Jimbo

Our scheduled schools are filling nicely, but there are a few spaces available in schools this weekend. Here's the info: July 16 One-Day Introductory School July 16/17 2-Day Introductory School July 17 On-The-Water Experience We also have space for private clinics for one or two people through the rest of the summer. These are scheduled on a date of mutual availability. Visit our website for more information: www.mclennanflyfishing.com

Here's a list of our July fly-fishing schools that have space in them. Come and join us if you can. For details, see our website at mclennanflyfishing@me.com July 10, Spring Creek School; 2 spots remaining July 16, 1-Day Intensive; 1 spot remaining July 16/17, 2-Day Introductory Fly Fishing School July 16, 1-Day Introductory Fly Fishing School July 17, 1-Day On the Water Experience A great chance to spend time on the water with Alberta's most experienced instructors.

Jim and Lynda McLennan have a few spaces in our Spring Creek Fly-Fishing School on Sunday, July 10. This is held near Calgary on private property with a small brown-trout stream flowing through it. It has been one of our most popular schools in recent years. This school is intended for fly fishers with previous experience who want to learn how to approach and fish these small, more technical streams. Spend a day on the water with Jim or Lynda. Space is limited. Lunch is included. For more details, visit our website at mclennanflyfishing.com

Spend a day with Jim or Lynda McLennan and improve your fly-fishing skills. We still have mid-week dates available for private clinics, but our scheduled weekend schools are filling up. Here is what is available: Aug. 15/16 2-Day Introductory Fly Fishing School - 3 spots open Aug. 22 Befriending the Bow - 1 spot open Aug. 22 1-Day Introductory Fly Fishing School - 3 spots open Aug. 23 Beyond the Basics - 1 spot remaining. You can book both the Aug 22 and Aug 23 school and get the benefit (and the price) of a 2-day intro school. For information on these or other schools, visit our website at mclennanflyfishing.com or send us an email at mclennanflyfishing@me.com

Tricos usually show up on the Bow in early August (might be earlier this year), and you see the swarms of spinners in the mornings, not the evenings.

We have a full menu of fly-fishing schools for 2015, for both new and experienced fly fishers. Our two-day introductory schools have been very popular, but there is one spot open for May 23/24 and one open for May 30/31. In these schools we cover all the classroom information plus casting on the first day, and spend the second day continuing with casting and on-the-water instruction. They take place on the Bow. Send us an email (mclennanflyfishing@me.com) or visit our website (mclennanflyfishing.com) for more information. And, don't forget to watch Jim co-host Fly Fusion TV on the World Fishing Network.

We have a couple of spots available in our small-stream intermediate-level school on July 26, and in our "Befriending the Bow" school (walk-and-wade school at our private location) on July 27. There are also a couple of spots open in the 1-day Intro school with Lynda on July 27. The following weekend, there is space available in a two-day Intro School, and a two-day Intermediate school (one day on the Bow, and one day on a small stream). If you're interested or know of someone who might be, send us an email at mclennanflyfishing@me.com, or visit the website at mclennanflyfishing.com

Been "oh for the Bow" for too long? Join Fly Fusion columnist and Blue Ribbon Bow author, Jim McLennan, in the May 26 "Befriending the Bow" fly-fishing school. It's held at our private location on the Bow downstream of Calgary. Find out what makes this great river tick. This school takes place at what is often a very good time on the river when there should be good hatches of "Victoria Day Caddis." For more information, visit www.mclennanflyfishing.com and click on Intermediate Level Fly Fishing Schools.

Our May fly-fishing schools are filling fast but we have a few spots available in the following schools: Deluxe Introductory Fly-Fishing Schools at our private location on the Bow: May 18, 19, 26 Befriending the Bow Intermediate-level school at our private location on the Bow: May 26 Technique Sampler I on the Bow: May 25 For more info on these and all our schools, visit our brand-new website at www.mclennanflyfishing.com and check out our schools page.

This was all discussed when the regulations were reviewed about 10 years ago. I was on the review committee, which was led by Trevor Rhodes, and he had some very good scientific data that led to the regulations we have today. If Trevor is around, maybe he could weigh in and provide us with some of that scientific information. I think regulation changes must be based on science, rather than on a fisherman's opinion (as well intended as it might be) that the fish "probably need a break from anglers." If that's the case, maybe we should close the river during the summer, when the angling pressure is at its highest and the fish are most vulnerable to anglers. I'm being facetious here, of course, but it is wise to be careful what you wish for. Don't mean to self-promote, but there's an essay on this kind of stuff in my Water Marks book. Jim McLennan

We have three spots in our "Listening to the Bow" school on Saturday, Aug.25, and two spots available in our "Small Stream Intensive" class on Sunday, Aug. 26. Both schools will be taught by Jim McLennan. Here's a link to more information on the Bow River School: http://www.mclennanflyfishing.com/mclennanbowschool.htm . Here's a link to info on the Small Stream School: http://www.mclennanflyfishing.com/mclennan...stepschools.htm If you're interested in attending or know someone who is, send us an email at mclennanflyfishing@me.com Thanks. Jim McLennan

Short notice I know, but we have two spots in our "Bow River Intensive" school on Saturday, Aug. 4, and two spots available in our "Small Stream Intensive" class on Sunday, Aug. 5. Both schools are for a maximum of four students, and will be taught by Jim McLennan. Here's a link to more information on the Bow River School: http://www.mclennanflyfishing.com/mclennanbowschool.htm (Scroll down to "Bow River Intensive"). Here's a link to info on the Small Stream School: http://www.mclennanflyfishing.com/mclennan...stepschools.htm If you're interested in attending or know someone who is, send us an email at mclennanflyfishing@me.com Thanks. Jim and Lynda McLennan

If there's someone on your Christmas list who'd like to learn to fly fish, you can buy them a McLennan Fly Fishing gift certificate for any dollar amount. We'll email you a nice gift certificate that can be printed and presented. The recipient can then contact us to select a fly-fishing school of his choice. Send us an email if you're interested: mclennanflyfishing@me.com Thanks to all our friends and clients who hang around this forum. We wish you a great Christmas. Jim and Lynda McLennan

We have some spaces in our final "Listening to the Bow" fly-fishing school on Sunday, Sept. 18, which will be taught by Jim McLennan. Follow this link to find out more information, and send us an email to register: http://www.mclennanflyfishing.com/mclennanbowschool.htm Jim McLennan

We have one spot available in our Lower Bow trip with Jim August 23/24. Follow this link for all the information: http://www.mclennanflyfishing.com/mclennantrips.htm Send us an email if you're interested of have questions. Jim McLennan

Join Jim as he delivers a powerpoint presentation at the Sheep River Library in Turner Valley the evening of Tuesday, April 5. This is a new program that highlights some of the best fly-fishing waters in Alberta, along with some surprise destinations nearby. The cost is $15, $5 of which goes to the Sheep River Library. If you'd like to go, send us an email at mclennal@telusplanet.net

It's not quite a Grammy nomination, but Jim McLennan's recently released CD, Six-String Gumbo, has been honoured by being named CD of the Week by CKUA radio. The CD, subtitled "Solo Acoustic Guitar" contains original tunes and arrangements of blues, swing, ragtime and pop tunes. Follow this link to read Peter North's review of the CD for CKUA and to hear samples of the tunes: http://www.ckua.com/pages/cdoftheweek Jim will be performing music from Six-String Gumbo at a concert in Okotoks on Saturday night, April 2 at the Rotary Performing Arts Center. The concert is a double bill with singer/songwriter, Paul Rumbolt. Tickets can be purchased by calling 403 938 3204, or online at www.okotoksculture.ca. Anyone interested in purchasing a CD can send us an email at mclennal@telusplanet.net.

Jim's new CD, Six-String Gumbo, is available now. It is a collection of solo fingerstyle guitar pieces, including original compositions and arrangements of blues, swing and pop tunes. If you'd like to purchase a copy, send us an email. A CD Release Concert will be held on Friday, March 18 at Carlson's on Macleod in High River, Alberta. Joining Jim in performance for part of the evening will be musical friends, Amos Garrett, David Wilkie, Denise Withnell, Steve Fisher, Joe Cunningham and Lynda McLennan. For tickets, call 403 601 8774. Check our website for more information: www.mclennanflyfishing.com

I think Gord at West Winds might have them on - wait for it - VHS. Maybe a couple of the other Calgary shops might have some also. Thanks for the nice comments. Jim

We have a few spaces available in our upcoming trips: 1. Two days on the Bow below Carseland, one night at the Silvertip Outfitters Camp. Trip dates are August 30/31 or September 11,12. Visit http://www.mclennanflyfishing.com/mclennantrips.htm 2. The Next Step intermediate-level fly-fishing school in the Crowsnest Pass August 15. Visit http://www.mclennanflyfishing.com/mclennan...nestSchools.htm Small groups, lots of one-on-one time with either Jim or Lynda. Email us at mclennal@telusplanet.net

I second the Thomas McGuane. Not all fishing, but another of his is An Outside Chance. Also, not all fly fishing, but all good, Coming West by Kevin Van Tighem. And, anything by Sid Marty. The Earth is Enough by Harry Middleton is wonderful.

How could I forget one of my favourite books? The Earth Is Enough by Harry Middleton

By novel, I presume you mean fiction, in which case I recommend Dave Ames' work - A Good Life Wasted, particularly (actually a little hard to tell how much is fiction and how much isn't, but it reads as a novel).

The grayling usually like dries and aren't that particular. Adams, Stimulator, Elk Hair Caddis etc, usually work. You might take some big streamers as there are bulls there too. Jim

On the Missouri River in Montana I once watched a bald eagle take a fish from an Osprey in mid-air. It happened a couple of hundred feet up and was really something to see.