bowbonehead

Psssst... Try Frenchmans but do not tell anyone I told you about it

Great Video The older I get the more I like that stream.

So anyway Dune sorry about your rod, glad you got a loaner and caught a few fish now what were we talking about.

Rules of engagement: After reading of Dunes plight and commenting on the lack of river etiquette I had a interesting occurrence today while floating on the lower end of the river. I was fishing with a pal on the lower end of a long side channel. We had been fishing the pool for about 1/2 an hour when out of bush come to lads armed with fly rods, no big deal when they cross the side channel above us and to the side we are on and we figure they will just continue on past us to the next run below. Much to our surprise when they both wade on in right above us and start to fish the prime water of the pool. Needless to say we were flabbergasted and decided they just did not know any better. We did not say anything to them and continued to fish catching a couple more fish each while they were there. After about 20 minutes they reeled up(no fish, instant Karma gonna get you) and left heading on down river. I am kinda hoping one of them will read this and finally figure it out. However it just goes to show you bad manners can hit you from any angle not just from drifters.

That totally sucks (fly rod) however I think the only way to improve the etiquette on the river is to practice it ourselves and make sure anytime we take a newb fishing make sure we set a good example whether we are floating or walk and wading. Send me a wire if you need a loaner I have a few that need a work out and with the snow about to happen they will not be used for a few months.

Cayo Largo or Jardines Brings back good memories<`)(((((><

Besides the previosly mentioned and the many variations of the buggers you might add some clousers,spruce flies and zonkers

Shhhhh,.....You may have said too much already

Darwism at work - Float Tube on the Bow shows common sense is not so common!

Depends on the no# of days you put on in average per year. 100+days expect a year to two years before they need new felts or replacement , 10-20 days =5 to 10 years. I value comfort and weight and its hard to go wrong with the Simms Headwaters Streamtred or the Patagonia Riverwalker stickys. I go through a pair every year and a bit and also have Simms G3 Guides which I may never wear out but they weigh a ton so I usually find myself grabbing the lightweights unless I plan to extreme wade. Keep in mind felts are being phased out to the more enviro friendly stickys. Corkers are another brand which offer interchangable soles for more options I have not tried them but know guys who use them and like them. Take your waders with to try them on and good luck with your purchase.

Rod size is related mainly to the size of fish targeted,if its mostly small jacks(hammerhandles) and walleye you will be fine but match your flies to your 5wt ie clousers,deceivers,buggers etc.... in sizes 4.6.8. If you want to toss the big stuff ie double bunnies etc... you would be better off with a 7,8,9 wt rod. If you are targeting larger fish the 5wt will lack the backbone necessary to land the fish in a timely fashion and will put undue stress on the fish. Have fun!!

The great thing about a freestone river like the Bow is that its constantly changing with every winter freeze up ,spring breakup and runoff so its like a new river every year. Some years it just changes more than others!

If you are already in B.C. (Elk) why not hit the White and the St Marys also.

Lost a trout off the end of my line the other day and the river replaced it on the very next cast!

Trout will have the final say but looks great from here - remember its how you fish it that really counts

Back Country definitely the way to go, too bad the avi conditions have been so bad the last couple of years.

As posted its always best to be prepared and ready because early risers will usually take on the first good drift. Early season caddis before runoff can be quite good if you happen to be in the right place at the right time. When you see those heavy BWOs in the spring and nothin going on up top its usually because they are gorging down belowwhere the pickens are easier

A picture says a thousand...........

We also have scorpions in the southeast part of the province

Hopefully this will encourage stiffer penalties rather than the slap on the wrist that tends to occur now!

Closer to home....... before they killed Crawling Valley and restocked it with walleye there was the chance of new Alberta record Rainbows as fish in the teens were being caught regularly out of it, ugly looking rainbows with tiny heads and enormous bodies very similar to the MT. Lamson trout in California, I'm sure Uliwon Spent some time fishing them.

I used to fish Marvel back in the seventies out of a one man aircraft dingy( pre belly boat ) Huge cuts back then. Can you skin Grizzz

Fish farm escapeeeee from Diefenbaker

Rinse it at the end of each day of your trip strip out some line -bath tub is great if you have one. give it a good cleaning when you get home and lubricate it keep in mind all lubricants are not equal so follow your manufactures advice or you may void your warranty or bugger your reel. Clean your rod when your get home too as sand and salt have a nasty habit of magically reappearing. Have fun on your trip!

I think after the first dozen I'd be wondering about my tippet material and replacing it!