Whistler

here is the link for updates and more info: Speycasting Lessons

Some more info Saturdays class will be for casters with some experience and Fridays class will be for beginners. I still have a few spaces for both days as well as some slots for privates. I am back in the shop all day today so give me a call at 1-888-822-3474 if you would like more info or to sign up. Brian

still some sopace on Saturday Brian. I believe you are already on the list of people that I need to contact. I will check at the shop later today or give me a call at 1-888-822-3474

As some of you already know I will be out in Alberta from May 1-9. I am doing some demos and lessons in Lethbridge at the start of the trip.I will be in Calgary from May 5-9 doing both private and group lessons. LOOP Spey Clinics are scheduled for Friday May 8th and Saturday 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 5, 6 and 7th. 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. loooking forward to getting out on the water with you guys Brian Niska bniska@whistlerflyfishing.com

As some of you already know I will be out in Alberta from May 1-9. I am doing some demos and lessons in Lethbridge at the start of the trip.I will be in Calgary from May 5-9 doing both private and group lessons. LOOP Spey Clinics are scheduled for Friday May 8th and Saturday 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 5, 6 and 7th. 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. loooking forward to getting out on the water with you guys Brian Niska bniska@whistlerflyfishing.com

of course, see you from the May 6th - 9th give me a shout ahead of time with the modle you would like to try

Just a quick note to say that I weill be heading to Alberta the week of May 2th-9th. I will be in Lethbridge till about the 5th and in calgary till the 9th. Look for announcements of some clinics shortly or contact me directly. Also look out for a cool new Whistler Flyfishing banner coming to this site very soon. Brian Niska

hahaha....yeah...lots...seriously.... Interesting how peeps are concerned over Bass pro but this site has banner ads from all over the US... Scott (uliwon) posting on Niskas computer!!!

yes, like all Loops it's pretty light in the hand so a similar reel to what you would normally fish on a #4 or #5 btw this is a special order item from Loop in Europe but I do have some coming in soon

I second Max's advice. The Loop custom rocks and the afs works fantastic on this rod in either the 6/7 or the 7/8 depending on your level of skill. Probably best to start with the 7/8 - i think Max hasdone, perhaps you can arrange a test cast. BTW I am looking at getting out Alberta way in early May and will have lots of gear for those that would like a test casting session or a casting tune up.

awesome rod, like most Loop's these have a smooth progressive action. Overall the rod is medium fast with tonnes of reserve power in the bottom end. The tip is slightly softer enabling great 'feel' and the ability to protect lighter tippets. This rod was designed specifically for the challenges that nymphing presents however is a great all around choice for casters not looking for the worlds fastest rod. Definately one of my favourite loop single handers.

I agree that a medium fast action is probably best for nymphing. I do not think you would want a rod that is overly fast, as in a rod with a tip that is quite stiff. It is of course possible to have a rod with a tip that is soft enough to protect light tippets and at the same time responsive enough to be considered fast recovering.

a snake roll can be done in the underhand style. Any of the rotational casts feel 'different' with the zpey as top oand bottom grips are out of line. Not impossible, just different

for something weird.....try a snakeroll with a zpey

I have a couple here that I would be happy to sell for 40% off maybe less

nice to see so many familiar faces at the show and to make a few new friends as well. Thanks to those that came by the WF booth and sported our gear. As always a great time in Calgary and looking forward to getting back out at the start of May for some casting. An extra special thanks to Max for holding it down in the booth and to LK for assisting in the pack up. Fun to get out for a 'few' drinks on Saturday hopefully I didn't embarrass anyone in the town they live in. Still unpacking boxes and putting the fly shop back together but will be updating my blog with a show report pretty soon.See you all soon, hopefully in Whistler for some Steelhead fishing this spring. Brian Niska

1978, I am not sure how the divisions of the casting contest work. Ussually at events like these it is normal to have a pro division(industry professional ie guide or shop employee) and a amateur division. The guys at the Wright and Mcgill booth next to our our sponsoring the event. They are good guys and have helped us out a bit both this year and last when we were also neighbours. We were happy to participate in their event but most certainly didn't have the intention of walking away with the prizes. Actually I haven't cast a single hander since the summer as all my fall and winter fishing is done with the two hander so I am sure I am in no danger of taking the prize. Most certainly if our participation has upset you please come by our booth I would be happy to discuss and apologize. Brian Niska

will be there in the Loop/Whistler Flyfishing booth

two to be exact makes them easier to find when it's times to break the rod into 4 pieces

8124 opti lined with the new Whistler line and 40# lts running line, balances perfect with the 7/9 classic. OK clearly I'm a little biased but his is easily the most high performance rig I've tried-the opti is a gun-super light with a tonne of power. A nice smooth progressive flex with a tip that is medium in flex but incredibly quick recovering, making for a fast rod that doesn't feel like a broom handle. The overall reduced weight and diameter of the Whistler line combined with the fast precise tip of the opti make for a set up that throws razer lazers and fishes great too.

looserfishers

thanks for sharing the photos Dustin. I am supposed to host a trip down there in March, looking forward to it. Brian

for sink tip fishing with BIG heavy bugs short leaders(3' or even less) and a long smooth forward stroke with lots of top hand. Remmeber to keep the rod tip moving so use lots of shoulder and keep that rop tip rising. A quick word on rabbit, while I understand it's effectiveness it holds a lot of water making for the most challenging of casting, though definately possible. As well it holds air and does not sink that fast. There are lots of other materials that work comparibly yet are easier to cast and offer better sink. Arctic fox,finn raccoon, super ostrich, rhea, albino peacok are all examples of materials that I prefer to rabbit thougth indeed all listed are more $$$$.

Gord, Eoin never said anything in the video about casting like Grant. I said that the spiral cast demonstratedwas derived from the planet cast in that the spiral motion and rotation of the hands could trace their origins back to Grant's planet cast. I do believe that Eoin finished his demo at the Denver show with a demonstration of the planet cast though it was certainly different than the spiral cast demonstrated in the video. At 14' a 105' belly would be way too long for the rod shown in the video, though the 67' er is probably close to perfect. Brian

Here is a link to a video showing Eoin Fairgrieve casting the new Loop Opti Power rod (available in '09) that he designed for Loop.Eoin teaches casting at Scotlands' Center of Excellence on the River Tweed. Aside from being a champion caster, talented instructor and all around good dude, he is also the author of the wonderful children's book "My First Trout' and puts an impressive number of schoolchildren through his learn to fly fish program. book review I met Eoin, this past September in Denver at the dealer show as we had both been asked to do a presentation on modern two handed casting. Eoin and myself were paired up with Danish underhand casting guru Klaus Frimore to do a 1 hour presentation on the evolution of modern two handed casting at the Spey pond in Denver. It was a real treat to spend 4 days casting with these guys and compare notes on the similarities and differences of our techniques. The spiral casting shown in the video is derived from Alexander Grant's famous Planet Cast and has little practical fishing purpose though is impressive to watch given the level of control demonstrated by Eoin. At about :50 Eoin sneaks in a practical fishing cast. This is one of two unique casts that Eoin taught me in Denver, neat to learn a new cast as truly original casts are rare. Technique wise Eoin uses alot more lower hand than 'traditional' Scottish casters and tends toward slightly shorter lines than the true traditionalists. I hope you enjoy: Eoin Fairgrieve Brian Niska