Filling in the Lake Boxes

Happy Easter everyone! It has been a snowy last few days and the added moisture is definitely welcome and needed. I hope we get a lot more. Our pot hole lakes as well as Sylvan Lake and Gull Lake are down in water volume.

I have finally started to fill in several of my fly boxes. I have been focussing on the basics that I use a lot!

Chromies, black and red ice cream cone chironomids as well as olive and copper chironomids. My "go to" balanced leech pattern is a Tokaryk Special 2.0 and I have learned that Brian Chan's Baby Damsel tied balanced is a very effective pattern here in Central Alberta.

Ice off is not too far away. I have some work to do to ensure my fly boxes are ready for spring!

Happy Easter

Have a fantastic Easter everyone. I hope you can get together with friends and family. I am very grateful to be a Canadian and living in such a beautiful place. 

Time to get a new fishing license (AlbertaRELM), clean out your kit bag, put on a new leader and figure out what holes need to be filled in your fly boxes. Open water season is upon us now. Several rivers opened up to fishing yesterday and it will not be too long before our pot hole lakes are ice free. A new fly fishing season is all about anticipation. It is going to be awesome!

 

Fantastic Turnout for the Final Tying Session of the Winter Season-Backswimmers

 

Deer Hair Backswimmer tied by Rick Miyauchi

What a fantastic way to wind down the 2025-2026 fly tying season. We tied up three different types of backswimmers. That included tying up a deer hair backswimmer. That was a real challenge and I was impressed with your results!

The best part about the evening was the great turn out! I absolutely love seeing everyone working together, visiting and just plain having a great time!

...as we bring the tying season to a close for the group, the fly fishing season is amping up. I'm excited just like many of you! I do want to thank our presenters. We have such a diverse amount of tying expertise in our group. I am very appreciative to all of you who helped with the tying sessions. I especially want to thank Adam for all he has done to keep our gang tying at Reliance Oilfield Service Learning Centre. 

Keep checking back on our blog! There will be fly fishing reports, flies that are working and bug hatch information throughout the fly fishing season! See you out on the water!!!!

Head over to Alberta Relm to get you 2026-2027 Alberta Fishing License.

An example of the smaller boatman, tied up by Rick Miyauchi with deer hair! This is an Alfred's Boatmen!

If you like to work with spun deer hair, this is a tool you will need.

Rinse and Repeat (Phil Rowley)

Deer Hair Ultimate Boatmen

Reinforce your boatmen and backswimmers with clear Gorilla glue!