When it’s impossible to be on the River
An incredible deluge hit southern BC and Alberta this week, resulting in flash floods and evacuations. Canmore Alberta received as much rain as normally falls in half a year in one day! Near Fernie, residents who live near the Elk River were evacuated too. Because of the suddenness of the runoff, rivers are silty and full of debris. Fly fishing will be on hold in this eastern area, so to get away for the weekend looking at coastal rivers such as the Pitt, Squamish or Fraser might make more sense. The Columbia River is also running high, but the turbidity is not nearly as bad and fly fishing techniques for high water will make a day successful despite the conditions.
Another idea is to dream of flies or work on some fly tying of your own. A stockpile of great flies is one of your best assets on the water. Since the sport began, fly fishermen have been making artificial flies to imitate the thousands of insects the fish feed on, in all their life stages. Originally, only natural materials like fur and feathers we used, but now flashy synthetics have a place alongside the more traditional elements.
There are several sites online where you can find libraries with a wide variety of flies - either to inspire a weekend of tying or just to ogle. Some focus on matching the hatch as closely as possible, and adapting classics to local fish stocks and conditions. Others use brilliant colours and textures that would never occur in nature. Suggested patterns for trout, bull trout, and salmonids would work on any of the rivers Holy Waters guides on, such as the Columbia, Elk, Salmo, Slocan, Pitt, Squamish and Fraser Rivers.
Take note of what fish the flies are recommended for, as each of the trout or salmonid species will have preferred prey that you can imitate visually, and imitate their movement with fly fishing techniques. Fly tying becomes part of the progression of immersion in the sport, and a proficient fisherman can have a kit on hand on any river. This makes it easy to try a new pattern on the fly.
Holy Waters has taken the time to visit each location, stay at every accommodation and fish with every guide. You can be assured that you will be fishing with a professional that knows the waters, knows the hatches, knows the techniques and will take care of you as you deserve to be taken care of Holy Waters was conceived to eliminate the guesswork when planning a fly fishing adventure in British Columbia.
An incredible deluge hit southern BC and Alberta this week, resulting in flash floods and evacuations. Canmore Alberta received as much rain as normally falls in half a year in one day! Near Fernie, residents who live near the Elk River were evacuated too. Because of the suddenness of the runoff, rivers are silty and full of debris. Fly fishing will be on hold in this eastern area, so to get away for the weekend looking at coastal rivers such as the Pitt, Squamish or Fraser might make more sense. The Columbia River is also running high, but the turbidity is not nearly as bad and fly fishing techniques for high water will make a day successful despite the conditions.
Check out more details at http://www.guidesforflyfishing.com or email us at
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