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Post by rampantmarine on Sept 28, 2011 10:15:09 GMT -6
Best to make a post, before I get deleted. Happy to be able to see all the message area now that I have been approved. So here is a little intro, and bit about how I slid down into the contemplative mans sport. I have always fished, I grew up mostly up north (Thompson ) and so I am very spoiled to fishing the shield territory. I don't get out as much as I want, who does! but when I go I try to make it worth it, I fished Lyons a couple of years ago and it became my favorite lake, and Rainbow (with a side of steak) my favorite fish. I went this year to Wyoming & Montana and was very intrigued in Yellowstone by the Fly-fishing stuff, so I visited here: This was by far the biggest, shop I have every been in and I saw so much stuff it was like a kid in the candy store, but I resisted the temptation until I hit the Fishing Hole in August. So I added a Fenwick rod combo, and picked up a TFO Mayfly with extra spool as well for a sinking line reel, not to mention a small assortment of flies. Proceeded to PVR almost everything with "Fly-Fishing" on Wild tv. Checked out a ton of library books and absorbed a whole lot on information. Done some practice casting with the yarn on the end. Initially it doesn't seem too hard as I got the hang of false casting pretty quick, space to play is my issue. Can't wait to get out, sadly time is a huge issue right now. I expect that if i put the effort into practice that it will pay off over time. So being a good fool (fool and money soon seperate) I have sunk a bit into this addiction and have yet to wet the line. That will happen in under two weeks in the Ducks. Wish me luck (and maybe stand clear for a while) ;D.
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Post by brucerap on Sept 28, 2011 16:59:43 GMT -6
Welcome aboard! This is the place to be for all your questions. If you've got the time, cruising through the archives here will provide you a wealth of local knowledge.
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Post by rampantmarine on Oct 3, 2011 11:27:25 GMT -6
So Friday I had some time before the Jet's & Bomber game started on TV, so thought to do some practice casting on the front lawn. Got a few sideways glances, but only my good neighbour told me that it was all fished out!. I was waiting for the first comment.
I caught the truck four times, No trees, only myself once. Most of the times I was within 5 feet of my target, but too much slack in the leader part of the line. Old Spinning habits die hard. When it works right (about 10% of the casts) it feels good. I find my second to last false cast is the one I should have kept! My target was a three by one foot patch about 20-25' away.
Gave up the casting as the light faded and I had a mother of a wind knot to cut off.
Finally got the surgeons knot down real easy. That Albright one - not so much.
Still having fun and busy getting the rig all ready for this weekend. Anyone know if you get cell reception at Blue Lake's Campground in the Duck Mnts?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2011 19:25:06 GMT -6
Very spotty to no cel reception. Walk down to the beach on East Blue and some phones get signal.
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Post by rampantmarine on Oct 11, 2011 10:45:40 GMT -6
Thanks, I got one bar in the campground. Internet stick was useless until I drove Thursday to Baldy Mtn. to email a file (had to finish work before play). At least with technology you can be anywhere. My first fly trip was exciting. On Friday I met Bill from Deerfly Adventures in the campground and bought some of his fly's (lost the midnight fire promptly on some weeds the next day ). Spent some time at Perch, and saw the brown's jumping but nothing even close to a bite. Hard to control a canoe and cast at the same time - so I think Santa has to bring papa something better for Xmas. Went north to Two mile and fished at the boat launch where I saw a fish break the surface in the weeds. Cast into the lily pads, and had a strike. I was so excited I reefed the thing right away. Second attempt - second strike - same result. Lesson - Patience grasshopper. Wind finally ticked me off too much and so called it a day. Saturday was another windy day and we headed west to check Shilliday, and a couple of fellows were putting in a tube and pontoon. water was too high to shore cast, and my brother in law is too tippy in the canoe so we moved on to Gull. Here I tried Olive buggers and nymphs, and had a wee little rainbow take a boatman in the weeds. This guy I let take the hook and was able to bring him to the boat. Had a few other strikes as we drifted about in a small bay and eventually the wind drove us off the lake. Did some bait casting for northerns in Laurie and then called it quits as the wind howled from the north. The wind posed a challenge casting but hauling the line helped get the line moving thru the wind. The only real problem I think I had was I had a tendency to let go of the line and miss grabbing it when letting more line out. That caused the cast to collapse, form knots and otherwise take time away from fishing. Still having fun. Actually thinking that maybe I will try fly tying.
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Post by brucerap on Oct 11, 2011 16:35:03 GMT -6
So much for slowly getting addicted! You've got it bad. We're all familiar with the symptoms
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Post by lockport1850 on Oct 11, 2011 19:53:56 GMT -6
Still having fun. Actually thinking that maybe I will try fly tying. I resisted tying for a while, but started with a few simple patterns: clouser minnow, chironomid, & woolly bugger. Buy only a small number of supplies at first. It's a gas catching fish on your own ties. I got bit by the bug this season, now I'm trying to figure out what kind of fly will catch sturgeon. After all, there's a fly for channel cats & carp right? Check YouTube and www.sfotf.ca (Sportfishing on the Fly) for good instructional videos.
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Post by rampantmarine on Oct 11, 2011 21:18:13 GMT -6
So much for slowly getting addicted! You've got it bad. We're all familiar with the symptoms That's why I am here. It's been just about 2 months since I purchased the first bit of gear. You should have seen me jump like a fool when I missed that first fish rise to take the hook. What a rush. too bad I have had aquarium fish bigger than the one I caught. I planned the trip up to the ducks ever since i got back from the states. I was there last Sept long, but at Childs. It's a long drive, but I really like the country and now have a great excuse to go up there. Wish I had found the lake depth maps on the flippr site beforehand. When I get a bit better I will try Patterson. and the other parkland lakes. I think my technique needs to improve a whole lot in the meantime. Thanks Lockport: Already found them. I PVR the TV show as well, like that one better than some of the others.
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Post by rampantmarine on Nov 9, 2011 0:23:33 GMT -6
So I decided to tackle tying, the reason that led me to try tying was that when I was fishing and we found out from everyone else that "pink" was what they were bitting we had nothing pink at all. Between two guys we had not a single pink lure in an what must be 50 lbs of assorted tackle. Tying also would allow me to replace lost lures and pass the winter in anticipation of summer. Advice on the web and at the stores said not to buy a kit - buy individual items - it will be better. Good thing I did not figure tying was going to be an economical way to acquire flies. I want to tie the parkland patterns and the basics. I thought it may be a good idea to ask for advice on what I may be missing? Super Fly Brand- Deluxe dubbing twister
- Hair stacker (Large)
- Hackle Pliers
- Whip finisher
- Bobbin Threader/Cleaner
- Bodkin
- Barb pinching 4" pliers
2 Griffin Ceramic bobbins Dr. Slick 4" Iris Scissors (OK, what's the deal with the scissors - 14 types? : Bench side tying reference book Fly patterns for Still-water book I have my vise down to one of two types - I want to get my hands on before pulling the pin on that one. For some materials: - Head Cement
- Marabou
- Hareline dubbin
- Strung neck hackle
- Flashabou
- 6X Streamer hooks
Have to pickup thread 6/0 and wire for ribbing (gold & silver). First pattern will be a woolly bugger so the material colours I picked up will match the pattern. As the fly fishing assoc. doesn't start up until January, one volunteer has offered to show me how to do the 'bugger. So what am I missing? I think another pair of scissors perhaps an Arrow or Micro tip (really small needle sharp ones) so one cuts material like hair when I pick that up. So my cost per fly 'bout 10 bucks [Material was only about 30 bucks so about a buck a bugger]
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Post by rampantmarine on Nov 13, 2011 22:21:49 GMT -6
So my choice of vice was the Peak or the Renzetti Traveler. So santa came early for me and I am haing fun with my Renzetti. So after a two hour lesson on how to do some of the basics here was my 3rd fly. Still having a bit of issue with the whip tool and consulting the book helps. This is my take on a Wolly Bugger Pattern found here: www.sfotf.ca/fly-tying/2009/7/15/green-seal-bugger.html
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Post by Dale Martens on Nov 23, 2011 17:33:17 GMT -6
Fly looks great! Like the black -olive-brown mix; very fishy...
Personally, I'm not sure if fly tying is an economical way to acquire flies, given the $$ I spent on fly tying stuff. (And I still can't resist the temptation to buy hot patterns at the local fly shop if I'm out of the province.)
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Post by rampantmarine on Nov 28, 2011 21:33:48 GMT -6
Thanks - best I can do with the hackle I picked up. I need to find better hackle. I'll try Sally's Beauty Supply next to the fishing hole to see if they have stock!
Yeah - The economics was not really my motivation for starting to try fly tying. But if you never understood macroeconomics then the hackle shortage should aptly explain demand curves.
Like most things I am usually a day late and a dollar short to the party.
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Post by lockport1850 on Nov 30, 2011 14:01:48 GMT -6
Yeah - The economics was not really my motivation for starting to try fly tying. But if you never understood macroeconomics then the hackle shortage should aptly explain demand curves. I would have to agree on this. Cheap flies can be bought at local and online shops. Problem I have found is finding some "special" flies mentioned here and there that you just can't find a source for. It was a particular thrill being able to catch some nice brook trout and pike this summer on the first flies I've ever tied. They were junk qualitatively, but looked enough like fish lunch that they worked. I suppose that's the trick, make them work, and as a bonus, make them look pretty. That will come with practice. It's the "ego"nomics of it I guess, not economics.
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Post by rampantmarine on Dec 31, 2011 9:41:41 GMT -6
The best thing I am finding about tying, is that I have to concentrate so much on it I actually can forget the other things that clog up the mind and strangely it relaxes me. Go figure Eh? I know next time i am hiking in the woods and see a grouse kill - I am breaking out the baggie for free partridge feathers!!
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