jgib01

Short but relevant story on CBC... Though I'm guessing the CBC isn't the typical media source of choice for those who may be prone to said activity 😉 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/atv-enforcement-rules-fines-off-road-vehicles-alberta-1.3591047

I'll second that! Though it's not like I have a whole bunch of other rods of that ilk kicking around to compare with. I have a gently used Orvis TL 5# as a backup rod (OK, but not fabulous), and have tried my son's Redington 8' 4# Path (for the $'s it is a very decent rod!).

Very cool. I suck at blood knots.

I thought this was going to be a thread about subwoofers, or maybe Meghan Trainor (my kids hate my dad-jokes these days) I've never fished for bass before, of any variety, on the fly or otherwise. Definitely on my list. My son had the privilege when he was about 9 y.o. of landing a striped bass (different kettle, I know) in Nova Scotia, but I never fished them myself the couple of years we lived out there. We have seen the freshwater variety in BC several times when camping, but I've never taken the step of actually buying that BC license. I just have to find the time one year to buy it, and then make sure I make it worth my while by getting out there at least a few times. I love tossing poppers to pike, so imagine fishing top water for bass would be a hoot.

This has been in the works for months. Not sure it is a done deal yet... last I heard they were in the works with financing to make the bid.

If you can talk your better half into Crowsnest Pass or Pincher, I'd be inclined to go that route. Much closer there to better fishing than Fort Macleod. From what I understand, it has been tried a couple of times to make that stretch of river downstream of Piikani into a sustainable brown trout fishery, without any success. I can't imagine moving my spouse from TO to small town Alberta and her being happy. We did Lethbridge to Amherst, NS a few years ago (momma weren't happy, and there weren't nobody happy... we moved back 2 years later). Housing will be cheaper in smaller towns that in Lethbridge, but even Lethbridge will pale in comparison to Ontario prices. A few years back there was a little speculative jump in CNP property with rumors of a major resort being built there, but I think that fantasy has run it's course and prices are back down to earth.

Our only shop in Lethbridge, Wholesale, has recently undergone some changes too. They have been poor for fly selection for some time now, but still quite good for fly tying stuff and accessories. They used to have a separate display case for fly fishing reels/vices, but have downsized and now have all their fly stuff next to other cabinets of fishing supplies. Seems like they have downsized all their fly stuff slightly, but for the most part looks more like they have moved and reorganized the fly fishing section to a place that is more easy to serve by one person manning both the regular fishing and fly fishing sections. That all said, I don't mind Cabela's, or Bass Pro, as I enjoy looking at lots of outdoor stuff. Don't expect I'll ever buy much there in terms of rods/reels (I have one cheapo rod from Cabelas USA, one from Bass Pro, one reel from Wholesale, and one reel from the Fishin Hole... others bought either at fly shops or privately). Generally, I like spreading my somewhat limited cash around. I was just in a fly shop in San Diego last week, and think this was the first time ever that I have entered said type of establishment and left without buying a thing... not because it wasn't a cool little store... if ever in San Diego check out Strouds. Maybe I've just finally got enough stuff

Currier also ties an overhand in the tag around the main line after he does the surgeons. It makes the tag stick straight out, and I wonder if it might also reduce the breaks you are speaking of. That all makes sense. That said, I've wasted money on things a lot more foolish since I wandered into this addiction. Broke out my abacus and took off my socks, and even if you were using fluoroflex plus tippet, that would still be less than $2 per leader

P-line and Seaguar are also good stuff. I found this really intersting... Jeff Currier talked at the Lethbridge conclave about how he ties his double streamer rigs. Uses 0x fluoro for streamers, and ties two 4-5' pieces together, leaving a tag/dropper in the middle (12" or so iirc) where he ties his heavier fly, and ties his smaller fly on the bottom. I asked him after his presentation, and he said that for nymphs he has them closer together, but does the same thing in principle with the heavier one on the dropper and lighter one on the bottom (and I'm guessing just uses lighter fluoro too, but forgot to ask him what he uses). Says they are less prone to tangling this way, and cast better. Looking forward to experimenting with this.

Now, I just need to remember to take my old one out and put the new one in. The nice feature of the pdf version is that you can make a couple of copies for each wallet/hat/vest/wader you might use.

Picked up the Dewalt DWE7480 today at Lowes for $341. The search is over

OK, I lied. Today is the last day of the sale on the Bosch. What Dewalt store are you referring to Tungsten? Something in Calgary, or online? The place creekside linked too seems to have pretty competitive prices as well, though for me that probably means a trip up to the big city. I do need a few other things too (speakers for home theatre, new tying vise) so might not be the worst thing in the world to hit Calgary.

Awesome photos! Quite a variety of species caught there, including a couple 'o slugs. What pattern do you tie for them?

Probably not going to be building any doors any time soon. But maybe some small projects (like a new patrol box for our Scout troop) where a dado might come in handy. From their website, the Dewalt 745 and 7480 are not dado compatible (arbor too short). Like you said, the router is probably a better way to go with that anyway. I'd love to transform the garage into a workshop, but absolutely certain my wife wouldn't agree to parking outside in the winter. So my decision today will be if I want the Bosch w/free stand or not (sale ends today).

No dado capability on either of the Dewalts, but Bosch can do up to 1/2" dado blade from what I've read online. Not sure how often I would ever use that, and I do have a decent router if need be. You are also bang on about the stand being $100+ for the Dewalts, but their fence system is just plain awesome. The Bosch has only an 18" rip capacity, and a couple of other minor annoyances... if not for that I likely would have happily bought it already.

Thanks for the info fellas. This weekend was spent with the mitre saw going great guns, as I was working on baseboards & casing. Pretty sure that will keep me going for next weekend as well. That means I've yet to decide about a table saw, ans have a little more time to over-research it. Creekside, that Bosch is a fine looking saw, but is a couple bills beyond what I was hoping to spend; the smaller Bosch is <$400 right now at Lowes, and includes a free stand, so it is suddenly in the running.

I know there are quite a few handy folks on the board here, so thought I'd throw this out for opinions. I am currently looking at options for a new table saw. I used to have an entry level Delta, but it was one of the many things left behind when we moved back from Nova Scotia a few years ago. Here's what I'm looking for... something that will allow me to do the occasional project, using it a handful of times per year mostly for those DIY projects around the house. There is zero risk of me becoming a contractor any time soon. I am just working on finishing our basement, and will use it for cutting ceiling tiles, mdf shelving, sills for a window and mdf ledge capping. I love the idea of being able to rip full 4X8 sheets, so 24"+ rip capacity is a bonus. That said, for as often as I would need to be able to do it, I could maybe live without. Not married to the idea of something completely portable, but a little lighter/smaller would be better from a storage standpoint. Price is certainly a consideration (so the likes of Bosch and Jet are out of the running). But for the sake of a hundred bucks either way, I might lean a bit more to quality being a more important factor. Here's a few I am currently considering: Dewalt DWE7480 Rigid R4513 or 45161 Kobalt KT1015 Skil 3410-02 Mastercraft 55-6742-8 Any and all thoughts welcome!

As a novice to the sport, and this being only my second Expo, I really enjoyed it again this year. I took in 2 workshops (Rosenbauer and Borger) which were both excellent. It "felt" to me like there was more going on this year... maybe a bit less floor space, but maybe that was as a result of the big boats not being there this year (they took up a huge amount of real estate last year). I had way less time to look over the booths this year, as me and my buggered hand were fading fast in the mid-afternoon. Thought both Iron Bow and Fish Tales had some great clearance/sale stuff happening, and even though I don't really need anything, I seem to always manage to find a few flies at Reelflies and/or Silvertip. There seemed to be a more active tiers row this year. A few less destination/lodge places maybe? Yes, it would be nice to see a few more of the big rod/reel/equipment manufacturers there, but I'm not sure the organizers can be faulted for them deciding not to show... I'm sure the invite was put out to all of them. I am a bit surprised that given Rosenbauer was there, that Orvis didn't have a stronger presence. I guess it's a long trek to make from Vermont with your wares. A big thanks has to go to Murray and Doc and everyone else who volunteers at the FFC kids tying area. It is awesome to watch a youngster tying their first fly, as my son did last year.

We have a few Grohmann knives that I keep forgetting to take to the factory in Nova Scotia when we travel back there. I typically use the bottom of a ceramic cup... probably time to look into a real sharpener. Thanks for the recommendations folks.

Saw the surgeon the first week in January, and I am going for the procedure this Thursday... they had a cancellation and I jumped at it. Has been driving me crazy at night these last few weeks, even when wearing my brace. That will mean lots of recovery time before spring has sprung. I'll be the guy at the Expo on Saturday with the bandaged hand This will perhaps discourage me from doing anything silly there, like buying a new rod (though still plenty of accessories to be had that don't require me using my casting hand to try out)!

I went a little on the cheap and got an Amundson last summer. I think it was only about $40, but so far seems to do the trick. I've used it a handful of times, so maybe the durability will be a little more tested this coming year. I really like that it is a folding version, compacting down to about 10" long I think. I really don't think I would like carrying around a ski pole.

i-Pikes on my truck and General Altimax Arctic on my wife's vehicle, and very happy with both. Neither are studded and both make a huge difference over running our all-seasons. Got hooked on snow tires when we lived in Nova Scotia, and don't think I will ever go without again. Got my tires stateside when our dollar wasn't crap, and had them delivered to Maine; paid about the same for them installed with rims as they would have cost with no rims in Canada. We have used Costco in the distant past, but found the last few times pricing stuff out that they're not really that much better than competitors. Otherwise, we deal with Fountain Tire lots these days, and have got great service and pricing from them.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried some physio (including intramuscular needling) and traditional acupuncture, with limited if any improvement. Used to undergo chiro pretty regularly, but have strayed away from it (don't think I will be going back that route). The neurologist I saw during my nerve conduction indicated that in one hand I have moderate/severe CTS, and mild/moderate in the other. He suggested that at this stage, splinting or physio is unlikely to have any impact on the hand with the more severe CTS. I now have an appt to see a surgeon for a consult in early January, which by my best guess puts me in early spring for the surgery if it is a go. I'll ask the surgeon specifically about casting, and see if he has a response

Anyone here ever had carpal tunnel surgery? Just wondering what the typical recovery time is, and how long until it took for you to be able to cast comfortably again. I'm hearing everything from between 10 days to 4 months, for basic recovery up to any "heavy lifting".

That strategy document predates the Nov 20th order, so my thoughts are that there may be a whole new ballgame underway. Maybe not though... obfuscate for the win!