Well, well, well....

 Hazy heat filled days have drifted into sultry warm evenings, friends, smiles and fishing, all things that are summer have wrapped Fernie in good vibes. This summer has been a memorable one here in the Valley, two months of crazy heat and amazing fishing have left a sweet taste in our mouths. I personally been blessed to have made some amazing new friends this summer, recent memories of great experiences have left me wanting of more.

Experience and memories are a funny things, when we are exposed to situations that get our endorphin's flowing we often strive to recreate conditions that brought on the euphoric state. Over the years I have found that trying to recreate specific memories often ends with feelings of disappointment. You see each amazing memory has a specific recipe or set of factors that makes it  unique and almost impossible to duplicate.  So lets shift our focus from the past and into the present and makes some amazing new memories with one another!

FISHING REPORT:

ELK:

 Its fishing amazing! Hoppers, ants, beetles, PMD's etc. Dry fly fishing at its best:)

SW AB:

Amazing! Hoppers, Ants, beetles, BWO's, PMD's etc. Dry fly fishing at its best:)

WATER CLOSURES:

If you haven't heard yet there are water closures all over SW Alberta and B.C., before you head out make sure that the river you decide to fish is open for business.

SOAP BOX:

OK, so with the closure of many of the rivers in Western Canada and Montana the Elk Valley has become very popular with anglers. That's a polite way of saying that its getting a little crowded out there.  Lets make sure that we are communicating with each other, there is a lot of water to fish and there is no need to crowd one another.

There has been a rash of minor vandalism at put ins and take outs recently, and its sad. The increased traffic in the Valley is a wonderful thing. Fernie, this is an oppertunity to show the world how awesome we are, so lets put our best foot forward.

If your visiting please respect where you are and represent yourself as best you can.

Also please remember to treat our lovely Cutts and Bulls with the due care and respect they deserve.

Go fishing!

Drink cold beer!

Dance!

Peace and Love!

Speak with you soon,

Spencer

 

 

 

In search of Quality Sippage....

Hi folks,

Its been too long, way too long...

I've been busy though...

Busy fishing....


 As I write this I am hoping that all of you have been enjoying summer and all that it has to offer. BBQ's, cold drinks, outdoor music and the company of friend oh and lets not forget fishing. It has been all smiles here in the valley for all the reasons listed above and well for me smiles are directly related to the fishing. So I'm sorry that I'm not sorry for not communicating with you all over the past couple of months, but fishing has been good and I wanted it all for myself....

So lets get into it shall we.

One the toughest aspects of life and guiding is communication, miscommunication starts wars, breaks up relationships and makes for long days on the water. However, when we communicate effectively  we fall in love and catch a pile of fish together. So why the communication banter? Well a couple of years ago I was in negotiations with a perspective client and I asked him what he wanted out of his fishing trip and his reply was, "Quality Sippage".... 

Quality Sippage?

Well Sippage could be construed as specific fly fishing nomenclature referring to the way a trout eats a bug off the surface of the water. Here in lies the problem, my idea of Quality Sippage is throwing a massive terrestrial pattern to the bank. Then having a trout eat the bug so hard that the water erupts and it sounds like someone threw a bowling ball in the water! Scudooosh!!! However this is not what the client had in mind, he was more romantic than I. He longed for the waning light and delicate dimples of trout taking emerging insects from the surface of the placid evening river.... We were essentially on the opposite ends of the Sippage Spectrum.

So whats the point?

Well...

Most of us are not mind readers and unless we communicate effectively nothing will be accomplished. So lets take the time and really figure each other out and figure out where we are on the Sippage Spectrum. Once that is accomplished the rest is easy.

River Reports:

Elk Valley:

The Elk and its tributaries continue to fish well. Strong hatches of Stones, Drakes, Caddis, PMD's are keeping the fish looking up. A recent cooling trend has given the rivers a much needed reprieve from the higher water temperatures. Word of caution for those floating the Elk this year, there are hazards on several runs this year and they will f*ck your shit up. Be cautious and make good decisions.

SW Alberta:

Much like the Elk Valley SW AB is fishing well with strong hatches are feeding the fish well... I wish I had more to say about it, but I don't. Get out there because its fun at the moment.

Soap Box:

There is no question that our water levels are getting to the point where we should start acting like we give a shit. Smaller tributaries are already low and warm and the fish are taking a beating from anglers. DIY'ers and Guides alike should be shifting their attention to some of the larger bodies of water where water levels and temps are stable and the fish are happy. Stay off Michele Creek, Stay OFF Michele Creek!!! Temps are high, water levels are low and the fish are stupid. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Thanks for reading and we'll chat next week.

Much Love,

Spencer


This one is for my 204 pal who told me I should be doing this more.... Back in the saddle babe!