osprey

Responding from FCP is a bit of a gray area, apparently. I called them this morning and discussed that. It was out of the park. In the future I will be trying them anyway.

Couldn't get close enough to take phone pics and I think they live in the area and walk to the river. There was no vehicle at the most obvious access. I left at 10:30 after watching them for over an hour. I didn't want to get surprised on my own in the dark.

Last night watched four poachers decimating a favorite run using minnows, keeping everything they caught. :$*%&: Called RAP as soon as I saw them and the CO called back promptly but could not come as he was across the city and dealing with a situation. Following up with him today, he said he's the only CO on this week for Calgary. It obvious we need more COs, there has been a hiring freeze for 2 years and there just aren't enough people to be in all the places they need to be. Will be talking to my MLA's office today. I have a good description of the four and will be spreading the word around. I will also be watching this place on a much more regular basis. We may get em yet.

Gee, I thought it was just me who had days when all kinds of things screw up. Nice story, it reminded me of more than one incident I've had on the Bow. You are also obviously doing lots right to get so many fish!

Thanks for this awesome set of pictures. Looks like you're living the life. Very nice camera work and it's good to see lots of big fish. There seems to be an abundance of big browns this year.

HaHa, Rick, great post. Have you tried estimating HOW MANY flies you have. I went through my vest one year and realized I regularly carry hundreds of flies around. Not dozens, hundreds! Of course there are many times I never seem to have the fly I need, or think I need. This year I cleaned out the "ratty" looking ones to make room in my boxes for even more flies that will probably not be the ones I need.

Yes, those reels were made by Hardy under contract to Orvis.

Used to be Hardy (still love them) but after several years using a Danielsson, I think its a better, if quieter, reel

A couple of years ago I was looking for a new 6 weight 9ft. Tried the Helios and the Sage and the G. Loomis GLX Streamdance. I felt the G. Loomis was superior after casting all three. I have used this rod extensively in both still and moving water on fish up to 7lbs and have found it an absolute delight. I cast steamers, nymphs and dries with this rod and it performs well on all three. It also allows me to cast better and further than the old Hardy, Sage and Orvis rods I had been using.

This reminds of a moment I had in August, with you watching, Brian. I think I was cursing to loudly to hear what you muttered to my brother as I missed the 2nd good fish of the day.

Just did my survey. This is long overdue. Thanks for the heads up. I also agree with Don Anderson that the proposed maximum fines are too low and with all the rest that enforcement will be key.

Great story, Rick. It reminded me of some memorable times in my misspent youth. I couple of times I had to laugh out loud. Glad you got out OK. Horsefly bites are no picnic but it could have been way worse. Thanks for sharing.

Checked twice in FCP this year. I've been checked lots of places over the years. The farthest off the beaten track was Leman lake by a woman National Parks Warden on horseback.

As usual, thanks for a great post SD. Happy Holidays to you and to all on this board.

AWW! This sound exciting. Too bad I'm committed to yet another seasonal function. Hope you all have a great day.

Excellent pictures of excellent fish. Thanks for sharing. Might be time to brush up on my Spanish...

What a great story! Thanks for sharing it with us. If I was in your position I would be wondering "what's next?" Are you going to be able to fish the Bow again? I'd like to hear how it feels to come down from what was obviously a peak experience.

I taped one at 21" October 23.

I've heard that the redds downstream of the Wastewater treatment plants are not viable due to bacterial contamination. Any one know if this is the case?

Was down on the Bow fishing with my father in law last week. He hooks into a nice Brown while swinging a stonefly. This is fat 18" fish. Good fight, he's bringing the fish into the shallows and I'm behind the fish to land him. Suddenly there is a much bigger Rainbow (about 23") shadowing this fish not more than 3 or 4 feet from me. He keeps his position until I get a hold of the brown then he goes away. My father in law thinks the Rianbow was interested in the stonefly hanging in the browns jaw on that side. I think the rainbow was being territorial. Any ideas?

Going to Stauffer Creek tomorrow, but after that will be available to fish that run. PM me when you're cycling down. It only takes me about 35 minutes from the Midnapore shore of FCP.

Looks like it's time to get on your bike, Rick. You should be able to get down there in 20 minutes max.

Some of the best fun I've had fishing in the last decade was catching fish out of one of the heaviest fished, with most visible fish and highly trafficked location in Calgary. I'm speaking, of course, of the McKenzie Lake-Deer Run Footbridge in good old Fish Creek. The challenge is to catch fish in everbody's spot!

Most of the time I use a 7 wt 9ft Hardy Favorite, real soft action to protect 6X tippets but can still punch into the wind. If I'm out in the evening or cloudy day for dry flies I use an 8ft Sage 5 weight. Also have a thousand cracks in my 7 weight line, guess it's time for a new one.

It was with some trepidation that I went to the first annual FFC Bow River Cleanup and BBQ. I mean after all I could be fishing. But as my intrepid bank cleaning mates Bob Loblaw and Rickr pointed out above, it was a real pleasant way to spend an afternoon and evening. Company was great, prizes were good (too bad I didn't win any -next year) and the demos by Toolman and Speyghillie were informative and intriguing. 20ft of 20# mono, right Toolman? Thanks to all for a great event. I'll be there next year.