Dangus

So did they wipe out rainbows in the stream system too then? Not familiar with the geography, but what's stopping the bows from coming back up?

So, 35 years later I'm still seeing the bow as a world class fishery. How long are we waiting for? Pretty sure retention kills more fish than opening while fish are spawning. Let's start with the obvious spots If you want to keep fish alive.

I think the brim of a hat may be the best way to go. The chest strap isn't that comfy and doesn't follow where you're actually looking. To get a shot you feel like a carebear doing the carebear stare. Not to mention all the muffled/ruffled clothing sounds.

IMO they're just another product to try to sell.

Yeah couldn't they just import wd resistant stock?

Is the underside more pmd yellow or light Cahill tan?

if she weeded through all the flashy reels to pick the CFO, you have yourself two keepers

great shots. Seems like they really wait before setting the hook?

Yeah, I'd also recommend not working in the opposite direction

Saw a 8lb tub of silica at Safeway. Even has the blue indicator pieces. Supposed to be for a cat box, but that might be a lifetime supply for flyfishing

Might have some luck closer to the dams. Water coming out of there should be warmer than the rest so it might come around a little sooner.

Yeah I've heard people talking about the widening of the stream down that stretch. I wonder if because of the last couple weak freshets, the river hasn't had enough oomph to scour out some deeper channels? It's amazing what can be carved when a couple of trees or boulders deposit favourably. Anyways, the uncertainty is another good reason for fisheries to get their *hit together when it comes to lakes. Alberta needs more resources to spread anglers out. Make sure to write it down on your list to santa.

Ever see that big tank a couple km below the highwood come alive at last light? There are a ton of 4-10" fish in there. Big caddis hatch this summer, I would conservatively estimate 2-3 rises per second from the head to the Tailout as far as you could see. Literally boiling! (Gives me hope) Maybe it's just the number of big fish has risen and they push the tiddlers out of the lies that most people are targeting? As the fish started to hole up, I was catching a fair number of small (<10") fish left over in summer water. Hopefully it won't just crash in a couple years when these hog bows go to the big riffle in the sky. Although, could be some ginormous browns come out of that.

what are you talking about? If it was here for 20 years, any impact that it would have had has most likely taken place and an equilibrium would be reached. So yes, I'd breath a sigh of relief and reasonably assume most our fisheries are not likely to Be negatively impacted by wd any more than what we see now. In fact, things could possibly be improving. Like I said, until all waterbodies are tested, we'll have to treat them as if they're not yet contaminated. Not sure how that is complacent. I'm just not crying before I know I've been dumped.

Of course it does. If it was here 20 years ago, my reaction will be of relief. If it was here 2 years ago, my reaction will be worried. 😛

Of course it's important to know when it got here. If they just found wd on the Madison yesterday, they'd be assuming populations are in trouble; whereas the opposite is true. Also important to know how it got here; although difficult (if not impossible?) to determine. If it were anglers, it may indicate more education or barriers are needed. If it was a bird (despite the number of anglers over a period of decades) perhaps there was enough education, or anglers don't pose a significant threat of transport (theoretically, for argument). All we can do is make sure that we're not transporting anything to streams that are clean or haven't been tested yet. Way too early to begin mourning.

Ever used the bead as part of the prop? Just something else to try if you haven't done it already. Try some in black too, (since it's the only color that works for steelhead 😬)

Nothin like luggage full of fleas (or worse). I've Never seen hecho en Mexico on any of my tying gear. Leave that little critter where he lay. The only thing I Bring back from Mexico is a burntan and on occasion, An angry colon.

I wish there were more fly-only spots for steelhead. I can think of only one lml summer-run fishery and then the lower vedder in late spring. It's really painful to swing behind gear guys lobbing roe or a jig or swinging spoons. You can only be so lucky to find a guy that's slightly clueless and leaves you a bit of water. I Just leave if I see the angler surgically dissecting the run. Then there are the fence posts and low-holers to contend with. As far as I'm concerned, for summer/fall fish, it really should be fly only. Or at least while the water temps are warmer and the fish are frisky. Anyways back to angler resources. Few informative videos from sage posted to the moldy chum page right now. Not winter fish specific, but swinging in general.

Sorry I didn't know the history behind it.

The problem with learning/swinging on winter fish is that you can do the right thing, in the right places all day and still not get a touch. It's very difficult to do any Learning when you don't have positive feedback. It'll often leave you questioning everything, including your life. If you are that type of person (read: sucker for punishment, masochist) that only gains more drive through failure, Id warn you not to start, as the winter steelhead game will consume you and only gets worse after you get a tug or hook up ha. Let's look at a few scenarios that will likely play out for you. Swing. Step. Swing. Step...8 hours later. swing...WHAM You lose all composure, almost drop your rod, do a bassmaster hookset. She gone. Immense psychological suffering ensues. Swing.step. Swing. Step. 8 hours later. Tap...tap tap tap...silence, which is only broken by a f bomb or three. Walk back up, go through again. Change flies, go through again. Let it rest, )go through again. Immense psychological suffering ensues. Last but not least, my favourite scenario. Swing. Step. Swing. step...8 hours later. Swing. Step. Swing step. Darkness falls. Immense psychological suffering ensues. But it's great! Honest!

Pipes, You're not making a great argument for culls. Calling someone a troll for Presenting a different argument or viewpoint doesn't sway any opinions. Makes One wonder how much thought you have actually put into it, other than "eliminate competition, better hunting!" Just sayin man.

Brentcube?

Bcube with the troll! Ya get rid of those damn bulltrout too! They're eating all the cuttys! "Wah!! *stomps feet* the wolves ate all the things I wanted to eat!" Seems like real knee jerk reaction to kill the predators. The fact they can't exist is a sign of other problems but I agree that in areas of threatened caribou, culling predators buys time to remedy those problems. Given my limited understanding of the situation...If you cull wolves it weakens the pack, then they go after farm animals which pisses off the farmers (who then kill more wolves). You wipe out a pack and disease runs through the heards or they destroy all the vegetation. I don't see a good option other than to preserve and restore habitat and if you don't get to hunt as much as you like, take up target practice. Hugs, The troll

Some good advice above. Funny about steelhead surprising you. My last trip in the lml the only fish I hooked swinging was in a spot I said to myself "nah, there's barely any holding water...oh hell, what do I have to lose." Must've been the First good swing through the dinner table sized bucket... When you say westcoast, any particular region? Sleuth through other forums (Bcfr)...should give you an idea of run times for most of the lower mainland stuff anyways. Not too many secrets left there. Dec hogan's "a passion for steelhead" is a good read and covers a lot of the basics. YouTube videos are also helpful for a lot of the different aspects. If you have any specific questions about the lower mainland and Squamish areas send me a message. That's where I've done the majority of my swinging. Cheers B