Calgary's Newest Fly Tyer?

We would like you to meet Logan Fyke, who just started tying flies a couple months ago. As part of a community support program with his grade 6 curriculum, Logan has tied a selection of flies that he is auctioning off with the full proceeds going to Trout Unlimited Canada. 

Minimum donation is $3, and Country Pleasures will match all donations in full.

He's tying pretty darn good flies for only being at it for 2 months and from what we see, each and every one of them will catch fish.

Help support Logan's initiative and T.U.

Special Events!

With our 35th birthday soon approaching, we are planning a number of events through until next spring (likely no film tours, one every month for half the year should be enough). Stay tuned for updates on specials, shop events, etc. to celebrate our anniversary.

Our first event, in appreciation of all our customers old and new, is limited time special on Sage Approach, ONE, Salt, and Method Fly Rods in stock. Check out our Good deals On Gear section at 

Country Pleasures Online Store

This special event only lasts until 6 PM on Wednesday, May 4 so don't delay in taking advantage. And thanks from all of us here at the shop!

Fishing Reports - April 28

Bow River Report – April 28, 2016

River levels could not have been more varied in the last week. Due to spring window in stream work at Bearspaw Dam and bank stabilization at different locations, we had levels lower than we have seen before.

This has been closely followed by increased volumes, up to 130 CMS as of yesterday afternoon. This looks disturbingly similar to the water management practices we saw last spring. Hold no water back when it’s available and then have almost no water by the end of June. Let’s all pray for a cool, wet spring and early summer.

All through this, the fishing has been better than it should have been. Some fish up on dries…the odd eat on Skwalas, scattered rising fish on BWO’s and Caddis.

Stonefly nymphs working better as time goes by. Streamers like Clousers and Geek leeches working quite well.

Hatches:  BWOs, Skwala Stones, Caddis

Dry Flies:  Salinga’s Low Rider Skwala, Bitterfork Skwala, Rogue River Skwala,

                 X Body Parachute-BWO, Trinas Etha Wing Emerger-BWO, Bloom’s  

                 Parachute Caddis

Nymphs:   Atomic Worm, Conestone, Lexy’s Sexy Stone, Jimmy Legs,

                 B/H Pheasant Tail

Streamers:  Geek Leech, Gartside Leech, B/H Mini Leech, Clouser Minnows.

Crowsnest River Report – April 28, 2016

Water clarity on the Crow has improved over the last week.

About 3 feet at East Hillcrest. On the really warm days you’ll likely find visibility degrades in the afternoons.

Don’t be afraid of the Crow at this time of year if it’s a little dirty. If there isn’t anything happening on top, use a big stonefly nymph. It can be very good.

Sectional closures now in place until June 16, 2016. Check your regs.

Hatches:  Skwala Stones, March Browns, BWOs

Dries: Rogue River Skwala, Low Rider Skwala, X Body Parachute-BWO,

         Trinas Etha wing Emerger-BWO, March Brown parachute

               

Nymphs:  Conestone, Lexy’s Sexy Stone, Jimmy Legs, Atomic Worm,
                B/H Pheasant Tail
  
Streamers:  Gartside Leech, C/H R/L Bow River Bugger

High Country River Report – April 28, 2016

The high country streams are now closed until June 16, 2016.

"Tousands" and "Tousands" of Flies

Lots of new patterns in dries, nymphs, and streamers have arrived in the last few weeks. 

Whatever your preference, we have the ammo.

Important Notice From City Of Calgary

This test will impact both the Elbow and Bow Rivers.

 The City would like to provide important information regarding an upcoming controlled river high-flow event that will occur in preparation for the upcoming flood readiness time period.

On a routine basis, The City conducts river surveys and inspections to review river bed conditions and flow rates. Early this year, surveys and inspections of the Elbow River were completed for the area along 22 Avenue to 25 Avenue S.W. Based on our preliminary findings, the Elbow River bed and flow depth along this area have changed.

To confirm the findings and to calibrate the flow capacity in the Mission area, The City will be conducting a controlled river high-flow event, on or around May 10, depending on rain conditions. The City will carefully increase the Elbow River flow rate over a period of time to the range of 80 to 100 m3/s by controlling therelease of water from the Glenmore Reservoir. This flow rate will not generate overland flooding.

Your safety

For your safety and that of others, all people and pets are asked to stay away from the river edge andbanks, and closed pathways on the Elbow River and the Bow riverbanks downstream of Inglewood during this controlled event. River conditions will remain high throughout the day and into the evening on the Bow River. This will pose an elevated risk to river users. City staff and emergency personnel will be on-site monitoring, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., the river levels and looking at potential impacts to river adjacent properties and communities.

PersonalPreparedness

The City is preparing for the risk of river flooding, which is greatest from May 15 to July 15 each year when we historically experience our largest rainfalls. Rainfall in the Rocky Mountains is the primary cause for flooding in Calgary. Rain hits the hard mountain surfaces and moves quickly from the mountains into the rivers. Flooding occurs quickly and with little warning because of the short, steep distance the rivers travel from the mountains to Calgary. The City monitors river conditions on 24/7 from May 15 to July 15 to provide Calgarians with as much warning as is possible. As part of The City’s annual citizen flood readiness efforts, Calgarians are reminded that river flooding can occur at any time and with little notice. One of The City’s priorities in a major incident is to ensure public safety and protect critical infrastructure and assets. Property owners remain responsible for protecting their property. The City offers opportunities and services for Calgarians to understand their flood risk, prepare for flood events and stay informed about flood conditions. Please see the enclosed attachment for further details.

Should you have questions or require further information please contact 311.

Sincerely,

Dan Limacher, Director, Water Services

The City of Calgary

 

New Orvis Safe Passage

New Orvis Safe Passage 800 packs and luggage now in the shop.

More New Colors for Howler Loggerheads Now Here

Still the comfiest!

Boat Accessories

Getting your boat ready for spring? Need some new, or extra drain plugs? What about that boat strap? We have them here.

Palometa Club 4th Annual Permit Tournament Recap

Headed off to the P.C. Permit Tournament, their 4th annual, during the first week of April. This is a non-serious event to raise funds for the Punta Allen school as well as Bonefish Tarpon Trust.

This year saw a few new faces. We finally got John and Danny from Hatch Reels to join us this year. Overall, the general consensus was that this year saw the highest level of angler ability of any of the tourneys. Heck, we even had a Permit guide from Placencia, Belize who was paired up with a fellow from California who fishes for Permit somewhere around 70 days a year. To flange up with this great group, we once again had 16 of the best Permit guides I know of.

 As usual, the first two days of the week are "fun' days where we partner up with different people who aren't our tournament partners. Got to fish with a couple really good guys, Will and Schuyler.
For the four tournament days, David Leake, from Tailwaters in Dallas was once again stuck with me as none of his better choices were able to make it. In between Permit fishing, I provide David with a non-stop stream of Canadian style humor and general babble.

The guy in the photo to the right, Schuyler Marshall, took home big fish honors with a 30 pound Permit (he says 29.6 or something, it's 30!)

 Possibly due to the fact that there were some seriously good anglers this year, there were a lot more Permit landed at this years tournament. One day saw 11 landed, with 24 total for the week. And there were a number of fish lost as well. I accounted for three of those lost fish. Seemed to be going through some sort of "thing". I don't think I had lost three Permit in the last 2 or 3 years. Oh well.

The sponsors made this years tournament the best ever for the amount, and quality of prizes. Hatch reels all over the place, rods, bags, artwork by Paul Puckett, lots of very cool stuff.
You could buy a bunch of Punta Allen with what the reels that Hatch donates are worth. And the rest of the sponsors are just as generous. Thanks to you all!

Of course, none of this stuff would happen, including raising the funds for the town school and B.T.T., without the efforts of Dick and Kaye Cameron, David Leake, Fina, Rosie, Maribel, Gloria, Carlos, Coli, Manny, Luis, and all 16 of the best bunch of Permit hunting devils (no, not the fishermen, the guides!) ever to haunt the Caribbean. Thanks to all of you.
Make sure to watch in the coming weeks for video and photos from Matt Jones Photography, who did some really cool stuff that should be great to see.

Fishing Reports - April 19

Bow River Report – April 19, 2016

Things are getting a little more varied on the river with this amazingly early spring. BWO mayflies are out, as well as Skwala stoneflies, finally offering some dry fly fishing. Deep nymphing with worm patterns continues to work very well.

This weekend’s forecast, if it holds true, could offer some great BWO fishing.

Hatches:  BWOs, Skwala Stones

Dry Flies:  Salinga’s Low Rider Skwala, Bitterfork Skwala, Rogue River Skwala,

                 X Body Parachute-BWO, Trinas Etha Wing Emerger-BWO

Nymphs:   Atomic Worm, Conestone, Lexy’s Sexy Stone, Jimmy Legs,

                 B/H Pheasant Tail

Streamers:  Geek Leech, Gartside Leech, B/H Mini Leech, Clouser Minnows.

Crowsnest River Report – April 19, 2016

Levels on the Crow have dropped a little bit over the weekend. When it gets warm it will get a little dirtier and higher though. Last reports were of about 30” visibility at East Hillcrest. If the forecast holds true, the cloudy, cooler condition this weekend should provide some good BWO fishing.

Don’t be afraid of the Crow at this time of year if it’s a little dirty. If there isn’t anything happening on top, use a big stonefly nymph. It can be very good.

Sectional closures now in place until June 16, 2016. Check your regs.

Hatches:  Skwala Stones, BWOs

Dries: Rogue River Skwala, Low Rider Skwala, X Body Parachute-BWO,

         Trinas Etha wing Emerger-BWO

               

Nymphs:  Conestone, Lexy’s Sexy Stone, Jimmy Legs, Atomic Worm,
                B/H Pheasant Tail
  
Streamers:  Gartside Leech, C/H R/L Bow River Bugger

High Country River Report – April 19, 2016

The high country streams are now closed until June 16, 2016.