Whistler

I will be in Alberta from May 1-9. I am doing some demos and lessons in Lethbridge at the start of the trip.I will be available for private lessons in Lethbridge on May 3rd and 4th.I will be in Calgary from May 5-9 doing both private and group lessons. Spey Clinics are scheduled for Friday May 7th and Saturday May 8th and Sunday May 9th. Loop pro staffer and local legend Maxwell Robinson will be assisting me with both of these classes. Price will be $150 + gst and class size will be limited. These clinics will start at 10am and run until around 5pm. I will be available for private lessons(single hand and spey) throughout the day on May 5th and 6th. Private lessons are $60+gst per hour or $40+gst per person per hour for groups of 2 or 3. Please give me a call at 1-888-822-3474 if you require more info or would like to reserve your space. I can also be reached directly on my cell at 604-905-9694. looking forward to getting out on the water with you guys Brian Niska bniska@whistlerflyfishing.com www.whistlerflyfishing.com

just a reminder for anyone looking for a last minute holiday gifts Whistler flyfishing offers mail order gift certificates for shop sales. Can't find the perfect gift for that special angler or angler to be? Give the gift of knowledge this holiday season, Whistler Flyfishing has gift certificates for the following courses taught by FFF certified pros -Spring casting courses(spey and single hand) in Lethbridge and Calgary (May 1-7 2010) -Private casting lessons(spey or single hand) -Steelhead speyfishing course -Womens only flyfishing camps -Guided Trips (Steelhead season Marchg and April 2010) Please call Whistler Flyfishing at 1-888-822-3474 or 604-932-7221 for more info

it is no prob to get loops wet as the drag is completely sealed. What rod is this going on?

Jerry French, guide at Alaska West and all around fantastic individual

just a quick bump to say that there are still a couple of spaces left for Alaska as well as room on Bonefish trips. I think I posted this before but here are some photos from Alaska last year Alaska West 2009 Also have speyschools upcoming on the Kalum in April and the Dean in June

The Loop 7120 multi bridges the gap between heavy Trout and light Steelhead(ie Bulkley) and Salmon(Coho/Pinks) perfectly. Brian Niska

Get your new spey set up from Canada's Speyfishing Specialty shop, Whistler Flyfishing has been specializing in Speyfishing for over 10 years. Choose from western Canada's largest selection of two handed fly rods from a variety of manufacturers including LOOP, SAGE, ECHO, CND and AMUNDSON. We put together great deals on spey combos and always guarantee our rod/line match. We are offerring 2 new special deals to Flyfish Calgary members on all spey purchases till the end of the year. Purchase any new speyrod from our selection and receive a free 1.5 hour casting lesson with Bow River spey icon Maxwell Robinson. Purchase any new spey combo(rod/reel/line) and receive a half day on the water Bow River spey school with Maxwell. FREE shipping with this promotion! we can get in stock items to Calgary within 2-3 days For more information please call Whistler Flyfishing at 1-888-822-3474

Get your new spey set up from Canada's Speyfishing Specialty shop, Whistler Flyfishing has been specializing in Speyfishing for over 10 years. Choose from western Canada's largest selection of two handed fly rods from a variety of manufacturers including LOOP, SAGE, ECHO, CND and AMUNDSON. We put together great deals on spey combos and always guarantee our rod/line match. We are offerring 2 new special deals to Flyfish Calgary members on all spey purchases till the end of the year. Purchase any new speyrod from our selection and receive a free 1.5 hour casting lesson with Bow River spey icon Maxwell Robinson. Purchase any new spey combo(rod/reel/line) and receive a half day on the water Bow River spey school with Maxwell. FREE shipping with this promotion! we can get in stock items to Calgary within 2-3 days For more information please call Whistler Flyfishing at 1-888-822-3474

happy to let you know what is possible and not to fall into the trap of thinking you are limited by your gear.

not being difficult, just correcting you that's all . Scandi heads are similar lengths to skagit lines and are typically associated with touch and go casts. It is true that skagit lines are heavier than scandi lines but touch and go casts really arent that difficult with proper technique and a little bit of practice. If you are having trouble with these casts I will be out again in the spring and would be happy to spend some time with you. Brian Niska

Multi's are silent the evotecs make a subtle clicking sound. Brian

loved the story Al, took me right back there to the Kanektok. Can't wait till next summer, love that place.

don't kid yourself, the Loop multi 6/9 is the reel to perfectly match this rod. Lots of capacity and the same g3 drag as the evotecs and optis. The reel is heavy enough to balance the rod and small enough that it won't look ridiculous like putting a 9/10 reel on a rod this small. PM or call me if you want more info or have any questions Brian 1-888-822-3474

no actually it is very easy to do all casts with skagit style lines though most associate sustained anchor casting with Skagit lines. just to be difficult I will also add that a sure fire way to develop bad habits is to cast a line that is too long for your rod ie 65' head on a 12' rod Brian

which switch? how long?

Neil, I think that the fees charged are a small price to pay for the privelidge of angling for wild Steel. The number of Alberta plates I see on our classified rivers leads me to believe that others are ok with these fees. It does bother me that we charge fellow Canadians the same fee as out of country anglers. The Thompson Steelhead angler is wired a little different than other fishers. I don't think any of these folks will cease to care,or show up for that matter, due to the continuation of these fees on the Thompson.

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

sorry to spam...... I amjust finishing off the latest edition of the Whistler Flyfishing newsletter. If you would like an email copy please email me at info@whistlerflyfishing.com thanks! Brian Niska

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