The guys have been out a bunch this week as the water on the Bow has dropped and cleared.
Above the Highwood you're looking at a foot and a half to two feet visibility, below is about a foot.
Levels have dropped a bunch but need to come down a bit more for better dry fly fishing.
There were a lot of PMD's coming off yesterday and Caddis are getting a little heavier as well. Stoneflies are likely going to be of consequence in the next week.
Streamer fishing has been a lot better but mainly in the "soft water" inside large seams and such. The bank pounding stuff is still pretty tough. Clousabou (Marabou Clousers) seem to be your best bet.
GET OUT THERE!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Sage Z-Axis Rod Clearout!!!
We announced a couple of days ago that the Sage Z-Axis are on sale.
Sage is replacing the Z with a new rod called "ONE".
We have had some calls asking about inventory, we don't have many left so here is a list of what's remaining. We wont be getting any more after this and getting a $800 rod for about $560
is a sweet deal!!!
Z-Axis 486-4 8' 6" 4 weight 4 piece - One left
Z-Axis 490-4 9' 4 weight 4 piece - One left
Z-Axis 586-4 8' 6" 5 weight 4 piece - One left
Z-Axis 690-4 9' 6 weight 4 piece - Four left
They'll be gone soon. If you're needing a rod and want top quality for a steal, grab one now!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
New Stuff Arrived This Week
ORVIS TROUT SKIN NIPPER
Ergonomically designed nipper in three trout skin colors, rainbow, brook, brown. Much easier to grip and use than standard nipper. Super sharp Japanese tungsten carbide jaws can handle even the smallest tippets.
Orvis Trout Print Fly Boxes
Organize up to 228 flies in each of these fly boxes. Aluminum cases. Slotted foam holds flies in place easily with the pre-set holes for quick placement. 12 rows. Aluminum fly boxes in brown trout.
Dimensions: 6"L x 3½"W x 1 1/16"D.
Dimensions: 6"L x 3½"W x 1 1/16"D.
Safe Passage® Carry-it-all Rod and Gear Case
Don't trust your gear to the airlines. This case is the perfect solution. Hard-sided construction keeps your gear safe when gate checking the bag. Interior padded dividers are removable for customizable organization of reels and fly boxes. Easily holds up to six fly rods in socks. Comfortable handle grip. Three front zip pockets for added storage. Adjustable and removable pivoting shoulder strap. Perforated foam pad in shoulder strap. In aurora.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Sage Z-Axis Sale
All in stock, single handed Z-Axis's are now on sale for 30% off.
These rods will not last long. If you look through all of our photos, you'd be hard pressed to find any fish that were not caught on a Z.
Give us a call if you'd like to see what we have.
 |
| Z axis in action |
These rods will not last long. If you look through all of our photos, you'd be hard pressed to find any fish that were not caught on a Z.
Give us a call if you'd like to see what we have.
FISHING REPORTS
Bow River Report –June 28, 2011
It’s hard to believe, but the color is a full on green. No more brown. Levels are dropping since the weekend and we have gone a few days without rain and have a forecast that calls for mostly sunshine.
Just in the last couple of days we have noticed a big change. Starting to pick up some fish in places that we weren’t able in the last couple of weeks. Starting to see some fish chase streamers and stonefly nymphs are pretty deadly right now.
Crowsnest River Report – June 28, 2011
It’s hard to believe, but the color is a full on green. No more brown. Levels are dropping since the weekend and we have gone a few days without rain and have a forecast that calls for mostly sunshine.
Just in the last couple of days we have noticed a big change. Starting to pick up some fish in places that we weren’t able in the last couple of weeks. Starting to see some fish chase streamers and stonefly nymphs are pretty deadly right now.
As of this morning the level had dropped to about 221 CMS so as it continues to drop the dry fly fishing will get better. There have been a few rising fish here and there in the last few days.
Hatches: Caddis, Small Stoneflies
Streamers: ¼ Pound Bugger-Brown #4, Clouser Deep Minnow-Black #2, Geek Leech-Purple #4, Darth Zonker-Black #2, Bush’s Town Run, Dirk Wiggler-Black, Articulated leech-Black, Jawbreaker-Black, Party Boy-Black
Nymphs: Reese’s Pieces #8, San Juanabe Worm #6, Morrish Conestone-Golden #6, Morrish WMD-Golden Stone #8, Gob-O-Worms
Dry Flies: Bloom’s Parachute Caddis-Olive #16, Neversink Caddis
River levels on the Crow are almost to the point where some wading is possible. Water clarity is pretty good, with about 3 feet at Hillcrest.
Next few weeks should be kind of “silly fishing” on the Crowsnest.
Hatches: Few Salmonflies, Golden Stones, PMD, Caddis
Streamers: Brunette Leech, Chamois Leech.
Nymphs: Pheasant-Tail, Hare's Ear, Copper John, Tung Stud, and San Juan Worm, Morrish Conestone, Rock “n” Roller Stone
Dries: Hopper-Popper-Golden #6, Chenobyl Ant-Brown/Tan #6, Berrett’s Mutant Stone #6, Spun Hair Dun-PMD #16, Neversink Caddis
High Country River Report – June 28, 2011
Things are clearing up on the east slope streams and levels are dropping. Will likely be a week or two before they get into prime shape but at leastthey’re fishable now.
Streamers and nymphs will still be most effective but as we see warmer temperatures there should be more bugs and dry fly fishing.
Hatches: Some Stoneflies
Streamers: Darth Zonker-Black #4, Hare Sculpin #2
Nymphs: Morrish Conestone-Golden # 6, Bitch Creek #6, Stream-A Stone, B/H prince Nymph #14
Dries: Berretts Golden Stone #8, Mutant Stone,
Monday, June 27, 2011
Guide Spotlight - Mike Guinn
Now that we're almost to the guiding season we'll be doing a few interviews of our guides. The first one we'll start with is Mike Guinn, who's been around long enough that we're positive that his first drift boat was strapped to a Plesiosaur.
Country Pleasures: When did you begin fly fishing and how did you get started? :
Mike Guinn: I started fly fishing before you were born, the summer of 1947and i was given a bamboo fly rod with Pflueger reel,. silk line and gut, yes gut leaders in a wet can and a good supply of flies. Bill Round was the man who gave me the equipment and I took him to mountain lakes so he could fly fish for the Cutthroats, It all began at Baker and Ptarmigan Lakes in Banff National Park.
CP: How long have you guided?:
MG: I have guided most of my life, both fishing and hunting, was the youngest Class A guide in the province about the time I turned 16, Guided fishermen in Banff National Park until I was 20. This will be my 30th year full time guiding on the Bow.
CP: What’s your favourite species to throw at?
MG: I like billfish in Salt water and I always had a passion for large Brook Trout over six pounds, the big brooks are hard to find today so i will have to settle for the Rainbows of Hector Lake.
CP: What has been your most challenging obstacle to overcome while guiding? :
MG: Obstacles are man made for the most part, I get along just fine with people and the fish so that leaves only weather as a problem, some times nature is a big obstacle.
CP:What’s one of your best guiding moments?
MG: Fishing with Joan Wulff, a very fine lady and expert caster but she had problems fishing, Husband Lee was not as good a caster but knew how fish. I had a great day last summer with a 14 year old girl from Sweden who had all the expensive equipment and knew how to put it together and use it, she lost many big brown trout but landed some rainbow, I learned at the end of the day she had only ever landed one other fish, a Perch in Sweden.
CP: What’s next on your “fishing list”? :
MG: I have taken about 200 species of fish on the fly and have counted anything I could catch in the list, I have not had the chance to cast to a Marlin and hope to get the chance before I die, I want to whup his butt!
CP: How would you describe your “guiding style.
MG: I am able to adjust to the situation, beginners need help and many older clients don’t want help but really need it. The beginner is the easy one but he is not old enough to know it all, relax and enjoy the day.
CP: Why do you guide? :
MG: It is just so great to be able to spend time on the river or lake meeting new fish and new people . People become friends and return year after year to share their experience with you, the Guide.
CP: What’s your best advice for a beginner fly fishermen?
MG: Learn to cast, practice on land as well as water and learn the art of line control, you have to learn to use what you have and keep calm when fishing, excitement looses a lot of fish, look, listen and learn. ..
CP: What’s your best advice for the intermediate fishermen?
MG: Most people do not realize how much they can learn from a good teaching guide, a day or two might seem expensive but it sure beats all the trial and error most intermediate fishermen go through. I have been told by clients that I have learned more in one day than I have in the last 3-4 years. Its called being kick started.
Country Pleasures: When did you begin fly fishing and how did you get started? :
Mike Guinn: I started fly fishing before you were born, the summer of 1947and i was given a bamboo fly rod with Pflueger reel,. silk line and gut, yes gut leaders in a wet can and a good supply of flies. Bill Round was the man who gave me the equipment and I took him to mountain lakes so he could fly fish for the Cutthroats, It all began at Baker and Ptarmigan Lakes in Banff National Park.
CP: How long have you guided?:
MG: I have guided most of my life, both fishing and hunting, was the youngest Class A guide in the province about the time I turned 16, Guided fishermen in Banff National Park until I was 20. This will be my 30th year full time guiding on the Bow.
CP: What’s your favourite species to throw at?
MG: I like billfish in Salt water and I always had a passion for large Brook Trout over six pounds, the big brooks are hard to find today so i will have to settle for the Rainbows of Hector Lake.
CP: What has been your most challenging obstacle to overcome while guiding? :
MG: Obstacles are man made for the most part, I get along just fine with people and the fish so that leaves only weather as a problem, some times nature is a big obstacle.
CP:What’s one of your best guiding moments?
MG: Fishing with Joan Wulff, a very fine lady and expert caster but she had problems fishing, Husband Lee was not as good a caster but knew how fish. I had a great day last summer with a 14 year old girl from Sweden who had all the expensive equipment and knew how to put it together and use it, she lost many big brown trout but landed some rainbow, I learned at the end of the day she had only ever landed one other fish, a Perch in Sweden.
CP: What’s next on your “fishing list”? :
MG: I have taken about 200 species of fish on the fly and have counted anything I could catch in the list, I have not had the chance to cast to a Marlin and hope to get the chance before I die, I want to whup his butt!
CP: How would you describe your “guiding style.
MG: I am able to adjust to the situation, beginners need help and many older clients don’t want help but really need it. The beginner is the easy one but he is not old enough to know it all, relax and enjoy the day.
CP: Why do you guide? :
MG: It is just so great to be able to spend time on the river or lake meeting new fish and new people . People become friends and return year after year to share their experience with you, the Guide.
CP: What’s your best advice for a beginner fly fishermen?
MG: Learn to cast, practice on land as well as water and learn the art of line control, you have to learn to use what you have and keep calm when fishing, excitement looses a lot of fish, look, listen and learn. ..
CP: What’s your best advice for the intermediate fishermen?
MG: Most people do not realize how much they can learn from a good teaching guide, a day or two might seem expensive but it sure beats all the trial and error most intermediate fishermen go through. I have been told by clients that I have learned more in one day than I have in the last 3-4 years. Its called being kick started.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Photo Day!
Have absolutely nothing intelligent to say! Have no creative impulses!
So I'll post photos!
So I'll post photos!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Orvis Rods and Reels
Just got a very large shipment of Orvis Helios, Hydros, and Access rods!
Pretty much full stock 3 to 12 weight....
Also got a whole bunch of Orvid Access Mid Arbor and Hydros Large Arbor reels.
Pretty much full stock 3 to 12 weight....
Also got a whole bunch of Orvid Access Mid Arbor and Hydros Large Arbor reels.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Southern Alberta River Report
Kev came back from Fernie on Tuesday and says the streams in the southwest corner of Alberta are cleaning up, with easily fishable clarity.
For those of us who have forgotten what this is, clear water is when the suspended particulates are lessened to the point that you can actually see into the water!
Yeehah!
For those of us who have forgotten what this is, clear water is when the suspended particulates are lessened to the point that you can actually see into the water!
Yeehah!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Photographic Evidence!
So, we have photographic proof of a couple of hotly argued points of late......
First of all, you can catch fish on a streamer, not only something that looks like a shoelace.
Second, it is entirely possible to catch fish somewhere other than below a storm sewer outflow!!!!
At least 30 mm of visibilty! Sounds better than 2 inches!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Got More Guide Wallets!
The much awaited, quick to sell out, Simms G3 Guide Wallets are back in stock!
Get on while they last!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
River Scouting This Past Sunday
Headed out with Kevin Peterson, Darren Soice, and the jet on Sunday to do some spelunking. River had come up from Saturday night's tropical storm with visibility at about 4"
Much to my surprise, Darren hooked a pretty nice Brown on about the 4th cast in the first place we stopped. He then got tagged two more times in a few minutes.
After that it got a lot more like work..... Worm rigs and bottom dredging with streamers fitted with enough split shot to anchor the boat, not a ton of fun.
Hopefully we see drier weather for a while..... keep your fingers crossed.
Much to my surprise, Darren hooked a pretty nice Brown on about the 4th cast in the first place we stopped. He then got tagged two more times in a few minutes.
After that it got a lot more like work..... Worm rigs and bottom dredging with streamers fitted with enough split shot to anchor the boat, not a ton of fun.
Hopefully we see drier weather for a while..... keep your fingers crossed.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
In The Spirit Of Acccuracy!
Some of you might have seen the e-mail blitz from Avalon Fishing Centres about the "Record 200th Permit" caught this past May.
Thought it might be time for a little truth in advertising.....
Albeit there is no doubt they have landed 200 Permit at Cayo Largo, pretty much all on the "Avalon Fly", I'm not sure how this is a record.
Keep in mind that this total was achieved over the last 2 years. An example that takes Avalon's proclamation down a notch would be The Palometa Club, in Punta Allen, Mexico. They landed over 150 Permit THIS SEASON!
And that is in a season that consists of a lodge opening from January 1 to early June!
Palometa Club operates with 6 skiffs max, same as Cayo Largo!
Cayo Largo operates for 10 months of the year, not 5 and a half.
Palometa Club also recorded their 500th landed Permit this past spring. After only opening in 2006.
Don't get me wrong, I have fished Cayo Largo a number of times, really enjoy it, and have seen a ton of Permit there, but the advertising kind of infers that it's the only game in town for Permit when there are some pretty smokin' Permit spots in Belize, Mexico, and Florida. (I used Palometa Club as just one example of one of the better).
Enough of my ponderous ranting while it rains......
Friday, June 17, 2011
In Memory of Jack Charlton
We wanted to pass along our respect to the family of Jack Charlton, who passed away on June 9th.
Jack was the driving force behind Charlton and Mako reels. Both of which were widely regarded as
some of the finest equipment on the planet.
Jack was a very nice man, he and I had several conversations which consisted of me bugging him to
let us carry his Mako reels. Unfortunately, his order load kept him so busy he needed another dealer
like a hole in the head. Jack will certainly be missed.
Jack was the driving force behind Charlton and Mako reels. Both of which were widely regarded as
some of the finest equipment on the planet.
Jack was a very nice man, he and I had several conversations which consisted of me bugging him to
let us carry his Mako reels. Unfortunately, his order load kept him so busy he needed another dealer
like a hole in the head. Jack will certainly be missed.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
FISHING REPORTS
Bow River Report –June 15, 2011
Dry Flies: Not likely! Need a little more visibility, little less water.
Things were shaping up quite nicely at the end of last week. Water turning green, levels dropping, and then….hellfire and brimstone rain on Saturday.
The river came up significantly on Sunday. I went and fished for a while yesterday and it had come down a bunch and had improved to about 4-6 inch visibility. There is lots of flow right now so slower water is the key.
Basically, I would suggest that coverage is paramount right now. You need to put the fly right in front of their face. This means flies fished very deep in the water column, and not too fast.
For streamers, go big and black. As much as it pains me, I would have to suggest the best way to catch fish right now is with big nymph rigs like Stoneflies and San Juan Worms.
Don’t worry, things will start to shape up. Once we get a little stabilization with anything approaching a foot of visibility it will get very good!
Hatches: Caddis, Small Stoneflies
Streamers: ¼ Pound Bugger-Brown #4, Clouser Deep Minnow-Black #2, Geek Leech-Purple #4, Darth Zonker-Black #2, Bush’s Town Run, Dirk Wiggler-Black, Articulated leech-Black, Jawbreaker-Black, Party Boy-Black
Nymphs: Reese’s Pieces #8, San Juanabe Worm #6, Morrish Conestone-Golden #6, Morrish WMD-Golden Stone #8, Gob-O-Worms
Dry Flies: Not likely! Need a little more visibility, little less water.
Crowsnest River Report – June 15, 2011
Kevin and George took a road trip down south on Monday to check things out. Lots of Salmonfly shucks on the bridges at the Crow.
Visibility at highway 3 was about 8 inches. If you fish the higher stretches you should see a lot better visibility.
The level was very high!
Hatches: Salmonflies
Streamers: Brunette Leech, Chamois Leech.
Nymphs: Pheasant-Tail, Hare's Ear, Copper John, Tung Stud, and San Juan Worm
Dries: Hopper-Popper-Golden #6, Chenobyl Ant-Brown/Tan #6, Berrett’s Mutant Stone #6
High Country River Report – June 15, 2011
East Slopes open tomorrow. Sounds like some are fairly clear in their highest reaches but very high and cold. Highwood was about 12 inches visibility at Longview on Monday.
Might be a streamer and nymph thing for at least a couple of weeks.
Hatches: ?
Streamers: Darth Zonker-Black #4, Hare Sculpin #2
Nymphs: Morrish Conestone-Golden # 6, Bitch Creek #6, Stream-A Stone, B/H prince Nymph #14
Dries: ???
Introductory Fly Fishing Schools-New Date Added
We added an additional date to our Intro to fly fishing courses this summer, here is our full selection of remaining school dates:
In 2011 we have already assisted nearly 100 eager anglers in this information packed, fun filled day of learning about and how to fly fish. Here's what some of our students had to say:
- Saturday, July 9th
- Sunday, July 10th
- Saturday, July 23rd
- Sunday, August 7th
In 2011 we have already assisted nearly 100 eager anglers in this information packed, fun filled day of learning about and how to fly fish. Here's what some of our students had to say:
"Kevin and Caitlin are wonderful. They make it easy to follow the information that is being presented and also make it a lot of fun. They were more than accommodating and made the whole experience beyond positive. The course itself even though just one day taught me more than I could have hoped for. I am going to recommend you to anyone I know that is interested in Fly fishing and know my better half is going to be going as well. You may have caught yourself a customer for life. Pardon the pun but I couldn't resist. : )" -James T
"Hi to all the Staff at Country Pleasures!
Special thanks to Kevin and Caitlin for making our day. The course was very informative and hearing about each of their experiences added to the instruction for the day. I can’t think of any questions that I had going into Saturday that weren’t answered, great content and knowledge shared – thanks for getting Wyatt and I setup on this new venture. I’m sure that there will be many, many trips down to the store for more tips, tricks and gear!
Thanks again, you made a lasting impression on a couple of very new prospects…"-Rob and Wyatt M
"Hi Mike,
We had an awesome time, what a great start to what we think might be a new passion for us. Jonathan and I both feel like we have the basics down and we are itching to get started. We live two minutes from the Bow River unfortunately we cannot fish it yet and Jon is away on a school field trip until the long weekend. We will get out on the long weekend for sure.
Thanks to Caitlin and Kevin they did a great job in breaking things down for us" -David and Jonathan Hird
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