Safety Kit

VSSL Flasks are back! Glass lined stainless steel flasks to carry your spirits, 2 shot glasses, a compass 'cause you're drunk and forget where you are, and an LED flashlight to see what you just walked into.

Wear Your Infatuation

When you can't get them off your mind. Sightline Provisions bracelets and keychains available in Trout, Tarpon, Flies, 

and yes, these nasty critters.

Tips and Tricks- Bonefish/Permit Leaders

It's getting to be the time of year when people are getting ready to go on their saltwater trips. 

Here's a couple suggestions for your leaders for 

Bonefish and Permit:

- Most of the leader manufacturers offer fluorocarbon saltwater leaders, for  Bonefish and Permit. You're best to stay away from the fluorocarbon leader. Why? Because one of the properties of fluoro is it's higher density. A fluorocarbon leader will sink horizontally, leading to the fly keeling on the bottom instead of "hopping" off the bottom on each strip. This will lead to numerous bottom and grass hookups, and snags, as well as a ton of spooked fish.

- Use a monofilament saltwater leader and replace the tippet (front 20-24") with fluorocarbon. This will fish the fly properly and give you the abrasion resistance at the tippet that you need.

The above drawing shows (top) how a mono leader/fluoro tippet will fish on the flat. The fly will pop off the bottom on strips. The bottom drawing shows how a full fluoro leader will sink. As the leader is horizontal on the bottom, the fly will drag, leading to spooked fish and snagged flies.

- Why should I use a saltwater leader? Why not freshwater stuff? The answer is simple, saltwater leaders have longer, stiffer butt sections and they are way easier to turn over in a flats environment.

- Should I make my own leaders? Certainly, most of us here at the shop build our own leaders for Bonefish and Permit. As long as you use clear, stiff, monos like Ande. If you're keen on building your own leaders, we have bulk spools of Ande Monofilament here at the shop and we can show you the proper tapers for either Bonefish or Permit.

 

- What length of leader should I use? For Bonefish, 10-12 foot leaders will cover pretty much anything you might encounter Bonefishing. To make things simple, we recommend the 10 foot, 12 pound Bonefish leaders. As they are mono leaders, you just add about 20-24" of fluorocarbon tippet on the end and you have a perfect Bonefish leader.

For Permit, accuracy is paramount. This is why we always recommend to people heading off to go Permit fishing that they use nothing longer than 10 foot leaders. Anything longer and the denser, heavier Permit flies can be a real challenge to turn over. Nothing more frustrating than a 12 foot leader that you can't turn over on a 60 foot cast to the Permit shot of your dreams. 10 foot!
In our opinion, the best setup for Permit is a 10 foot, 16 pound saltwater leader (mono). Cut the front 24" off the leader and replace with 16 pound Flourocarbon. (12 or 14 pound tippet may be required in certain locations and situations).
 
- What knot should I use for tying leaders? Tippets? We always tell people to use the knot they are comfortable tying and have confidence in. Having said that, we tie all of our own leaders, from butt to tippet, with Blood Knots. Even the tricky mono to fluoro connection. Your blood knots should have at least five wraps each way on the blood knot for mono to mono. We do 5 wraps on the mono side and 6 wraps on the fluoro side for mono to fluoro connections.

More Shop Spots

Cause sometimes you just get darn tired of a never ending stream of "grip and grin".

99 Red Balloons

Or Orange, or Pink, or White....whatever.

Heed The Hats

Tons of new Howler Brothers hats are now in stock.

Tied a Popper Lately?

Finally! Someone does a good popper head that we can tie poppers easily. The crew at Flymen got it right with the all new 

Double Barrel Poppers. 

Easy to get on the shank and bond, perfect popper density, take colors with paint or markers really well, multiple sizes and colors

PERFECT!

Howler Brothers Fall 2016

All of the Howler Brothers Fall 2016 lineup is now unpacked! Check out the new Dispatch Fleece, Esmont Jacket, new colors of Merlin Jacket, Fighting Cocks T-Shirt, and new colors of the hugely popular Harker's Flannel Shirt.

Winter Fly tying Schools

We now have first dates set for Winter Fly Tying Schools.

If you've been thinking of taking up fly tying, or someone you know wants to start, these are for you.

Gift certificates for the Fly Tying Schools 

are available as a great gift. 

 

Each School comprises five lessons, from 7:00 - 9:00 pm on five consecutive Tuesday nights, for a total instruction of 10-12 hours. All lessons will take place in the shop, with a maximum enrollment in each school of seven students, so there is lots of chance for individual attention.

The tuition is $140 (plus GST) and each student will be responsible for supplying their own tools and materials during the course. All tools and materials are available at Country Pleasures. Enrollment is taken on a first-come first-served basis and a complete list of necessary tools and materials will be supplied to registrants at the time of registration.

During the School students will learn to tie nymphs, streamers and dry flies, including local favourites and new patterns such as the San Juan Worm, Bead Head Nymphs, C.D.C Caddis, Stimulators, and Clouser Minnows. All flies are chosen for their effectiveness in local waters as well as the techniques required for their tying. Join us for your introduction to this fascinating hobby. The Introductory Fly tying schools are instructed by Adam Rich, one of the more experienced and talented tiers in the area. Adam is also a patient and capable teacher.

Fly patterns covered include:
*Dry flies, nymphs, and streamers relevant to Alberta and Southeastern British Columbia

Tuition Cost

Tuition for the School is $140 (plus GST), payable at the time of registration.

Winter session 2017: Begins January 10, 2017.

Special Note: Each student will be responsible for supplying their own tools and materials during the course. All tools and materials are available at Country Pleasures. Enrollment is taken on a first-come first-served basis and a complete list of necessary tools and materials will be delivered to registrants at the time of registration.

Fishing Reports - October 19

Bow River Report – October 19, 2016

It seems like we are getting fewer warm days of late but the river continues to fish quite good.

Still some BWO’s kicking around and if you keep an eye out, you will likely find a rising fish here and there in the afternoons.

Streamers and nymphs continue to fish well but if you want to try something a little different try a Water Boatman in the slower section of the river. Aggressive eats on the Boatmen patterns are pretty cool.

Still a lot of very big fish being landed, especially big Rainbows. Maybe not quite as many 25-27” specimens as the internet would have us believe but probably the hottest, heaviest 18-24” fish any of us will ever hook.

Please note that our Brown Trout are moving around and getting ready to spawn. Show respect and handle them carefully. #KEEPEMWET

Hatches:  Water Boatmen, BWO’s

Dry Flies:  Wilcox Low Rider, Quigley’s Sparkle Flag-BWO,

                 Morrish October Caddis

   

Nymphs:   TB San Juan Worm, Copper John, Prince Nymph,     

                 Peacock Water Boatman

Streamers:  Taupe Leech, Bellydancer Zonker, Near Nuff Sculpin, 

Crowsnest River Report – October 19, 2016

Not a lot of reports from the Crow in the last week. Would expect that on days that aren’t freezing cold you will find some rising fish on BWO’s here and there.

Fishing a Boatman pattern in the lower runs and tailouts is usually very good at this time of year.

Fall is always a great time on the Crowsnest.

#KEEPEMWET

Hatches:  BWO’s, Water Boatmen

Dries: CDC Winged Emerger-BWO, Wilcox Low Rider-BWO

Nymphs:  Tung Stud, Water Boatman, Prince Of Darkness.
  
Streamers: Medusa, Circus Peanut

High Country River Report – October 19, 2016

Mother Nature has conspired to make the October high country fishing a little tougher this year. It’s gotten pretty cold up there over the last couple of weeks.

Still some OK fishing to be had if the weather shapes up. We have two weekends left before the high country closes so if it gets above 10 degrees it’s still worth doing. Noon to 4 PM is going to be the best fishing up there right now.

#KEEPEMWET

Hatches:  BWO’s

Dries: Hippie Stomper, Wilcox Low Rider, Cinnamon Flying Ant, Flag Ant,

         CDC Winged Emerger-BWO.

Nymphs:  Tung Stud, Tung Dart, Copper John.
  
Streamers: Medusa, Double Bunny.

 

More Evidence The Internet Is Screwed Up

Came across this on the internet today after we got an e-mail request to update rates (???).
Some outfit called GetmyBoat.com,  offering boat rentals and guiding. They have us listed, but obviously use random photos from our social media. One of the classier header photos we have seen in a while.

Couple of things wrong with it:
- we haven't offered guided services for $423 since the mid 90's.
- never heard of GetmyBoat.com
- Even though we can be somewhat quirky in our humor, even we wouldn't use this photo for advertising.

Fishing Reports - White Wulff Edition

Bow River Report – October 13, 2016

After a fairly significant snow hatch over the long weekend the weather is supposed to be a little better for a bit.

The cold snap should get the Water Boatman fishing rolling in a big way. Lower stretches of the river, on warmer days, should fish quite well with Boatman patterns.

Warmer temps, with cloudy conditions, should bring the BWO’s. There have been a few more rising fish around in the last couple of weeks so we may get some dry fly fishing.

Nymph rigs and streamer fishing continue to be quite good. Keep in mind that over the next several weeks fish will slowly start to transition into structures where they spend the winter (slower and deeper).

Please note that our Brown Trout are moving around and getting ready to spawn. Show respect and handle them carefully. #KEEPEMWET

Hatches:  BWO’s, October Caddis, Water Boatmen

Dry Flies:  Wilcox Low Rider, Quigley’s Sparkle Flag-BWO,

                 Morrish October Caddis

   

Nymphs:   TB San Juan Worm, Copper John, Prince Nymph,     

                 Water Boatman

Streamers:  Taupe Leech, Bellydancer Zonker, Near Nuff Sculpin,

Crowsnest River Report – October 13, 2016

The Crowsnest area got a whole bunch of snow last weekend but that won’t stop the good fishing. With cooler nights any snowmelt shouldn’t have an effect on water conditions.

Fall is always a great time on the Crowsnest.

#KEEPEMWET

Hatches:  BWO’s, Water Boatmen

Dries: CDC Winged Emerger-BWO, Wilcox Low Rider-BWO

Nymphs:  Tung Stud, Water Boatman, Prince Of Darkness.
  
Streamers: Medusa, Circus Peanut

High Country River Report – October 13, 2016

The season changed pretty quickly this past weekend in the high country. Little less green with a bunch more white.

If we get some double digit temperatures the high country will still have some good fishing to offer in the two weeks that they remain open.

If we get any nice days it would be well worth getting out there. Likely best to take some smaller bugs and focus your fishing in the noon to 4 PM part of the day.

#KEEPEMWET

Hatches:  BWO’s

Dries: Hippie Stomper, Wilcox Low Rider, Cinnamon Flying Ant, Flag Ant,

         CDC Winged Emerger-BWO.