The team a PA looks forward to March and April every year here in BC.  Here are a few of the main reasons:

• Steelhead season gets into full swing
• Swinging fry & sculpin patterns for bulltrout on the Squamish
• Cutthroat fishing with fry patterns hits its peak in March
• Winter chinook fishing in the local saltwater
• The first signs of lake fishing!

As you will see, our courses in March & April are designed to arm you with with the best information to enable you to have the most success when you put your hard earned time looking for a tight line at this time of year.

Many of our courses have sold out either shortly after we posted the courses or as soon as we highlight them in our Friday Fishing Report or on FB.   The following are the courses that are coming up in March & April.  If any of these courses are of interest, please do not hesitate to call in to the store and reserve your spot.

NOTE:  If your course is SOLD OUT.  CALL TO BE PUT ON RESERVE LIST FOR NEXT CLASS – customers on reserve list get contacted first for new courses.

To review the rest of the current courses that are upcoming please view them by downloading the Pacific Angler 2014 Course Schedule PDF.

Sacred Coast Photography Workshop © 2014

The Sacred Coast Workshop is a photography class helping photographers from all levels learn how to create and capture unique and dramatic images worthy of a frame and wall space. Aaron is a well published photographer from Vancouver shooting primarily fly fishing, nature, landscape and active outdoor lifestyle. Aaron leads this class through a series of slides aiming to showcase proven techniques in order to help students understand the fundamentals of photography.

We encourage those who are interested in photography at all levels from beginners to advanced to take this workshop. All cameras welcome from phone camera from point and shoot to pro DSLR.

Class Size: 20
Cost: $40per person
Seminar Date: Tuesday, March 11^th / 6:30pm – 930pm

Topics include:

• Cameras and lens selection (point & shoot versus pro dslr)
• Camera settings that help you achieve the look your after
• Shutter speed, Depth of field and ISO
• Framing and Composition – Make your images stand out
• Packing your gear – keep your camera dry
• Proper fish handling for catch & release photography – fish first every time

INTRODUCTORY COURSES

INTRODUCTION TO FLY FISHING

This course was specifically designed to give the new fly fisher the basic knowledge, casting skills and fly fishing strategies to effectively fish our local BC waters. This course is comprised of two sessions; 3hr evening seminar and a 3hr casting session. The dates below show the seminar date first and casting date second.

Class Size: 12
Cost: $125.00
Dates: (Mar 19 & 23 – 7spots left), (Apr 7 & 13)
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Casting Time(s): 10am – 1pm or 2pm – 5pm

INTRODUCTION TO FLY FISHING LAKES – Matt Sharp

This course will give you an in-depth look at the of fly fishing lakes. We explore equipment, techniques, major insect hatches and ideal lakes to begin with. You will learn all you need to plan your next successful lake trip to one of BC’s 5,000 lakes! This course is comprised of one 3hr evening seminar.

Class Size: 20
Cost: $45.00
Dates: Apr 23 or May 6
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Customer Testimonial:

Hi Jason

Please will you convey my appreciation to Matt for last night’s workshop on “Intro to Fly Fishing Lakes”. I learned a great deal and look forward to the next workshop. Maybe now I can finally start fishing in Canada.

Kind regards

Eden J. – May, 2013

INTRODUCTION TO CHIRONOMID TECHNIQUES – Trevor Welton

Chironomids are the number one food source for trout in BC’s lakes; however, few anglers have taken the time to become true masters of this discipline. Those that do are often rewarded with the largest fish. Trevor is a former member of the Canadian Fly Fishing Team and an excellent chironomid angler. Dedication to his sport has helped Trevor become one of the top fly fishermen in the province as well as a fisheries biologist working for Dillon Consulting. This course is comprised of one 3hr evening seminar. Content is for beginner to advanced.

Class Size: 20
Cost: $45.00
Dates: Apr 16, Apr 29 and May 7
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

FLY TYING COURSES

TYING EPOXY FRY PATTERNS – Andre S.

Epoxy fly patterns were developed here on the west coast to capitalize on the large fry emergence every spring. Pacific Angler will help you unlock the secrets to applying epoxy, which can be a very tricky material to work with. During the course your instructor will teach you how to imitate the different salmon fry species, the different methods to shaping bodies, adding eyes, and other important techniques. Course is suitable for intermediate/advanced tiers. Students are required to supply their own vise, tools and materials. A 10% discount is available on materials and tools purchased for the course.

Class Size: 7 (5spots left)
Cost: $40.00
Dates: Mar 4 or Mar 26
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

INTRODUCTION TO FLY TYING – Andre S.

There is no greater satisfaction than catching a fish with a fly you tied yourself. This course was specifically designed to give you the fundamental skills needed to tie proven fly patterns used here in BC for trout, salmon, and steelhead. This course consists of 3 sessions; each session is 3hrs. Students are required to supply their own vise, tools and materials. A 10% discount is available on materials and tools purchased for the course.

Class Size: 7
Cost: $75.00
Dates: (Apr 8, 15 & 22)  5 spots left!
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

TYING CHIRONOMID FLY PATTERNS – Andre S.

80% of a trout’s diet consists of chironomids whose patterns vary from lake to lake. This 3-hour evening seminar will teach you how to tie a variety of the most effective chironomid patterns used in BC’s world-renowned lakes. You will finish this course understanding the very specific technical aspects ranging from beads, ribbing, colors, and body shapes. Students are required to supply their own vise, tools and materials. A 10% discount is available on materials and tools purchased for the course.

Class Size: 7
Cost: $40.00
Date: Apr 30
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

RIVER COURSES

FLY FISHING FOR SEARUN CUTTHROAT TROUT IN RIVERS – Andre Stepanian

This spring make sure to get out and take advantage of the world-class cutthroat fishing in the Lower Mainland. This cutthroat course is designed to educate you on the life cycle, location, seasonal feeding habits, and successful techniques and flies used to catch these elusive yet aggressive fish. This course consists of a 3hr evening seminar and a fully guided day on the water

Class Size: 8
Cost: $225.00
Dates: Seminar Mar 12 Guided Mar 15 or 16 (SOLD OUT)
Seminar Mar 18 Guided Mar 22 or 23
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

SALTWATER COURSES

MASTERING LOCAL SALTWATER SALMON FISHING – Jason T.

Over 50 million salmon migrate past Vancouver annually. Learn how to catch these fish with a Pacific Angler. This course offers an in-depth look at the local saltwater scene. We cover the local saltwater salmon fishing for the entire year, showing you the how, when, and where. This course includes a 3hr evening seminar and a fully guided day on the water in one of our Grady Whites with guide Jason Tonelli.

Class Size: 8
Cost: $250.00
Dates: Seminar Apr 9th (Guided Apr 12th or 13th) – SOLD OUT
Seminar Apr 28th (Guided May 3rd or 4th) – 2 Spots Left
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Customer Testimonial:

Hi Jason,

I just wanted to thank you again for an incredible day fishing and sharing all your knowledge with us during the “Master the Local Saltwater Salmon Fishing Course”. It was amazing how much info there was. I am busy at work and just dying to get out again. It’s driving me nuts. I can’t stop going back and looking at the photos! Obsessed just a bit!

Maybe I’ll see you at the shop when I stock up on the right stuff!

Cheers

Joe Campo (the chef from the Westin Bayshore)

STEELHEAD COURSES

STEELHEAD FLOAT FISHING – Jason T.

In this fishery, 10% of the anglers catch 90% of the fish. This is your chance to learn from the 10%! Our 3hr evening seminar will educate you on the gear, water types, conditions and other key variables that put veteran steelhead anglers in that 10%. Mastering this fishery will make you the envy of your friends.

Upgrade your seminar to include a fully guided day on the water, putting into practice your new knowledge with a Pacific Angler guide.

Class Size: 20  (3 spots left)
Seminar Only Cost: $45.00 (before taxes)
Seminar & Guided Walk’n Wade Cost: $400 for one person or $500 for two people
Dates: Seminar on Feb 19. Guided trip dates are flexible.
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Customer Testimonial:

I just wanted to thank you guys for putting on a top notch course on “Float Fishing for Steelhead”. The information that we learned combined with the hands on practice of these techniques was invaluable.

Our instructor/guide Dimitri did an amazing job teaching us the course material and then fine tuning these techniques on the river. He also got us into two beautiful wild steelhead! There were more but I was asleep on the take and we won’t talk about that). I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in steelhead fishing it gives you the tools to succeed.

Needless to say you have created a new “steelhead junkie” and Pacific Angler’s is my new local fishing shop even though I live 40km away.

Thanks again and see you soon

Isaac – Mar, 2013

WINTER STEELHEAD ON THE FLY – Matt S.

Fishing for winter steelhead on the fly (single hand or Spey) is arguably one of the most challenging and rewarding fisheries in BC. Let our steelhead gurus help you unlock the mysteries of these magical fish with their decades of steelhead guiding knowledge. This course consists of a 3hr evening seminar and 1 full day of guided fishing on the water. In the seminar we will go over rods, reels, lines, sink tips, flies and reading water and swung fly techniques. The fully guided day on the water we will be work on casting, reading water and swinging the fly.

Class Size: 6
Cost: $250.00
Dates: Seminar Mar 5 Guided Mar 8 or 9 (2spots left)
Seminar Mar 25 Guided Mar 29 or 30 (SOLD OUT)
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Aaron Goodis Fly Casting Courses

When it comes to fly fishing and fly casting Aaron holds both a Federation of Fly Fishers Casting Instructor Certification and an Adapted Fly Casting Institute Certificate. By earning these certificates Aaron has broadened his knowledge, grown a lot as a fly fisher and more importantly as an instructor.

Spey Casting – “The Modern West Coast Skagit Style”

This class will focus on “The Modern West Coast Skagit Style” of Spey casting. Students will be taught the ins and outs to all things Skagit Spey, they will be taught with thorough demonstration and one on one time how to overcome the challenges associated with two handed fly rods. Students should leave this class with a much better understanding of Skagit Spey casting and fishing, they will be able to overcome the obstacles faced during a real fishing day.

Class Size: 8-10
Cost: $125per person
Seminar Date & Time: Thursday March 13th / 730pm – 9pm  (SOLD OUT)
Casting Date & Time: Saturday, March 15th / 10am – 4pm (Mamquam River – Squamish)

Topics will include:

• The Theory
• Your Equipment – Understanding the Gear
• Casting Methods: The Skagit Poke, The Skagit Circle Spey, The Skagit Double Spey
• River Right versus River Left
• Running Line Management
• Dealing with the Wind
• Sink Tip Selection
• Mending Techniques

Single Hand Fly Casting – Advanced Distance

This is for the fly fisher with experience looking to improve their accuracy, distance and over all style and control over the fly cast. Learn “the double hall” for improved distance, casting angles to help with pin point accuracy and dealing with the elements such as wind, line drag, and running line management. Students should leave the class with a much better understanding of how to achieve better distance and accuracy with their fly casting.

Class Size: 6
Cost: $100per person  (SOLD OUT)
Date & Time: Sunday, March 2^nd 10am – 1pm (local park TBD)

Topics Include:

• Fly Line Loop Control
• The Double Hall for Increased Distance
• The Drift
• Power & Tempo
• Casting Stroke Angles for Accuracy & Distance
• Dealing with Wind

Single Hand Fly Casting – Faults & Fixes

This is a course designed for beginner to intermediate fly fishers looking to learn without “the bad habits” or anyone looking to tune up their fly cast. We look at and break down the bare basics of fly casting. Students should leave this class feeling much more confident about their fly casting, they will have a much better sense of how to overcome and correct their bad habits.

Class Size: 6 (4 spots left)
Cost: $100per person
Date & Time: Saturday, May 3rd / 10am – 1pm (local park TBD)

Topics will include:

• The Casting Loop – Size & Shape
• Loop Control
• The Casting Stroke and its Relation to Fly Line Length
• Speed, Power & Tempo

Equipment Recommended:

• Single handed fly rod 5-10wt
• WF Floating Fly Line
• Sunglasses or Eye Protection

To view all dates & times for Pacific Angler 2014 course schedule, please view them by downloading the Pacific Angler 2014 Course Schedule PDF.

Additional course dates are added throughout the year due to demand.

Please contact the store for additional information or to be added to a wait list.

Pacific Angler Retail: 604-872-2204

On behalf of the Pacific Angler staff we wish you the best in your fishing endeavors and we hope to see you either at the shop or on the water. To check out the latest Pacific Angler news view the Pacific Angler Facebook page.

Jason, Matt, Andre, Max, Eddie, Jordan and Bryce