Saturday Morning Seminars-What's New at CP

We added an additional date to our seminars...

This Saturday, April 2 at 10 AM:

WHAT”S NEW AT COUNTRY PLEASURES FOR 2011


See what’s new from Simms, Orvis, Sage, Lamson, Idylwilde, Patagonia and others for 2011.

A walking tour of the shop showing new stuff for 2011.

All seminars start at 10:00 am and will end between 11:00 and noon. There is no charge and no pre-registration required. Simply drop by the shop and enjoy the seminar.

Free Stuff!

Congratulations to Jim McNee, winner of the yearly Saturday Seminar draw for a
$400 CP Gift Certificate. Hope he can put it to good use!

We do have one more seminar, this coming Saturday, April 2...... What's new at CP for 2011!

Buying Internet vs. Buying Local

A lot of people think that with the Canadian Dollar running essentially at par it's the time to buy via the internet out of the U.S.

A couple of examples that might surprise you:

An Orvis Hydros 906-4 Tip Flex SW (9' 6 weight 4 piece)

1) Order rod from Orvis direct at Orvis.com

    Rod Price:                                                                                                 $ 525  USD

    Shipping,brokerage fee added to order by Orvis at time of checkout:      $ 105  USD

    You will be charged GST at time of delivery:                                         $   31.50 USD

    Total cost from Orvis:                                                                              $ 661.50  USD

    

  2)  Same rod purchased locally at Country Pleasures:                                $ 595 + GST

    Total cost purchased locally:                                                                 $ 624.75 CDN

     A savings of almost $40!

An Orvis Helios 906-4 Tip Flex SW (9' 6 weight 4 piece)

1) Order rod direct at Orvis.com 

Rod Price:                                                                                $ 795  USD

Shipping,brok added to order by Orvis at time of checkout:   $ 159  USD

You will be charged GST at time of delivery:                         $   47.70 USD

Total cost from Orvis:                                                           $ 1001.70  USD

    

2)  Same rod purchased locally at Country Pleasures:             $ 835 + GST

     Total cost purchased locally:                                           $ 876.75 CDN

    A savings of almost $125!

Works the same way on reels, packs, etc. Something to think about..............

Fly Shipment Just Arrived!

Just received a kazillion flies. Whole bunch of new patterns for 2011.

Bins are getting filled up. And with warmer weather coming we can actually

start using them

Saturday Morning Seminars-Knots

This Saturday, March 26, Mike will show you the most effective knots for salt, and fresh water.
Everything from the arbor to the fly!

All seminars start at 10:00 am and will end between 11:00 and noon. There is no charge and no pre-registration required. Simply drop by the shop and enjoy the seminar.

Saddle Hackle!!

Some of you probably know that high quality saddle hackle has been a little tough to get lately.

Well, we managed to actually get an order of Grade 1 Saddles in several colors including Grizzly, Orange Dyed Grizzly, and Blue Dyed Grizzly.  Very nice stuff! Pick yours up before the hairdressers find out.

La Nina Bites!

So, supposedly we only have a few more days of this.
Was just getting the feeling that we might be busting into Spring and then this hits.

La Nina is a lot less fun than El Ninos.

The experts at Environment Canada have the following promises. Can't wait until Monday.

Current Conditions


Observed at: Calgary Int'l Airport 5:00 PM MDT Tuesday 22 March 2011

Condition:Light Snow Temperature:-1.7°C Pressure / Tendency:101.7 kPa / rising Visibility:16 km Humidity:75% Wind Chill:-3 Dew Point:-5.5°C Wind Speed:E 4 km/hForecast

Issued: 4:00 PM MDT Tuesday 22 March 2011

Tonight: Periods of light snow. Low minus 5.
Wednesday: Periods of light snow. High minus 2.
Wednesday night: Cloudy with 40 percent chance of flurries. Low minus 5.
Thursday:A mix of sun and cloud. High zero.
Friday: Cloudy. Low minus 6. High zero.
Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud. Low minus 5. High plus 1.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud. Low minus 3. High 6.
Monday: Sunny. Low minus 2. High 10.

JUST ARRIVED!

Just received some more of the TCX 7126-4 Spey Rod.

Probably the most talked about rod we've seen in a while.

Commonly known as the "Death Star" or "Death Stick" or
something like that. Don't know who comes up with this stuff,

all we know is this rod is awesome.

Replenished stocks of TCX Single Handed rods.

Great for the salt in 6 to 10 weight.

Polar Bear Hair

Extremely long, very high quality Polar Bear now available at the shop. Custom dyed in some really cool Steelhead colors!

FISHING REPORTS

Since technically it's Spring, we'll start with regular fishing reports again. Seems weird when you look outside.
BUT IT'S ONLY SUPPOSED TO LAST A FEW DAYS!!!!

Bow River Report –March 21, 2011


Things actually started to show signs of picking up as far as fishing goes in the last week. A few pushes of colored water from city snowmelt didn’t affect the fishing in any negative way.
As you would expect at this time of year, nymphs and streamers are your best bet, but there were a few fish to be found rising to midges last week.

We just have to get through the next 3 or 4 days of returning winter and things should continue shaping up.

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 – March 21, 2011


Things started to get a little more spring-like on the Crow last week. As we get warmer weather, things will start to shape 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

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


High Country River Report – March 21, 2011


The high country streams are now closed until June 2011.

Hatches:

Streamers:

Nymphs:

Dries:

Spring Creek Release

Pete Caron releases a beautiful brown trout from McCoy Spring Creeks. From the upcoming feature documentary Spring Creek: Ranchers, Anglers, Water and Trout

Today's Seminar-Tarpon Flies

Some of the bugs tied at today's seminar.....

Next week's seminar: Knots you should know for saltwater fishing.

More of "Spring Creek:Ranchers, Anglers, Water and Trout"

A few photos from this year's shooting of the Cinema Digital documentary "Spring Creek:Ranchers, Anglers, Water and Trout"

Heads or Tails

Zach's Been Tying Flies

Sounds like Zach Southgate is going to Terrace in April.
So he's been tying flies like a fiend. Heres some ammo photos he
sent to me:

Saturday Morning Seminars-Tarpon Flies

Saturday, March 19  10 AM @Country Pleasures

TARPON FLIES

Mike Gifford will tie "must have" Tarpon flies for flats fishing from Florida to Tobago.

All seminars start at 10:00 am and will end between 11:00 and noon. There is no charge and no pre-registration required. Simply drop by the shop and enjoy the seminar. 

More Steelhead Tying: Brent's Jackalope Leech

Here's a quick tube leech that is one of Brents favourite. Using a small tube gives you the ease of placing your hook distance by using a simple non-slip loop knot.

Tube: 3/32 Tube
Body: Blue Artic Fox
Tail: Black Rabbit
Flash: Blue Flashabou
Hackle: Blue Schlappen & Blue Guinea
Eyes: Real Eyes 3/32
Head: Pink Ice Dub


A really good all around steelhead bug.

New school: Spey Casting with Simon Gawesworth

We are very excited to announce a Spey Casting school with Simon Gawesworth, world renowned instructor, angler and writer. Simon has been fishing since the age of 6 and teaching fly casting professionally since he was 16. Simon has a number of casting certifications from the UK and the USA including CI Master and THCI.

Simon works for RIO products in Idaho where he designs and tests fly lines, as well as being the marketing manager for Rio. He conducts fly casting classes and seminars around the world.

Available schools and dates:

Introduction to Spey Casting

Learn the basics of spey casting.

Limited to 6 students, gear is required.

$325/student

August 27 2011 3 SPOTS LEFT!!

 

Intermediate Spey Casting

The next step, for the intermediate to advanced spey caster.

Limited to 6 students, gear is required.

$325/student

August 28 2011  SOLD OUT!!!

Book early to reserve your spot as these schools will fill up quickly!

Sailfish Photos

CP guide, Mike Guinn, spends his winters in Costa Rica. He sent us some Sail photos.
Must be nice to be a Retired Snowbird Old Fart!

Yesterdays Seminar-Socks For Esox

Kev tied up a bunch of his Pike flies at yesterdays seminar....

Next week (March 19) Tarpon Flies. Most effective Tarpon bugs for different locations.

Kevin showing one of his finished products.

Pike Flies.

Pike Popper.

Saturday gang watching Kev tie bugs.

New Orvis Safe Passage Just Arrived

Orvis has redone their Safe passage line for 2011. They turned out pretty nice. Now available at CP.
 

Safe Passage Angler's Day Pack

Our new eco-friendly Safe Passage® Day Pack is the perfect pack for the backcountry angler. Compatible with the Micro Chest Pack (3H6X), Vertical Chest Pack (3H6Y), and Standard Chest Pack (3H60). Chest packs can be attached to front shoulder straps while fishing or attached to back of pack while hiking. Streamlined form is designed to minimize fly line snags. Adjustable perforated mesh shoulder straps and tension-curved back panel with frame sheet keeps pack off the wearer's back for maximum comfort. Easy-access side mesh pockets. Large main compartment with small zippered front pocket. Insulated cooler compartment. Hydration bladder compatible. Compression straps to hold rod tube. In slate blue. 18"H x 12"W x 9"D; 1,944 cu. in. Weight: 2.3 lbs.



Safe Passage Kit Bag

Absolutely essential fishing luggage for any angler. Keep your standard gear organized and ready for any fishing trip. Wide mouth opening for easy access and organization of all your essential gear, fly boxes and accessories. Interior pockets designed for organizing tippet spools, sunglasses, spare spools, tools, binoculars and any other necessary gear. Exterior rod tube holder. Two front zipper pockets for additional storage. Adjustable and removable shoulder strap with perforated foam pad for comfort. Fishing luggage in slate blue.
Dimensions: 19¾"L x 9¾"H x 10."W. Capacity: 1,925 cu. in. Weight: 2½ lbs.

Safe Passage Hanging Shave Kit

The most convenient travel shave kit design is a hanging toiletry bag. Open, hang, and everything is accessible. Extremely roomy toilet kit with multiple pockets to hold everything necessary for extended travel. Front panel has zippered slash pocket. Webbing loop and hook for hanging. Hanging toiletry bag in cloudburst. Dimensions: Overall Dimension: 10¾"L x 7¾"H x 4½"W (23¾"L when opened). Capacity: 374 cu. in. Weight: 12 oz.

Safe Passage Sling Pack

Cast and fish with total freedom. Our most popular pack allows the angler to wear it over one shoulder completely out of the way, but still have quick and easy access to all your gear. Large main compartment can hold multiple fly boxes, tippet spools and accessories. Plier sheath is designed to accommodate your favorite fishing plier with a secure attachment point for the safety lanyard. Forcep sheath on the shoulder strap for immediate access. Magnetic anchor in the forcep pocket securely holds tool in place. Zinger attachment point with magnetic anchor keeps tools from swinging around. Fly drying foam patches inside. Adjustable shoulder strap and girth strap included. In cloudburst.
Dimensions: 15"H x 9"W x 3½"D. Capacity: 472 cu. in. Weight: 1 lb.

Safe Passage Trout Waist Pack

The perfect fishing packs for the angler who fishes small streams. Gear stays out of the way and the weight is carried on the belt. Two compartments, lots of interior pockets, and a key clip for storage. Padded waist belt. Durable Hypalon patches for zinger attachment with magnetic tool anchor to keep tools secure. Convenient padded forceps pocket on back panel. Removable foam fly patches attach to top of pack or inside of front pocket. Front pocket opens wide for easy access to boxes. Keeper hardware for excess webbing. Comes with adjustable ergonomic neck strap for optional use as a chest pack or hip pack. Fishing packs in cloudburst. Dimensions: 12"L x 6½"W x 4½"D. Capacity: 351 cu. in.

Safe Passage Waist/Hip Pack

A convenient fishing waist pack for shallow water wading. Frees the upper body to cast and fish and puts the weight on the hips. Two compartments, lots of interior pockets, and a key clip for storage. Padded waist belt with adjustable load lifters. Durable Hypalon patches for zinger attachment with magnetic tool anchor to keep tools secure. Convenient padded forcep pocket on back panel. Removable foam fly patch attaches to top of pack or inside of front pocket. Front pocket opens wide for easy access to fly boxes. Side mesh pockets fit two water bottles. Keeper hardware for excess webbing. Comes with adjustable ergonomic neck strap for optional use as a chest pack or hip pack. Fishing waist pack in slate blue. Dimensions: 13½"L x 8½"W x 6"D. Capacity: 688 cu. in. Weight: 1.3 lbs.

New Video: Frozen Guides and Finger Tips

A short series of clips from a recent steelhead trip. This amazing fish keeps pulling us back to northern BC, no matter how long the drive or how bad the roads.
Steelhead aren't just a fish, they are truly an obsession.

Tying Brent's Spring Fling

A quick glance on how to tie Brent's intruder variant: Brent's Spring Fling. A great steelhead fly for any coastal stream, as well as for winter fish. Fall fish don't seem to mind it either!

Saturday Morning Seminars-Socks for Esox

SOCKS FOR ESOX!

(FLIES FOR PIKE)

Kevin Peterson will show how to tie his go-to flies for Pike.

All seminars start at 10:00 am and will end between 11:00 and noon. There is no charge and no pre-registration required. Simply drop by the shop and enjoy the seminar.

Spring Creek Trailer

A trailer promo for the upcoming fly fishing conservation documentary, Spring Creek: Ranchers, Anglers, Water and Trout.






“ The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of that which is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.”
John Buchan
SPRING CREEK: Ranchers, Anglers, Water and Trout  is a fly fishing conservation film, which chronicles an angler’s journey for new water and big trout.
Faced with the demise of his homewaters the Kettle River, where low flows, excessive water extraction and climate change have caused trout stocks to plummet, British Columbian filmmaker and passionate fly fisherman Travis Lowe sets out on a journey to explore the  mystique surrounding fly fishing Montana’s fabled spring creeks.
What he discovers in  SPRING CREEK: Ranchers, Anglers, Water and Trout is how numerous ranchers in Montana, have embraced angling as a means of economic diversification to help sustain their traditional way of life. Unlike in British Columbia where BIG AG is oblivious to minimum in stream trout flows and a hypocritical government, seemingly reluctant to protect a unique angling resource, favours development over conservation.  These problems have garnered the Kettle River, the unfortunate distinction of “The Most Endangered River in British Columbia” . What Lowe finds in Montana, will forever change the way he thinks about ranchers and their way of life.  A  discovery that  helps restore his hope for the future of water and trout in his homewaters of the Kettle River.
SPRING CREEK: Ranchers, Anglers, Water and Trout is a film that should give all anglers an occasion for hope and maybe, just maybe…some really big fish.
Presently in production, Spring Creek: Ranchers, Anglers, Water and Trout has a tentative release date of Spring 2012

Steelhead Dreams

Tom's Tarpon

New Orvis Products in store

Here's some hot new Orvis products available on CP shelves:

Access Mid Arbor Reels:

The Battenkill Mid Arbor but better!
New handle and gold anodizing, totally sealed carbon fiber and stainless steel washer drag system, and made of aircraft bar stock. This reel has a new look and some great updated features for an affordable price.

Access Fly Rods

Why pay more for a premium rod? The new Access rods offer a premium rod at a price accessible by all. Features: woven graphite carbon and champagne anodized aluminum gold reel seat, chrome guides, Safe Passage rod tube with internal dividers.

Hydros Large Arbor Reels

A reel with a big game drag at a small game price. The new Hydros L/A reels offer a hardy drag not seen in reels double its price, anodized finish and sealed drag. A great reel for the first time saltwater angler, or any angler on a budget!

Product Review- Sol Patrol Shirt, Houdini Jacket

 

 The Patagonia Sol Patrol Shirt was a bit of a shocker for us when it arrived late this week. 

It offers all the features we wanted in a high tech shirt for a significantly lower price.

Its lightweight, quickdry, has a lot of venting and a UPF rating of 30 but only costs $90!

If your planning a trip to somewhere warm or just want a new fishing shirt, this one offers the technical advantage and comfort for less bucks.

 

The Houdini Jacket rocks our socks too! Its insanely light and packs down into its own pocket and fits into my palm. The DWR coating makes this jacket highly water resistant while being completely breathable. It is prefect for anglers that want emergency rain gear without the weight or space or as a flats jacket!

Product Review- Rio Gallegos Wader

These new waders are flying off the shelves and for good reason!
Winner of the "Best New Clothing" Award at the 2010 European Tackle Trade Show.

The 3 layer H2No fabric with a Deluge DWR finish is light, very breathable, waterproof (thank goodness) while being highly durable and puncture resistant. The inside seams have been moved outwards and reinforced with a abrasion resistant tape to prevent excess wear from seams rubbing together.

  

I'm really looking forward to the removable neoprene pads on the inside of the knees. No more sore or bruised knees from kneeling down!

 

The suspender system is attached at the waist rather than the chest allowing you to wear them as either a chest wader or waist wader with a quick, simple conversion. The wader also features a highly water resistant pocket on the inside of the chest ensuring your cell phone stays dry while fishing even if you take a dip! An external check pocket is large enough for a fly box or spare tippets and an accessory caddy makes attaching your forceps or nippers easy and isn't intrusive or will get in the way.

 

Possibly my favorite feature on these waders is the merino wool booties which are cool in warm weather while helping warm up your toes in cold weather. The built on gravel guards have a "drain" so you don't carry water around with you.

I'm really looking forward to getting out and fishing more in these waders. Best of all? They cost only $499, not bad for top end waders. As a Patagonia product they also come with the peace of mind knowing that you have an Ironclad Guarantee, if your not happy Patagonia isn't happy!

Come on in and see them in person!

-CP Team

New 2011 Patagonia Products Just Arrived!

Rio Gallegos Waders **Award winning! (Product Review coming)

Guidewater Waders

Gunnison Gorge Wading Pant

Rock Grip Wading Boot

Riverwalker Felt Wading Boot

Sol Patrol Shirts- Awseome Flats Shirt  for a reasonable price! (Product Review coming)

SST Jacket - Classic quality, state of the art design.

New 2011 colours for Island Hopper Shirts

New 2011 colours for Nano Puff Jackets

New 2011 colours for R1 Pullovers

Several new patagonia T-Shirts

Freewheeler Max

Shelled Insulator pants-Perfect for the Steelheader!

Guidewater Pants and Shorts

 Houdini Jacket (Product Review coming)

MORE COMING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS!