JMasson

I find the backroads mapbooks are pretty good.

From my experience...you see, my dad's family is from Belize and he was born and raised there and I just happened to have lived there for a few years myself and visit on occassion...Belize is the least racist country in Latin America. Granted, Belize City isn't the safest city in the world but I have never once seen or heard of a tourist being robbed, bullied or killed in Belize City. Now, I'm sure if you meandered down to George St. for a midnight stroll things would be different but unless you live on George St. or are a gang member you have absolutely no business anywhere near George St. anyways....that goes for locals as well. I have never once felt unsafe in Belize and I have been all over that country. You can be robbed or killed in any country you visit. My cousins were robbed in Germany last year while backpacking in Europe for the summer. It happened to three other people in their group a few days later. So that makes five people (that I know of anyways) robbed in Germany last year. James

The fee you pay to replace the rod is more of a replacement fee than a shipping and handling fee. Having said that, if you have to ship your rod the cost is included in $26.50. It's the same with any other company out there. If you break a Sage then you have to ship it to Washington state with $40.00 (at least it was 40 last time I broke one). If you happen to live on Bainbridge Island and can take your rod to the factory for a replacement then you still have to pay the $40.00. All the rod companies have some sort of fee and their return/warranty policies are very similar.

All of what has been said is what the new land use framework is trying to work out. How can everyone have their cake and eat it too....in a nutshell. It will divide the the province into 6 regions and many sub-regions and assess who will be using the land and how they will be using it (industry, ATV/ OHV, fishermen, hikers, birdwatchers, campers, etc...) and come with a framework to allow everyone to do what they want, within guidelines. It is also trying to get all the government agencies to pool their resources and work together...no small task when you consider all the governing bodies and all of them have their own bureaucracies. It all sounds very good and works on paper, we'll have to see how it will work in the real world. If it does work like it's supposed to, it will be a huge step in the right direction. Like I said before, there will be several months for public consultation once the framework is made public...which is supposed to be next week. I have direct contact with someone in AB Environment that is working on the framework so I'm sure I'll know when it has been released and let you all know.

First off, every member of this board should be a member of their local TU chapter. In the states, TU does a lot of lobbying and many of the chapters are very strong (both with members and with funds). Secondly, we all need to make an effort to get to public meetings that concern us. For example, the Western Sky Land Trust. I know a lady that is a big part of planning and evaulating the cumulative effects of many of the government's policies and she is involved in the Sky Land Trust proposal. The framework is supposed to be released next week and there is supposed to be opporotunity for public consultation until September. We all need to make the effort to get to these public meetings. I'm pretty sure that TU will be making an appearance at them, therefore all the members should be there as well. After reading the proposal we should all be writing or even speaking directly, to our MLA's about it (either positive or negative). This has direct bearing on this very issue. Harps made a post about it in the News and Discussions forum and there have only be 78 views? There are also a myriad of other smaller clubs and organizations that we should try and become members of and attend their functions. I know that people are busy and time is short but it is worth it in the long run. Plus, most of the gatherings involve fishing, so you can't go wrong. Now, I'm not the shining example of all this...I just renewed my TU membership after letting it slide for almost 3 years. I haven't really alloted the time to get out and talk and meet people for the past couple years. I plan on changing that this year. Kind of off topic but I'll say it anyways. TU in the states has an innitiative called "Back the Brookie". Awesome program with lots of support from the public and also from the government...both Federal and State levels. Why not try to develop a program like that with the Westslopes in Alberta and BC? When something that will effect the status of the native brookies on the east coast happens, there are local chapters from Maine to Georgia that are writing to senators and congressmen, having rallies, even making broadcasts on radio. That is literally hundreds of people bombarding the media and government at the same time. How can they not be noticed and taken seriously? If something happens that you don't like, then you need to make that fact known. You can't sit at home and complain about it if you're not prepared to do something about it. Social action is a necessary (and often lacking) part of a democracy. Dr.Bull, I don't believe the original intent of the original post was to have random camping banned but perhaps, regulated and enforced more. I would not support a random camping ban but I definitely support more enforcement and also paying a fee to be allowed to camp. James

Anybody heading into the westcountry...be safe and be bear aware. Also, take lots of pictures so I can imagine myself in your place. James

There is a Prairie Creek that is just outside Rocky and it opens on April 1, although, it wasn't fishable. Hopefully it is cleared out by the weekend for you. Decided to stay at home this weekend instead of jockeying for a camping spot with some of yahoos in the foothills. Have a good time, Prairie and the N. Fork are two of my favourite creeks to fish. There is tons of fishing in Rocky and to the west/ southwest of Rocky. Love that area, can't wait for June!

Damn Rick, wish I could go. Land a couple Reds for me! James

Rick, I've fished in the area too and this isn't the first charter that I've heard of that has pulled more than its' legal limit out of the water. I've seen those guys catching 2 or 3 times their limits and undersized fish, etc... James

Found this on a Georgia flyfishing forum. "L.D.W.F. AGENTS CATCH FISHERMEN WITH 909 RED SNAPPER Release Date: 05/01/2008 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents wrote over 100 fishing citations to 20 men on Bayou Fourchon located in Lafourche Parish on Monday, April 28. Agents stopped the charter boat, "The Captain Charlie", which was occupied by 18 paid fishermen, the captain and one deck hand. Agents boarded the vessel to conduct a creel and license check of the fish and persons aboard. Upon receiving consent from the captain of the vessel, agents allegedly found 27 ice chests holding 909 red snapper. Agents counted and measured every fish aboard the vessel and found that of the 909 red snapper aboard the vessel, 287 of them were under the minimum 16-inch size requirement. The recreational limit for red snapper is two per fisherman, and the captain and deckhands are not allowed to possess a limit. Agents also discovered that none of the 18 fishermen were Louisiana residents nor did they possess valid Louisiana non-resident basic and saltwater fishing licenses. The 18 subjects that chartered the vessel, along with the captain and deckhand of the vessel were cited for 106 alleged violations. The citations included angling without a non-resident basic and saltwater fishing license, federal charges for possessing undersized and over the limit of red snapper, and taking red snapper during a closed season. The red snapper season is closed until June 1, 2008. The following fishermen were charged: David Harrelson, 52, Lockport, La., (Captain) Donald R. Humphrey, 45, Golden Meadow, La., (Deckhand) Artesza Portee, 35, Austell, Ga. Glover Jefferson Jr., 69, Atlanta, Ga. Walter Bailey Jr., 61, Atlanta, Ga. Robert Kemp, 72, Atlanta, Ga. James E. Williams, 65, Callaway, Fla. Clyde E. Raiford, 68, Fayetteville, Ga. Baxter R. Maddox, 67, Atlanta, Ga. Leslie H. Durham, 45, Douglasville, Ga. Cleveland B. Kemp Jr., 56, Conyers, Ga. Harry Crosland, 67, Decatur, Ga. Willie T. Epps, 72, College Park, Ga. Lawrence Kendrick, 60, Atlanta, Ga. Walter L. Gibson Jr., 38, Union City, Ga. Warren R. Brownlee, 36, Palmetto, Ga. Andrew R. Smith, 70, Decatur, Ga. Kym D. Haywood, 44, Hapeville, Ga. Charlie W. Patrick 68, Stone Mountain, Ga. Earnest Sessoms, 79, Atlanta, Ga. Agents seized the 909 red snapper, which weighed 2459 pounds, and were sold for a total of $9221.25. For more information, contact Capt. Sammy Martin at 985-447-0822 or smartin@wlf.louisiana.gov." http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/?id=957 James

This is true...took a small(ish) red intruder. Probably about 14-15 inches.

Looks like the good ol' Cortland peach/ green line...333, if I'm not mistaken. Been a while since I used it but it was a good line to me.

You know, I've owned many TFO rods in the past and I still have 3 (Finesse 4wt, Signature 4wt and TiCR X 5wt) and I have never had one break. I have taken TFO rods up against tarpon, mahi mahi, barracuda, bonefish, kingfish, all sorts of jacks, redfish...the list goes on and I have never had to use the warranty on any TFO rod I've owned. I will certainly more in the future. James

Why would they need to import items from the states? Home Depot doesn't...Bass Pro won't need to, either. It will be a seperate division of the same corporation. They will be able to import stuff directly into Canada, just like Wal Mart and Home Depot.

Probably not a terrible idea.

Nice sail! Never caught one that big. Awesome fish.

Fished Rocky Mountain House today. I had one fish on for a couple seconds then...jump...and it was gone. Fished for about 4 hours and packed it in. Lost my net so if anyone from the area finds one downstream of the HWY 22 bridge crossing the Clearwater, please, let me know. James

Orvis redesigned the Clearwater (they're now a blue blank, if memory serves me) series. I have a 5 wt in the Classic series (deep red/ claret colour blank) and I love it. I matched it with Rio Gold line and performs really well. I've had no problems casting into my backing if I need to. James

Sure, I'll send you a message. I may be in Calgary again this weekend but I'll let you know. James

Although I didn't attend the gathering I was fishing the Bow on Sunday and happened across Colin, Courtney and his wife. Was nice to meet you all and hope you had better luck than I did and I hope that jetboat didn't come back! Courtney, just watching you cast for a few minutes showed me what I was doing wrong (10 and 2) and was able to somewhat correct it further upstream. I will look like a sloppy amateur for some years to come but hopefully I'll get better each time. Thanks for the chat gents, was good to put some faces to names! James

I was just looking at those same boots the other day. Those are what I'll buy when my current boots wear out. Was talking to a couple buddies in the states that say they're bombproof. Looks and sounds like an awesome boot. James

Well, after seeing the Doc's boxes I know that mine don't come anywhere near measuring up. Yes, I've got fly box envy. I've been slacking off this winter....working weekends all winter really sucks. James

I've never targeted them but I could imagine they would be in the river. Afterall, Smoke Lake is pretty close by. I've only ever caught grayling and bulls out of the Little Smoky. I mostly fish it around Fox Creek because of the family friend that I like to pop in and see when I'm up there. I would like to head further up this year so if you know of some spots I don't (and you get that job in the Park) then we should definitely go. James

He sure does do math good......end sarcasm. 45 mitres are one of the easiest joints to cut (as long as the corner was square to begin with), especially if you're not coping the joint (nothing to do with pipe dope).

I never said that anything about fishing at the bridges. Grizzly bridge is where I park and start to walk. June is awesome. Just coming out of the wintering holes and starting to move around. They're hungry and will pretty much take any well presented fly you throw at them.