Category: Myflyguy 2017

But do you think you could guide? In the summer of 2016 I asked myself, "could I be a fly fishing guide?"  I, like many of my fellow students, had been fly fishing for a good portion of my life and the thought of guiding had crossed my mind. I mean how hard could it really be? I know fly fishing. So putting some other shmoe on the edge of a river and hooking them up should be a natural extension. Right? Right! Well.....sort of right.  Yes the skills and knowledge of how to angle in my local waters are very important, but I quickly realized that fishing wasn't the only aspect that I would have to focus on.  This was a fact I was about to learn. Fishing was actually only but a smaller portion of guiding then I had anticipated. When we are forced to look at...

Just a quick update on Guiding Season. With all of the challenges in 2017 ; extreme drought, fires surrounding Alberta , and limited access to our amazing southern Alberta waters I have still had a pretty good season. I consider myself very fortunate to make a livelihood in the places that I love to be!  Sending love and prayers to all those effected by all the challenges that mother nature has thrown at us in the summer of 2017. Please be safe. Shane Olson  ...

Spending time with the animals that co-habitat our world. When we as anglers have dreams of the big fish we want to catch, and we are fortunate enough to actually realize those dreams I believe it can extinguish a fire inside of us. We have an intense adrenaline high and the following crash. Reflection of the moment. Did that just really happen? As a guide in Southern Alberta I have found new and invigorated passion for the sport I love and cherish by sharing it with others. I truly get a kick out of helping others find out what an amazing place Alberta is! Having said that, I still hold some of my angling dreams near and dear to my heart. And I peruse them relentlessly when time allows between Family, Guiding and my real job. My favorite of the local species is the Bull Trout! In Southern Alberta...

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Now I love the Southern Alberta Rocky Mountains as much as anyone, my earliest childhood memories are of the The Crowsnest Pass and The Oldman headwaters. In fact my family has been camping and fishing in the Dutch creek area for  approx 50yrs. The gin clear waters, ideal scenery , abundant wildlife. As a young man I used to believe that the Livingston valley was always green, year round!   When I started to get into Fly fishing seriously I began to discover that the mountains are not always green and that the waters at times are less then ideal for Cutthroat on the fly, or for any of our other native and non-native species. When we explore our wild country, we discover and learn more about our environments and by extension our seasons. Now spring runoff is not a new phenomenon by any means, this annual event is very...

I have an immense passion for the art of angling. Fly fishing is my preferred discipline, but I keep my mind open to all of the possibilities. I also extended this thought pattern to those I would like to fish with. Sitting around the lunch room and listening to some of my fellow workmates talk, you might believe that fishing is the domain of men only. That only men have what it takes, or that fishing is their chance to get away from the misses for a while. A few fellas might let the girlfriend tag along believing they don’t really have an interest in angling or it’s a way to get them of your back to allow you more time on the water. And there is a group that is actually worried that their lady might out fish them! Well my wife has been my fishing partner for...

All to often as a guide I find myself at times at odds in the world of fly fishing. I completely understand the importance of quality gear, great demeanor, and idealistic locals.   And ultimately we need to get fish in the boat to ensure that we can make clients happy and get a healthy review on our website. This is all good for business! But there are some activities that don’t directly profit our businesses but have long term ramifications on not only our industry but our homes and our water. This last May long weekend, one of the most beautiful on record, a small band of volunteers gave up their weekend in order to give something back to the resource that means so much to me for many reasons..not just my livelihood. If you are fortunate enough to be a fishing guide please remember where your bread...

So my bet fishing partner, my Wife, is an avid fly angler like myself. However , when it came to a certain species she was totally resistant. I do have to do some talking to convince hard core trout snobs that there are a lot more options than just salmanoid species. I would encourage anyone to give Northern pike on the fly a try, you’ll never look back. and after tonight I don’t think my fishing partner will either!!...