Friday, April 29, 2011

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Bow River Report

Bow River Report –April 28, 2011


Currently in a 2011 record 5 days of warm weather, lots have been getting out fishing.

All of the small creeks and drainages are pouring water right now from low level melt. This, combined with work continuing on the W.I.D. weir removal, has made for fairly dirty water below 17th Avenue. Fish creek is also not very clean. Last, but not least, the Sheep and Highwood have the appearance of flavored coffee.

Having reported on all of that, there have been more BWO`s showing up in the city, with a few fish up on top eating them. There have also been scattered sightings of Skwala Stoneflies.

If you can`t find some rising fish, the nymphing (Stonefly nymphs, etc.) and streamer fishing (dark and heavy) has been pretty good.

Hatches: Midges, BWO’s, some Skwalas

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

Nymphs: Reese’s Pieces #8, San Juanabe Worm #6, Yeager’s TB Soft Hackle-Hares Ear #14, Morrish Conestone-Golden #6, Morrish WMD-Golden Stone #8, Tungsten Soft Hackle-Pheasant Tail #14

Dry Flies: Yeager’s Neversink Gnat #20, Palomino Midge-Black #18, Wilcox’s Micro Midge-Red #20, Quigley’s Film Critic-BWO #18, Quigley’s Loop Wing Dun - BWO #18

BAJA!

From the guys at Reel Baja Adventures.....

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Nicholas Dean Photos

First-time Steelheader, Gavin F. just got back from our trip to Nicholas Dean Lodge and sent us these photos. Pretty good stuff for his first time, thanks Gavin!



Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Permit Release

David A landed this permit on a recent trip to the south side of Cuba and followed with a Grand Slam!!
Nicely done Dave and thanks for the vid.


They're so pretty! Thanks to Dave Addie.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

New Destination: Palometa Club 2012


Country Pleasures is excited to announce a new travel destination for 2012.
We have managed to secure a week at the Palometa Club, Punta Allen.
Peak season dates can be difficult to book so this is a rare oppurtunity.

The Palometa Club just celebrated the 500th permit caught.


For only $3500, this trip doesn't dig too deep in the pockets and offers world class Permit fishing.
Dates: May 4-12, 2012 *Hosted by Mike Gifford* and is a spring tide week

Check out our website or give us a call for more info....





Friday, April 22, 2011

Hope It's Not True

Our fellow Fly Fishing Blog pundits were posting today that Kaufmann's Streamborn has closed it's doors.

http://www.moldychum.com/home-old/2011/4/22/its-official.html

http://blog.oregonlive.com/windowshop/2011/04/kaufmanns_streamborn_fly_fishi.html

It would be nice if this is not true. One of the older fly fishing businesses in the U.S., North America for that matter, I grew up spending hours scanning the Kaufmann's catalogue, checking out all the latest gear and flies.

A bunch of the places around the world that people enjoy fishing today were first "R & D'd" by Randall. Not only that, but a whole bunch of hot fly patterns originally came off the Kaufmann's vises.

Sad to see, if it's true, North American tackle manufacturers and fly shops brought our sport to what it is today. I have a tough time imagining my sport where the only place I can go to pick up a few supplies and check out the latest-greatest is a Bass Pro or similar.

Ty catches a big one

Tyler T, friend and customer, took a trip to Costa Rica and landed this beaut of a tarpon!
An Orvis 12 wt Helios and Lamson Litespeed did him well.
Nice fish buddy, think a Bow River brown will do it for ya now?


Easter Hours

The shop is open for the following hours for the holiday weekend:

Good Friday:  10 AM to 4 PM

Saturday, April 23: 9 AM to 5 PM

Easter Monday: 10 AM to 4 PM

Have a great long weekend, and enjoy the long awaited warmer weather.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

FISHING REPORTS

Bow River Report –April 20, 2011


Things are starting to look up! Forecast is for slow, but steady improvement in the weather through the weekend. May see some colored water in the afternoons on the days that the temperature gets into double digits.

The Sheep is clear again and the Highwood has just a little color.

With it being the long weekend (and actually not snowing) there will likely be a bunch of people trying to get floats in. Please note that the road down into McKinnon’s is not very good to the point of being almost impassable.

Same program as over the last while….nymphs and streamers will produce best but if we get some sustained nice weather keep an eye out for rising fish. Should see the BWO’s get going as temperatures get better!

Happy Easter Fishing!

Hatches: Midges, BWO’s

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

Nymphs: Reese’s Pieces #8, San Juanabe Worm #6, Yeager’s TB Soft Hackle-Hares Ear #14, Morrish Conestone-Golden #6, Morrish WMD-Golden Stone #8, Tungsten Soft Hackle-Pheasant Tail #14

Dry Flies: Yeager’s Neversink Gnat #20, Palomino Midge-Black #18, Wilcox’s Micro Midge-Red #20, Quigley’s Film Critic-BWO #18, Quigley’s Loop Wing Dun - BWO #18


Crowsnest River Report – April 20, 2011


It’s been snowing non-stop for the last week so haven’t heard too much from the Crow but given the weather forecast it might be a superb time to get down there.

Should be a few days of warmer weather before melting causes colored water.

There are sectional closures on the Crow until June. Check the regulations before heading out.

Hatches: Midges

Streamers: Brunette Leech, Chamois Leech.

Nymphs: Pheasant-Tail, Hare's Ear, Copper John, Tung Stud, and San Juan Worm

Dries: Silvey’s Hatching Midge, Quigley’s Cluster


High Country River Report – April 20, 2011


The high country streams are now closed until June 2011.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

FISHING REPORTS

Bow River Report –April 13, 2011

The bank ice is leaving us at a steady pace but it is certainly late this year. This past weekend saw the warmest temperatures we have seen this spring.

Fishing for the most part was pretty good on nymphs and streamers. A few fish have been found on midges and there were a few Blue Winged Olives in the city on Sunday.

The forecast of another heavy snowfall for tomorrow will likely lead to more issues with dirty water. Never fear, it will eventually be spring, we think……


Hatches: Midges, BWO’s

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

Nymphs: Reese’s Pieces #8, San Juanabe Worm #6, Yeager’s TB Soft Hackle-Hares Ear #14, Morrish Conestone-Golden #6, Morrish WMD-Golden Stone #8, Tungsten Soft Hackle-Pheasant tail #14

Dry Flies: Yeager’s Neversink Gnat #20, Palomino Midge-Black #18, Wilcox’s Micro Midge-Red #20, Quigley’s Film Critic-BWO #18, Quigley’s Loop Wing Dun - BWO #18


Crowsnest River Report – April 13, 2011

Haven’t spoken to anyone who fished the Crow this past weekend, everyone was on the Bow. I would expect that the fishing continued to be good.

With the sporadic 6” snowfalls you might want to call down there before heading out to see if water conditions are OK.

Nymphs and streamers are your best bet, but dry fly fishing will improve as things warm up.

There are sectional closures on the Crow until June. Check the regulations before heading out.

Hatches: Midges

Streamers: Brunette Leech, Chamois Leech.

Nymphs: Pheasant-Tail, Hare's Ear, Copper John, Tung Stud, and San Juan Worm


High Country River Report – April 13, 2011

The high country streams are now closed until June 2011.

Yeti Coolers Video

See why these coolers are better!
We actually use them! They pretty much rock, the last cooler you'll ever buy!



AVAILABLE AT COUNTRY PLEASURES FLYFISHING, IN THE SHOP AND
ONLINE STORE.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

New Gift Items At Country Pleasures


For thiose who grow tired of fish coasters, Bonefish lamps, Dorado mats,
Fishing Bear ornaments, half dressed chick in hip waders....
The latest line of truly exceptional "fish tack".

Saturday, April 9, 2011

What The Hell?

Looks real??? If she can sit in a kayak, reach over and lip a Tarpon this
size, as well as heft it up for photo, she'd kick my ass!
Photo editing software? Steroids? You tell us, comments are appreciated.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Thursday, April 7, 2011

More About Buying Internet vs. Buying Local

A couple more examples, in addition to our earlier rod examples:


An Orvis Access Mid Arbor III Fly Reel

1) Order reel from Orvis direct at Orvis.com

    Reel Price:                                                                                                 $ 149.00     USD
    Shipping,brokerage fee added to order by Orvis at time of checkout:       $  37.25  USD
  
    Total cost from Orvis:                                                                                $ 186.25  USD 
  

  2)  Same reel purchased locally at Country Pleasures:                                $ 155 + GST

    Total cost purchased locally:                                                                 $ 162.75 CDN
     A savings of almost $25!


An Orvis Hydros Large Arbor IV Reel

1) Order reel direct at Orvis.com

Reel Price:                                                                                $ 239.00  USD
Shipping,brok added to order by Orvis at time of checkout:    $   59.75  USD

Total cost from Orvis:                                                              $ 298.75  USD
  
2)  Same reel purchased locally at Country Pleasures:             $ 264 + GST

     Total cost purchased locally:                                              $ 277.20 CDN
     A savings of over $20!



Wednesday, April 6, 2011

FISHING REPORTS

Bow River Report –April 5, 2011


Low level snowmelt has, and will continue to, cause some consternation of late. Visibility has been so-so, running at about a foot on average. Cooler days through the middle of this week should help a bit. After our obligatory whining about colored water, the fishing has been not too bad.

Heavier, dark colored streamers and nymphs are your best bet. Stonefly nymphs have been working better of late.

Hatches: Midges

Streamers: Party Boy, Silvey’s Sculpin Leech (Black w/ Olive, White Head), Marabou Clousers, Articulated Leech-Black or Purple, Geek Leech

Nymphs: Bloom’s Tung Dart, Chamois Leech, Tung Stud, Conestone, Jimmie Legs, B/H Wire Worm

Dry Flies: Quigley’s Cluster, CDC Griffiths Gnat


Crowsnest River Report – April 5, 2011


Reports from the Crow by those who fished this past weekend were quite good. Fish are in good shape and things are starting to happen.

Nymphs and streamers are your best bet.

There are sectional closures on the Crow until June. Check the regulations before heading out.

Hatches: Midges

Streamers: Brunette Leech, Chamois Leech.

Nymphs: Pheasant-Tail, Hare's Ear, Copper John, Tung Stud, and San Juan Worm

Dries: Silvey’s Hatching Midge, Quigley’s Cluster

 
High Country River Report – April 5, 2011


The high country streams are now closed until June 2011.

Hatches:

Streamers:

Nymphs:



Dries:

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Fishing Report, April 4th, 2011-Brent's Day Off

Managed to sneak out on Monday for a few hours, with more hope of getting a bit of casting practice with my newest spey rod, then catching any fish. Stopped at Policemen's, and was surprised that there was even a foot of Vis (Though I would suspect that the water clarity is plummeting with the current weather).

Fishing was nothing to write home about, and swinging streamers did a whole hell of a lot of nothing.  To be blunt, dirty water streamer fishing has never been all that good when the water temps are this low, and there is a lot of snow left to melt. It's certainty not like June. Nymphing will still be your best bet, throwing darker leeches and stoneflies put your odds pretty high!

Some midges around, but not enough to expect to see rising fish.

One thing to note is the Ice Shelf situation. I have never seen the ice shelfs so large at Policemens, not even in the dead of winter. I also noticed the numerous holes where people have punched through while walking....be careful out there!


ps. The TCX 7126 is a rocket launcher. Steelheading can't come soon enough

Monday, April 4, 2011

What are your thoughts!?

Well, this blog has been running for almost 2 years now, and we would like to think that we're not entirely set in our ways, so are asking for your opinions!

Please email us directly or comment on the blog, we're looking for all comments on the following:

- Our Topics (what would you want more of, less of, etc)
- Our Format (backround image, posts per page, etc)
- Anything else that you think could be improved, added or anything else!

Thanks for reading! Summer will be with us in no time, and then the fish photos will be flying once again


-CP staff

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Fish Pictures

Couple of photos from Darren Soice from he and kevin's trip to Islamorada last week....



Nice fish!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

More Travel Opportunities!!!!

Country Pleasures is pleased to announce that we are now an agent for Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures

Yellow Dog is, in our opinion, the best and biggest fly fishing travel company
out there today and we're excited to work with them.




This relationship means that in addition to our extensive existing travel destinations,
you now have access to hundreds of other worldwide adventures for fly fishing.

Just like any of our other locations, Yellow Dog locations will not cost you more.

We are the same cost as if you book direct, only we do all the work, arranging your
perfect holiday.

The Yellow Dog catalog is available here at the shop, showing all of their locations.
Feel free to drop by for a copy or drop us a line, we'll send you one!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Sexiest Fly Ever!!!!


Received the new Morejohn's Spot-On Prawn from Idylwilde Flies.

This is the sexiest bug ever!!!!

If you're going out Steelheading this Spring, I would definitely have this one!

Available here at the shop.