Thursday, November 29, 2012

Only Three Left!

With the new Helios 2 coming the Helios rods have been on special. 25% off for freshwater rods and 30% off for salt water.
We are down to three Helios left! Now's the time to take advantage of good deals on great rods.

The rods remaining:
Helios 864-4 Mid 8' 6" 4 weight, 4 piece 
Helios 905-4 Mid 9' 5 weight, 4 piece
Helios 907-4 Tip 9" 7 weight, 4 piece Saltwater


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Christmas Book Suggestions

Two of the nicest books we have seen in a while..... We have posted the usual publisher propoganda which is always positive,  but in this case both titles are excellent!

When and why does a salmon take an angler’s fly—and what does the salmon actually see? These and other essential questions are answered thoroughly and intelligently in Atlantic Salmon Magic by Topher Browne, the most complete book on the subject in a generation.

Highly original overhead and cross-sectional diagrams of rivers show where salmon hold in different types of pools at various water levels—critical to an angler’s understanding of where to fish and where not to fish. The in-depth chapter on reading water alone is worth the price of admission.

This brilliant new bible of fly fishing for Salmo salar, the legendary leaper, builds on the time-tested techniques of Wood, Waddington, Falkus, Wulff, et al., while equipping the 21st-century angler with the latest tactics and flies to effectively cover water anywhere in the world. Features chapters on where to fish for Atlantic salmon today—with a detailed overview of the finest rivers in all the major countries hosting runs of wild salmon.

Nearly 500 pages with hundreds of stunning color photos and original illustrations, Atlantic Salmon Magic is destined to become a classic. The book is an invaluable guide to everything salar. A rich literary and visual feast, this impressive new title from Wild River Press is an absolute must for the avid salmon angler.
FREE DVD! Each copy of Atlantic Salmon Magic comes with a one-hour DVD worth $30. A Home for Salmon is an exciting exploration of the rugged wild salmon rivers on the north coast of Russia’s Kola Peninsula. This is one of the finest fishing films ever produced with spectacular scenes of huge Atlantic salmon taking flies, fighting to get away, and being released to spawn. An amazing conservation success story and a grand fly-fishing adventure.

Here is the book the fly-fishing world has long been waiting for—Andy Mill’s A Passion for Tarpon. And it is spellbinding. In clear, concise language, the author personally guides the reader through the entire strategy of what it takes to successfully fool today’s often finicky tarpon into eating your fly. As in Andy’s own fishing, nothing is left to chance. Everything is explored in engaging and entertaining detail: intuitively reading the fish, choosing effective flies for each situation, selecting the right tackle, honing your casting and presentation techniques, tricks for feeding the fish, critical advice on how to set the hook, the secrets to fighting tarpon efficiently and quickly.


As if all this weren’t enough, A Passion for Tarpon is much more than a cutting-edge fishing manual. Artfully interspersed among the author’s colorful and illuminating tactical chapters are remarkable, in-depth interviews with a dazzling lineup of renowned professional tarpon guides and rabid anglers—a veritable “who’s who” from the world of tarpon fishing. Some are legends. Some are reclusive. All are interesting. Collectively these alpha tarpon hunters have experienced hundreds of years on the flats. Their rich stories—many told here for the first time—of obsession with this singular, leaping, lustrous demon are thrilling and authentic. This riveting running narrative gets as close to the soul of why we chase tarpon as anything in print.

The original photography of Pat Ford, with spectacular two-page color spreads separating all the principal chapters, makes the book a visual feast.

Breathtaking in scope, A Passion for Tarpon by Andy Mill is destined to become one of the great fly-fishing books of all time.




Monday, November 26, 2012

Another Fish Bum Bites The Dust!

A milestone of a day today! One of our own is actually using a degree they have obtained for a "real job".
As of today, Brent has joined the leagues of weekend warriors and will be behind a desk for five days a week.


We'll miss having him around the shop and rowing the boat next summer. Best of luck to him!


Friday, November 23, 2012

Go Stamps!


Not that trouncing the team from "the centre of the universe" would be any fun!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Mountain River Lanyards

A whole bunch of Mountain River lanyards and accessories just arrived!
Including the new "Sweetwater" for ladies.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Another CP Special Event

Steelhead Patterns; Tubes, Trailers and Traditionals

With April Vokey of Fly Gal Ventures



Steelhead patterns, techniques and materials for tube flies, straight shanks, and standard hooks.

One of the fabulous things about fishing for B.C.'s wild steelhead are the animated and lively flies that seem to attract these feisty fish so regularly.
Join April Vokey of Fly Gal Ventures as she shares some of her favourite B.C. steelhead patterns, techniques and materials. You will learn how to use tube flies, straight shanks and standard hooks.

Students are required to bring their own tools, however, all materials will be provided.

Gather around our comfortable tying table and observe, evaluate and conquer every tying step as April walks each student through the process.

Each step is explained slowly and thoroughly, providing additional bits of information and alternative techniques along the way.

Learn how you can apply your own creativity to tie unique and effective steelhead streamers that are certain to enhance your productivity on the water.

This course is a participation based course and there are only 12 spots available…

Book now to hold your space!
Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Time: 6:00PM, duration of 3-4 hours

Cost: $75 (includes cost of materials)
Contact 403-271-1016 and reserve your space today!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Saturday Seminars!

Country Pleasures Flyfishing
Saturday Seminars 2013

Country Pleasures is pleased to announce the initial line-up for Saturday Seminars for 2013. Each Saturday at 10:00 a.m. we host a free seminar on a fly fishing topic. We hope you can come and participate.

Seminars are scheduled as follows:

January 5 - Winter Fishing in Southern Alberta
Kevin Peterson shows us effective techniques for fly fishing available
waters through the winter months.

January 12 - Efficient Fly Tying- Speeding up the process
Jeff Thomson goes through tips on efficient, and speedy, fly tying.
Helpful hints for beginner to expert fly tiers.

January 19 - Knots and Rigging
Mike Gifford does a “how-to” for all your big game knots, connections,and leaders. For fresh and salt water applications.

January 26 - NO SEMINAR-FLY FISHING EXPO
Make sure to plan on attending “Streamer Fishing”, presented by Kevin and Mike at the Expo.
Details at http://www.flyfishingevents.com/

February 2 - Baitfish Patterns
Adam Rich ties his awesome baitfish patterns for fresh and salt water. Really cool stuff for Trout, Jacks, Sailfish, Roosterfish, etc.

February 9 - Fly Fishing for Coho
Terry Antoniuk will show us the flies, techniques, and destinations for beach fishing for Cohos.

February 16 - Bull Trout Flies Like You’ve Never Seen Before
Lance Chalmers ties some of the coolest Bull Trout flies we have ever seen. He, and his fishin’ buddies spend a bunch of time chasing Bulls. Should be one of the year’s best seminars.

February 23- Maintaining Your Gear
Mike will go through how to take proper care of your gear. After a day on the river or after a week’s Tarpon fishing.

March and April seminars will be posted in early February. Check out http://www.countrypleasures.com/fly_fishing_seminars.php for more information.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Tying Flies?

Just got a whack of Owner SSW Pro Packs in for your Steelhead flies......

Fly Tying Binge!

Usually, I come home from a trip and do a bunch of fly tying to re-stock and tie stuff I thought of while fishing.
Last year I was very cavalier about doing that after fall steelheading.
This year I've been a little more focused........
Pinks! for upcoming winter and spring trips.


There's a Haida Gwai fish just waiting for this!


Re-stocking the Babine supply.



The new Senyo's wire and shanks for articulated flies both work very well.
The wire is the stiffest stuff I've found, and it cant be cut on a fish.
Ramblings........

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Feeling Decadent?

Special Edition, #28 of 400, Sage ONE Elite.
Titanium fittings, two tips, etc.


"For those who thirst for elegance"

Fishin' Photos

Grame D. took his brand new Helios 12 weight and Hatch 9Plus down to Cabo a couple of weeks ago and palyed around with these critters. Sounds like it was a lot of fun, thanks to the Dorado, Skipjacks, etc.


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

New Sage Arrivals for 2013

Just unpacked on Friday from Sage!
- Whole bunch of new Sage One rods from 7 to 11 weight.
- Sage 6000 reels in Azure color.
- Brand new Sage 8000 Pro reels!
- New Skagit iFlight heads.


Check 'em out on http://www.countrypleasures.com/store/ or drop by for "touchy-feely"

Monday, November 12, 2012

Special Event!

Ladies Learn to Fly-Tie Workshop

With April Vokey of Fly Gal Ventures




Join April Vokey of Fly Gal Ventures for a fun-filled evening of ladies only fly-tying as she helps to demystify general questions that intrigue many beginner fly-tyers.

Students are encouraged to bring their own tools, however, materials are provided and the use of necessary tools/equipment may be arranged with advance notice to the shop.
Gather around our comfortable tying table and observe, evaluate and conquer every tying step as April walks each student through the process. We’re aware that beginners learn at different rates and patient ‘one-on-one’ time ensures that no one gets “lost” at the table.
Each step is explained slowly and thoroughly, providing additional bits of information and alternative techniques along the way. Enjoy learning the steps of basic fly-tying on your first fly of the evening and then venture into your own creations as you proceed to complete a second. Each wrap will put you one step closer to stocking your fly box!
This course is a participation based course and there are only 12 spots available…

Book now to hold your space!
Contact (403)-271-1016 and reserve your space today!

Date: Monday, January 28, 2013

Time: 6PM, duration of 3-4 hours

Cost: $75 (includes cost of materials)



Sunday, November 11, 2012

Take a moment....

All of us at CP wish to express our appreciation to all of those who served, and serve , so that we may enjoy the way of life that we have.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Babine River Trip Report-Oct. 26-November 1

After sending the first bunch of guys home the day before in a cold, minus 5 wind, the second bunch arrived in camp around 9 AM. This second week had both anglers who have joined us at the Babine many times, and those who have never been Steelheading, much less to the Babine.

Our second week can be summed up on the weather side as being a continuance of the previous week. Even though the weatherman kept predicting things to warm up in a few days, as each day went by he kept revising things towards the negative. 

Without question, this year the last two weeks of October were a weather anomaly. Mid-week lows turned out to be around minus 12 and daytime highs only reached minus 5. Never seen anything like it before, hope to never see it again. Our poor first-timers were, from what I saw, completely blindsided by this weather. They were likely thinking back to earlier conversations with yours truly that went something like "Oh, unless something really weird happens you'll see plus 2 to 5 temperatures at this time of year". Turns out something really weird happened. Even the guys with us who have been many times were a little befuddled by the weather.

Tributaries that ran the week before quickly froze up.
With the cooler weather, the trend of dropping water levels and temperature continued. By weeks end the water levels were not as low as I have ever seen...but close. Water temperature on October 31 was 34 degrees fahrenheit....never seen that before!

As this second week progressed, there seemed to be a fairly big push of new fish into the area. And the big bucks finally started to arrive in pretty good numbers. And even with the very cold water the bite was better than it should have been. Tougher fishing than normal but better than I would expect.

Doug P. and Dennis F. landed their first Babine Steelhead. Dennis being plagued early in the week by inexplicable long distance releases. Darren S. started the week "farming" a large percentage of the Babine's Steelhead but settled down after a couple of days and got pretty damn efficient.
Kevin S. was stunting all week! Fished his TCX 6 weight switch solely throughout the week. Worked fine, Kev's a very good caster, but I was keen to see what happened if he hooked something approaching, or exceeding, 40 inches. As it turned out that didn't happen but he caught quite a number of fish through the week.


Without question, as always happens at Norlakes, everyone still had an awesome time even though the weather was a "character builder". As a close to this report, an overview of things that I continue to try and learn, improve, master, etc. as I fish this great river kind of goes like this:
- minus 12 sucks almost as much when you're catching fish as not.
- river right snap t's continue to confuse me.
- I continue to not catch fish at Moose, even though everyone else does.
- Deep Rock owns my ass! I will figure it out one day and then pillage!
- I wish for my ashes to be scattered at Logjam! I love Lower Logjam, and it loves me.
- Finally caught fish at Upper Logjam...only took 6 or 7 years.

The new owner...some things don't change.
So, on the 14th straight day of fishing, at about 3:30 PM we arrived at our last run for the week. Laura's Pool is one of the more beautiful places on the river and a damn good Steelhead Run. With thing's winding down I asked the guy who's shown me more about the Babine than anyone, Darren Wright, to fish it with us. As a pretty nice close, at least to my trip, I got to net a fabulous 39+ inch, very deep, Babine Buck that Darren hooked within a few casts.  This fish was absolutely stunning. Beautiful colours, heavy, healthy, over 20 pounds, a perfect goodbye from the Babine.
See you in 50 weeks!

Friday, November 9, 2012

Babine River Trip Report-October 19-25

Promised in an earlier post to do a report on our trips up to Babine Norlakes Steelhead Camp.
Well, I have finally gotten around to it..........

October 19-25 - We all rolled into camp on the 19th met by pretty nice weather but with a dreadful and abnormal forecast for the coming days. An immediate cool down was predicted and starting on our second day the weather did just that....got damn cold! This years trip will certainly be long remembered as the year that seemed more like December than October. Anyways, the eleven intrepid anglers continued on through the week and, in my opinion, had much better fishing than we should have had considering the cool temps and cooling water.

Water temperatures that were 3 to 4 degrees above average when we arrived quickly dropped to below average in the span of a few days with Babine tributaries quickly freezing up. Our first week the fish could be best described as bipolar. A few of the days the Steelhead acted just like you would expect with a severe drop in water temperature, they got lockjaw! But then the next day fishing would be pretty darn good. One of these days I would like to possess some semblance of understanding of these critters!


Anyways, moving things along, I`m not sure, but most of the anglers ended up with an average of 3 or 4 fish landed a day. Low by Babine standards but we`re spoiled. The run of fish on the Babine this year would be, as a guess, about average but this week saw a marked absence of the usually present 20+ pound fish. A few around but not like normal.

There must of been a few around as Alex P. landed a buck on the second to last day that calculated out to 28.1 pounds with it`s length and girth (40+ inches). Tim S. and others found the ever productive run, Moose, continued with it`s magic, racking up numerous landed Steelhead from it`s coffers. Les G. continues to be the ``Sink Tip Samurai``, mowing through fish populations and fishing T17 where no man has before. Doug R. joined us again this year. A good thing as he tells the best stories and never stops grinning (offsets his diabolical snoring). Kudos go to Curtis B., who quite obviously spent the most time practicing his Spey casting. And to our two friends from the USA, John F. and Steve H.....always a pleasure! Except when I have to fish behind John, the guys like a vacuum cleaner.


2012 is a curious year of change, but at the same time continuity, at Norlakes. The new owners turned out to be top flight, old hands like Larry, Missy, Darren, and Joel continue to make things as close to perfect as one can hope, and of course this great river that so few of us get to experience makes us love it a little more each year. Look for details from our second week tomorrow.


Thursday, November 8, 2012

They're Here!

Although the full availibility of Helios 2 is not until January, a few dealers got the initial offering of
5, 8, and 9 weights early. We just finished unpacking ours!


Drop by and give one a cast........very nice!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Product Review-Hatch Finatic 9 Plus

Last winter/spring I spent some time fishing the Harch Finatic reels with the anticipation of carrying them in the shop. We were on the lookout for a US made, high quality reel for big game applications. I had guides and lodge owners that I know from around the tropics speak well of the reel. Obviously, things checked out as we have them in our shop.

Having said that, I took a Finatic 9Plus on my recent trip for two weeks to the Babine River to give it a good "stress test".
It hurt a little bit to leave my Vanquish reels (my usual Spey choice) in the room but I really wanted to see if the Hatch would hold up.
Late season Steelheading is as tough as anything I've seen on reels but 2012 turned out to be a real proving ground.
Temperatures ten to fifteen degrees colder than normal offered up as severe of an environment as I have run across.
Freezing temperatures and twenty pound Steehead...perfect!

Hatch Finatic 9Plus "in the drink"

Before I go to far with my review, you should know I was trying very hard to find fault with this reel. The reels I use now have been so good it was hard for me to think another reel could come close.
As for fit and finish, the Hatch is stunning and perfect. The only thing I would say is for those of you who use mono or Slickshooter for running line you can get the line between spool and body of reel. Using .035 running line, I had no issues and Hatch is addressing this problem in a future design.

Drag, well after two weeks of use I can say the drag on these reels is top flight. A reel left out at minus fifteen celsius worked as well first thing in the morning as it did the afternoon before at zero. The best example of the drag continuity throughtout the range of adjustment came on a very big fish hooked last week. The big buck essentially left the county, removing the last of the running line and then disturbing amounts of backing. The fish was leaving so easily I thought my drag was set too light and proceeded to keep increasing the level of drag. At no time was there any grabbing or indication of the drag not being smooth. After the fish concluded kicking my ass, followed by far too much time required to reel in backing and some running line, I tried to pull off some line to check drag....I could hardly pull line off!
Smooth!...plain and simple!

Weight on the reel is very much average. Not terribly heavy, not ridiculously light, actually balances a 13' 6" 8 weight perfectly. As for finish, the Finatics are pretty tough. I left the cover off mine for two weeks (I never do that!) and after multiple rock leanings, boat tray slidings, and general nastiness I couldn't find a mark on the reel.

Last thing you should know is the reel never came inside for two weeks. It was left on the rack outside and frozen as cold as minus fifteen at night. The warmest the reel got in the last 6 days was minus six. While a bunch of other reels in camp were blowing up, seizing from the ice, and having to be taken in at night, this reel just kept working.

All in all, I'm very impressed with this piece of equipment! Thumbs up!

Monday, November 5, 2012

All's Well at Norlakes

This past weekend we arrived back from the Babine River. The last two weeks of October had us hosting 2 separate groups with Babine Norlakes Steelhead Lodge. For those who didn't know, this was the first year in almost 30 that Pierce Clegg was not at the helm. Pierce and Anita Clegg sold the Norlakes operations to Billy Labonte and Carrie Collingwood this past spring.

Those of us who have fished at Norlakes for many years couldn't help but wonder "how will it be?".
There are those, yours truly, who are somewhat resistant to change when something is just fine so the annual fall trip to the Babine was tinged with apprehension.
A lot of continuity from past years, Darren Wright still guides,  Missy and Larry still make sure all is perfect with our trip. Former camp employee, Joel Nowlin, guided his first year and did a fine job.
Over the span of two weeks you can get a pretty good feel of how things are working and get to know a person. Without question Norlakes is in good hands! Things are all good still on the Upper Babine.
Billy and Carrie are no strangers to this gig. Carrie comes from very established outfitting family and Billy has guided anglers on the Lower Babine since his teens. Their experience shows through very quickly. To find out more about Norlakes, as well as Billy and Carrie, go to http://www.babinenorlakes.com/about.html


Morning steam at Lower Trail
 When our first group arrived in camp on October 19, it was immediately evident that Biily and Carrie had already made a commitment to improvements. Upgrades to the main lodge/dining area looked very nice, some nice new touches in the cabins, and plans for even more infrastructure improvements for next year left me with the impression they are committed to making this historic camp even better.
Conversations with both Billy and Carrie left me with the impression that, while they want to make improvements at many levels, they still wish to honour and remember the history of Norlakes.

Billy could have done a little better job on the weather. 
 To sum things up....we'll always miss the one of a kind Pierce Clegg and his stabilizing anchor, Anita but things at Norlakes are in good hands. Here's to the next 30 years!

We'll have a more fishing specific report on our trips this week......

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Sage One 8136-4 Review

Seems like, for the most part, I have written the product reviews over the last while. Here's a little change, recieved this from Terry Antoniuk regarding his brande new Sage One 8136-4 Two handed Rod.....

Sustat Hen on the 8136
Terry Antoniuk Photo

Had an opportunity to fish the Sage One 8136-4 two hand rod on several Skeena tributaries over 3 weeks in October. Also talked with others who were fishing the same rod, and have decided that this is now my go-to rod for rivers with chances at larger fish. Why? Well the rod has a huge sweet spot and is very forgiving of caster error - it added over 10 feet to my casts with no additional effort and was a pleasure to fish with all day because its much lighter than my Sage Z Axis and other equivalents. When compared to the Z Axis, it has a more progressive action, is better at pulling sinking tips from the water, and allows both bottom hand and top hand power application (although as with all spey rods, bottom hand dominant is the better way to go with Skagit lines). The butt's not as powerful as the Sage TCX series, but I personally prefer the way that this rod casts and fights fish. The new handle style was comfortable and the downlocking reel seat really balanced the rod with my old school Van Staal reel.


I tend to like heavier Skagit heads, but found that it fished well with the recommended 550 gr Rio Skagit Flight head when throwing Type 3, 6, and 8 tips and lightly to heavily weighted flies. It easily handled 15 feet of T-14 and 12 feet of T-17 when dredging deep winter holding waters, but I'd probably use a 575 gr Skagit head if doing this exclusively. I'm really looking forward to trying other spey models in the Sage One line.

Terry Antoniuk
November 2012





New One on the Bulkley
Terry Antoniuk Photo