JMasson

Where are you going to be fishing in Florida? Gulf or Atlantic coast? April, that's a good time to go....try for a Tarpon, man, they'll be around!! Take a 10/11 weight and a reel with at least 200 yards of 30 lb. backing and see if you can hold on to a silver monster for more than 5 seconds. I guarantee it'll be the most exciting 5 seconds of your life. James

"Got to truck, got part dry. Stripped off shirt and pants, tied em to the truck box to dry out. Got pulled over in a roadcheck on the way home (Strike Nine). Try explaining why you're driving in boxer shorts and no shoes in the first week of May to a female (Strike Ten, if you're keeping track) RCMP officer. Ain't no way to do that without blowing the alcohol tester." Was she at least a good looking cop? That would've made it ok, at least in my books. James

About the only stream, with decent bulls, that'll be open in April will be the Clearwater. That's usually blown out until mid to late April at the earliest. Not much off trunk road opens up until June and they're blown out and not fishing well until the end of June. Tried to fish Prairie Creek one week after opening and it was a no-go. Chocolate milk and a good two feet higher than usual. The Clearwater was worse. James

You're right. I don't think many people want to know what is actually swimming (sometimes less than 5 feet) from them while they either swim or fish. My mom absolutely refuses to go more than ankle deep in the ocean. I remember when my family was living on Tobacco Key (Belize) as a kid...I was young, probably 4 or 5 but I still remember...My mom would wade out into the ocean and look for sharks before she would let me and my sister come in. She is absolutely paranoid. Another vivid memory of mine is sitting on the dock, on the same key, and watching a dolphin go by...well, my mom quickly picked her dangling feet out of the water and tucked them under herself. She thought the dolphin was a shark and that it was going to go out of its way to come and nibble on her toes. She's the same way with snakes. I put a rubber snake under the blankets on her bed as a kid once and I thought she was going to murder me. My dad actually had to restrain her until I could go lock myself in my room. Needless to say I ran out the door without breakfast the next morning to catch the bus before my mom could get ahold of me. I'm amazed I didn't drive her to insanity...I was a real bastard sometimes. James

That bull shark certainly did get the blood pumping. ANY shark will get your heart pounding when you're in the water...you're in their element. Once you see a couple and get used to the idea of them being out there and not being able to see them, you start to relax a little. No matter how many times I got in the water I always thought about whether I was going to turn around and see a shark. Actually, it's not the turning around and seeing one that bothered me...looking up from 40-50 ft. and seeing that dark shadow block out the sun for a second. That will get anybody's blood moving. Especially since you're only down there on one breath and you have to come up sooner, rather than later. You never hear of anyone getting hit by a shark when they're 50 feet down...it's always as they're coming up, usually when they're within 5-10 feet of the surface. They're always out there. I've caught decent sized sharks about 30 feet off the swim line at South Beach (Miami). Really funny to catch a shark and see the look on the swimmer's faces....releasing the shark was always the best part. I may have to post the story about the 66+ pound barracuda we "caught" one day. James

I can honestly say I have NEVER caught a red that big....48 inches. That's a monster! I dont think I've even seen one that big. I haven't caught anything over 30 inches. Probably not too many big fish like that left, these days. Sharks aren't too bad. I've had a few run-ins with them. I used to spearfish as well, so I know all about them. Always remember the first encounter I had. Spearing in about 10 feet of water out of Homosassa, FL. I'm looking around and I see my dive buddy flagging me down. He's pointing at the float that had our stringer attached....I look over towards the stringer and there's a 8-9 ft. Bull Shark looking to have a go at our fish. The bad part was the stringer was only about 6 feet from me. Gave the shark a quick jab in the nose with my spear...shark darted off into the murk and we slowly made our way back to the boat. Good times. Loved the story Rick!!! Brought back some fond memories! James

Always nice to see people invite themselves to a party....HAHAHAHA...just teasing. James

I mean....there's only minnows up here...nothing worth spending time to catch. Teck, you're in Red Deer, right? Let's hook up sometime this summer and fish the Ram(s). I don't know if you've ever been into the canyon on the S. Ram but I think you would like it. Beautiful scenery and some nice cutties, whites and even bulls to go along with it. Getting down is easy enough, getting out is a bit strenuous. James PS. Sorry for the complete hijack! I think the streamwatch program is a great one. I plan on donating to both S. Alberta and C. Alberta. There definitely needs to be more enforcement, spread throughout the entire province!

The only reason I even posted in the Calgary thread was because I got tired of Fishead posting about how great he is. I'm as relaxed and mellow as they come (usually). I just want to talk about fishing, damnit (and other assorted and unrelated/ "irrelevant" nonsense), maybe make a few contacts and fish with some new people! I don't want to hear a guy spout off about how great he is and how he loves his jetboat. Maybe that's just me though? As for stories...I'm sure RickR has better stories than me. FYI Fishead I have never taken a picture of ANY fish I have ever caught. I've always spent my money on rods and gear....still don't have a camera...might get one this year but I need a new computer first. Anyways, I'm done with this topic. I've said my piece and that's that, as far as I'm concerned. James

Fishead, I've been fly fishing for 17 years, since I was 5 and strong enough to cast a rod. Personally, I think you're delusional! You sure sound like a purist to me....you drive a JETBOAT for Christ sake! I was born in Edmonton, spent the first ten years of my life in Grand Cache, fishing and exploring the Smoky and Little Smoky. Then my family moved to Florida and I spent the next 11 years exploring every tidal creek along the Gulf Coast I could find. If there were fish swimming then I wanted to find them! I also spent a lot of my off time in the summer backpacking up the Appalachian Trail hunting down native brookies at 2,000+ feet above sea level. I've caught trout in 14 states. I've caught tarpon, barracuda, jacks, sailfish, mahi-mahi, snook, redfish, sea trout and even sharks on a fly rod. When I'm not working, I spend my summer days with my backpack on and my 3 wt in my hand, trekking in some remote area of Alberta. I rarely post on this forum just because I prefer to just read. You spout off at every opprotunity and tell everyone about how much better than them you are. Mind you I've done all of this before I even turn 23 (22 right now, 23 in April). I'm more of a trout bum than you could ever hope to be. James

What streams, rivers and lakes north of Calgary don't have fish in them? Just wondering cause I fish central and northern Alberta quite a bit and have not found a lack of fish in either zone. I think the point here is that we need more enforcement and that extra enforcement needs to be spread out equally through all zones. James

Was planning on coming to the show but I can't say that I'll be ready to make any purchases just yet. I probably won't be ready to buy anything until probably March or April...unless I manage to find a great deal that I can't pass up. I like to take my time and make a purchase that I won't be upset with in a month or two. Now, I've been reading quite a bit lately and I think I have some of the basic concepts between the two different styles of casting and the two seperate lines. The traditional spey casting used a long double-taper lines (I ready somewhere between 80 and 120 feet). Since you don't strip in any line before the cast, there is no visible pause like you see in skagit styles casting...am I somewhere near right so far? Another question...would you say it's easier for a beginner to learn the Skagit style or Scandi style casting? I hope I just didn't use "Scandi" in the wrong context....I just wanted to be cool like the thread says. I haven't felt like a complete novice since I was about 10 and got coordinated enough to make half decent single-hand casts. I hope you guys don't mind all the questions and thanks for the help. James

So, it looks like I've got more hunting and decisions to make. I figured a 7 or 8 wt would be the minimum I was looking at. What are the pros and cons of a longer rod versus a shorter rod? Is it mostly to do with needing more room to cast? I've taken a peak at Echo rods like Whistler suggested. I've used their single-hand rods in the past and was quite impressed. I also took a look at the Beulah rods and liked what I could see from their web page. One more question...are there benefits of having a fast action rod over a medium action rod? Or is it pretty much the same as single-handers? Thanks for the help so far. James

I was looking at probably $250-300 max. just because it's not a rod I see myself using more than a handful of times each year. I'm looking at either a Ross of a Pfleuger for reels. I have a couple TFO single-handers that I actually really like so I was kind of thinking about a TFO spey rod. I like the warranty and unlike others I have only ever had one break on me...and that was after I hit a dog that was attacking me with it. James

First, I'd like to say that I am a complete novice when it comes to spey casting. I use some of the casts with my single-hand rods when the situations call for it. Anyways, I have a trip planned to go to New Brunswick for some atlantic salmon this year and also have a steelhead/ pacific salmon trip in the works...I'd like to carry a spey rod with me. I've seen where I'll be fishing out east and the river is BIG to say the least...it would be really hard work with a single-hand rod. Now, what do you all think would be a good rod. I was thinking something in the 12'- 13' range...probably 12'-6". Bear in mind that I won't be using the rod a whole lot...couple-three times a year maybe and when I fish the Bow (which is not that often, maybe once a year). I'm in the preliminary stages right now and I'm basically just shopping and looking for opinions. I live in Edmonton but wouldn't mind driving to Calgary and picking a rod up if it's worth it. I have a reel picked out for it...actually, I've got two reels picked out so I'll have to decide eventually. Later on I'll probably ask for more advice and help when it comes to lines and also casting. Thanks for any help! James

Never did use a pink one. I always used red and white or red and yellow. Now what about DOA Clacker bobbers...the ones that make a clicking noise when you twitch your rod. One day I had so many specks hit the bobber and not the shrimp underneath that I contemplated putting hooks through the bobbers so that I might actually catch one! James

a spoon is a great lure for sure! I caught my first red when I was 10 on a gold spoon. Caught more kingfish than I care to count on a silver spoon. Heck, I've even had a tarpon chase a spoon fly....then he got up close and decided he didn't want to eat a fake fingernail and turned away. A gold spoon was my second go-to lure for fishing grass flats in Florida...a red and white mirrolure was the first. James

Well, a spoon fly doesn't look like any naturals, at least I know of anyways. I used to use them to great success on the Gulf coast in Florida for reds and specks. There are several different patterns that I've used...I've even tied them out of a fake fingernail. James

Highland Park (12 year) for about 60 bucks, McClelland's (Highland or Lowland and don't buy the 16 year old...it costs waaaay too much and is no better than an 8 year old) for about 40 bucks. Bear in mind that these are not smoky whiskies, I can't stand a smoky whiskey so I don't buy them. James

If you have a steady hand you can pretty much do anything with a skil saw. You'll be working strictly with 45 degree angles which is easy as long as you don't get the short and long points of your angles mixed up. Inside corners will be short matched to short and outside corners will be long matched to long. Unfortunately I live in Edmonton or I'd come by and give you some professional assistance. Don't worry about a mitre box, especially if you're able to find a mitre saw to use. Make sure the blade is sharp (preferably new or all the teeth are intacted and not chipped) or you'll end up with chunks missing from your wood. James

Are you guys still planning on playing on the 29th (saturday)? I can't make it to Calgary on the 27th but I am planning on coming down on Saturday to fish the Bow and I'll bring my gear to play some hockey afterwards. I would love to meet some of you folks and pass a puck or two as well. Please, let me know if this is still in the books! I'll need an address and maybe directions since I'm not familiar with Calgary. James

I might be in Calgary for the day anyways on the 27th. If I do go I will bring my skates and a stick with me and lace up. I'd love to play with you folks! James

Same here, buddy. They are playing a lot more live shows coming up, no record in the works though. I'm ok with listening to their old stuff...it never seems to get old.

Is that an attempt at hijacking your own thread?

And of course, what would music in the 90's be without Rage Against the Machine. I shed a tear when these guys broke up in 2000. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-58-36lSqG4 Not metal but still one of my all-time favourites. -James