pigl

That is actually where I learned to fly fish. My parents used to take us there in the late 70's/early 80's. Then (and I'm sure it'st he same now) there was the two main Thuya Lakes with a bunch of satellite lakes around all of which were a short drive away or you could walk to on well defined trails. All of the lakes had lodge boats on them, so you could just pack your gear (the lodge would provide you with a lunch) and fish the days away. It was a great place for a kid to learn how to fly fish because you could cast for smaller fish off the dock on the main lake and if you could learn to cast far enough, you would catch one on every cast. There were some massive fish that would aggressively rise to evening caddis hatches there too as well as great nymph fishing off of the weed beds in most of the lakes. As a 12 year old, I caught my first big trout there on lake called Dum Lake. It was a 5-6 lb rainbow - and I'll never forget it. It was (and probably still is) an awesome place.

Thanks BBB.

Apologies if this has been dealt with in previous posts, but is it open?

Nice job Rick. Intro to fishing the Bow in 1 page - it took Jim Mac a whole book to do that.

My pike set up is: 9' 8wt TFO TiCrX rod (the TiCr is just as good and a little cheaper); 9 wt AirFlow Ridgeline Tioga Reel 20 lb leader Tyger Wyre leader I am guessing that all in that would cost in the neighbourhood of $500. I think you would be fine with a regular SA line and a less expensive reel, but I would try to stick with a fast action rod. The best part about it is that I use the same rod and reel for my Bow River streamer rod and for steelheading on the Island (but I have a spare spool for the reel loaded with a sink tip line for the streamer fishing). It's actually quite a versatile rig and worth the extra money. Don't forget a set of good pliers and one of those metal thingys you use to prop open the pike's mouth (which are invaluable for the inevitable deeper hook ups).

I just bought a super powerful computer to do HD video editing and run the rest of my applications. I was looking into buying a Mac because they are renowned for their capabilities in this respect. The Mac that would have fit my needs was I think in the MacPro line (it had the proper HD video card and enough memory to deal with what I needed to do). The Mac retailed for about $5,000. I also looked into having Memory Express (down on Macleod trail) build a PC based computer for me and I got more that what was in the Mac package for about $1,700. I went with Memory Express owing to the cost considerations and have the machine now and am very happy with it (albeit I've only had if for about 2 months). I can't say which is better, but my perception so far is that I got way way more for money by doing it this way. Who knows how long this one will last or if it will start to break down on me, but it's probably worth looking into at least given that I could buy 3 of these for the price of the Mac I needed.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I also emailed the dealer guy I purchased my last truck from with these questions and for those that are interested, he provided a response (he's a GM dealer, and his advice relates to GM and the Duramax only - so take it for what its worth). His thoughts were as follows: 1. On the gas vs. diesel question - he thinks I would not be pleased with the towing capability of a gas truck. His assumption was that I would be pulling a 32' fifth with 12,500 lbs or so dry weight. He says: "The gas engine has lots of power on demand - wide open throttle - but won't sustain a continuous load such as the significant wind resistance that a big fifth wheel produces. With the gas engine it will hunt between 5th and 6th gear and get very frustrating to drive in windy or hilly terrain." So, he clearly recommends a diesel. 2. On the 3/4 ton vs. 1 ton question - he favours the 3/4 ton as indicated by the following: "The only reason to go 1 ton is if your tongue (pin) weight is going to exceed 2,500lbs. You do not need a one ton, and furthermore, you won't want to drive it solo because the ride will be brutal. The only difference between 2500 (3/4 ton) and 3500 (1 ton) is rear spring capacity. One ton's are built to take on a camper or carry a Bobcat or similar." I took a look at the biggest 5th wheel I would possibly buy and its pin weight is around 1750 lbs, so by his logic, it would appear there isn't much need to go to a 1 ton. Still lots of room for discussion, but this thread and what he had to say have been more useful than the hours of internet research I've done so far - thanks again for your thoughts. Let me know if you have any response to what the dealer has to say.

Thanks T. Do you think a diesel offers better or safer towing capability? I understand that diesels have more horsepower at lower rpms and are therefore better for towing. Any thoughts?

Just wondering if any of the people on here that do some RVing have any thoughts on the best truck for towing. 5th wheels. We currently have a 1/2 ton Suburban that we tow a 24' travel trailer with. We are thinking about getting a larger RV (probably something in the order of a 28-34 foot 5th wheel), perhaps in the winter of 2009 or spring 2010. The problem is, I am going to need to buy a new truck this spring, about a year before I will be getting the new RV, so I need to get something that will preserve my options as much as possible for next year when we look at a new RV, so here are my questions. Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated. 1. I know I am going to have to move up to at least a 3/4 ton truck. However, should I be looking at a 3/4 ton or a 1 ton? Is there generally a size or weight of 5th wheel that will require you to move from a 3/4 ton to a 1/2 ton? Has anyone had the experience of having a 3/4 that was inadequate? 2. The diesel vs. gas debate. I know that diesels have more power at lower rpm and hence have more power at the rpms that you will generally towing vehicles. Diesels costs about $10,000 more. Is it worth it? Is it safer? Has anyone towed with both such they can offer a comparison? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

I use float trips as my client development activities (instead of golf, which just makes everyone feel bad about themselves) - I've been able to take my own clients on somewhere around 50 or so guided trips on the Bow over the past 3 years. There are lots of great guides around the city. I have had lots of success with many of the guys at Fish Tales. Terry Johnston and Steve Mason are my go-to guys there for clients of mine ranging from experts to beginners, men and women alike. Both are extremely personable, excellent teachers and WILL put you over fish and put everyone in a position to catch fish.

I have spent lots of money over the past couple of years on rods and reels (both high, medium and lower end). Interestingly, the best smallish rod I have in my collection right now is the Temple Fork Series 1, 8 foot, 4 wt. I don't know what it is about that rod, but something about the blank and its being an 8 foot rod and its weighting make it simply the best casting rod I have ever owned. It costs about $125. The equivalent Z-Axis I have doesn't hold a candle to it in terms of performance (for me) (although it's much nicer and cooler). Just try every rod you can get your hands on (try them with different weight lines too per Don's advice) and buy the one that performs best for you. Who cares what the net (or this board) says? My Z-axis is really cool and I bought it because everyone said it was cool (and I convinced myself it performed well because of that), but it and its case are a really nice decoration for the inside of my garage while I actually fish with my $125 TFO Series 1.

I really like P-Line - both the flouro and the regular stuff. I have found the flouro to be a little limp at times, but both are strong and come in both big spools for the boat and smaller interlocking spools for the vest.

I and a buddy are going to a corporate retreat in Scottsdale in mid March this year coming up. We were thinking of trying to go early and get in a little fishing. We are thinking of either stopping over in New Mexico to fish the San Juan, or perhaps going north to fish the Colorado at Lee's Ferry. We have also heard that the Black River in Arizona is a good stream. Has anyone fished any of these streams or have any suggestions for places near Phoenix/Scottsdale or good streams at which we could stop on the way down or thoughts on guides? Any intelligence would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

One of each for me to, XL.

Thanks for the responses. I now know a little more about each of you (and have a clear sense of who to avoid). I do remember as a younger guy driving on 4 wheel drive roads in the Kootenays with my fishing buddy blasting "Straight Outta Compton", so I can hardly scoff at the introduction of rap into the discussion. I'm too old for that now and feel really sick if I drink more than 3 beers in a sitting, so I guess things change. I will definitely be digging out the Bob Marley for trips home and dusting off the Corb Lund stuff I have. I will also underatake to try out the old Collective Soul and Offspring records I have just to explore this whole "flyfishermen with angst" concept that seems to prevail. Thanks to you all.

Ok, here's perhaps an odd question, but I'm interested in the answer. I don't tend to listen to music while I am fishing, but I do tend to gravitate toward certain music to play in the car on the way there and on the way home. Let's assume you have an hour and a half drive to fish an Alberta foothills stream. What two albums would you listen to on the way there and what two would you listen to on the way home? My answers would be: On the way down: Ian Tyson (Cowboyography or Lost Herd) and Blue Rodeo (Lost Together or Diamond Mine) On the way home: and Ryan Adams (one of his older countryish records) and John Prine (Souveniers) What music goes with flyfishing for you?

I was wondering what type of rig people generally use to fish for bull trout on streams such as the Oldman, Sheep, Highwood etc. When I go out on those streams, I usually am hopper-dropper fishing on a 4 or 5 weight and if I run into any bull infested waters will switch to a streamer and put split shot on the leader about 12 inches up from the streamer. My question is, do people generally do the same, or do people carry an extra streamer rod or sink tip line on a spare spool or reel just to fish for the bull trout? If you use a sink tip line, do you find it gives you an advantage in getting down, or is there really any discernable difference between what you can do with it and a floating line with shot?

I can't help you at all. My wife thinks fishing is cruel. The only time I had her out fishing she was lake fishing in a boat with a fishing buddy and I. I hooked into a very large rainbow and she was going to "man" the net once I got the fish close. After at least a 10 minute battle that took me into my backing, I got the fish to the boat - she was ready with the net, and when it got close enough...she froze. Both my buddy and I were asking he why she wouldn't just lift the net and bring the fish in. Her response was that she looked into the fish's eyes and he looked scared, so she couldn't scoop him up with the net. We finally got the fish in, but by the time we did, she was sobbing. She now delights in telling everyone that she shares the views of the woman in that chick flick, "Catch and Release" who says something like "I don't understand catch and release fishing - if you're going to torture some poor creature for your amusement, then at least have the decency to eat it". I can't see her coming onto to the river with me any time soon. Good luck Rick.

Thanks MX.

Is there any decent and up-to-date internet site where you can read reports of bear activity in Alberta?

Had my boys out in BC on the weekend. We went to a small lake near Brisco (1/2 way between Radium and Golden) just trying out flyfishing for the first time. There was a rise on when we got there and the small cutties were taking small parachute adams with reckless abandon. It was the perfect situation. Two of three got their first fish on dries and got to fish their Grandpa. There is nothing like fishing with your kids and you would be surprised at what they are able to do with a fly rod at an early age.

It happened to me on the Sheep a number of years ago. I was in a fairly quick run and lost my footing and fell backwards. It didn't seem like a big deal when it first happened. I was only up to about mid-thigh but like an idiot, I wasn't wearing a wading belt and my waders filled up pretty quickly and I was pulled downstream on my back for about 20 m or so. There was quiet water on my side of the river and all I did was point my feet downstream into the quiet water and then was able to finally struggle to my feet and get sorted out. There are a couple of things from the experience that are worth mentioning if you havn't had it happen to you before: 1. While my waders were filling, and being caught by the current, there was nothing I could really do to stop from getting swept downstream. It was like being attached to a sail and there was nothing to hold on to, so no matter how strong I was, there was nothing I could do recover and stay where I was. 2. Getting upright and hauling yourself out of the water once I got into the quiet water was hard. Water is heavy and it took strength to stand and get out of the river. The Sheep is not the biggest stream in the world and it was later in the summer, so I was lucky. Had I been in a bigger river or not been able to get myself into quiet water, I could have been in more trouble. 3. No matter how great the weather is, the water in our streams is COLD. If you fall in and your waders fill quickly, there is a period of time where you are in a bit of shock from the cold water and you probably are not able to think straight enough to make the best decisions. Combine that with a flyfisherman's natural tendency to save your gear, and before you know it, you're on your way downstream. At the end of the day, I was pretty lucky to have been in the right part of a smaller stream. I have since learned that what I ended up doing in going downstream on my back and angling my feet into shore is the right way to deal with the situation, but the only reason I did that was because of the orientation that my body happened to have been in when I fell. While I have fallen in to still waters, I have done so while I wasn't wearing waders, so I can't really comment on that.

This is a very interesting idea - I hadn't thought of this. To add to this, I was fishing on Saturday with a friend who got one of those Blackberry 8800s. It actually has a gps system in it and shows you on a satellite map exactly where you are at any given moment. Some of the resolution downstream of the city or in more remote areas is not that great, but you can still track where you are and you could keep all of your fishing notes on it with bookmarks to the precise locations where you were fishing on the fly and have it with you everywhere you go. Now that I realize it could have application to fishing, I think I might get one!

rickr, It sounds like your fishing experiences with your Dad were very special. The unspoken replacement of your rod and reel is a very touching story. You should consider writing a few stories about your Dad into a short story or two - they sound like the kinds of experiences that are worth preserving in writing (I'm sure there are a few good stories about the "Don't leave fish to find fish" signature that you use). I am taking my three little sons to fish with my Dad in BC this weekend for the first time. We'll see if we can't get 3 generations of flyfishing addicts established! Again, glad to hear that you and Ben are ok and I'm sure you will now be the safest waders on the river.

rickr, I'm very glad that your son is alright. I think it says alot that he wanted to get right back into fishing and was worried about wrecking the run. I think you have a potential fly fishing addict on your hands. My dad used to fish the Bow when I was a kid also. He would take me lake fishing and fishing on very small streams when I was younger, but at the time said he would never take me on to the Bow until I was older and stronger. By the time I got to your son's age, I had become one of those snotty teenagers that didn't appreciate fishing (or much to do with parents or my childhood activities) all that much, so I never did make it on to the Bow until I was in university and fishing on my own. It's only been within the past couple of years now (I'm 37 now) that my dad and I fish the Bow together and we have great times together now doing it. I'm glad to hear that he's still ready to go out there and that your wife understands and supports your father/son fishing activities. There is nothing better for bringing dads and their kids together than fishing. After this, I would expect the two of you will be the safest fishermen on the river and have greatly reduced your chances of it ever happening again. Glad to hear the two of you are ok.