Tyler25

Thanks a lot folks. I'll start exploring.

Hi Folks, I live North of the Glenmore Reservoir around Westhills Centre. What would you say is the best access point to Fish Creek from where I live? I've dabbled in the Bow but have yet to try out the creek as i'm still getting orientated to Calgary.... Thanks a lot, Tyler

It was around the Glenmore bridge - i've never fished the NW (still relatively new to Calgary). Funny how one catch seems to cancel out all the days of being skunked.

Update: After following some of the great advice from these posts, I caught my first little Brown of the season. Just one, but that's a lot better than none! Baby steps, right? Thanks again to all for the comments and tips. Tyler

Thanks for the great advice guys, I appreciate it. I do intend on getting a guide sometime this summer - probably towards the end. I'd like to shorten the learning curve a bit more still. You're right about the leader length - I don't typically change it much, though I do add/remove weight and make sure i'm tapping bottom. I'm going to follow some of your tips next time out and see what happens. I'll let you know the results! Ty

Hi All, I've been browsing the forums for a year now, and want to ask some advice on nymphing. I've been running the 'classic' Bow River nymph setup, with a Prince, SJW about 16" up, and split shot another 12-16" up from that, with an indicator near the top foot of my leader. I've also experimented with Stone flys, changing up nymphs, etc. My typical approach is to grid off a section of river (usually at Policeman's or by Glenmore Bridge), by throwing about 5' in front of me, then further out, and further still to about 25', then move upstream. I cast, mend, and get a good dead drift. I've also swung some streamers as per some excellent advice from various other posts here with little luck. So far this year i've been compltely skunked every time out, yet I keep reading how well everyone is doing! I know people tend to post their successful days, but still.... If you have any advice that could be helpful, i'd appreciate it! Tyler

So what you're saying is - when midterms roll around this fall, I should just fish - then i'm guarenteed good marks! Alright, I accept, and hold you responsible.

I grew up on quads in Northern Alberta (my parents would take me for rides as a baby to put me to sleep) - and up there a quad trail is very unintrusive on the ecosystem. The locations you can access you would never otherwise see unless you spent a week with a backpack or horse. That being said, the population explosion down here seems to have made this necessary, so i'm not in disagreement with it. As Pipestoneflyguy said, the few always ruin it for the many. I guess the question that leaves me is this: if many areas are protected, that means less areas to quad - resulting in heavier traffic in said areas. This could have the potential to obliterate the ecosystems in those areas due to excessive overuse. Wonder how they decide where is ok to destroy, and where is not? Glad its not my decision.

I certainly see the need for it with the aforementioned 'yahoos' - but i've gotta say it bums me out. The few irresponsible always seem to wreck it for the responsible, don't they? Oh well, not like paying 6 bucks for an armload of firewood is 'getting back to nature' anyhow. Ty

Since i'm new to the sport, i've picked up a couple rigs (one for me, one for my Dad's B-day). I got a 6wt setup with reel, flyline, and leader from Wholesale sports for $165, and the one I picked up for my Dad was the same sort of thing, maybe a little higher quality from Hanson's Fishing Outfitters for an even $200 (their 'bootcamp' setup). Nothing special, but i've got fish out of the water with it!

Damn. Oh well, it was a nice thought, right?! Thanks for the replies.

Just wondering if anyone knows if random camping along the Highwood is allowable. I'm heading out this weekend to try out some drys for the first time, and also some new (to me) nymphing techniques. I'm from Northern Alberta where ALL camping is random camping - meaning I want to be away from the crowds in my own little spot of solitude! Ahhh, stampede parade day!

Thanks guys, Actually I was able to get out to Elbow Lake on Sunday. Didn't catch anything, but I wasn't really expecting to, considering I spend most of my time untangling my line! I did pick up some waders, so at least that will open up a lot more options later on. Rick, nice meeting you too, and again, I really appreciate all the advice. Also took a drive out to the Glenmore Bridge, just cause last year I remember seeing guys down there. I'm really looking forward to the river dropping so I can give it a shot! Tyler

Excellent - thanks for the advice. We just may give Seebe dam a go! We'll certainly try out within Calgary - I figured we'd save that for during the workweek when travel time is limited. Again, thanks for the reply.

Hi Everyone, I'm brand new to the flyfishing world. Me and a friend just picked up a fairly inexpensive starter rig (no waders as of yet). Problem is we have no clue where to go to give it a try. We'd like to maybe check out somewhere West, just to get that nice mountain air while learning, but within a reasonable distance from downtown Calgary. Does anyone have any suggestions/directions for common areas (not expecting any of your super-secret most-favorite spots!). Any help is much appreciated.