Nachako

X2When your starting out it is almost like tying a new fly ( I never like the first couple ) It takes time and is a learned craft so take it slow and enjoy. Every new Rod will probably be better than the last.

Did you try the Newfie approach ( see jokes )

Do a count down to the bottom . Slow retrieve Wait for the tug & lift the tip it doesn't get much simpler than that .

Sorry not to high jack this tread . I have a small pin hole in mybelly boat and even after taking a ribbing from the wife about trying to find it in the bath tub. I still can't find it. It's a Togiak with a fairly soft rubbery inner tube. Any ideas ???

Four buddies go salmon fishing. One of them was a Newfie. After an hour, the following conversation took place. First guy: " You have no idea what I had to do to be able to come out fishing this weekend. I had to promise my wife that I will paint every room in the house next weekend." Second guy: " that's nothing, I had to promise my wife that I will build her a new deck for the pool." Third guy: " Man, you both have it easy! I had to promise my wife that I will remodel the kitchen for her." They continue to fish when they realized that the Newfie has not said a word. So they asked him. "You haven't said anything about what you had to do to be able to come fishing this weekend. " What's the deal?" Newfie: " I just set my alarm for 5:30 am. When it went off, I shut off my alarm, gave the missus a nudge and said, " Fishing or Sex" and she said, " Wear a Sweater."

Everyone is different. I have 30/20 and can pick goats off a mountain side. But don't put a newspaper in front of me. So it's Bi-Focals . Little tip Sun Cloud make some decent sunglasses with a Bi-Focal built in for $75 which are a bonus when switching flies.

Out of respect I have to give cudos to my Regal vice . With over 3000 flies tied and its simplicity it just won't die . Also I don't have the eyeballs to tye anything smaller that an size 18 . They come in different price ranges depending on what you want to spend. My 2 cents

I was wandering how many use a fishing log and which one. I have been using MyDailyfishinglog for the last few years . You just have to remember to code your special spots of course because it is online and keep a hard copy .

Growing up on the Northwestern shores of Lake Superior . Nobody went to Miami or Mexico for holidays they loaded up the boat and rods or the rifles and headed in to the bush. 1986 after standing a couple days on the side of the road with a sign that said " going no where fast " I ended up in the Canadian Rockies . And just uped it a notch. Bought my first fly rod in the early 90's for a $100 . After spending an evening picking off cutties in my new belly boat that my girlfriend bought me ( you have to marry a girl like that ) Now FF fills half of my garage . Turn this 50 yr old into the new 40 . Helps create a lifestyle that keeps most men awake at night.

Amazing isn't it . I saw this about 6 months ago . If your really interested you should read up on the plight on the Elk in Banff National Park after we tried to eradicate the wolfs in the 1950's .

X2

Question : What did you coat the chronies with . Imitation is the best form of flattery . Nice ties

Like I said I am still working on this orientation program and never looked at backroads. Thanks for that. If I could ask a couple of question. How difficult was it to load ( I don't like taking my children to work ) Also do you think I would be able to load more than one unit ( I have 8 ) Any info would help Paul

Hi Uber : I have been playing the game of trying to load free maps for an orientation program I have been trying to put together for work . It has been very frustrating . You will probably need to start out with Base camp on your PC and I would recommend that you save your self the frustration and purchase the map from the Garmin web site . Know I will warn you this is coming from an old map and compass guy. Paul

Also read the first half of Jim McLennan book " Trout Streams of Alberta " to help you understand that there is more to it that being able to swing a line or pick the right fly.

Though I refuse to fish with a bobber. I like to feel a definite tug before I will ever lift the tip. Spent many years trying to teach friends to wait for that tug when dry flying because in a lot of cases the fish will roll your fly first. Inexperienced dry fly fishermen will pull that fly out of reach. That's just my two cents

X2Try to avoid poisoning our skin as much as possible.

Wow ! I guess Barry Mitchell article called simplifly ( can't remember what year ) in the Alberta Fishing Guide had a bigger effect on me than most. Which basically said that you only needed 6 patterns in different sizes and colours.

I'm glad that I only have to deal with grizzly bears . Their more predictable

I have to agree with Flytyer . Since I have a 14 & 17 year old. They know that FF requires 2 hands and they may be require to put down there super computer at some point or they may be somewhere where there is no service . Sorry just venting lol

With all these years spent in BNP I don't think I know anyone that has . But in emptying some expired cans over the years have gotten a whiff of the capsaicin . It is nasty s..t

One that has a long expiry date , a safety on the trigger, at lease 1% capsaicin and come with a holder to store outside your pack. There are a lot to choose from in the 225 gr range just keep these things in mind.

That just explained why I live where I do.

I have never used anything quit that flashy . A double bunny in a solid white with a pink or brown body. Thats what has worked well for me on Bullies.

After being away from this site for a number of years and coming back I though I would share something's I learned during that time. Please feel free to add some things I may have missed. People that know me know that I have been restoring , refurbishing or rebuilding older bamboo rods for a number of years. They often come to me asking if they should restore the rod they found. These are some of the things that you will need to consider. What do you want to do with the rod? Do you want to hang it on a wall A quick refurbish will work (varnish) Do you want to restore or rebuild it to use? Which raises the first of many questions 1) What make is the rod a) Japanese rod they are not good to fish with after WW2 they were slapped together a dime a dozen Mid level American rods Shakespeare,Heddon, H-I,...... which are worth about $200 ( my preference ) c) High end American classic Leonard,Payne,Hardy ext It needs to be said that as you interfere with any of the natural material of the rod the collector value is compromised. 2) What shape is the rod in and it's age Rods made before 1930's ( they usually have a metal reel seat ) I find they are good but the technology sometimes is not there. Also older rods will have wraps all along the length of the rod to give it stiffness That will have to be replaced. The cane is the most important componant of the rod and should have no cracks, the glue lines between the bamboo strips should have no gaps,hopefully the varnish is still intact so the cane has not dried out. 3) The ferrules are next Metal ferrules can often be cleaned with a steel wool and should have a nice popping sound when the pieces are being separated. Cracks in the ferrules are often hard to notice until the wraps have been removed and they will obviously need to be replaced. Sometimes the ferrules can be loose at the base and not cracked and will need to re-glued . Removing the old ferrules can sometimes be a nightmare. They often have been pinned and trying to find the pins can be difficult. 4) After that the decision needs to be made do you want to restore it to its natural beauty or made it better than it was. Either way take lot of pictures and a few measurements of where some of the descriptive wraps were located and the guide positions The varnish should always be replaced it can become chipped over the years and you don't want any water to compromise the cane. The guides are often rusted and even if they are all intact the shlack they used to seal the wraps long ago disintegrates over time and will not last long if used. The cork handle can be cleaned with soap & water but do not sand it. If you decide to replace the reel seat use your imagination and make it ours. As for tools need for your first rod it's pretty basic a cardboard box, a couple of bobbins, sears catalogue, piece of PCV pipe, a book on bamboo rod restoration . So if you have the time and would like to have one of the nicest rods on the water. For those that have never fished with a cane rod I have this to say Only though a cane rod can you truly feel the power of the prey. Paul