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!

Ding Dong The Witch is Dead! 2015 Fishing Outlook...

Hi all!

Well how about that winter!?!  Errr, Umm or rather that lack there of... Shifting Jet Streams and Nino's and Pineapples have brought us unseasonably warm temperatures here in the West. While those that love to play on the slopes have taken to Netflix and binge drinking to sooth themselves, we the lowly fisher people have been having quite a nice time. In fact there was barely a week this winter when I didn't see someone out enjoying our rivers and fish and now that Day Light Savings has arrived I think that its time that we started talking about fishing again.

First though, I would like to dedicate this song to all the ladies who are dying to wear their new skirts and tank-tops and bikinis.

So hows is the fishing going to be this year?

Quite frankly, I have no F'ing clue. I can however offer you my best guess and hopes and wishes.

I don't really want to talk about the weather a whole bunch, its all anybody ever talks about these days and its getting a little boring. So I'll be brief, given the current weather modelling for the spring it looks like we could be off to a early start this year. Barring any major weather events we should be fishing the Stones and Drakes, so lets wait and see what Mother Nature gives us. So now lets talk about how the Elk is doing moving into its third season since the flood.

It seems to me that the Elk is finally solidifying its new course, runs, riffles and channels are developed and boulders, gravel beds and woody structure are giving the Elk some nice texture. Turing over rocks and nerding about has revealed good numbers of aquatic insect and our native Cutthroat trout and Whitefish are looking as healthy as ever, also I am happy to report that the Bull trout population looks awesome this year.

In conclusion, the Elk and the surrounding area is currently on course for a banner fishing season! Lets keep the positivity rolling and pray that Mother Nature gives us the conditions we need.

Fishing Report:

Elk River:

The Elk has been fishing well all winter. The past two weeks the mild temperatures and sunny days have seen our Cuts eating and eating well. Overcast colder days have usually meant nymphing with whatever you think may work, I have been favoring stone patterns and Dirt Snakes. Streamer fishing has produced very favorable results for both Bulls and Cutts, you'll just have to figure out which color to use. When the sun comes out I have been exclusively fishing dries, Griffith's Gnats and or small winter stone patterns have been the ticket. Remember even if your not seeing fish rise it doesn't mean they won't, so take that F'n bobber off and catch me a fish on the dry!!

SW Alberta:

Though its been a week or so since I've been over all the reports I've been getting are still favorable. So go for an adventure and find a spunky Rainbow:)

A quick tactical note:

I'm going to sound like a broken record here but, at this time of year it really pays to take your time working water. Stealth and well thought out presentations will pay dividends. Think about it, the rivers are as low as they will be all year and the water clear and cold. So cool your jets and gear down big rig!

Lakes:

Yes there is a lake that doesn't have ice on it! Its true!!! Stay away from it! Everybody knows and it has been thick with people fishing for fish that are for the most part uninterested in eating. Its still a bit early for the first wave a Chronies....  Other lakes are likely a week or ten days ahead of schedule, I hope your fly box is ready.

Speaking of fly boxes, if you had planned to fish the Elk in the next couple of days you had better change your plans. A large wet low has blown the river out, if I were you I would make plans to fish it next week. In the mean time why don't you tie a couple of flies.

The following pattern has been crushing fish.... You're welcome...

SSWS (Super Simple Winter Stone) 

This pattern is perfect for imitating the little black stones that litter the rocks during the warmer days in March.

Hook: #16 2x-3x long curved shank  

Thread: 6/0 Black

Abdomen: Black dubbing of your choice 

Thorax: Peacock 

Wing: Crystal Flash and Antron

Legs: #16 Grizzly Hackle

Step 1:

1a: Mount your hook, then tie your thread on and work it back to the bend of the hook.

1b: Next, using the black dubbing of your choice create the Abdomen by working the dubbing 2/3rd of the way towards the eye of the hook. Try and create a skinny to fat tapered profile.

1c:Cut a hank of crystal flash and mount it just over 2/3rds of the way up the hook to create the under wing.

Step 2:

2a: Cut a piece of Atron or whatever wing material you choose and mount as you did for 1c.
2b: Select the appropriate size hackle and mount at last thread position.
2c: To create the Thorax mount two pieces of Peacock hearl on top of the hackle. Twist the two pieces of Peacock around one another and then wrap the twisted strand forward to just behind the hook eye and tie it off. Be sure not to crowd the eye of the hook.
2d: Now we are going create the legs of the critter by wrapping the Grizzly hackle forward and tying it off just behind the eye.

Step 3:

3a: Create the head of the Stone and secure the hackle using thread wraps. I find that it helps to pinch and pull the hackle back during this step.

3b. Whip finish the bug! Add some head cement and trim the wing to the bend of the hook.

3c. Go Fishing!!

Happy hunting friends!

 

 I'm going to be hanging out with this guy until the river cleans up...

Ta for now.

Needling and the art of Patience.

Hey there folks,

I trust you are keeping warm while navigating your way through the depths of January.

I had an experience not too long ago, and it has bred a thought or several that have been prattling around in my head for a while and I'm quite tired of having it/them take up real estate between my ears. So I had better let them rip.

From the beginning:

I was in the middle of one of the worst travel days of my life, cancelled flights, air port naps and cranky people were wearing my patience thin. The plane I was on was boarding connecting passengers, and  despite my protests I was imprisoned in the middle seat. To my right was a woman who hated me more than I her and to my left was an empty seat which I hoped to soon occupy. Twelve hours of very little personal space had planted he word "bomb" in the back of my throat and it kept trying to escape. Air port jail I mused, would certainly be more comfortable than my current situation. After all I thought, I much prefer the smell of my own farts to those of my fellow passengers. As the remaining sheep filed on to the plane the isle seat remained unoccupied and my spirits rose...  Then I saw her, long salt and pepper hair, a wizened face and eyes obscured by thick glasses, her wrinkled hands gripped her cane as she creaked towards me, she was someones Grandma and she was to be my travel companion in the isle seat for the next two flights.

*Some time ago my mother quelled my urge to be a raging asshole and replaced it with proper etiquette. As a result I spent the next four hours being as polite and helpful to the Grandma to my left as my mother taught me to be.

After two flights together it was time for the nice Grandmother in the isle seat to depart the plane. As the other passengers  pushed forward to depart, Grandmother was repeatedly bumped into and ignored. I could feel my mothers lessons politeness fade as my face flushed with anger toward the evil occupants of the plane. Fantasies of swords and blood and carnage were swirling through my head as I began to rise from my seat. And then... I felt her hand on mine,  she looked me in the eye and asked, "Why is everyone in such a rush?"... I could only muster a lousy "I dunno...."

Why is everyone in such as rush:

Shit, I don't know why I'm in a rush! So there is no way that I could assert to know why you are in such a rush. I have however dedicated the past decade or so to training myself in needling and the art of patience.

In case you were wondering we're talking about fishing now.

 More often than not mistakes made on the water are a direct result of one's inability to slow down. I have watched "Captains of Industry" billionaires fuck things up so badly that they throw tantrums that would make a spoiled child blush and all because they refused to slow down and be patient.

Just as life is a metaphor for fishing, fishing is a metaphor for life:

When your feet touch the water and you look upstream reality instantly slows. Currents push against your legs as the sweet smell of prairie grasses wash away last nights transgressions. There's a slick of water ahead holding treasures people would pay to harvest, but there are seams, runs, and defections to be explored before. You must poke, prod and lift up her tail and have a little look see....It has to be soulful, surgical and methodical, how else do you catch a unicorn. Read, cast mend, mend, repeat. Read, cast, mend, repeat. Read, cast, mend, mend, mend, repeat. Read, cast, mend, mend, mend, mend, mend, mend... Be patient and repeat...

For the most part being in a hurry to drink six shots of bourbon, rushing into an unknown toilet or hastily trying to remove a woman's bra rarely lead to a positive out come.

Namaste fuckers!