Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival 2015 - A Look Back

The Cardel theatre lobby is a great mid-winter gathering place for fly fishers to mix and mingle

 Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival 2015 - A Look Back

What a great crowd of film fest fans we had! This sold out event had the Cardel lobby and theatre bursting at the seams with high energy.

The Perogy Boyz food truck (which we forgot to take a photo of :-( ) was busy from the get-go. Raffle ticket sales were brisk, and our "Friends of Back Cast FFFF" had many interested visitors.

Many thanks again to the Bow River fly fishing community for supporting this special event. :-)

Michelle (left), owner/operator, Bow River Shuttles and host of Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival, and volunteer Kim M., with raffle tickets at the ready.

Just three of almost 150 happy campers/fishers who came out for a fun evening of food, films and fellowship! The fly fisher on the left walked away with one of the Rio lines donated by @Ruben Breitkrreutz!

Taking a close look at one of more than two dozen items that were up for grabs, thanks to our "Supporters of Back Cast FFFF".

Daniel and Joanne (not in photo) Berezan, Dolly Varden Outdoor Clothing | http://www.dollyvardenoc.com/

You can see more photos from our event album at this link: http://on.fb.me/1B20A46

Thanks to our "Supporters of Back Cast FFFF" for the raffle items! 

Fish Tales Fly Shop | Iron Bow Fly Shop & Outfitters | Bow River Troutfitters | Country Pleasures Fly Fishing | Hanson's Fishing Outfitters | West Winds Fly Shop | The Fishin' Hole Canada (Calgary) | Anne Rurak/Willowcraft (Kamloops) | Calgary Hook and Hackle Club | Original Joe's: Quarry Park | Wholesale Sports | Dolly Varden Outdoor Clothing | Temple Fork Outfitters Canada | RIO PRODUCTS & Ruben Breitkreutz | SilverTip Fly Company | Reelflies Fishing Flies | Trout Unlimited Canada | Bow Habitat Station | April Vokey- FlyGal Ventures | Pieroway Fly Rods | McLennan Fly Fishing | Patagonia Calgary | CATCH MAGAZINE

Water Woes

Kevin Van Tighem, former superintendent of Banff National Park, spoke at a CPAWS event in Calgary on Friday Feb 27.
Photo, Leah Hennel / Calgary Herald

Water Woes

A local conservationist highlights the water woes plaguing the eastern slopes of the Rockie

The CBC Calgary Eyeopener podcast for Friday Feb 27

Listen here: http://bit.ly/1BNNola

Taxpayer group questions worth of $309-million flood mitigation project

This is the area in Springbank that would be affected by a provincial government plan to build an off-stream reservoir for flood mitigation.
Colleen De Neve / Calgary Herald

Taxpayer group questions worth of $309-million flood mitigation project

by Matt McClure, Calgary Herald, Feb 27, 2015

A new study says Premier Jim Prentice’s pledge last fall to build a dry reservoir to protect Calgary against future floods from the Elbow River at a cost of $309 million makes economic sense.

But a taxpayer lobby group says the cost-benefit analysis of the Springbank Off-Stream Storage project fails to account for the amount and likely price of the land the province will need to purchase so it can construct the massive canal and dam west of the city to divert and hold excess waters during a disaster.

The study by IBI Group Inc. figures the province will have to pay $4o million to acquire around 700 hectares, but the government’s own documents show it will need over 1,400 hectares that a land valuation expert consulted by the Herald conservatively estimates would cost taxpayers at least $139 million.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/1E1gXyj

Conservationist calls on province to manage eastern slopes for water

A young female grizzly feeds near the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course in Banff National Park on June 11, 2014.
Photo, Leah Hennel / Calgary Herald

Conservationist calls on province to manage eastern slopes for water

by Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald, Feb 25, 2015

Alberta needs to stop managing the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies for timber and start managing the landscape for water, says a well-known local conservationist, biologist and author, noting it would also improve the habitat for grizzly bears.

Kevin Van Tighem, who retired as superintendent of Banff National Park in 2011, will speak Friday night at Wild Soiree: Bears & Water, hosted by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society in Calgary.

 Read more here: http://bit.ly/1ESpqCH

European Nymphing with John Nishi - A Look Back

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Fish Tales Fly Shop - Sun Feb 22, 2015

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Today along the Bow River - Feb 23, 2015

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

High today 12°C, Scattered Clouds, wind avg 13, max 30

A good day to float 22X to Police. The gate at 22X is locked, so you need a boat that you can carry to the water - pontoon boat, fishing raft, canoe, etc.

Official Trailer - Gyre: Creating Art From a Plastic Ocean

A team of scientists and artists investigates the buildup of marine debris along the Alaskan coast. Their goal: to create art from the trash they find and raise awareness about its impact on oceans and wildlife.

Watch full video here: http://bit.ly/1Gd3mUh

Voices from the River

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

#bowriver #flyfishing

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Trout, give me some respect

Trout, give me some respect - frontsidefly.com 2015 from Stefan Ågren on Vimeo.

Ocean waste hits home: Plastic-filled fish guts ruins Chilliwack man's catch

The chunks of plastic Jordan Butt found inside a steelhead trout he caught on the Vedder River.
Photograph by: Nic Procaylo , PNG

Ocean waste hits home: Plastic-filled fish guts ruins Chilliwack man's catch
 
By Nick Eagland, The Province February 19, 2015

A Chilliwack fisherman thought the steelhead he hooked last week on the Vedder River would make a fine supper before he cut it open to find its body stuffed with garbage.

Jordan Butt, 32, said he felt “disgusted” by what he found Feb. 13: Shards of blue, orange, black and white plastic, some the size of a loonie, perforating the fish’s stomach and shredding its anus.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/1DH8Ern

Adventure Movie Night: Last Paradise (Awesome!) - Feb 24

 

Adventure Movie Night: Last Paradise (Awesome!)
February 24 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

“I’ve watched the short version of this film in New Zealand and it is AWESOME! A must see for any adventurer, ecotourism student/professional, or concerned global citizen.” – Don, Executive Director, Calgary Area Outdoor Council http://caoc.ab.ca/

Here’s the rundown:

In the extraordinary wilderness of Australia and New Zealand a bunch of daredevil kids experimented with something that would change the world of adventure travel. Through 45 years of the most stunning original footage we join the original extreme sports pioneers in an epic journey of adrenaline seeking. Their global quest for adventure takes us on the road less traveled during the 60’s and 70’s to witness firsthand the discovery of amazing paradises that few ever knew of – before they tragically disappeared. Yet the very same pioneering spirit provides the answer to turning it all around.

ORDER TICKETS ONLINE:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/last-paradise-film-the-worlds-greatest-story-of-adventure-and-innovation-tickets-15014635178?aff=efbevent

View Trailer > http://lastparadisefilm.com/

This is a fundraising event in support of the Calgary Area Outdoor Council.

Parker's Top 50 Favorite Things about Northwest Rivers

 
This fun new video celebrates the best things about Northwest rivers, from a kid’s perspective. From sun rain, to waterfalls, to wild salmon, to time with mom, it’s the rivers that make the Northwest such a special place to live. 

Explore more about Northwest rivers at www.AmericanRivers.org/Northwest

A little love from Twitter fans & supporters

Click on image to enlarge

A little love for Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival from our Twitter fans & supporters.  :-) 

#bowriver #flyfishing #backcastfilmfest

Today along the Bow River - Feb 19, 2015

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

High today 10°C, mostly cloudy, wind avg 19, max 39

As we were finishing up at Policeman's Flats, an eagle flew past over the water, heading downstream. He eventually doubled back, and landed near the top of a very tall poplar tree, just a few metres from us.

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Kate Middleton, The Duchess of Cambridge, Speaks To End Children's Mental Health Stigma In Rare Video Appearance

Kate Middleton, The Duchess of Cambridge, Speaks To End Children's Mental Health Stigma In Rare Video Appearance

By Louise Ridley, The Huffington Post UK, Feb 16, 2015

Read more here: http://huff.to/1DjaT5z

Trout Streams of Alberta

Trout Streams of Alberta

(Revised and Updated 2014)
Signed by Jim McLennan

Donated by McLennan Fly Fishing for raffle at 2015 Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival

Benefitting Canadian Youth National Fly Fishing Team

The Perogy Boyz at Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival - Feb 18, 2015

 

The Perogy Boyz at Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival - Feb 18, 2015

The Perogy Boyz will be on hand tomorrow afternoon at the Cardel Theatre at 5:00 pm to serve the masses at our SOLD OUT Back Cast FFFF!

#bowriver #flyfishing #fytying #calgary #yyc — at Cardel Theatre.

Supporters of Back Cast Fly Fishing Flim Festival 2015

Click on any poster for larger image

Thank you to all of our Supporters for their generous donations to our raffle!

Fish Tales Fly Shop Iron Bow Fly Shop & Outfitters Bow River Troutfitters Country Pleasures Fly Fishing Hanson's Fishing Outfitters West Winds Fly Shop The Fishin' Hole Canada (Calgary) Anne Rurak/Willowcraft (Kamloops) Calgary Hook and Hackle Club Original Joe's: Quarry Park Wholesale Sports Dolly Varden Outdoor Clothing Temple Fork Outfitters Canada RIO PRODUCTS @Ruben Brietkreutz @Silvertip Fly Company Reelflies Fishing Flies Trout Unlimited Canada Bow Habitat Station April Vokey- FlyGal Ventures Pieroway Metal Detector Spey Rods McLennan Fly Fishing Patagonia Calgary CATCH MAGAZINE

Garments for your every outdoor adventure

Shirts & Pants (5 sets) & Pro-Style Caps

Donated by Dolly Varden Outdoor Clothing for raffle at 2015 Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival

Benefitting Canadian Youth National Fly Fishing Team

Custom ordered for size, men’s or women’s
Company founders Daniel and Joanne Berezan will be at Back Cast FFFF

http://www.dollyvardenoc.com/

Watch Bill Murray Sing Bob Dylan's 'Shelter From the Storm'

Bow River Shuttles writes: "We rarely, if ever, talk movies on our sites, with the notable exception of fly fishing movies. However, we really enjoyed the flic St. Vincent over the weekend. The very last scene had Bill Murray singing along with one of our favourite Bob Dylan tunes - 'Shetler from the Storm'.

Read Rolling Stone's comments here: http://rol.st/1A1mpjn

'River Talk' by Mike Crosby (signed by author)

'River Talk' by Mike Crosby (signed by author)

Donated by https://www.facebook.com/pierowayrods for raffle at 2015 Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival

Benefitting Canadian Youth National Fly Fishing Team

River Talk is a compilation of stories, fishing tips and information on flies, by Mike Crosby. Mike has spent the better part of the past 37 salmon seasons wandering the rivers of Atlantic Canada and the Gaspe Coast of Quebec. As a novice angler, Mike began to make a record of each salmon he caught and these records now serve as the basis for “River Talk”.

Dee's Favourite Bow River Flies & Flybox

Dee's Favourite Bow River Flies & Flybox

Donated by Iron Bow Fly Shop & Outfitters for raffle at 2015 Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival

Benefitting Canadian Youth National Fly Fishing Team

Eight million tons of plastic is dumped at sea each year...

Click on poster for larger image

Eight million tons of plastic is dumped at sea each year...that's five whole bags-full for every foot of the world's coastline

- China topped the league, accounting for up to 3.5 million tons a year
- Other main offenders are Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Sri Lanka
- United States contributes just 77,000 tons, which is less than 1%

By Fiona Macrae, Daily Mail, Feb 12, 2015

So much plastic is dumped into the sea each year that it would fill five carrier bags for every foot of coastline on the planet, scientists have warned.

Around 8million tons of plastic bottles, bags, toys and other plastic rubbish ends up in the world’s oceans each year.

The ‘staggering’ total is much higher than previous estimates – and enough to leave an area around 25 times the size of Manchester ankle-deep in plastic waste. 

Read more here: http://dailym.ai/1A09Ncq

Simms Fishing Products - Headwaters™ Taco Bag

 

Simms Fishing Products - Headwaters™ Taco Bag

Donated by Country Pleasures Fly Fishing (2 bags) for raffle at 2015 Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival

Benefitting Canadian Youth National Fly Fishing Team

The ingenious Headwaters™ Taco Bag takes wet waders and boots and sandwiches them in waterproof fabric to keep your car or house floors mud free. Bags house up to two stockingfoot waders and two pairs of wading boots for headache free transport to and from the river.

The Upper Bow River Basin: Our Watershed's Future

How does your water get from the headwaters to you and what trade-offs do we need to make for clean water and protection against flood and drought?

via Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative and CPAWS Southern Alberta

fishpond - San Juan Vertical Chest Pack

fishpond - San Juan Vertical Chest Pack

Donated by West Winds Fly Shop for raffle at 2015 Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festivall

Benefitting Canadian Youth National Fly Fishing Team

The San Juan Chest Pack is ready to grab and go.

Bow River Shuttles captures Mariko Izumi's 'White Hat' pledge

We're pleased that visiting fishing celebrity Mariko Izumi (Hookin' Up with Mariko Izumi) chose to use Bow River Shuttles' photo of her making the The City of Calgary 'White Hat' pledge in her final photo collage from her attendance at the Calgary Boat & Sportsmen's Show last weekend.

Simms Fishing Products - Dry Creek Chest Pack

Simms Fishing Products - Dry Creek Chest Pack

Donated by Bow River Troutfitters for raffle at 2015 Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival

Benefitting Canadian Youth National Fly Fishing Team

A great lightweight chest pack - easy to access, perfect for the minimalist.

FISHtival (Calgary) - Feb 14, 2015

Bow Habitat Station writes: "It's that time already! Kick off Family Day Weekend with our FISHtival this Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tell your friends, bring your Valentine & prepare for indoor & outdoor fun!"

Simms Fishing Products Headwaters Tackle Bag

 

Simms Fishing Products Headwaters Tackle Bag

Donated by Fish Tales Fly Shop for raffle at 2015 Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival

Benefitting Canadian Youth National Fly Fishing Team

Savvy organization for anglers with extras, Simms’ Headwaters™ Tackle Bag offers garage-like gear capacity from truck tailgate to boat deck and beyond. The easy-access primary compartment, with double-zipper closure, holsters an array of small to extra-large boxes, while exterior pockets are ready to receive a cache of tools, mono spools, and more. Additional features include tuckable rod-tube holders on the exterior, a waterproof TPU bottom, and rugged nylon DWR coated upper fabrics.

2015 5-weight Fly Reel Shootout & Review: What's the Best Trout Reel?

Read review here: http://bit.ly/1J2ojX0

H/T to Fly Fusion Magazine

Back Cast FFFF - SOLD OUT!

We are delighted to report that we have SOLD OUT Back Cast FFFF 2015!!!

We have now sold out six of the eight years of this special event's existence!

Thank you to all of our fans and supporters for making this happen.

For those lucky fans who have tickets, just a few reminders:

- Doors open at 5:00 pm. The Perogy Boyz will be on hand to feed the masses . :-)

- 'Pre-Event Social runs 5:00 pm-6:30 pm. Visit with 'The Friends of Back Cast FFFF' who will have display tables in the lobby.

- Please remember to bring a donation for the food bank.

- Bring some extra coin for the raffle. Many local fly shops and other fly fishing related businesses (see below) have donated items for the cause!

See you at the movies!

Kind regards,
Michelle
https://backcastflyfishingfilmfestival2015.eventbrite.ca/

Back Cast Fly Fishing Film Festival
Bow River Shuttles

Fish Tales Fly Shop Country Pleasures Fly Fishing West Winds Fly Shop Bow River Troutfitters Iron Bow Fly Shop & Outfitters The Fishin' Hole Canada(Calgary) Hanson's Fishing Outfitters

Patagonia Calgary Wholesale Sports (Calgary) Temple Fork Outfitters Canada Silver Tip Fly Company Reelflies Fishing Flies April Vokey- FlyGal Ventures Bow Habitat Station Original Joe's: Quarry Park Ruben Breitkreutz & RIO PRODUCTS Pieroway Custom Fly Rods Dolly Varden Outdoor Clothing Calgary Hook and Hackle Club Trout Unlimited Canada

Klinkhamer

Klinkhamer from Tightline Productions on Vimeo.

On January 28, 2015, we posted: "Tying the Klinkhamer at Bow River Troutfitters: A mid-day seminar on how to ty the original Klinkhamer dry fly and exactly which materials to use, by the originator of the pattern: Hans van Klinken"

H/T to Chi Wulff

It's a Pink, Pink, Pink, Pink World

It's a Pink, Pink, Pink, Pink World

at Calgary Boat & Sportsmen's Show

With apologies to "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", a 1963 American epic comedy film produced and directed by Stanley Kramer

Casting for Life (http://www.castingforlife.com/): 8 weight Limited Edition Sage 'Grace' Series pink rod with a Pink RIO Gold line, pink Sage 3200 series reel and pink rod tube.
 

Alberta Hunter Education Instructors Association (A.H.E.I.A):
Buckthorn Pink Browning shotgun, rifle and pistol.

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Prairies/NWT: 2015 Pink 'Minnie' 2101 FBS Winnebago. http://www.rvforthecause.ca/

 

A.H.E.I.A: Keep Calm and Hunt Like A Girl

NSTroutMal - Fly Fishing - Nova Scotia 2014

NSTroutMal - Fly Fishing - Nova Scotia 2014 from Malorie Crispo on Vimeo.

Calgary Boat & Sportsmen's Show - Day 4

Barry White - The Fly FIsherman tying at The Fishin' Hole Canada booth

Calgary Boat & Sportsmen's Show - Day 4

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my Bow River Shuttles booth, including all the new fishers we met who didn't know that a shuttle service existed along the Bow!

The Minnow Races always put a smile on everyone's face. Hosted by volunteers from Sarcee Fish and Game Association

Great Horned Owl at the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation. Just one of almost a dozen beautiful birds at this crowd pleasing display. The flash used for this photo created 'red eye'. This bird's pupils are black

A fly fishing river kayak, NuCanoe Frontier 10, from Ocean Sports http://oceansports.ca/ (click 'shop online')

Mariko Izumi makes the White Hat pledge

Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Mariko Izumi (Hookin' Up with Mariko Izumi) making the White Hat pledge at the Calgary Boat & Sportsmen's Show.

It is a tradition in Calgary to honor dignitaries and special guests with a special White Hat Ceremony. The honoree is presented with a white hat, asked to raise their right hand, and make the White Hat pledge.

Calgary Boat & Sportsmen's Show - Day 3

Shuttle client Mike Robertson (http://www.bowriverblog.com/) and his daughter, with Michelle, owner/operator Bow River Shuttles. Mike is attending the show representing Northland Tackle, Vexilar Electronics and Live Target Lures.

Celebrity fishing panel with Mariko Izumi (Hookin' Up with Mariko Izumi) Randy Nelson, Jim McLennan (McLennan Fly Fishing) and Claudio Ongaro's: HIRED to HUNT. Randy Nelson is the author of "Poachers, Polluters and Politics: A Fishery Officer's Career"
 

Bow Habitat Station
            

Jim McLennan (McLennan Fly Fishing) presenting "Trout Steams of Alberta"