SilverDoctor

WOW that is astounding. On a side note I wonder if he would take a Wooley Bugger.

Take it from a 3 times Daddy. The fish are always there. Kids are born once. Stay close to home.

Lots of food for thought. Thanks for posting.

Fish Creek Park cougar caught Last Updated: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 | 11:04 AM MT CBC News Wildlife officials have trapped and removed a cougar that was on the loose in south Calgary's Fish Creek Park. The cougar was trapped Tuesday night in the provincial park and will be released into a more remote area northwest of Calgary. Cougar sightings are not unusual in the park, but the public was warned about this animal because it had killed a deer, said Jim Stomp, the site manager. Stomp was warning anyone visiting the park to be on the look out for the cougar and not approach it.

Cougar prowls Fish Creek Public advised to avoid park at dawn, dusk Kerry Williamson, Calgary Herald Published: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 A cougar that was seen taking down a deer and devouring it not far from a trail in Fish Creek Park appears to have taken up residence in the popular area, sparking concerns for public safety. A man cycling home from work late Monday evening spotted the cougar dragging a freshly killed deer carcass across a trail and into the undergrowth, then watched from a distance as it ate its kill. The sighting was the fifth since last Thursday, when it seems the big cat wandered into the provincial park along a wildlife corridor, crossing in from the Tsuu T'ina reserve. "It's come into the park, found a food supply and it's just doing what a cougar does naturally. It has chosen Fish Creek Park as a feeding area," said provincial conservation officer Norma Campbell. "That's the unusual part -- he's decided that he's going to stay in the area." Park officials say people should avoid using the area at dawn or dusk when cougars are most active, and they should make noise and keep their children close. Pets should be leashed, and hikers should carry a stick or bear spray as a deterrent. Cougars are often spotted in the south Calgary park in summertime, but most quickly leave. This animal appears not to be bothered by the large numbers of people who use the park, and is taking advantage of an easy food supply. Fish Creek is home to a large number of deer, rabbits and other prey. The heavily treed area near the southwest community of Evergreen also offers the cougar good cover. "They normally come into the park, see a few people they don't like and figure this isn't a place they'd want to be and they go on their way," said Campbell. "This one doesn't seem to be bothered by people and has chosen to stay." The warnings came three days after a Spruce Grove woman was forced to fight for her life to fend off an aggressive cougar that had been stalking her as she hiked alone on a popular trail in Kootenay National Park. And it comes less than a week after a cougar began preying on pet cats at nearby Radium Hot Springs, putting residents in the B.C. tourist town on alert. Residents there are being advised to keep their pets indoors at night, not to leave food outside and to supervise small children at all times when they are playing outdoors. The incidents are surprising, given that cougars are solitary, elusive animals that tend to stay well away from humans. The Fish Creek cougar has not acted aggressively towards people, but officials are warning people to stay out of the Bebo Grove/Marshall Springs area at the southwest end of the park, and to be wary and take precautions while using other spots. Campbell said the cougar did not appear to be bothered by the cyclist who spotted it Monday at about 10 p.m. "The cyclist came across the cougar as it was feeding on what looked to be a deer. He watched him from a distance, could see the blood on his mouth, him licking his lips," said Campbell, who spent Tuesday afternoon putting warning signs up in the park. "It lay itself down in the grass and just fed on it. He probably had a good feast last night."

Just another point, I've found that it's quicker and more accurate to trim a head if you take the fly out of the vice. Keeps the scraps in check by working over a garbage bag or box. Don is also dead on in saying not all deer hair is the same. Look at different types. You might also experiment with Elk and antelope. The have some great characteristics for some patterns.

I wonder if he would take a size 0002 skid bitch. Should be a hell of a fight on the Spay rod. I'm sure he'll take me out to the backing. Since he's feeding it doesn't sound like a problem cat. More that likely skedaddle once the weekend Yahoos hit the park. I imagine it's attractive with the park having many areas closed and not as many people around.

July 24, 2007 Copied from the Fish Creek Provincial Park web site. http://tprc.alberta.ca/parks/fishcreek/whatnew.asp FISH CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK COUGAR ADVISORY The Park is issuing this advisory in the interest of public safety and awareness. Fish Creek Provincial Park would like to advise the public that a cougar has been frequenting the Park area between Bebo Grove and Marshall Springs. The cougar has been spotted by several members of the public over the last few days. To date, the cougar has been feeding on natural prey (deer, rabbits) and has not demonstrated any aggression towards people. Cougars are rarely seen in Fish Creek, and in the past have been quick to leave the area once the challenges of the surrounding urban environment become apparent. There are significant populations of cougars throughout the nearby foothills and eastern slopes of Kananaskis Country. Park Conservation and Fish and Wildlife Officers are monitoring the situation and will attempt to capture the cougar if opportunity allows. Cougar capture is extremely difficult as these animals are wary and highly capable of evasion. The Park is asking the public to avoid the area, consider using other areas of the Park, and remember the following: • Avoid using the Park at dawn or dusk when cougars are most active • Travel in noisy groups with children close to adults • Follow Park regulations and keep your pets leashed • Carry a stick or pepper spray as a deterrent If you encounter a cougar: • Raise arms or stick in the air making yourself appear as large as possible • Make eye contact, shout, be aggressive, and demonstrate you are dominate • Keep small children and pets close by and do not allow them to run • Throwing rocks and fighting back with any available tools have proven to be effective in the event of an attack • Contact the Park office at 297-5293

I know where you're coming from. I have always believed that the key was to fish and have fun on your own terms. I love to experiment with patterns. Often with those I know will not work just to practice, casting, drifting the fly and watching the line in the air. I seldom post pictures of trout I have met as often the holding on to the fish is secondary to the take in my mind. I do love a good fight, but I gauge my success as a fly fisherman by knowledge of the water. What I see and hear, who I meet, and feeling connected to nature escaping from the daily grind into the solitude of water. When you're young in sport you might think that the volume of trout is the thing. Instead it's the volume of the experience. I can't remember the number of fish I've brought to hand on a particular day. I can remember days in the rain with mayflies hatching around me, A sliver rainbow streaking up from 30 feet down to smash a dry fly, a brown trout rocketing 3 feet above the water silhouetted in the moons wake and the loud slurp of a fish feeding in a small stream late in the day. The sound of a small stream and visiting stream side with another like spirit. I think too many times people strive for a kind of oneupmanship to show pictures of a gasping fish that has been banged around and fought till exhausted. Don't forget to watch the water, watch the trees and connect with yourself. Thanks Toolman for showing the ultimate in sportsmanship. We all approach the sport in different ways for different things. Some of us find what we are after, others find marvelous and magical things that we where not even looking for.

Along with that use your scissors to cut in from the front not the side. The type of scissors make a difference. A good pair doesn't have a smooth cutting surface, look instead for SERRATED SCISSORS. A razer blade works well also.

Thanks for posting, A.K. Best is one of my favorite tyers.

Yes I noticed their site also and have thought of buying a combo pack. Let me know if you are going to give em a try I'll join you and we'll save a bit on shipping.

Yep Rainbow,Brown, Bull, Cutty, Laker, and Brookies have all come to my hook at one point on the Bow. I know that spot and another one where I end up with lakers every now and again. I seem to nail the odd pike in a certain slow section a couple times a year. There are a few in the Bow. Sometimes when you get a strike and loose your rig it might be a toothy critter not a bad knot.

That's right, I purchased the "Sharpes Weighted Spey Wading Staff" from Gordon. On of the best investments I've made in years. It's certainly the Cadillac of staff's. The weighted bottom make it easiy to use, it's a one piece and very positive for balance. I've used a wading staff for about 30 years and now feel totally lost without one. I would highly recommend a staff of some Kind for anyone fly fishing medium to large streams. Although it's been mentioned that people use them in silty and muddy situations the real use of a staff is multi fold. It acts as a third leg and sometimes like a balancing tail. It gives you positive balance when wading. With the lanyard you don't always need to hold the staff. I often walk with the staff dragging behind. The break down staffs are good but I have talked with people who have had them collapse on them at crucial moments. Check out brands and look for POSITIVE locking on the sections. For years I used a metal ski pole with success. Also a good choice, easy to find, but you MUST work in a rubber tip of some sort (like on a cane tip) or you will be telegraphing you presence. A staff hase saved me many times from a plunge, fending off pooches and it makes a great camera pod and easel to mention a few things.

I just keep a small notebook. I usually only enter if it's something worth while. Nice to refer back to previous years and see when the various hatches are and what worked.

I've dressed a few rods probably about 10 with guides custom handles etc. When I hear a full build I usually associate it with scratch built bamboo rods like Don Anderson does. I usually either order my parts by mail, or buy at the Fly fishing Expo in the spring. Hope someday to get myslelf a bamboo blank. Very satisfying to roll yer own. There is a shop in Kelowna BC that has a lot of rod parts that I always stop at on my way to some Steelheading.

no problems so far with Firefox on the Mac.

they look interesting. I'll have to try some in the fall when I run down on supplies.

I wold leap several times to throw the hook. If that didn't work head for some submerged dead falls to wrap around.Other than that I wold hope it was catch and release water. Sounds likde a Pita question.

AAAaaaaa.... My eyes my eyes!!!!!!!!

rubber gloves gives you a good grip. Go to Canadian Tire and get a product called penetrating oil. Worked for me once. Soak it a couple of times. If you do get it unstuck a bit of wax helps as was already said.

Very nice job, you should be proud of it. did you work from plans or just design as you go.

Check my Alberta stone in the pattern area, It's been producing.

Bring along some phesant tail andpale morning dunns. Caddis in various stages are on now.

Yes I spent 5 hours looking. Have a friend that is checking out pawnshops.