Whistler

okay, one more bump, just cause we have passed 550 people looking to initiate change. Please consider joining the group,there is a very real chance that WE can make a difference in how the T is regulated by this time next year. This issue is well beyond bait as it has everything to do with how the T fishery is managed. As you are probably aware there are those of us that would like to see the T brought in line with other 'quality' Steelhead fisheries in the province. This means no bait and more importantly no hatchery. If you share these views I urge you to help spread this group around. Please take a moment and invite any other like minded individuals to join this movement. If you have a blog please consider posting a link to this group. Any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at 1-888-822-3474. I look forward to speaking with you, Brian Niska

pretty surte its only sold on their site. nice hat btw

one time bump in case you missed it first time around

for those that are on facebook: It's that time of year again. If enough Steelhead appear in the Albion test fishery the Thompson will once again be open to catch and release angling with no gear restricitions other than single barbless hook. It is time for the fisheries managers in the Thompson region to enact the same conservation based angling regulations restricting the use of organic baits that have been applied successfully in other BC regions. There is no reason that the wild Thompson river Steelhead shouldn't receive the same protection that wild Steelhead in other BC regions have been given. Bait bans have been in effect on other classified rivers in other BC regions for close to 20 years.The BC ministries own creel survey data proves that a bait ban will be a valuable tool to reduce angler impact on these special fish.Please consider joining this group to send a strong message to BC's fisheries managers. I encourage you to invite your friends and post links to this group anywhere you see fit. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=1563...6469&ref=nf

Happy birthday Greg!

Hi all, after reading a recent thread and checking out some good photos of nice fish caught on a first time Skeena trip I thought it would be timely to post the following reminder. Please DO NOT wear gloves when handling wild Steelhead as it removes their protective slime. To ensure their safety Steelhead should be tailed with a bare wet hand. Over the course of winter and spring spawning you can tell the fish that have received the glove treatment as they have fungus in the wrist area in front of their tails. If you are not confident in your ability to tail fish in the water and must use a net or cradle please ensure that the netting is such that it removes the least slime as possible ie rubber. thanks guys, don't mean to preach but thought some may not know. btw I am sure there are a few glove pics somewhere on my site so please don't take this post as hgih and mighty. Brian

Same cast just minus the wrist twist. With the slower rod you will need to really push out and up to complete the cast.

The poke is a great cast, the easy choice when maximum casting distance is needed. Also a great cast when operating from a forward anchor position. The poke however requires a significant rod move(around and rising) to set the anchor position properly, even with a forward anchor position. If You watch the cast as demonstrated you will notice that rod is slice to the bank setting the anchor well in front of me without bringing the rod tip up and back on the set. Watch the wrist movement on the initial set, this is what makes this cast. Also watch the wrist rotation on the forward stroke. I am torquing the rod (as well as loading conventionally) to make this cast work. This works best on fast action rods with responsive tips and is a great way to generate load in all consitions but especially when casting stroke is greatly restricted. I know it is hard to see in the video but I litterally am in the trees with branches overhead, this little 'chip shot' is the solution. Brian Niska

Posted a couple of videos on youtube and thought they might be of interest. Here is some video of the switch cast done on both grass and water. Here is a circle/snap hybrid done with an outside set and forward anchor position to enable a fishable cast from very tight quarters - ie in the trees In both videos the rod is a Loop opti 9132 and the line is a skagit compact rigged with 14' of t14 questions/comments Brian Niska

yes Laurie is a sweet dude. A total class act and a fun guy to be around on and off the river. I'm fishing with him up on the Bulkley at the end of the month, looking forward to that trip. Brian

yes Al, what really sticks out is on about our 4th day there was an afternoon that was really sunny and the river was quite clear. The river was so full of fish of all descrtiption it was like an aquarium, literally 1000 of fish going by. I'll never forget the run up back to the lodge that evening with the light just so and all those fish. It does make you think how many watersheds used to have such stocks. btw, give me a shout when you have a spare moment Brian

Anyone I'm buds with on facebook has probably seen the photos from my Alaskan trip this year. In case not, here is a short slideshow: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1197...mp;id=596171996 If you are interested in taking your two handed casting and fishing to the next level(and catching some REALLY NICE fish at the same time) I suggest you consider one of AK WEST's popular spey improvement weeks for 2010. check out this thread for available dates and more info: http://flyfishcalgary.com/board/index.php?...amp;#entry99233 Brian Niska

Rufus, how goes the spey casting?

We have the new Loop switch rods in stock now. Here is some info on these rods from a Whistler Flyfishing blog post earlier this year: Opti Switch Give the fly shop a call at 1-888-822-3474 if you are interested in adding one of these fine sticks to your arsenal. Brian Niska

looks great!

Rufus, in regards to the shoulder........the best thing for your shoulder is to keep your casting had no higher than your shoulder throughout the entire cast. This will also result in your top hand and rod tip travelling in a straight path(as oppossed to convex) and will give you a very tight loop.

even though he doesn't have the certification Al refers to(neither I believe does Chris Seipio) Maxwell Robinson is an excellent instructor of two handed casting. Here is a link to all Canadian certified two hand instructorsFFF certified two hand instructors Brian

a little more info

If anyone is interested in the ultimate speyfishing adventure..... We still have some spaces left for the upcoming spey improvement weeks at Alaska West on the Kanektok river. The Kanektok is arguably the best place in the world to swing flies for Chinook Salmon-really big water, perfect gravel bars and of course lots of ocean bright Chinooks fresh in from the Bering sea. Alaska West operates on the lower reaches of the Kanektok, fishing right down to the ocean, providing the ultimate speyfishing adventure. The lodge is well run-good food,fantastic location,friendly lodge staff and great guides headed by Skagit originator Ed Ward. During Chinook season(mid June-mid July) Alaska West features guest spey instructors which include George Cook, Michael White,Dec Hogan Charles St. Pierre and myself). There is still some space available so if you are interested in improving your casting and experiencing one of the coolest fisheries in the world, give me a shout at 1-888-822-3474. Brian Niska

I had the ww speys at the schools I did last month though i can't remember for sure how many actually tried them-too busy casting the Multi's and the gorans. Hopefully there is a multi 6 weight sometime soon.

nice enough rod for the money but not really a 5/6. Should in fact be called 7 weight. Two examples of REAL 6 weights (in very different price points) wwould be the Loop GASS #6 12' and the Amundson Wind Warrior 11' #6.

we have them in stock Whistler Flyfishing around 3 days turnaround to Alberta-sweetest rod out there for under $500 (retail around $300 depending on model). Give me a shout at 1-888-822-3474 if you have any questions or would like more info on Loop warranty. Brian Niska

thanks for the kind words-it was awesome to spend a week casting with all of you. Brian 1-888-822-3474

There is a chance of another beginner spey class available on Sunday May 10th. Please call 1-888-822-3474 for more info. Brian

Deneki operates great resorts ideally situated to take advantage of awesome fisheries. I am scheduled to teach a week at BC West(Dean River) and two weeks at Alaska West(Kanektok River) this summer fishing for Chinook Salmon. There is still some space available in these weeks for those that are interested in the ultimate spey rod experience catching shiny bright monster sized Salmon on a swung fly. Brian