CP invites you for an evening with Simon Gawesworth

CP invites you for an evening event and talk on 

Understanding Fly Lines 

With guest presenter 

Simon Gawesworth 

on Friday, August 26, 2011 7 PM 

Please RSVP via phone, email or in person. 

Everyone is welcome, a great chance to visit with a leading expert in the fly fishing industry.

 

 About Simon:

Simon's father taught him to fish at the age of 6. Now 45, he has been teaching fly casting professionally since he was 16. He has both cast and fished for England in British, European and World Championships and was elected Captain of the England team for the 2003 World Fly Fishing Championships. Simon is A.P.G.A.I. and S.T.A.N.I.C. certified in the U.K. and C.I., Master and T.H.C.I. certified in the U.S. He also sits on the F.F.F. board of Governors and the T.H.S.I. committee. Simon's articles appear regularly in the fly fishing magazines. Simon is acknowledged as one of the world's leading authorities on spey casting and has taught and demonstrated spey casting around the world.  His video "International Spey Casting", produced with Rio Products, is recognized as one of the finest instructional videos on casting.

The Most Interesting Man in the World

"he takes takes out at Jansen's when no one can...stay thirsty my friends."

Photo and Email credit - Jason Eggleton

First Float Trip Ever!

Father and son made their first trip in a drift boat on the Bow last week. Betcha they'll do it again!

Bow River Report - July 27th, 2011

Likely due to a mechanical issue there has been a change in the clarity of the river over the last few days. We have been seeing slightly murky, almost glacial coloured water with between 1-2 feet of visibility. The dam issues have been occurring since early June and may not be cleared up for a few months. Luckily, we have not seen any dramatic effects on the fishing!
Stoneflies are still active and abundant though appear to be tapering off slightly. Big dries are still producing fish and the large nymphs continue to be very effective as well.
Legacy Island launch has not been fixed so we still recommend avoiding that launch unless you have a serious four wheel drive. Both Carseland launches are open and operational; the launch at the point has been fixed and looks great.
Hatches:
Caddis, PMDs, Golden Stones
Streamers:
Beldar Rubberleg -Skunk #4,Geek Leech - Olive #4, Karnopp's Space Invader-Olive/Black #4
Nymphs:
Jimmy Legs-Dk. Brown/Orange #6, Morrish Conestone-Golden #4, Red Hot Worm-Root Beer #6, Yeager's TB Soft, Hackle-Hares Ear #14
Dry Flies:
Berrett's Golden Stone-Barred Leg #6, Chubby Chernobyl-Black/Tan #6, Yeager's Neversink Stone Popper-Orange #6, Kingrey's Better Foam Caddis-Olive #16, Bloom's Parachute Caddis-Lt. Olive #16

Crowsnest River Report - July 27th, 2011

The Crow has been holding around 6.6 cms, still high for this time of year but dramatically closer to average than the last few months. Very wade able water levels.
Like always, it will drop quickly and dry fly fishing will continue.
Hatches:
Golden Stones, PMD, Caddis, Green Drakes
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, Parachute Green Drake #10

High Country River Report - July 27th, 2011

High country streams have been fishing very well as of late. Most streams are still a bit high for this time of year but wade able and dropping.
Patchy thunderstorms can effect clarity but these localized and clear up quickly.
Hatches:
Stoneflies, Caddis, Green Drakes
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, Parachute Green Drake #10, Elk Hair Caddis #16

Brown Trout....Meet Foam!

Warren has been a shop customer for along time as well as going on a number of guided trips with us. Were pleased to show off his 25" dry fly Brown from the other day.

Why we need to keep our rivers clean

Lets be honest, the Bow isn't the cleanest river in the world. I gag a bit every time I see people going for a swim and shower after a day of wet wading. The biggest "contamination" is likely garbage and debris. Here are a few images for proof. 

Bow River Rainbow caught July 26, 2011

The ring after removal

Bow River Brown trout caught April 24, 2010. Note: This fish was caught by a client and friend of the shop who wanted evidence of the injury and the ring. One photo was taken, the ring removed, fish revived and released.

The ring after removal.

Both rings were removed and the fish swam away in a better condition then when they were caught. Do your part, pick up a piece of garbage or two next time you go fishing. 

Photos From Last Week

Photos from a day with CP guide, Joe Buck and clients.....

New Look For The Website

The CP website www.countrypleasures.com has a new look. Check it out!

If the old images come up on your screen, just hit refresh and the new one will come up.

We'd love to hear what you think. Send us a note.

SAGE "ONE"

Got a chance to cast some of the new "ONE" from Sage this past week.

It's a pretty impressive fly rod, as light in the hand as we've ever cast, very quick

and powerful.The 8 weight is incredibly light, would think it was a 5 weight if it

wasn't marked, only it's an absolute GUN!

We'll have the first ones around August 6, come check them out!

Photos from a float with Guinn

Here's a couple shots of a buttery brown caught while on a float with Mikey Guinn. Hard to get much yellower than that!

Another Pig on a Stonefly!

(EDIT) We have discovered that this brute is no furlong capture. Heres the full story and more photos, much worth checking out: http://lofifly.com/?p=894

FISHING REPORTS

Bow River Report –July 19, 2011

Everybody seems to be aware that the emergence of Golden Stoneflies is in full swing. Lots of bugs kicking around and some pretty good dry fly fishing has been the order of business for the last 5 or 6 days.

With the Stoneflies being so active, the large nymphs continue to be very effective as well.

Streamer fishing has gotten a lot better of late, very good at times.

Although Legacy is advertised as open, it is very difficult to use and only serious four wheel drives will work. Good idea to only use the upper (old) launch at Carseland, the lower (point) is silted up badly.

Hatches: Caddis, PMDs, Golden Stones

Streamers: Beldar Rubberleg -Skunk #4
Geek Leech - Olive #4
Karnopp’s Space Invader-Olive/Black #4

Nymphs: Jimmy Legs-Dk. Brown/Orange #6
Morrish Conestone-Golden #4
Red Hot Worm-Root Beer #6
Yeager’s TB Soft Hackle-Hares Ear #14

Dry Flies: Berrett’s Golden Stone-Barred Leg #6
Chubby Chernobyl-Black/Tan #6
Yeager’s Neversink Stone Popper-Orange #6
Kingrey’s Better Foam Caddis-Olive #16
Bloom’s Parachute Caddis-Lt. Olive #16

Crowsnest River Report – July 19, 2011

Sounds like fishing has been pretty good on the Crow. Still higher and colder than normal for this time. Means for better fishing in August!

Hatches: Golden Stones, PMD, Caddis

Streamers: Brunette Leech
                   Chamois Leech.

Nymphs: TB Pheasant-Tail
               Tung Stud-Amber #14 
               Morrish Conestone-Golden #4 
               Rock “n” Roller Stone #4

Dries: Hopper-Popper-Orange #6

          Chernobyl Ant-Brown/Tan #6

           Berrett’s Mutant Stone #6

           Spun Hair Dun-PMD #16

           Neversink Caddis-Olive #16

High Country River Report – July 19, 2011

Still running cold, high, but clear, the high country stuff will continue to get better as the summer goes on. Lots and lots of Bull Trout around!

Hatches:  Stoneflies, Caddis,PMDs

Streamers:  Darth Zonker-Black #2

                    Hare Sculpin #4

Nymphs:  Morrish Conestone-Golden # 6

                Bitch Creek #6

                Stream-A Stone

                B/H Prince Nymph #14

Dries:  Berretts Golden Stone #8

           Mutant Stone #6

A Gadget That Works!

The Ketchum Release, from Waterworks Lamson, is one of those once in a blue moon tools for fly fishing that actually works!

Marinated in Awesomeness

Hi Zach!
If I told you what’s working on the Bow, I’d have to kill you. Just kidding…. this time. This week we landed the first few fish on stone dries and all we can say is FINALLY! It certainly isn’t rock’em sock’em awesome fishing on the Barrett’s Golden Stone but if you work hard, you’ll find a few fish. Trust me it’s worth it if you do!
The Jimmy Legs are still the go-to bug right now. Lately, it seems like as soon as they hit the water something wants to eat them. There are tons of stonefly nymphs around and a few adults, so let’s hope for it to heat up over the next few days.
There are some insanely stupid fish chowing down on caddis and PMDs so keep an eye out for snouts.
All river accesses are again open and available for public use including Jensen’s (Legacy Island) and Carseland. The jet boaters are mad but drift boaters finally get access to the bottom third of the river again!

Average Bow Brown!

The high country streams are still chilly but clear and dropping. The fish are getting happier, so stack your boxes with JC Specials.
Stampede is in full swing, so if you’re in Calgary be sure to check it out, I’ll stick with avoidance.



Blog written by CP staff for the Marinated in Awesomeness Blog ( http://idylwilde.com/wordpress/)

Probably The Last Ever Z-Axis Update

Update on the last of the Z-Axis! Once these are gone there is no more!

Z-Axis 486-4 8' 6" 4 weight 4 piece - Sold Out

Z-Axis 490-4 9' 4 weight 4 piece - Sold Out

Z-Axis 586-4 8' 6" 5 weight 4 piece - One left

Z-Axis 690-4 9' 6 weight 4 piece - One Left

Saw the new "One" yesterday. Kind of pretty, wickedly light in the hand. Will have comprehensive opinion on casting performance on the blog late next week.

Photos From This Week's fishing

Some of the playing, and working, from this past week......

I love July! Lots of Yellow!

Hard Core Weaponry Has Arrived!

The Morrish Still Stone, from Idylwilde Flies, has arrived! 

For those fish afraid of the Bitches and Berrett's!

Available at the shop!

Bow River Access

Word is, both Legacy Island and Carseland are now available for use!

Watch the McKinnon Road when it rains hard. It's not great.

SEAN FURLONG - STEELY EYED WESTERN TROUT GUIDE

Photos of anglers that Sean has taken fishing of late. You can buy drilling mud from this man, but his real talent lies with trout guiding.......

Head Guide: Sean Furlong

And you might notice the talent he has for quickly removing the Condom Worms that caught all of these brutes and replacing with more interesting flies.

FISHING REPORTS

Bow River Report –July 12, 2011

Dry fly fishing has been getting better and better. More and more fish are getting on the Caddis and PMDs. We are seeing more Stonefly adults in the last 3 or 4 days but it is certainly not in full swing yet. I would guess that in the last 3 days, and likely for the next 3 or 4, the fish will see way more fake ones than real ones.

Stonefly nymphs continue  to rock and roll.

Don’t forget! Legacy Island and Carseland accesses are closed until further notice. Waiting to hear about Legacy.

Hatches: Caddis, PMDs, Golden Stones

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,

Film Critic-PMD #16, Berrett’s Golden Stone, Berrett’s Mutant Stone

Crowsnest River Report – July 12, 2011

The Crow has been dropping nicely until last night. Took a big jump early this morning, likely from a rain event.

Like always, it will drop quickly and dry fly fishing will continue.

Hatches: 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 – July 12, 2011

Word from the hills has been pretty good. Everything is shaping up nicely and people are catching a bunch of fish.

Some thunderstorms have caused a little short-term color on the Highwood and Sheep. Shouldn’t last long if we don’t get any more heavy rain or hailstorms.

Hatches:  Stoneflies, Caddis

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,

 

A Face Only A Mother Could Love

Yellow and Gnarly!

Welcome To Zach Vant Erve

In addition to Kevin, Caitlin, Brent, Mike, and Zach Southgate, Zach Vant Erve is joining our staff for the summer.

Like Southgate, he spends an inordinate amount of time fishing and is certainly knowledgable.

Unlike a lot of the individuals you run into in our sport, when Zach tells you he has been fishing since he could walk, it's actually true.

Photo below is hard evidence......

Welcome Zach!

Two More Introductory Schools Left!

This weekends schools (July 9 & 10) are full. There are only two more schools left this summer.
(Wow, time flies) July 23rd and August 7 are the only remaining schools this summer.

There are a few spots left in each, so if you've been thinking about learning to fly fish, now's the time.

Orvis Special Offer!!!

Only lasts until July 31. In stock items only.

FISHING REPORTS

Bow River Report –July 8, 2011

The river has been fishing anywhere from very good to outrageous this past week. Flows have dropped to the point that we are now seeing rising fish on PMD’s and Caddis.

If you fish a Stonefly nymph right now, you can rack up a pretty significant body count.

The only thing that’s been a little up and down is the streamer fishing, likely due to the fact there are so many Stonefly nymphs available to the fish right now. Why chase a streamer when you can sit around and eat large nymphs all day?

A lot of people think the river is still too high and colored right now. For those that know better, have fun!

Don’t forget! Legacy Island and Carseland accesses are closed until further notice.

Hatches: Caddis, PMDs, Golden Stones

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, Berrett’s Golden Stone, Berrett’s Mutant Stone

Crowsnest River Report – July 8, 2011

Things are happening on the Crow. River levels have dropped to the point that you can do some wading and fish more water.

Lots of dry fly fishing down there right now.

Hatches: 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 – July 8, 2011

Most of the high country streams are most definitely worth fishing right now. Warm weather has caught us up and things should be very good in the coming weeks. Sounds like there are lots of nice Bull Trout kicking around right now.

Hatches:  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

Z-Axis Update!!

 

As of today, the remaining inventory on Z-Axis:

Z-Axis 486-4 8' 6" 4 weight 4 piece - Sold Out

Z-Axis 490-4 9' 4 weight 4 piece - Sold Out

Z-Axis 586-4 8' 6" 5 weight 4 piece - One left

Z-Axis 690-4 9' 6 weight 4 piece - Three Left

They'll be gone soon. If you're needing a rod and want top quality for a steal, grab one now

Back to the good old days....

 We've been waiting, and waiting and waiting but finally, the Bow has dropped and cleaned up.

Its running around 210 cms and visibility is around 2 feet.

Clousers and stonefly nymphs were the key yesterday.

There were a few shucks around but no significant numbers.

Caddis numbers are increasing and there are still lots of PMDs out.

Our best fish catching flies: Brown and White Clousers and Brown Jimmy Legs.

GET FISHING!

REMEMBER! UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, LEGACY ISLAND AND CARSELAND ACCESSES ARE UNAVAILABLE. LEGACY IS BLOCKED WITH DEBRIS AND THE ROAD DOWN TO CARSELAND SLID THIS SPRING.