FeatherFlicker

Great idea, sure would be nice to have a few options tied up ready for action.

Nice pics bud, lets see if we can't add one more to them today.....

Happy to help RunnyD, My folks in-laws have a place in the MIssion Hills estate and so long as you are out of the golfers way then I have never had an issue, you see guys driving around in their golf carts with their clubs and rods sticking out. It is not a new sight for them to see people fishing. So early in the morning on the back 9s before the golfers approach and in the evenings when the golfers call it a day or are few and far between. I think they just don't want people climbing fences and getting in that way but if you are using the facilities (golf course) then you are good to go, Saying that, if anyone ever approached you I would just say that you are visiting with some close friends. ha ha (you wont be lying as fish are very dear friends) There are a few ponds around there that you can fish in all day round as they are not in golfers way, some are backing up to houses, out of bounds and some are behind T boxes. I only know Mission, so I'm sorry that I can't give you any feedback on Indian. But to answer you question about what ponds have bass???? In Mission, every pond has bass as far as I have seen. Some just hold bigger ones that others. If they are not interested in one pond, move to another as some get targeted more often and are a little bit more switched on to our tactics. Best of luck, I will be very keen to hear how it goes, I have never fished this time of year but being warmer I wonder if the will be active on the surface or if they will be sitting deep.

Kevin P from Country Pleasure is an honest and patient guide. He was my guide when my father in-law took me on my first float and my first ever real crack at fly fishing in contention of catching a fish. He was a great bloke to spend the day on the river with and was a no fuss kind of guy. Didn't raise an eyebrow if I got hung up on the bottom or had tangles as a rookie. He sorted it out, swapped out different flies to give be a better crack at success and was genuinely stoked when I hooked and landed fish. I have had an old boy guide me that had no patience and made me feel like a goose on many occasions. Clearly frustrated if I missed a hook set (I can be frustrated with myself thanks very much) and grumbled if he had to hit the oars a bit harder. A good guide is a day changer not only for the fishing but the enjoyment of the day on the water. Popped in for fly tying gear about 3 years later and Kevin still remembered my name. Its the little things.

Another good method if your fishing any gold hazards that have retaining walls is to cast as far as you can as close to the walls and strip it back in. The bass are often sunning in the shallows using the wall as a bit of protection. Bugger, you have me all excited about bass fishing down there, have to wait till the new year before I will get a look at them again. Let them know that I will be coming for them again when I can.....

Here are a few from my last visit to the in-laws winter escape. Sorry for the photo of the bass on the grass. I know it is not a good habit but I wanted a size reference and they are hardy old buggers.

There is amazing large mouth fishing in the water hazards and provide some great pre and post golf fun. There are some gigantic catfish and carp that are also in some of the ponds around Mission Hill golf course but I am yet to work them out and spend most of my time hooking into bass, pumpkin seeds and bluegill. I find the best fly that I was using was a simple white clouser minnow with a flash of lime green in it. I have also had success with olive green ones. Early morning and the afternoons are the best times but saying that, you can get them all do but they need a little more convincing. I have had them take off the surface, before the clouser got wet enough to sink, otherwise a cast out into the deep or around reeds, slight twitching to vigorous twitching seems to fool them every time. Have also got them fast and slow retrieves.

10 x SJW ha ha classic

Hello fellow anglers, I am working on a fishing art piece and was wondering if I could call upon your opinions. The question I am asking is the following - If someone was to ask you what the 10 most iconic flies of Calgary were, what would be on your list? I know what your thinking, "yeah right, for art, you just want info about flies to use" ha ha well don't worry, my fly boxes are full and I'm no threat to the fish with my recent skunked missions. Anyway, any suggestions are will be greatly appreciated. If you are worried about people's judgment on your most iconic Calgary flies then PM me. Once again, thanks in advance for any opinions. I hope to post the work up on this if it turns out any good. Tight lines and bent rods to you all!

They look like they belong in a tropical fish tank.

They sure have some neat patterns and colours. I got this pumpkin last time was there http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l33/ejbac/Mobile%20Uploads/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-04/48A7D408-67EC-4A60-AC87-C19D1F2A35A9_zpsuouhhh3x.png

No fees, In-laws have a place down there that backs onto the course. I jump in the golf cart and go from hole to hole in the morning and the evenings before and after the golfers. I hear you with the frustration of the sport, the fishing makes the golf pain go away... that and the beers....

Bigdirty, not that one but I've heard they are in most of the courses out that way. Too much fun, you get one almost every cast down there.

I was recently down in Palm Springs and fly fished every day in the water hazards, plenty of large-mouth to be had as well as a few bluegill. If you are ever down that way for golf, make sure you take your rod and a few white and green clousers.

Fantastic photos, thanks for sharing. Got the fire inside burning even stronger!