Tokaryk Special 2.0-One of My "Go To" Balanced Leeches

The Tokaryk Special 2.0 has been a staple for mine for over 10 years. It's evolution from Mark Olinger's original has allowed it to be tied as both a streamer and a balanced fly. I love to fly fish with this fly along edges and weed lines. Trout respond in a positive way to this great fly! You can tie this fly with head turner beads on a jig hook, as a traditional balanced fly or on your favourite streamer hook!

Tokaryk Special 2.0

Hook: Jig Hook ( I love size 10-12)

Thread: Olive 8/0

Tail Marabou

Body: Peacock Hares Ear Ice Dub

Bead: Head Turner or tungsten (this version has a 1/8th gold bead)

 

Ice Off at Fish and Game Pond

Happy Easter Everyone. Fish and Game Pond is ready to roll. Remember you will need a current membership and a fob (to open gate).

 

Balanced Blue Flash Damsels

Larry Prowse showed our club this neat straggle at one of his presentations at our fly tying sessions. I know this Blue Flash Damsel straggle (brill) is a winner so I tied up a few, balanced. I am looking forward to taking these out and see what the trout think! 

 

Does Certain Resins Bother Your Skin?

Karen asked me why my skin on my face looked like I spent way too much time under a heat lamp. My face was red and my skin quite irritated. Well it looks like I have joined the other fly tyers who react badly to Solarez Bone Dry. I have loved using it too! I even use it in an open well ventilated area. I am now looking for different options. This is the second time this has happened to me lately so I have to change up. Darn!

 

Ice is Coming Off Our Central Alberta Trout Pot Hole Lakes

What a windy day. That crazy wind was partially responsible for "ice off" at several locations in Central Alberta.

Boulder Lake, Mitchell Pond at Heritage Ranch and Hansens have mainly ice off. I suspect that Fish and Game as well as Kerbes will have ice off too (unconfirmed)! I was by Dickson Trout Pond yesterday and it was still completely ice on. I wonder what the wind did to that today!  

Get your fly fishing kit ready, buy a 2025 Alberta Fishing License, it is go time!

Do You Use Slotted Beads? ...I Definitely do!

Do you use slotted tungsten beads? I am  definitely using them to tie up perdigon nymphs and euro  nymphs. As I got started, I had to remind myself how to properly install the beads. These two short videos from Tim Flagler will certainly help you. Both videos are 90 seconds long! Well worth the three minutes!

 

Getting Ready for Cree Lake, ... Anticipation

Getting ready for a trip is a lot of fun! Several members of our club will be heading to Cree Lake this year! It is an outstanding fishery that includes lake trout, trophy pike, walleye, lake whitefish and arctic grayling! Several of us have become big fans of Nicholas Bauer and his fly patterns. I love adding a dragon tail onto the stinger hook. The movement is so enticing and big pike, walleye and lake trout cannot lay off! Well I had to tie up a few even though our trip doesn't happen for 10 weeks or so. I love the anticipation and build up. 

...next a fly called Northern Magic and articulated white streamers.

 

Glenn's Leech-A Great "Ice Off" Micro Leech

Glenn's Leech is one of my "Go To" micro leeches. It is an easy tie and it definitely catches fish! The nice thing is how easy it is to tie! All you need is a red bead, pine squirrel, small red wire and some black marabou or ostrich herl. I like to fish this little leech under an indicator. The trout love this delightful little micro leech!

Glenn's Leech

Hook: Daiichi 1120 or equivalent sizes 16-12 or your favourite jig hook

Bead: Micro cone or red bead, size to match hook

Thread: Red, 8/0

Tail: Pine squirrel

Rib: Red wire, small

Body: Black marabou or ostrich herl

 

Myth Busting the Government of Alberta Coal Claims

 Please take the time to read this. We need to fight back! Our environment and our well being is at stake!

...from CPAWS

https://cpaws-southernalberta.org/myth-busting-the-government-of-albertas-coal-claims/

2025 Sport Fishing Regulations and Alberta Fishing Guide

You know it is almost time to get back on the water when these two magazines are out at the shops! Remember it is your responsibility to know the regulations on the waters you fish! There are always changes to the regulations so be sure to familiarize yourself with any alterations from last year! You can pick up copies at the Sportsman's Den in Red Deer and probably Canadian Tire.

Head over to https://www.albertarelm.com/licensing.page to get your license unless you are over 65 years of age or under 16 years old.

 

Just Belize It- Two Weeks of Just Plain Fun! Take a Look

Taryn, Karen, Doug and Bob

San Pedro

Even when the weather was lousy (just one day), we found bonefish!

Addicted to Permit

There was an amazing bonefish flat right through these mangroves!

Crabs at our condo

A day off from the boat means looking for bonefish on foot!

Lots of success on foot!

Locals!

Belizian Air Force, aka Brown Pelicans

School is out in San Pedro

Tailing bonefish!

Doves sang to us constantly!

This is Omar! He is called the Doctor of the Flats! We ran into Omar, who is an excellent guide while motoring in. He was taking a swim! He is saying, "Strip Set!" 

Axel is a guide who was mentored by Hilian. He spent two days with us!

On the Tropic Air flight into San Pedro

Calgary waiting for our flight!

Doug loved the snapper fingers and fries at the Palapa Bar! So did everyone.

Some nice Belizian bonefish!

Lousy weather day. We found fish!

Cinnamon buns from Annie's Bakery. Yum!

Mermaid

Pink Gotchas (a newly invented drink by Taryn) named after a bonefish fly!

Key Lime tarts, ...the best!

Taryn's Largest Bonefish!

Right off of the dock out front of our condo!

Shad 

Grouper that our friend and guide Hilian got for us! So good!

The Trade Winds blow around Ambergris Caye!

Pompano

A day off, soak up the sun and fly fish off of the dock!

Mermaid

Last day!

Last sunrise!

Supper out on our last night!