SilverDoctor

I've gotten to know a number of trout on intimate streams that have come to net several times. But keeping them wet is the key.

Fished with Barry a few times, always quick to laugh and share flies and knowledge.

You can see my ugly face in the Pro Staff area. http://www.togenenterprises.com/home.html Most Shops will also do mail orders. Support Canadian Shops.

Makes me wish I had a drift boat.

Not to mention a number of mayfly and Caddis.

Always enjoyed that one.

What is even more depressing is when you see the damage & destruction done in some of those areas. A couple of quotes: "Just to give you an example," said Fitch, "there was a time when our watersheds were less impacted and even though it rained, streams ran clear - now, every time it rains, they turn muddy, and we now take it as normal that when it rains, they turn muddy - it is not normal - this is a shifting benchmark." "Experts in the field, tell us that the Castle watershed, for example, provides about two-thirds of your cup of drinking water in Lethbridge." Fitch noted that there have been several groups in the Oldman Watershed that have been busy trying to restore stream banks by planting willows along the stream banks, to get the vegetative root mass back, to thwart erosion. "However, in virtually every case that I have seen, off-highway vehicle operators have driven over and destroyed all, or part, of that planting effort." The destruction doesn't end there. Bridges have been built over streams and rivers, to keep OHV riders from crossing directly through the water. However, during the group's presentation, it was shown that the bridges were frequently unused, as OHV riders would tear through the streams within feet of function bridges. When boulders were placed in the path to keep OHVers out of the river, they would go to great lengths to remove the boulders from the path - again, right beside a bridge. Fitch also explains that each one of the OHV roads or trails is bare soil waiting for some invasive plant species to become established and those invasive species complete with native plants and reduce biodiversity.

Don Meredith Outdoors Two Fish, One Fish, No fish-Alberta's Fish Crisis This is a nice overview of our Alberta Fisheries over the years by Lorne Fitch a Biologist that has doe a good job on this document. Well worth reading.

You can buy those replacement net bags in a few places, I picked up one at the Fishing Hole.

Here you go Murray, Beautiful work. Won't have to bend over as far for those Cutties.

Anything porous can carry the parasite. Chota has an excellent overview of gear care. Wading boots pick up organisms in the water and can carry these organisms from one body of water to another, especially wading boots with felt soles. We suggest that you start by thoroughly rinsing your boots off and give the soles a going over with a stiff bristled brush. Then fill a bucket or tub with 2 gallons of warm water and add 8 oz of bleach. Soak the boots in the bleach solution for two minutes and then remove the boots and let stand for two minutes. Once the boots have stood for two minutes rinse the boots with warm water and let dry. Another way to kill any aquatic hitchhikers is by simply letting your wading boots dry out for three or more days. Remember that All Gear can pick up aquatic hitchhikers!

Also have an old wooden Peetz reel, built like a tank. They do still produce them along with a Trout sized one. Dad had a Longstone but it faded from sight. Still have a few Hardy Perfects, St Gerges and St. John's. Love that old gear.

Grain weight also has a lot to do with the individual rod. The same line on a 7 wt Meiser and G Loomis (and I've often cast the same line at Spey Claves on different rods) feels and casts a bit different. So therod action plays a lot into it also.

My Gramps made it to 104. He got congratulatory letters from the Queen and PM etc. every year at 100+. He sent letters back saying don't send framed documents, send money. He He. Both him and Dad where Fly fishers and guides in Ontario and later BC.

Yep I've caught Bulls on Caddis, usually like the jgib01 stated smaller fish up to 14".

People are using everything from ultralight trout rods to 9 wt. Spey/Switch. Some like to use their steelhead equipment so they can not only catch trout but also practice their casting for Steelhead season. I love my 12ft Meiser 4 wt. for example but also use a 7 wt G. Loomis Switch that I take out occasionally. I also swing a Bamboo. I do like a 400 grain Shooting head for the bow. But that's just me.

If you're going to bring a Driftboat to school you have to take everyone out.

Was that the boat that was pinned sideways underwater for months? I remember rowing by it a few times. Threewood, I'm sure a few here will step up and help. Another way do it is hire a guide for a day and just ask for what you need. I think if it was me just starting with a new boat I wouldn't bother fishing, just get to know your boat really well and the river. Knowing the river is half the battle, the other half is learning to row, keeping the boat on a good track, turning and pivoting and watching the river ahead. It's very different from an ordinary rowboat.

Yes those serve a double use, you can slip them over hackle or wing to hold them down and away from the eye for final tie off although I just use my fingers. They can also be used to hold the thread from popping back into the bobbin. Although you can pick up plastic caps for that from the Norvise site. The tubing is easily fond at hobby shops like PM hobby (fuel lines for remote control cars). Let me know if you have any other questions about the Norvise.

Ha, haven't heard the term mooching in quite a while. I'm on old BC boy, more history in vintage gear out there.

I'm blessed to have both my Gramps and Dad's Bamboo rods & reels. Take em out every now and again to link with the past and fish with both again.

Really should film some of my fly fishing adventures, that way I can go back and retrieve the dozens of flies I leave in trees.