SilverDoctor
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Posts posted by SilverDoctor
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I've lost count of the people who pursue the Spey form of casting and who own equipment. Either occasionally or at addiction level.
Me of course with 2 TFO rods
TFO Deer Creek Spey 5/6
TFO Professional series 6 wt
Put yer hand up boys and girls.
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I don’t recommend products or services that I don’t strongly believe in. I would not hesitate to recommend Godon’s course. There are a number of reasons you may want to book for this great session.
You have a Spey rod and want to learn the style.
You have a fly rod want to learn the style.
You want to experience a true Spey master at work, see classic top notch gear and have a great time.
Are curious about this classic and beautiful way of casting.
Think ol doc might be right.
The first Bow river session sold out extremely quickly by not only locals but people out of the Calgary area. Seeing the interest expressed on the forum I would imagine this one WILL l be the same.
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I finally took the plunge & bought myself a Spey rig. After a long time on the forum & meeting a lot of folks from here, I began to wonder about these "Spey guys" & why they loved this method so much. I decided that with such respected fellows on here like Toolman & Silver Doctor extolling such virtue for this style of fishing, I knew I had to give it a try.
I went out today for an introductory Spey lesson with Toolman. I was completely blown away. I can't tell you how cool Spey feels - It opens up my fishing envelope so much, and is a unique form of grace that is totally different from the single-handed grace of fly fishing that so many people, including me, think about. Today was a real eye-opener for me, and I really appreciate the time that Toolman took to spend with me. I realized today that I now have about 100% more water available to me to fish, with absolutely no downside. For example, today for the first time in my life I laid out about 85' of line with no back cast. No problem. This is such a unique form of fishing with (IMHO) every bit as much grace & finesse as single handed casting that I can hardly believe it.
I knew that when guys like Toolman & Silver Doctor (& others) were so into this that there had to be something to it. I had to find out. Boy, am I ever glad I did. I already know MANY pieces of water that I always longed to fish & couldn't cast there single handed, that are now open to me. Even left handed (I'm a righty). So, in 1 lesson, I've cast almost 90' repeatedly (remember, no back-cast & 1 rod motion), upstream, downstream, right & left handed. I now know what I've been missing, & I highly recommend this style of fishing to anyone who may be interested. My rig only cost about $400 (rod, reel, line, backing) & it has opened up a whole new world. I feel like Jean-Luc Friggin' Picard. I am eagerly going to practice what I've learned & can't wait for my next session to learn more techniques. If any of you are thinking that you might like to give this Spey thing a try, feel free to PM me - I'd be only too happy to tell you more about my experience. I encourage any of you who are sitting on the fence (like I was) to at least give this a try - I know you won't regret it.
Here's to catching more fish!
(Thanks again Toolman)
Welcome to the bow river Spey casting fraternity. Give me a shout some times and we'll do some swinging. Glad to see we now have a Spey area.
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Just to add because of the nature of the savage strikes with swinging wets and streamers it's a good idea to hold 8 - 12 inches of line as a shock stopper. You can loose a tippet quite easily if there is no "give", The other thing is to be sure you have your drag set right and not too loose. Small things that make a difference after the strike.
Even with these I've had a brown leave me with miles of fly line wrapped around my head.
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I was in a situation 2 weeks ago where I walked down and fished a small run (about 30 feet long) at at a well used fishing area at Fish Creek (not my usual haunt). Several fly fisherman and a spin guy where on both sides of me. I was lucky enough to quickly take a small rainbow, and then a brown that was a decent size. After releasing it and standing up I realized that I had fishermen on both sides of me inside of 10 feet. I simply stated that I would need more room to cast. The young guy at my right called me a F**g B***d who didn't own the river and was hogging the best spot where all the fish where (I guess because I had caught a couple). I was quite shocked as I had been on the run for no more than 10 minutes.
I vacated the spot under a torrent of abuse, not wanting a confrontation surrounded by two young guys. I looked back on them and they where flailing the water with their fly rods. Using in my judgment the wrong presentation with shallow skills. Now I think I'm a fairly amiable person on the water who normally shares info and flies with those who are curious what a + 55 yr old fart has to say. But seldom do I encounter direct abuse. I enjoy sharing stream lore and trading pleasantries.
I am a bit of a solitude fisher, but truly enjoy the company of those with like passion. I did hit the popular spots occasionally. I will comfort myself with my more private areas away from "popular norm". Like Toolman said a bit of walking will take you to more isolated areas. My wife says I should fish more with others for safety sake.
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WOW that is astounding. On a side note I wonder if he would take a Wooley Bugger.
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Sorry about that last try, Connor, I get decent Cell coverage around the Policemans Fats area but once you get down by the Highwood or south of Indus the coverage is non existant. Have you considered a pager? My work pager seems to work in areas that I cant use the cell. They're cheap, I think around 4 or 5 bucks a month. At the very least you could recieve a page with a priority code. Something like your home phone number followed by a 1 2 or 3 to indicate the urgency.
By the way, I got your message. Sunday morning would work well for me. My Daughter and her family live over in Marda Loop area so maybe I could run over there after.
Murray
Take it from a 3 times Daddy. The fish are always there. Kids are born once. Stay close to home.
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Lots of food for thought. Thanks for posting.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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I trim by tying all the deer hair then finishing with a couple of half hitches, cut off thread and remove the fly from the vise. Then I trim it to the shape I want. If you need to you can put the fly back into the vise to add other details ie head cement, eyes etc.
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.
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Thanks for posting, A.K. Best is one of my favorite tyers.
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The have a website. Togen's Fly Shop Their prices seem reasonable even with shipping I am thinking about ordering one of their combo packs. not sure if they sell in Calgary or not.
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.
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same here, caught a nice Brookie 2-3 lbs by the Highwood confluence a couple years ago.. check this out, blurred the face cause I don;t really know the guy, got this from a friend..was taken in 2005..and I'd say everybody will reconize the location..
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.
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A wading staff with a weighted tip is a good feature. Silver Doctor recently purchase an awesome wading staff that is the best I have ever seen. Hopefully he can share his opinion with you on it. Not sure if it is available in Canada yet, as it was brought over from Scotland by Gordon Macleod (Speyghille), back in May, when he was instructing a Spey School for us.
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.
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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.
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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.
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no problems so far with Firefox on the Mac.
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be sure to clip any hackle alway from the hook gap also the other thing is keep the hook really sharp. There are times that the trout just don't seem to be able to hit the fly right. You can open the gap a little but be careful, it can alos lead to shake off's.I usually switch over to a more standard dry like a Humpy. I tie some of mine with a tight ffoam body for high flotation in the chop.
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Togens hooks out of BC. Cheap and very near Tiemco quality. Plus Canadian.
they look interesting. I'll have to try some in the fall when I run down on supplies.
Crowding And Ethics On Our Rivers
in General Chat - Fishing Related
Posted
I like it Don, can I have one in split cane bamboo?