Atlantic Salmon Fly International in Calgary!

The Atlantic Salmon Fly International was in Calgary the last few days. Our own Rick Miyauchi and Doug Pullan were there and they sent me these images. All I can say is wow! Beautiful salmon flies some tied on home made hooks! The tyers are amazing and so skilled. Jim McLennan was the host of the show! Flies included patterns that are fishable to the exotic Traherne styles.

Featured tyers included Bob MacDonald (Canada), Yuji Wabe (Japan) and Byron Bjerke (Hook maker, USA).

On an interesting side note, Howard's Hackle was at the show. They still have lots of capes to sell even though they are not continuing to raise chickens for hackle.

Take a look at the amazing fly tying. A labour of love. So impressive!

Thanks Rick and Doug!

Home made hooks!

 

Boatmen and Backswimmers

Do you love water boatmen and backswimmers as much as I do? They have started already in Central Alberta. As we get some frosty evenings, the boatmen and backswimmers should get going most afternoons! Now is a great time to get your boatmen and backswimmers all stocked up. I tie a few with beads to get them just under the surface although I prefer to use a midge line instead. If you ever experience a boatman fall you will have a great afternoon of fly fishing!

Take a look at the videos and pictures below below, they can definitely help you get into the game.

 

A Drive Around Central Alberta to Fly Fish

Karen and I have been out fly fishing the last few days. The lake water temperatures need to come down about 5 degrees F we think and then the fishing should heat up. We did experience a light boatman action at the Fish and Game Pond which by the way is quite low although the water quality is excellent. Karen and I stopped by Dickson Trout Pond which had an algae bloom on the lake although it was not too thick. Hansons was getting some extra trout today from the stocking truck. Karen and I spent the day at Ironside Pond just outside of Rocky Mountain House. We had heard some reports of decent action on backswimmers. We caught some tigers on Tokaryk Specials and a some nice rainbows. We also slipped over to Sylvan Lake. The white fish action was slow even though the water temperature was around 64F. Mitchell Lake did have some boatmen/backswimmer action a few days ago. I suspect the warm weather will slow that action a bit in the days to come. We need some frost and cooler day time temperatures!

A Young Eagle and his dinner!