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!

Thanks for the replies, I have done some searching through past topics I guess my main focus is a good starter fly if there is such a thing to work back into tying. One of the more simple flies (once again, if there is such a fly). Maybe one that some of you may have started tying in the beginning. Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it.

My Olympus has been fantastic, it is from a few years back but it is super durable (I lost one in the weeds about 5m deep in Italy in salt water and found it the next day and it worked just fine after being submerged for 12 + hours) . The gopro is also a good option because with a head mount it will capture your hookup and fight and you can pull stills off the video (my profile pic is a still taken off a video that I took, but I had to drop the res for the upload). Saying all that, a point and shoot waterproof camera will take good footage and better stills. You can always hand it to a fishing buddy and get him to capture your fight. My experience is very narrow as I have not used either of the other options that you are looking so I hope it is still helpful. Good luck with the purchase.

Hi all, I have had limited experience tying flies, the only style I have made are variations of Clouser Minnows for salt water fishing in Australia. It is a great buzz to fool a fish with a self tied fly and I am keen to dust off the old tying kit and attempt a few new patterns. Does anyone have any suggestions of a good starter fly or flies that would be useful for this area? Thanks for your help.

Thank you all for your time and your advice, I really appreciate it. Looks like I have some valuable reading to do. Thank you for putting me in the right direction. Cheers.

Thanks Current, I will be sure to do some investigating and pick up a copy of Jim's book. Do you know of any other locally related texts that are worth a read. Thanks for your time.

Sorry Doc if I stirred the pot by asking for advice too soon. Unintentionally. I guess I just cut to the chase because of my eagerness. Thanks for the tips. Regards

I know that each bloke and lady for that matter holds their fishing spot close to his chest and I am gratefully respectful of that. Rather than GPS locations I am mearly seeking some advice or direction as to some alternative and less obvious (at least to me) fishing possibilities as this Spring like weather begins to twitch my stripping hand. I have recently moved to Calgary from Australia , not to plague the ski hill like my fellow brothers but to be with my Wife's family. My father in law introduced me to the wonderful world of fly fishing and gave me my first rod and reel set up. He has shown me the ropes and taken me on some fantastic floats down the Bow. I recently moved from Inglewood where I fished with success over the warmer months after being displaced by the floods from Rideau. I love each and every aspect of fishing from open water down rigging, the novelty of ice fishing and now most of all flicking fly around to entice a trout. I was wondering if anyone would be so kind to share some ideas as to where I can expand my fishing adventures outside of Calgary. I would love to know of some quieter streams or river systems that would offer a new adventure. As for targeted species, I'm not too picky at all and all fish I catch are C&R. If you are not comfortable sharing your thoughts on this feed I would be very appreciative if you sent me a PM with some ideas. I know the importance of secret honey holes so general ideas are just fine. Thanks In advance for any advice. Cheers