SilverDoctor

Like always great pictures Max, looks like you had a fun summer.

So true Hawgstoppah, I often fish stretches of water that others scoff at and say is fish less. I love exploring new water and just getting out there and getting to know a stretch of water can be rewarding. Those "special spots" that you talk about snuffy are sometimes hard won. I have been lucky enough to be invited to a few that are stunning and have found a few that I have shared with with friends I know will not broadcast them. I return the kind by not abusing an area I am shown. Its common classic courtesy.

Both depending on the depth you want to fish

I like this one, geared for steelhead but I like it "SOME THOUGHTS ON ETIQUETTE" "TREAT OTHER ANGLERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED" "RESPECT OTHER ANGLER'S FISHING SPACE, DO NOT LOW HOLE" "ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION TO SHARE A RUN, START BEHIND OTHER ANGLERS ALREADY FISHING" "WHEN FISHING A RUN WITH OTHER ANGLERS MOVE DOWN A COUPLE STEPS AFTER EACH CAST IS FINISHED" "AFTER YOU LAND A FISH GET OUT AND GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THE RUN" "HELP A NEW ANGLER IF IT'S OBVIOUS THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE, OFFER USEFUL TIPS, SHARE A FLY OR TWO" "WHEN FISHING CATCH & RELEASE USE TACKLE HEAVY ENOUGH TO LAND THE FISH WITHOUT A PROLONGED FIGHT, MASH THE BARB TO MAKE THE RELEASE EASIER ON THE FISH" "RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY, ASK FIRST, LEAVE GATES AS YOU FOUND THEM" "PROTECT THE RESOURCE, DON'T LITTER" "REPORT GAME LAW VIOLATERS" "RELEASE ALL WILD STEELHEAD" "LIMIT YOUR KILL, DON'T KILL YOUR LIMIT"

Depends if it was a noun, verb or informal usage. I don't see the term "crap" used below in the description, it is rather derogatory to the poster. hype 1 |hīp| informal noun extravagant or intensive publicity or promotion : she relied on hype and headlines to stoke up interest in her music. • a deception carried out for the sake of publicity. verb [ trans. ] promote or publicize (a product or idea) intensively, often exaggerating its importance or benefits : an industry quick to hype its products. ORIGIN 1920s (originally in the sense [shortchange, cheat,] or [person who cheats, etc.] ): of unknown origin. hype 2 informal noun a hypodermic needle or injection. • a drug addict. verb [ trans. ] (usu. be hyped up) stimulate or excite (someone) : I was hyped up because I wanted to do well. ORIGIN 1920s (originally U.S.): abbreviation of hypodermic .

Just a reminder that at certain times of the year we do have closures on some sections of the Bow River and other waters. Please read your Sportsfishing regulations carefully to avoid having legal problems, fines or loss of your license. You should have received the regulations when you bought your license. If not they are free on line here. Here is just one coming up. from Bearspaw Dam downstream to Western Headworks Diversion (W.H.D.) Weir (including the Elbow River below Glenmore Reservoir).  CLOSED Apr. 1 to May 31 and Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 Please report a Poacher or illegal activities!

Would love to see that report, must contact them.

For commercial tying I finish the heads nicely, but for myself, I use the traditional method, I just wax the tread and whip. haven't had one come apart in 50 years.

I have both and love both styles. New rods and Old. My favorite down lock is this FE Thomas. Whuff down lock Meiser up lock

That's why I like fishing with you, you help me with my walker and get me pointed in the general direction of the river.

Scout some water so we can get out after my move.

Yikes!!!, scared the hell out of me.

We decided on Jays as they seemed to make the most sense with the quote. I'll let you know how it goes after the 23rd.

Just want to make a point here, we talk about this hackle shortage as if the only place hackle farmers sold was to was us fly tiers. Its a big headed view. If you look at it on an international perspective the fashion industry has in fact always bought the bulk of fancy and dyed feathers of all kinds. Vegas is certainly one of the biggest buyers of all manner of fancy feathers. We've just seen a particular market segment bloom. I don't believe for one minute that we will see this fade die, it may fade in some countries but remember it hasn't hit certain other countries yet like China...

I buy at several shops, Troutfitters, Southbow and the Fishing Hole. There are certainly a few other shops to buy tying stuff at but those are the ones I happen to frequent and like. Look for the sponsors ads here also. I also buy online for specialty things the local shops don't carry, it really depends on what you need, in the way of materials. Yes it does add up but every hobby does.

After 55 years of tying I'm hoping to get it right one of these days.

Lots of necks left, its the long saddles that are the attractive target, the short necks aren't long enough for hair pieces. If you need necks let me know I know of a half dozen shops her in Calgary that have them along with lots of on line sources. I grew up tying with necks, they are great you just have to sort through feathers into sizes. Something younger tiers may not be use to doing. The custom necks are nice as you don't have to sort as much.

Sweet trip.

X3

One of the biggest differences it the size of the hackle, and style of the flies.

With the water conditions all the hatches are late this year

In my humble opinion kits are not the way to go. You are better off buying individual pieces. It would of course depend on your budget. It 's a good idea to take a course or join the local fly tiers club. That way you can make a more intelligent decision on what to buy. Go over to my blog. I have an article on tying you may find interesting.

Sometimes its not only the employee that contributes to bad service. There are 3 shops in town that I have never had bad service at. I think in part you get what you give.

Haven't lost a cleat Sean, I have also used hex metal screws for many years as I mentioned in my blog, a nice very cheap alternative and never lost one of those either. You can easily unscrew em if you are in a driftboat. They do wear as they are much softer than the star cleats and depending on how much mileage you get out of your boots. But they are very easily replaced.

I agree, there will be legislation against felt here eventually. Felt does harbor species more readily as it does dry slower than other parts of equipment. That said there has been virtually no talk about all the other bits of equipment such as waders, bootlaces, nets, packs and soft equipment that get wet. Not to mention things like boat anchors and ropes. Seems to me felt soles have been a really easy target that have made the boot manufacturers happy. What it has not done is create an alternate soul material to felt, that is as safe nor have manufacturers included the steps to treat the "new and improved" equipment. Lets not fool ourselves just because we treat our boots or don't have felt doesn't mean we still aren't carrying evasive species. Unfortunately the message out there seems to say ban felt and we'll be OK. it doesn't stress the other things you should do, nor does it take into account responsible fishers who take the time to decontaminate our equipment. At 62 and I no longer leap from rock to rock like a sleek gazelle, more at times like a hippo on acid. So I could use all the traction I can get. Nowadays I almost never wade without my staff. I use the same method as you with the bleach. It does work. The reason I went with the Korkers is so that I can remove the soles and treat them independently. In the past treating the whole boot with bleach even a dilute solution has shortened the life of the stitching, always the first thing to go on my boots. I have always treated my boot stitching with mink oil which extends the life considerably. Bleach removes it quickly. I usually spray my boots with a hose and let them dry, they dry quickly. That is unless I am fishing new waters the next day, then the whole boot gets the treatment. Thanks Toirtis for mentioning the treatment.