SilverDoctor

I'll be there throwing the Deer Creek. My Meiser Highlander kit arrived at my door yesterday and I'll have to get building it. Can't wait to line up that one.

I'm a fan of the strip set for more control like Max. I find it gives a better and immediate hook set. When you try to set by raising the rod it opens up a host of problems. Think about it this way, when the rod tip goes up, it produces a slack downward loop, it then slowly tightens the line. Too many actions there and not direct enough. you do need direct contact between your line and the fly with no slack for good hookups. A bankside movement of the rod tip would produce a decent set also. If a trout hits the streamer as a territorial hit it is usually along the flank of the other fish or minnow. When a trout feeds it normally strikes at the head not the tail. A feeding trout would chock to death taking in a Minnow or Sculpin by the tail because of the spines. I often have a quick sharp strike by a large trout followed by a strong take. Thus the timing of a slight pause befor setting your hook Trout will do a quick stunning hit then turn and take the prey. I once watched a big brown stun my mudder three times before turning and gulping the fly. I watched the action and paused the fly after the first few hits and quivered it a bit. If i would have kept it swimming it would not have been natural. You have to be the prey. A long shank streamer hook is harder to set than a short shank, and harder to keep a hook set. Hope this helps a bit.

Sounds interesting.

OUCH!!!! I feel for you man.

Glad you enjoyed our modest little corner of the world. Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting your picture and comments.

This is a classic lake BC fly. When I lived in BC I tied thousand of these for the local shops in a variety of colors., Olive,Green, Red Sedge and Black. Originally called the "Monkey-faced Louise", it was then changed to the name Carey Special. It was aptly named the Carey Special from its originator, Coloney Carey of Kelowna who originally taught me to tie it when I was a kid.

9 foot is way too long for a bamboo trolling rod. It might be a salmon rod or some other version.

You can also place some fine dubbing in the wire while making the twist.

They're suckers for a large Mickey Finn.

I suggest you contact Don Anderson, he has ads on this site pm me if you need his info. I love bamboo and rewrap but just for myself. Post some pictures of the rod.

Time on the water is never time wasted but instead time gained. They are in there just have to figure em out.

I've tried a number of wading staffs, some where too light thus tended to float and a couple of the collapsible ones collapsed or broke at the wrong time (not really a good thing). Used a ski pole with the bottom filled with a bit of hot lead which wasn't bad. The best one by far was a staff that I bought from Speyghillie a couple of years ago (Sharpe's of Aberdeen Wading Staff). Bottom weighted with a great strap system that keeps it right out of the way when fishing. He has brought a few from England for people who wanted them the last couple of fly fishing workshops that he put on. This staff is bottom weighted and stays put. Put it through it's paces here and on the big Steelhead waters at the coast. Now I wouldn't step into a river of any size without it, saved my bacon a few times. You might check out some of the local fly shops to see what they have in staffs based on my above comments or send Speyghillie a pm. Hope his helps

Just a comment about wading. A wading staff will help you keep your balance. I started using one about 8 years ago and it sure has made a difference. Don't go swimming any more. The other thing is wading cleats. The little screws that you sink into the soles of your waders. They help with positive traction immensely. Especially when the weed growth fires up on the rocks.

I've bring in a few pike every year, I imagine many times when you have a fish "break off" it's actually these toothy critters slicing your leader to shreads.

They look like they should work.

Quantum Hot Sauce Reel Grease. Great stuff. I use it on all my reels. It's brought back a few Hardy's to like new running. A lot of the collectors use it. Worst thing is to use a thick grease that is not made for quick light gears. Will gum up the system. it's a good idea to remove all the old oil and grease before lubing a reel.

ops double post

An guy I work with wants to hike up to Keyhole lake. I haven't the foggiest idea where it is. I think in Banff. Any hikers out there know?

I often find myself on the water before first light. Many times I come off the water when others just arrive.

I can attest that yes Toolman does have an arsenal of rods.

I would have to come in from a completely different angle than the others. I usually find out what insect stages, or other life is in the water that the trout are feeding on, rather than just having a particular popular fly. I then try to match the life form with what I have in my fly box.

You also have to look at what the particular emergers look like. A good general on is the Sparkle Pupa created by Gary LaFontaine. A lot of emerger patterns are a derivative of this pattern. I have a few personal ties that work. http://www.westfly.com/fly-pattern-recipe/...arklepupa.shtml

In the winter I usually tie a lot for steelheaders heading for the Coast. I do tie quite a few for charities. I give away a few on the water. I usually have a few containers for my self that I use to replenish my various boxes.

I would suspect your knots.

Yes always always talk to the landowner. I have a number of access points around the province through private land that I've developed with good relations.