish and says that he did a good job teaching. He did. Thanks to Sean for teaching me, and to Darryl for getting me off my butt and showing me the Forest Reserve in SW Alberta. I now have a trailer (the"Cutty Hut") parked at Racehorse Creek and spend every free day there from mid-May to mid October. I was there 78 days this past season and my fishing mentor Sean was there for half of them.. I spend the days still learning how to catch fish but there are a few days that I say to myself "I think I know what I'm doing now". I feel fly fishing is a pastime that there is always something to learn. My skills are limited to dry fly and a bit of nymphing but I want to learn more. I can't wait til June 16. P.S I pulled the old noodly glass Abu Garcia rod out this year and caught a 18" Cutty on it. It was great!!

Snow didn't start til 2K South of 517 on FTR. Totally caught me by surprise. Dutch had no snow at all

I camped at Racehorse Creek on the Thanksgiving weekend. 8" of snow!!

I've done pretty good with ants and beetles on the Cutty streams....emergers can work too.

My Panasonic Lumix leaked. The cover/latch to the battery/memory card as well as the latch to the USB don't seem as well designed as my old Pentax Optio. Camera was saved... my .02 Everything else is awesome

I'm in a bit of a fishing rut. I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours!!

I hit it on the way TO work. I was a little soggy for the first hour or two. My feet were soaked all nite!!

I would suggest removing the wheel instead. Removing the tire every time would be a pain in the butt. You would have to remove the wheel anyways.

"Golf clap"!!! LMAO!!!!!!!!! I can just picture it.....hahaha!!

Drive down the road and hang it out the window.....guaranteed it will come apart...Murphy's Law!!

haha!

Some people are ignorant....some disobey rules. Be thankful they weren't fishing.

If spandex ain't your thing (mine neither) may I suggest these liners. They have saved my ass, literally! http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail....534374302692435

Let your bike cary the load...buy panniers. Much more freedom and less sweat.

I ride every day all year. You can find everything at MEC and it's usually cheaper than bike shops. It is a candy store for sure. The beauty is that with bike riding you can shop at both stores and be heading home in the same amount of time it takes to find a parking spot for your vehicle!

This is called shopping. Good on ya for doing your homework.

A book I'm reading suggests Maxima Chameleon. Thoughts?

I am considering tying my own leaders for something to do while I sit in my trailer in the rain!! Have you any suggestions what material I should use? I would be using them more for nymphing. Thanks Al

I say BS......If that was true I wouldn't have a hip problem!!

I am scheduled for hip surgery in October. Anybody have any tips or advice or moral support? Thanks Al

Racehorse Campground is open May 13. Lot's of melting this week. The road from Coleman is clear and a bit "washboardy". The forecast for May long is grim. Cloudy/showers. It will be messy. I will be putting my trailer (aka the "Cutty Hut") in this weekend and I will be there May long for the s**t show. Who's in?

Where are all the Yahoo's gonna go? Hopefully they will all stay in the city..... where I won't be!!