Naked In Utah

For me, blogs seem like feast or famine.  During the off season things seem far less hectic.  Although I am typically speaking at shows and clubs the pace doesn’t seem nearly as crazy as the open water season.  During the off season I am subsequently able to keep up with my goings on and lessons learned.  Now I am just updating you on events that happened just over a month ago.

Falcon's Ledge Greetings Cards Await Every Guest

On the weekend of May 18-20th I was once again in Utah at Falcon’s Ledge for another of my stillwater schools.  The weather was fantastic, a far cry from the typically unsettled spring of western Canada. Due to flight delays I arrived late in the evening.  Luxurious accommodations, a Falcon’s Ledge standard, awaited.  All guests are greeted by a thoughtful welcome card.  This year mine had a slight twist as it also included birthday wishes.  I was thoroughly impressed.  Dave, Spencer, Grant and the rest of the Falcon’s Ledge staff had taken the time to learn my birthday would be on May 19th.  It is easy to see why Falcon’s Ledge is so highly regarded within the Orvis Endorsed Lodge Program and why they are proud recipients of the Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Lodge of the Year for 2012.  And yes, birthday cake was provided putting the icing on the cake, pun intended, for my trip.  The diet crashed in flames once again!

Callibaetis Nymphs Were on the Menu

Callibaetis and damsels were active on the lodge lakes.  My Herl May was a trout favorite on every lake that weekend.  Falcon’s Ledge guide and friend, Grant Bench and I were busy every evening replenishing lost flies for everyone.

With each on the water seminar a specific opportunity or presentation technique typically steps to the front.  This time the Callibaetis and damsel activity provided the perfect recipe for the naked technique-floating lines coupled with long, 15 feet or greater leaders.

A Falcon's Ledge Rainbow Taken Using the Naked Technique (Photo Courtesy of Spencer Higa)

Floating lines and strike indicators dominate stillwater fly fishing today. I use them often.  And for good reason as it can be a deadly method.  But there are other presentation techniques such as the naked technique all stillwater fly fishers should learn.  There is more to fly fishing lakes than hanging flies under indicators.

Watching Students Enjoy Their Own Success Adds to my Enjoyment
(Photo Courtesy of Spencer Higa)

Nicknamed for its lack of an indicator, the naked technique is the traditional method I learned to fish chironomid pupa and larva (bloodworm). Strike indicators didn’t exist.  I firmly believe all stillwater fly fishers should learn how to fish flies using a floating line and long leader as it teaches two critical stillwater skills, patience and touch.  Skills, that once developed, improve all aspects of your stillwater presentation.

When fishing the naked technique I use either Rio’s Indicator or Rio Grand lines.  The large head profile of these lines is perfectly suited for casting long leaders.  A Rio Indicator leader forms a critical foundation of my long leaders.  This leader features a short .022” butt section that tapers down to the thin tippet section in less than three feet.  Most tapered leaders feature a butt section that is usually about 50% of the leader for turning over dry flies.  I want a leader system with a stiff butt section to aid turnover and long tippet section to sink flies quickly.
 
For my long leaders I begin with approximately three feet of butt section that is just thicker than the butt section of the Indicator leader.  The butt section is attached to the slender line loop via a clinch knot. I then attach the 10 foot Indicator leader using a blood knot as this provides a smooth horizontal profile that travels through the guides easily.  To complete the over leader length I simply add Flouroflex Plus fluorocarbon tippet using a triple surgeon’s knot.  The leader has to be 25% longer than the water is deep as the leader doesn’t sink straight off the end of the fly line.  So to fish 16 feet down for example,  requires a 19 foot leader.

Using fly lines such as the Rio Grand eases casting long leaders.  Keep your false casts to a minimum, break your wrist slightly to facilitate an open loop and remember the properties of a weight forward line. Shoot the line to the target.  I never false cast more than twice.  Repeated false casts are asking for tangles.  As the line shoots out and reaches the end of the cast let the line shoot tight to the reel or pinch it to a stop.  This causes the flies to slingshot over aiding leader turnover.  Get in the habit of looking for distinct splashes when fishing multiple flies.  If they land within close proximity to each other strip them in and investigate as you probably have the makings of a tangle.  When using multiple flies I keep them 3-5 feet apart depending on water clarity, the clearer the water the greater the separation.  This slingshot technique also works well with indicators.

Spencer Showing Me a Book I should Read!

Once the line hits the water strip out any slack and let the flies sink.  Thirty seconds is standard.  Use your watch to ensure accuracy.  For many waiting 30 seconds is agony.  Remember the patience by product of this method.  Once sunk use two brisk 3-inch strips to remove any slack and perhaps draw a nearby fish to the fly.  If there are no takers begin a slow, and I mean slow, handtwist retrieve.  During the retrieve there must be no surface wake caused by the fly line, more agony for the impatient.

Using Floating Lines Coupled with Long Leaders is my Favorite Method for Fly Fishing Lakes
(Photo Courtesy of Spencer Higa)

Complete line control is critical when using the naked technique.  This means double anchoring when fishing from a boat or pontoon boat.  You must turn your watercraft into essentially dry land.  Any sway means loss of line control and retrieve.  You have to stay tight to the flies to be successful. 
Your fly line is a 90 foot strike indicator.  Watch it like a hawk for signs of a take, particularly the tip region closest to the fly.  If the line veers left right or down raise the rod to set the hook.  If there is a little squiggle in the fly watch it closely.  If it suddenly straightens raise the rod.  In calm conditions you will see takes before you feel them.  The elevated banks of many of the Falcon’s Ledge lakes provided a perfect vantage point when I demonstrated the method.  Students saw the line move as fish inhaled the fly below.  I couldn’t have asked for a better demonstration.  To drive my point home on two occasions during my presentation I hooked and landed two fish twice.

Falcon's Ledge Friends, Spencer Higa (Left) and Grant Bench (Right)

If I were limited to once presentation technique for lakes it would be without a doubt be fishing floating lines and long leaders, particularly if I am working water between 14-18 feet where this method shines. I have provided the Reader’s Digest version of the naked technique and it is often requested at just about everyone of my stillwater seminars.  I encourage you to give the naked technique a try or better yet join me at on one of my stillwater seminars.  I am already working with Dave and Spencer about putting another school at Falcon’s Ledge. Space is still available for my upcoming schools on Fortress Lake and this fall in Manitoba.  Check out my website calendar for all the details.

Join Me This Season

Earlier this week I completed a journey that began with one of those white knuckle blowing snow limited to no visibility drives.  The kind of trip that starts safe and sound.   But when you are almost in the exact geographical center between home and your destination Mother Nature batters you with a vengeance.  While focusing on the task at hand, driving, and making sure that the taillights I am following aren’t disappearing to some off road, in the ditch, destination thoughts of being somewhere else such as on the water crossed my mind often.

Can you say fun drive!

I enjoying providing stillwater workshops and seminars across North America including many of the ‘on the water’ variety.  Each year around Christmas I post the seminars and workshops I am aware of up on my website calendar.  In the past I have had people express disappointment that they weren’t aware of my seminars or just forgot to check back on my calendar.  In order to alleviate any missed opportunties here are the workshops and seminars in chronological order I have planned for 2012.

Made it to my first destination

I have included a brief description of each seminar, pricing, dates etc.  In addition, I have provided links to specific websites or informational documentation for each course.  If any one of these seminars or workshops is of interest please let me know right away as many of them feature small class sizes for maximum interaction and learning.  If you check my calendar you will see that a number of workshops and seminars have already sold out.

Stillwater Secrets and Beyond Seminar, Ottawa Ontario, March 17-18, 2012-This is a two day seminar consisting of a full day seminar on Saturday including a variety of stillwater techniques, hands on knot tying and Euro nymphing.  Sunday features a hands on fly tying seminar with all materials provided less basic tying tools and some spooled products such as thread, Mylar and wire.  Costs are $50/day or $90 for both days.  There are still a few spots available, please send me and email to book your spot.

Conquering Chironomids Weekend Seminar, Robinson’s Sporting Goods, Victoria, B.C, March 31-April 1, 2012.-This comprehensive 2-day seminar covers both tactical stillwater chironomid presentation techniques and hands on fly tying.  The presentation techniques seminar takes place on Saturday, hands on fly tying Sunday.  All tying materials less basic tying tools and spooled products such as thread Mylar and wire are included.  Costs are $40/day or $75 for both days.  To book a spot please contact Robinson’s Sporting Goods, 1-888-317-0033.

BC Outdoors Sports Fishing Learning with the Pros Seminar and Workshop with Brian Chan, Kelowna B.C., April 28-29, 2012.-The Learning with the Pros seminar format has been a popular choice for many.  Good friend and colleague Brian Chan and I will be providing a one day techniques seminar followed by an all-day hands on tying seminar.  The tying seminar includes all materials less basic tying tools and spooled products such as Mylar, thread and wire.  Costs are $100/day or $180 for both days.  To book a spot please contact Kim Crawford at B.C. Outdoors Magazine, 604-464-1876 or via email.

Spectacular food and accomodation along with access to a number of private lakes awaits those who visit Falcon's Ledge

Stillwater Fly Fishing School, Falcon's Ledge, Altamont, Utah, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 18-20, 2012-This the second season I have offered an on the water stillwater fly fishing school at the luxurious Orvis Endorsed Falcon’s Ledge.  We have access to private waters teaming with rainbows, browns and tiger trout.  This particular seminar will have a definite chironomid, mayfly and damselfly focus.  Class size is limited to 12 students only.  To book a spot please call Falcon’s Ledge at 877-879-3737.  Seminar price includes all food accommodation, class room and on the water instruction.

Conquering Chironomids Fly Fishing School, Fortress Lake Wilderness Retreat, Fortress Lake, B.C., June 18-June 22, 2012-This weeklong school takes place on one of most spectacular stillwater venues in North America chasing trophy brook trout using a variety of chironomid techniques.  At this time of the year the chironomid hatch on Fortress should be in full swing.  Emerging adults blanket the water like snowflakes.  Fortress Lake provides a rare opportunity to hone a variety of floating and sinking line techniques.  Costs for fly in are $2895 and includes flights from Hinton, AB, food, accommodation, classroom and on the water instruction.  A hike in option priced at $1875 is also available.   To book a spot please contact Fortress Lake Retreat at 403 346 1698 or email.

Henry's Lake Cutthroat

Idaho Stillwater School, Island Park Lodge, Idaho, July 13-14, 2012-The Island Park region offers some outstanding stillwater opportunities.  This comprehensive stillwater school includes one full day on Sheridan Lake.  Sheridan is a private lake trophy lake.  I have personally taken rainbows to 9 pounds.  We will also spend time on legendary Henry’s Lake and Island Park Reservoir.  The school is a blend of both class room and on the water instruction.  At this time of the year, chironomids, mayflies and damselflies should be in full swing.  Costs are $595 and include access to Sheridan Lake.  Accommodation and food is extra.  Class size is limited to 10 sudents only.  To book a spot please contact Lynn Scott at BS Flies via email or call (208) 390-2177.

There are few places as scenic as Fortress Lake

Fortress Lake Sight Fishing School, Fortress Lake Wilderness Retreat, Fortress Lake, B.C., Monday through Friday, August 27-31, 2012-during the late summer Fortress Lake is crystal clear providing some unbelievable sight fishing opportunities.  Watching a trophy brook trout rush and engulf your streamer or delicately rise to a dry fly is heart stopping.  Through both classroom and on the water instruction students will learn a variety of skills such as how to spot and approach fish along with equipment considerations for sight fishing.  This type of fly fishing is addictive so be warned.  Costs for fly in are $2895 and includes flights from Hinton, AB, food, accommodation, classroom and on the water instruction.  A hike in option priced at $1875 is also available.   To book a spot please contact Fortress Lake Retreat at 403 346 1698 or email.

Prowling the Parklands Weekend Stillwater Seminar and Hosted Trip, Russell, Manitoba Region, September 13-17 2012 (three full days on the water) and September 17-23, 2012(five full days on the water)-The southwest corner of Manitoba offers arguably the best stillwater fly fishing in North America.  These rich productive lakes are home to large often huge rainbows, browns and tiger trout.  At this time of the year trout will be gorging on leeches, scuds, water boatman, backswimmers and vast quantities of forage fish.    The three day trip costs $695/person, 5 day trip costs $1150/person and includes accommodation, food, seminars, and one on time with me on the water.  My June trips booked before I had a chance to advertise and fall is already starting to book.  These are popular trips.  To book a spot please contact me via email.

Hopefully you might be able to fit one of my seminars or workshops into your open water schedule.  If you need any further information at all please do not hesitate to contact me via email.

Sight Fishing Stillwaters

It has been ages since I last provided a post.  This past fall has been one of my busiest.  My travels have taken me to Manitoba twice, B.C. twice and Utah for stillwater seminars and filming.  I have been home steady for the better part of two weeks now and I am only now starting to feel a sense of being in control and caught up

Breathtaking scenery awaits you at Fortress Lake

Rather than cram all of the experiences, tales and lessons in one entry I thought it best to walk through each adventure at an entry per week pace.  So let’s go back-up to early September and Fortress Lake.
The purpose of this trip was two-fold.  I had a small group to start that was part of a hosted trip I had put together with Dave and Amelia from Fortress Lake Retreat that was part of two auction donations we put together in support of Trout Unlimited Canada’s coldwater conservation efforts.  For the second part of my trip I was joined by eight students as I provided one of my stillwater schools.  The weather was spectacular and conditions couldn’t have been better.

Located in Hamber Provincial Park, Fortress Lake is located along the B.C./Alberta border, its eastern end a mere stone’s throw from the Alberta border.  Running in an east west direction, Fortress Lake is approximately seven miles long and up to one mile wide.  It is a mono-culture fishery full of trophy Lake Nipigon coaster strain brook trout first introduced in the early 1930’s.  Fortress Lake Retreat is an Orvis Endorsed Expedition lodge and was the recipient of the 2011 Expedition of the Year.  For all of its remoteness, the facilities and food are first class.

The flight into Fortress Lake is spectacular

Visitors have the choice of visiting Fortress Lake Retreat by float plane, an approximate five hour hike or three hour mountain bike trek.  For those interested in the hike or bike option Dave and Amelia pick you up at the east end of the lake and ferry you down the lake to the retreat.  The floatplane, of course, drops you off right at the lodge.  For me I lean towards the floatplane option as the scenic flight alone is worth the price of admission.

At this time of the year Brook trout were beginning to congregate in large numbers at the mouth of Chisel Creek and in the Wood River which flows out the west end of Fortress.  The Wood River is closed to fishing at this time of the year but the approaches are still fishable.  Chisel Creek is minutes away from the camp and during calm evenings we would venture down there and sight fish to cruising brookies using #10 Elk Hair Caddis or Stimulators.  At times mouse patterns also produce providing for some explosive surface action.  Watching a large brookie leisurely rise to the fly is breathtaking.  Not all of the brook trout were pushovers.  Often they completely ignored everything tossed at them or worse followed it with apparent interest only to turn away at the last second.  Combined with the short walk and sheer numbers of fish it was tough to leave the mouth of Chisel and shoreline areas around the camp to pursue fish elsewhere.  The compelling scenery and a chance to explore provided a powerful lure you shouldn’t pass up.

No matter where you are on Fortess always keep an eye out for pods of brook trout

We had a number of sticky hot, flat calm days that were perfect for sight fishing.  It something to see one or more large brook trout meandering leisurely prowling the woody debris or worse passing directly under your boat without an apparent care in the world.  Cruising the edges of the lake, we often came across pods of brook trout, sometimes 10 to 15 fish or more, darker males above difficult to see silver females below.  We always crossed open water slowly, always on watch for a wayward pod.

Watching a large brook trout chase down your fly is an exhilarating experience

As Dave from Fortress Lake Retreat told us, “Wood is good!” In and around sunken or trees that suspended out into the water brook trout were often around.  After spotting a likely looking haunt we cut the motor well back rowing towards our target, rod at the ready.  Often, you would see one or more brook trout suspended against a tree looking more like bass than brook trout.  We learned to take our time, study our quarry and get into the right position to make the cast.  If possible, getting behind the fish provided the best chance for success.  Your first cast provided the best opportunity for a hook up.

Ken on 'point' keeps a watchful eye for cruising brook trout

My line of choice was a Rio Deep 4 line that sinks at about 4-inches per second.  The crystal clear water gave the impression that the fish was only a few feet down but experience soon taught everyone that the fish were much deeper.  It was important to get the fly down quickly and with the 4-6 inch strips we used most often the line kept the fly level during the retrieve.  We also took fish using CamoLux clear intermediates and Nymph Lines and long leaders.  My Balanced Leeches worked well in and around the sunken debris.  These flies ride point up and tended not to get hung up should a tight cast be necessary.

Aggressive fish bolted from cover and pound large streamers without hesitation.  The pace at which they rushed the fly was unbelievable.  As the week progressed we found smaller #6-#8 dubbed leeches and Woolly Buggers worked better.

A palm full of healthy Fortress Lake brook trout

I recall one morning at Washout Creek.  Ken, one of Dave’s guides, and I had spotted a pod of fish milling around the outflow of a small creek attracted by the cool stream of oxygenated water.  Ken began working to these fish as they drifted in and out of view.  After a few minutes something made me look out to the main body of the lake.  Silhouetted against the turquoise blue background was a lone large brook trout, seemingly suspended in space.  Doing my best to remain calm I lead the fish with my small black/blue leech.  My fly plopped a good 15-20 ahead of the fish and I recall saying to Ken, “I think I led him far too much, hopefully he will see the fly.”  I began to strip the fly back aggressively, in part because I figured I would have to place the fly a little closer to him.  I was wrong.  As the fly passed in front the brookie spotted it and pounced, covering the distance between itself and the fly in the blink of an eye.  The memory is still as vivid now as it was then.

Will it take the fly or turn away at the last second?

The sight fishing opportunities at Fortress are amongst the best I have ever experienced.  In 2012 I will co-host a specific sight fishing school with Dave Jensen from August 27-31.  We will teach you how to approach fish, casting techniques, dry fly and streamer tactics, equipment and fly selection and much more.  To get a measure of what to expect check out the sight fishing video segment Dave has put together on his website.  Check out this video clip I took with my Pentax Optio camera.

I will also be holding a chironomid school from June 18-22, 2012.  Fortress Lake has an unbelievable chironomid hatch at this time.  At times you think you are sitting in a blizzard.  The surface is littered with shucks and there are thousands of chironomids flying around.  Brook trout of all sizes including some monsters take full advantage of this bounty gobbling huge numbers of large (#10-#12) chironomid pupa.  At this time Fortress Lake offers the opportunity to take fish using strike indicators, floating lines and long leaders and a number of different sinking line techniques.  Rarely do you find a location that offers the opportunity to target fish with such a variety of chironomid techniques.

Students will have the choice of hiking/biking in or by float plane.  Please keep an eye out on my website Calendar or the Fortress Lake Retreat website for additional details.

For additional images from my Fortress experience please check out the album on my Facebook page.

Seminar Update-Boise Bound for Confessions Seminar

My hectic seminar schedule continues.  I have been crisscrossing the continent with stops in Abbotsford, B.C. and last weekend in Ottawa, Ontario where Brian Chan and I provided a one day stillwater seminar.  Over 70 enthusiastic participants were on hand.

Next weekend, March 25-27, I will one of the presenters along with friends Pete Erickson and Jeff Currier Boise Idaho for a weekend fly fishing seminar entitled confessions.   It will be held at the Boise Hotel and Conference Center, 3300 South Vista Avenue, 8:45-4:30 each day.  Two day or daily tickets can be booked ahead of time or purchased at the door.  We are offering discounts for early booking.

Our goal is to provide a comprehensive educational seminar covering a range of fly fishing topics.  We will touch on a variety of subjects including river and stream tactics, stillwater strategies, warm water and salt water techniques.  Although aimed at the intermediate fly fisher this effect should offer something for every fly fisher.  We will also be providing presentations on some of our favourite destinations such as one of my personal favourites, Fortress Lake, home of some of the world’s largest brook trout.  Pete will be providing a session detailing some of his European travels while with the U.S. Fly Fishing Team.  Jeff, our world traveller, will tempt our dreams with his Trout Bumming the World presentation.

From an educational perspective here is a sampling of our some agenda subjects:

• Advanced Nymphing Techniques
• Improve Your Fly Fishing Photography
• Advanced Chironomid Tactics
• Tactical Casting Techniques
• Saltwater Fly Fishing-Bonefish to Billfish
• Top 10 Habits for Stillwater Success
• Warm water Fly Fishing-Bass, Pike, Carp and many More
• Loch Style Techniques
• Terminal Solutions, Favourite Knots

Each student will be provided with ‘goody bags’ and we will be raffling off a number of great prizes from our sponsors including Rio, Echo, Superfly International, Loon Outdoors, Outcast Boats and The New Fly Fisher.

If you are in the Boise area see if your schedule allows time to drop by, Pete Jeff and I look forward to seeing you there!  Don’t hesitate to drop me an email at flycraft@shaw.ca if you wish to know more.

Winter Whirlwind!

Wow, what a whirlwind it has been since my last blog entry.  Show season is all around and I have been coming and going every weekend for the past month! 

Somerset at a quieter moment

After the Marlborough MA show I headed to New Jersey for the Somerset Fly Fishing Show.  It was my first time there and was thoroughly impressed.  As with the Marlborough MA show I was there with the New Fly Fisher TV show I co-host in support of the episodes we filmed in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Response to our show was overwhelming.  Living in the west you are never sure if people are seeing the show.  I was pleasantly surprised as countless people recognized the show and complimented us on the educational format we follow.  Fellow co-host Bill Spicer and I had one young fan drop by the booth that knew every episode and the featured flies.  He was a delight to talk too as he was so keen about the sort.  It seems people can never get enough learning in the fly fishing diets.  A good thing as it is my web site motto too! 

Bill Spicer and I with a young fan of The New Fly Fisher

Show attendance was up and on Saturday it was difficult to navigate the aisles.  They were completely clogged at times.  In addition to fielding questions about the great fly fishing Newfoundland and Labrador has to offer there were lots of questions regarding stillwaters.  Questions I was only too happy to answer. I saw enough pictures of some of the large brown trout inhabiting some of the local lakes to get me interested.
While at the show I had a chance to catch up with many friends and colleagues in the industry including Simon Gawesworth, Jeff Currier, and Bob Clouser to name a few.  I particularly enjoy catching with Simon.  Like me, Simon is a die-hard Liverpool fan.

After Somerset ended I drove back to Ottawa with the booth arriving back around 1:30am.  We unloaded the vehicle and I was asleep by 3am.  I awoke again at 6am, gassed up the rental car, dropped it off at the airport, checked in and boarded my flight back to Edmonton.  I think I was asleep before they pushed back the plane!

The following weekend I was down in Calgary attending the IF4 Film Festival and the Fly Fishing Events Show in Calgary.  This year I had no on the floor speaking commitments other than two tying demonstrations.  I did put on two workshops, Fly Fishing Alberta’s Stillwaters and Demystifying Bugs.  Both were complete sell outs.  When I wasn’t tying flies or teaching a workshop I divided my time between the Rio, Trout Unlimited Canada and Superfly booths.  Brian was in town and like myself did not have any speaking commitments.  Brian was tying up a storm of sorts in the Superfly booth promoting the Stillwater Solutions line of products he and I developed in partnership with Superfly. 

Simon was there once again and we had some ups and downs over the weekend as Liverpool signed Luis Suarez only to learn a few hours later that Fernando Torres, Liverpool’s premier striker put in a transfer request.  We couldn’t believe it,   ahh the ups and downs of Premier League Soccer during the January transfer window.

Talking to the the Central Alberta Tying Club about big flies

On Saturday February 5th I provided my annual tying clinic to the Central Alberta Tying Club.  This year over 20 students enjoyed tying ‘Big Flies for Big Fish’.

'Big Flies for Big Fish' tying seminar

We spent the day tying nothing but flies intended for fish that like their food large.  Students tied Pike Bunny’s, Articulated Popsicle Leeches, Intruders, tube flies, Shaving Brush poppers, Gurglers and Double Bunny’s.  I don’t think any fly was less than three inches in length!  We are already making plans for next year’s seminar.  At this year we will be exploring the ‘Fun with Foam’.

Cross section of big fly patterns

My whirlwind show, seminar and presentation adventure ended earlier this week when I provided a tying demonstration and evening presentation to the Spokane Fly Fishers.  During the day 20 tyers joined me as I toured them through six of my favourite stillwater patterns.  Thanks to Superfly for providing the materials so everyone had the right stuff on hand.  Later that evening I provided my ‘Tactics for Tough Days’ presentation to what I estimated to be over 90 club members and guests.  This was a fun trip and I enjoyed my visit and I look forward to returning in the not too distant future.  Thanks to Judy, Mike and the rest of the Spokane Fly Fishers.

My next trip is not until early March when I will be speaking at the BC Boat and Sportsman’s Show in Abbotsford.  In the meantime I will be busy catching up on a host of article deadlines.

Keep your calendars open in late March too.  If you are going to be near Boise Idaho why not spend the weekend with Jeff Currier, Pete Erickson and me as we provide a comprehensive weekend seminar on wide array of subjects such as river and stream techniques, stillwater tricks and tactics, warm water fly fishing, salt water, casting tricks to name a few.  If you are interested in attending please drop me an email at flycraft@shaw.ca.  Additional seminar details will be available shortly both through my blog and Facebook pages.  

Please don’t forget to check out my Calendar page on my site too for additional shows and seminars such as my Fortress Lake and Learning with the Pros seminars.  2011 is shaping up to be another crazy educational year.

Pause and Reflection-Thoughts on 2010 & 2011

As the holiday season winds down and 2011 begins it is time to pause and reflect on 2010 and look forward to what 2011 offers.

2010 was one of my busiest years.  A situation I enjoyed and one I want to build on for 2011.  My travels took me all over North America, from coast to coast.  Over the course of the year my role as one of the co-hosts of the New Fly Fisher T.V. show took me to Nanaimo B.C. to film with long time friend Brian Chan, Red Deer and Edmonton Alberta, Labrador, Newfoundland and Montana.  I managed my first Atlantic salmon on the fly.  Topping it off with a 39” 15 pound nickel bright salmon on a 7 weight, definitively a fish I was not expecting!   While filming in Red Deer we landed right in the middle of the Hexagenia or ‘Hex’ emergence.  Large browns sipping huge duns and spinners were a sight to behold. As the light faded to a level too low to film we, including James our cameraman, transformed into excited kids as though it was Christmas morning as we cast to huge browns slurping and gulping well into the evening.

Big browns and 'Hex's' in central Alberta

My trip to Montana was one I had wanted to make my entire life.  Chasing gulpers on Hebgen Lake was a dream come true.  A definite ‘bucket list’ event!  I can’t wait to return.  Not only to fish the region’s lakes but to continue exploring some of its blue ribbon rivers and streams too!  

Fishing with Bob Jacklin in Montana was a pleasure

In addition to my New Fly Fisher filming I also appeared as a guest on the fledgling BC Outdoors Sports Fishing show, currently airing on W.F.N.  Together with editor and host Mike Mitchell I filmed a total of three episodes and look forward to filming more in 2011. 

2010 also saw an increase in the number of seminars and club presentations.  Amongst the highlights included a fall stillwater school in California , a stillwater school on scenic Fortress Lake and two hosted trips to the Parklands region of south-western Manitoba.  Please see some of my previous blog entries for complete reports on these trips.  The trips and seminars proved successful and rewarding for both me and my students.  I will be returning to these regions again with an expanded presence while introducing you to additional regions as well.  Instructional guiding on the lakes around north central Alberta will also continue in 2010 so if you are in the area and your plans allow contact me.

2011 is already booking fast and a number of months, such as June, are already full of seminars and trips.  I will be heading back to the Parklands region once again hosting both a weekend and week-long trip.  The week-long event is already full just through word of mouth!  I will be providing additional details regarding the weekend event shortly.  Limited to a maximum of 12 anglers, my Prowling the Parklands hosted trips include food, accommodation, seminars and one on one instructional time with me.  At this time the Parklands region offers arguably the finest stillwater fly fishing in North America.  You have the chance to trade blows with large fat rambunctious rainbows, browns and tiger trout in an unbelievably un-crowded setting.

Big browns, rainbows and tiger trout await in the Parklands region of S.W. Manitoba

As a result of the positive feedback we received in 2010 I will be joining Jeff Currier and Pete Erickson in March as we provide another weekend fly fishing seminar in Boise, Idaho.   Our seminar will provide detailed comprehensive instruction on a variety of subjects including warm  and salt water fly fishing, Euro nymphing, advanced stillwater techniques, hands on knot tying, casting instruction and much more.  Additional details are forth coming shortly.

I will once again be providing seminars at Fortress Lake Retreat, a weekend event in July and a week-long session in September.   The September session will have a specific focus on sight fishing for Fortress Lake’s trophy brook trout.  The sight of a huge brookie pouncing on your fly right before your eyes burns into your psyche forever, please join me if you can!

Join me at Fortress Lake Retreat in 2011!-Photo Courstesy of Dave Jensen

In May I will be travelling south to California once again for another stillwater school.  As with my fall 2010 session I will be working with Bill Forward from Forward Bound Guide Service.  I am looking forward to this event as chironomids, Callibaetis and damsels should all be beginning to stir.

I will also be working with Brian Chan and Mike Mitchell from B.C. Outdoors Sports Fishing magazine providing the popular Learning with the Pro’s stillwater seminars.  This year we will be at Ruddock’s Ranch in early June and Roche Lake Resort in September.  Our September event, as was the case in 2010, will have a definite advanced flavour to it.

Please visit my Calendar page on my site and stay tuned for specific blog and Facebook entries regarding each seminar.  I hope to have these completed shortly.

Response to my on-line store proved positive in 2010.  The addition of my latest book, Stillwater Selections and DVD filmed with Brian Chan, Learning with the Pros-Stillwater Fly Tying-Volume I was well received.  A number of you picked up autographed copies as Christmas gifts.  There will be another planned expansion in 2011 offering access to additional specific stillwater products so please stay tuned for these announcements as soon as they are firm.  I am hopeful for an announcement on the first level of expansion as soon as late January or early February.  A few additional details are awaiting to be finalized.

I wish everyone all the best for 2011 and hope you manage to squeeze an extra day or week on the water.  Explore a different region or chase a different species if you can.  The lessons learned often transfer back to what you are familiar with making you a better angler in the process.  Hopefully I will see you on my travels in 2011 and perhaps we can spend some time on the water together!