SilverDoctor

Fishing in the dark I like a white indicator. Works well.

Funny thing I went into a Can Tire store last weekend and asked a young dude. "Hay man where are your thermoses"? Got this blanks stare back. "You know I said, for like putting hot coffee in". "Oh you mean a coffee pot, why didn't you say so". "No! No! I says "THERMOS". Another young guy walked over and scratched his head at the request staring at me like I was asking for some exotic foreign device beyond the reach of average intelligence. A third one descended to see what the hubbub was about. A young lady this time, the request again fell on new ears with the same blank stare returned my way like I had just arrived on foreign soil. I was suddenly surrounded by several customers all trying to describe the the exotic item to staff with multiple descriptions and hand gestures. "Everyone know what a thermos is" piped up a lady customer. The mood of the crown seemed tense. With Christmas approaching people where in no mood for misdirection but in typical Canadian fashion wanted to help. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a cope of employees running toward the situation. Determination was on their faces, perhaps this was some sort of terrorist situation. Or a customer gone mad in some sort of weird shopping related frenzy. Glancing up I noticed in the management cube faces looking down on the critical situation. Perhaps closing the store was in order. A fellow that smacked of security was elbowing toward me. Finally surrounded by people of shallow experience and less drive to find answers an older sales type calmly approached the growing crowd of aimless clueless employees. Plus a throng of customers swelling numbers. The look in his eyes was immedietly of fear and hesitation, what was this guy trying to pull. Some sort of customer insurrection? A protest of some sort. "Thermos" I said sheepishly, almost embarrassed that I had tied up most of the stores merger staff on such an outlandish request. Oh S*#t, they're on isle bal bla he says rescuing me from the crowd and whisking me over the the right Isle. Looking back I could see the crowd slowly breaking up in smaller groups but still in discussion. Thus ended the great thermos insurrection of /08. All was again well with the world.

Mind you a small flask of good scotch goes a long way as will a bit of Grand Marnier. You'll still be cold but it will be a fun chill.

I am Silver Doctor and I am an addict. Yep, I'm one of those warped ones also. Love the spey and fish with indicators a lot but also swing nymphs and streamers. Also skidding stones in the fall and having fun late summer evenings with small mouse imitations (shuuu). I use the airflow ridge line in #30 as I like the larger diameter feel. as for lines Rio Windcutters, and Skaget's for large streamers and winds. Started using the Vision Ace 7/8 which I really love, Its a bullet with great control. The thing I really like with an indicator is the looooooong drift. With an indicator being able to reach out there. With the reach you can fish from a distance without spooking trout. Close in you just use High sticking and the indi never touches the water. The two handed indicator system allows precise depth control at a distance. The Spey also allows more control when fighting large trout (20+). I use the Deer Creek and had but sold the TFO Spey rod that was a good solid rod but I have since sold it to fund another rod. Slowly finishing up a custom S2H126456 Highlander ~ 12'6" ~ 4 pc ~ 4/6 wt. from Bob Meiser that should be ready late winter early spring depending on my schedule.

For winter I have both oversize waders and roomier pair of wading boots. I like a light pair of socks with with heavier wool socks over (absolutely no cotton as was said). I often in winter leave the waders at home and opt for warm wool pants and hiking boots. It's an excellent idea to carry a spare pair of socks and change half way through. I aslo cary a full change of clothing in the truck. Electric socks are good but bulky. To me a hat is just as important as waders, and I layer shirts, remembering my vest will also provide some warmth. Don't forget your insides, a nice hot thermos of coffee, has brought many a sigh of satisfaction. Fuel and hydrate your body it will deal with cold easier. Here's a tip. You can find chemical toe warmers at places like Mountain co-op. Put them under you toes on the outside of your socks in really cold weather. http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail....845524442541033

You said it. There have been times when I only find one bag out of 10 that I like. Mind you the other day I ran across Mallard wings that where suburb for wet fly wings and bought the entire stock of 5 bags.

I use and tie them for Steelhead and I have a couple of patterns that I have used with success on the Bow. I like them in a scaled down size for here. Have a couple tied on brass and plastic tubes that sink and have worked well. Playing with some mini-intruders (Bowtruders) over the last couple of years. I'm applying what I have learned to a few new versions for the coming season to work a couple of things out. The positive thing about tubes are the holding power as apposed to long shank hooks. Less chance of a thrown hook and a quicker hookup.

I don't fool with poachers either. I will stroll by to be sure they are breaking the law, never confront be polite and sometimes make small talk. I always phone in a complaint. Although I have cut slack with kids, never with adults. I've also reported a number of people cross river. I carry decent binoculars. I did 6 reports last year. We should treasure our fishery and do everything we can to protect it. It's gold and can be badly damaged in short order by people who don't care. Lack of knowledge is never an excuse as they get a regulation with a license.

Through my experience and for my style I use my Skagit with a fast sinking tip for presenting large, weighted flies. Great for fish that are lying deep in the currents or in heavy wind conditions with indi rigs. Just started fishing with a Vision Ace Scandi head and it's great for nymphs with a more fitness presentation and better feel for pick ups. Previous I was using Rio windcutters for standard Spey presentations but the Vision Ace is a charm for overhead style which I have come to love. I find I always carry several lined for various conditions.

Hay man congrats, nice set up you'll really enjoy it. Been throwing the Spey on the bow for a few years now, just to add I often swing wets and streamers. Indicator fishing is great as it gives you huge window of drift. Not to mention emergers and drifting and skidding dries. Nicest is being able to reach those pockets out there you couldn't before.

I tie a few of em for guys in BC over the winter. I'd be interested .

Should read: We are Glad to have Friendly tourists from the east Come to the sKeena. YOU aRe always weLcome to bring in Alberta money.

Basically a focused minority wanting the resource for themselves. You must have a guide. Well I know many of the areas very well having grown up in that province and fished it's waters from childhood. It will be interesting to see if there is a drop in Alberta tourism as a result. Especially with the economy the way it, is the market may get too squeezed. I own property in BC have a mailing address. Pay taxes out there but still don't get a break.

Just goes to show you lots of great reel makers out there to choose form. Nobody has mentioned to date the Wylie Coyote Acme Atomic Reel. Best of the bunch for distance. mind you about 5,000 feet of steel cable is needed and a large nuclear rocket with a saddle along with an assortment of boards and nails to put this baby together. But Oh Boy when you fire it up you can reach the other side of the Bow no problem.

Yea in the end picking and dipping works the best.

Have to drop in on a weekend, where is the parking around there?

4:20 let me see, Hu can't quite remember now. Mind you I was a child of the 60's, pass the chips

Cigar boxes work great.

Looking good should be great golden stone skidders. Nice wing material gil.

Hay Hawgstoppah, thanks for posting your trip. Looks like you had a good one. Wish I could have afforded the time to do the trip this year but your description and pictures took me there. Ah well, lots of my Steelhead flies ended up out there so I guess in a way I'm still catching Steelhead. Please don't get pulled down by negative comments. You posted and had a great trip, that's the treasure.

Nice package there, looks like a sweet deal.

Just dip em in the water for a bit.

Never been a big fan of neoprene. I carry 3 pairs of gloves two fingerless made of wool (wool gloves are getting hard to find but stay warm even when wet). Third pair is fingerless with a flip glove over. I like to change gloves after an hour or two or if they get wet or sweaty. I also use hand warmers.

Funny that you mention that, Christmas is when I buy my flashabou. And Craft stores are a great place to nose around in amazing sometimes what you find.

Yep speaker wire is great. Small appliance cord for 16 to 20. Those old appliance and electrical devices offer up some great ribbing.