  Episode 1 begins with high hopes… The show would begin with a light show, smoke filled room and a crazy dance party! And, well it definitely did, but was unfortunately just missing one important ingredient, the sound. After a few minutes dancing like fools, and talking with viewers, the eventually realized that 101 comments and 19 missed calls were people trying to let them know, they were on mute. Truly, what a magical way to start a new season of fly tying!  As the sound came back on, Dana mentioned he did it on purpose, and the reason was, he didn’t want that to overshadow their special guest singer for the night, Daryl Anderson with Darryl Anderson Music. Darryl graciously came on the show and sang a few songs for the audience, starting with a Chris Stapelton Cover, and then sang an original “ shots at the bar “. He finished with a Luke Combs cover “ when it rains it pours”( all can be heard on the replay)  The baking cam made an early appearance, showing only ingredients, and Dana mentioned, with all things TNL, the ingredients are supplied, and hopefully when they go together, they will make something everyone wants to eat.
To start the fly tying portion of the show, Tim announced the two flies for the evening. This time it's a sulphur nymph with a Silent Bob Streamer: Bead Head SBR Sulfur Nymph Hook: 2X-long nymph hook (here a Dai-Riki #730), sizes 14 BEAD: Gold Cyclops Bead, 7/64″ WEIGHT: Lead-free round wire, 020 THREAD: Wood duck, brown, black, or yellow 8/0 or 70 denier TAILS: Wood duck flank-feather fibers BODY/WINGCASE: Golden yellow pheasant-tail fibers THORAX: Golden stone Australian possum dubbing LEGS: Wood duck flank-feather fibers ADHESIVE: UV-cure resin TOOLS: Plunger-style hackle pliers, bodkin Silent Bob Hook: Fulling Mill 36040 Streamer Stripper - 1 Thread: Veevus GSP - White - 150 Denier Wire: Senyo Intruder Trailer Hook Wire - Black - Regular Belly: Ice Dub - UV Pearl Beads: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Gold - 3/16" (4.6mm) Tail: Brown Barred Magnum Rabbit Strips - Olive Gill Pack: Ice Dub - Red Gill Pack: Senyo's Barred Predator Wrap - Barred UV Head: Wapsi Premo Deer Hair Strips - Olive Eyes: Fluorescent Fly Eyes - Fl. Orange - 1/4" (6.3mm) Resin: Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow Resin: Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Thick (1/2 oz)  Before the Half time show, the baking cam was presented complete, with Sex in a Pan, and that proved to make some mouths water! 
During the half time show , a game of Water Master Raft Flyingo was played, and the prize was donated from Rocky Mountain Fly Shop / Shor Fishing / Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters: 1- Thursday night live photobook containing all the flies with all the 40 recipes ($45) 2- Flathead Sling waterproof by Fishpond($200) (https://rockymountainflyshop.net/products/fishpond-flathead-sling?_pos=1&_sid=e8d778f42&_ss=r) 3-Shor fly tying material kit ($100) There is a tie this week in Flyingo, which brought us to the dreaded tie breaker, and letting the automated computer do it’s thing, The winner came to Scott Hook! Congrats Scott! A bonus giveaway was also given away this week, in lieu of the upcoming Christmas party held at Tracks Pub in Olds, Alberta for Episode 2. The winner had to answer the question: Which two species of fish are in the commercials this week? The answer was Rainbow Trout ( rocky mountain fly shop commercial) and brook trout ( Water master rafts commercial) The winner was Chas Waitt!  Eventually towards the closing of the show Tim and Dana shared information regarding their flying kits and tools.
They further added that the kits are on sale and whoever likes it can purchase them. https://bit.ly/3rydYh4 At last the best part of the episode had come along. WHAT IS YOUR WIN? A good bunch of people shared their pleasing alluring awe inspiring incidents that they experienced throughout the week. Some people shared their hard and difficult times and how they managed to overcome those hurdles . To conclude Dana and Tim narrated that no WIN is too big or too small , they all matter! The next episode goes on air on Thursday Dec 16th, which is episode 2, and the Christmas party held at tracks pub in Olds, Alberta. It is Pizza night there, and the show will be shown on the monster big screen, with the sound on played throughout the whole pub! Rocky Mountain Fly Shop   Season 4 Episode Zero “ The Dress Rehearsal” The show started with Dana wearing a wig ( like the beard isn’t enough) and pretending Tim didn't exist then eventually Tim made his presence seen, so it was more than just a terrorizing thought in Dana’s head. Eventually things settled down , and they described their fly tying kits that are available for purchase. These kits are available for purchase on their website at https://bit.ly/3cIcB6M .The kit contains as a bonus this year. a 4x6 card with pictures of all 40 patterns ,six rolls of thread , 20% discount to Rocky Mountain Fly Shop, a $100 voucher to FFBR for a guided day on the water. The kit also has all 20 episodes ( each episodes includes each pattern fully tied, and the material to tie each pattern up to two more times).  Staying true to giveaways, They were giving away three prizes on this episode. 1.First giveaway was a Season 4 kit - question for this giveaway was “ What was the name of the couple who won the 80’s theme night last season” - the answer which no one got was, Morgan and Jade.  2. a box containing over 120 different dry flies ( valued over $700) - The question for this giveaway draw was “ what is the name of the pub where the christmas party will take place” - the answer was “Tracks Pub” which was won by Keith Branter.  3. A life size poster of all the 40 patterns ( same as the 4x6 in the box but 3’x4’) - The question for this giveaway was “ what is the name of the new sponsor, which is also the name of the new flyingo “ - The answer was “ Water Master Rafts” , and this was won by Shawn Allison
Tim went over some of the gear you'll need to get started tying flies, First of which is a bobbin. He then explained how to thread a bobbin. by simply inserting a clean, straight, and unfrayed thread tag into the bobbin holder tube's bottom and work it through carefully and gently in small increments. If you’re using a bobbin thread, Simply insert the wire from the top to the thread spool via the bobbin barrel, extending the loop near the spool. Then, thread the threader through the wire loop and pull it out of the bobbin's barrel's tip end, bringing the thread with it. To have a better experience with tying you'll need a decent vise, as well as a variety of scissors (Tim prefers at least three at a time to cut any type of hair, thread, or wires). You can also keep a pair of large scissors on hand to cut larger items like bucktails or clumps of hair in one go. Aside from that, when working with threads, a Norvis auto bobbin system comes in handy. With this system, you can reel the thread on the norvise bobbin and pull it to the stopper that acts as a cradle (hence the name bobbin cradle) and play around , putting on material, then bring the bobbin back from the cradle.  Tim later explained a few quick ways to making tying knots, finishing up your Some of you may have difficulty tying knots; however, the half hitch makes it much easier. Simply wrap the thread twice around any half hitch tool, place the small hole at the end on the hook, and pull off the thread sliding on to the hook and pull it tight. Now, if you’re trying to tackle the Whip finish tool, play close attention, Pull the thread out a bit and the first point of contact is the little poker at the end, stab it in and wrap it on the other bend on the end of the tool, and now the natural progression if pulling the thread hand is just going to flip over, let it flip and the thread will look like a four now where the running line crosses the main thread, lay that right on the hook shank, Wrap the thread around the hook as many times as you desire, then reverse the process to get the thread off the hook.  By the end of the show Tim and Dana had shared lots of advice on getting tying flies, and some essential tools that are needed to get going! If you’d like to get the kits, they are for sale, if you’d like to just keep watching, that is more than welcome too! . Alast, the best part of the night had arrived, WHAT IS YOUR WIN? Lots of people shared some pretty awesome things that happened throughout their week! Some people got some much needed time on the water with friends, some people cleared some big hurdles in their life, but the message that was resounding, was that everyone seemed to be super excited to be back together on Thursdays, and hanging out with the TNL FAM again! Heres to 20 more episodes, love , laughter, and some valiant efforts into tying some flies! The next episode airs December 9th, where Tim and Dana will tie The Silent Bob Streamer, as well as the SBR Sulfur Nymph. If you need the material lists, head over to www.flyfishingbowriver.com/tnls4
This season is setting up to be one to remember, Until til next time..   After a long winter of what always seems like forever, April 1st arrived, and that was a perfect day to hit the ES2 watershed in Central Alberta. We had an abnormally warm February and March in 2021, so this meant the rivers were probably going to be fishable on opener this season. No better way to get the season started than with a couple of my favorite people Tim Hepworth his daughter Wren, and our furry friend Harper Collins, a german short haired pointer who is always up for a good stroll down the river. We had big ambitions, as I am sure every does when they make a plan to go for a drive and hit the river. Lots of possibilities awaited us, in our adventure driven fantasies. Perhaps, this is the trip where we get some of the biggest bull trout we have ever seen, and why not get one of the brown trout that only few have ever seen out there. I guess you could say fly fisherman are eternal optimists, and I am ok with that! The drive out was a few hours from where we lived, and this time we were going to explore a new stretch of the river we hadn’t seen before, because we you do this, you get rewarded, right? Let us be dreamers, for the time being!
 We decided to take our 7wt Orvis Helios 3d , as we had little hope for any activity other than throwing some streamers, or maybe bouncing an indicator. We were destined for aggressive fish, so streamers it was! The weather was typical spring, and with a bit of sun poking through the clouds, we got a little heat, but not enough not to bundle up. After spending several hours, hope evaporating quickly and our arms getting sore, we decided to call it a day and head back to the truck! This time we packed a hot shore lunch, which required a little to get going! Sometimes having a quick shore lunch bestows perfection on the day, but today, we need something a little more hearty and warm to make this happen!
 This is always the time of the year, where I’m not totally sure if we should be wearing our orvis ultralight waders, or its still the season to be in the Orvis Pro waders. Difference is pretty much how much dry land hiking we will be doing, versus standing in the chilly waters! Before we got into roasting hot dogs, and cooking marshmallows over fire, I suggest whatever you decided to wear, you get out of them, cause hot items and waders don’t marriage well! Although we saw no fish, we were reminded that fish don’t make a perfect day, but the people you spend the day with do! Get outside more, and don’t worry about the results of catching fish, you’ll enjoy more days on the water. - Dana Lattery Love People Catch Fish 
 For the ones who don’t know, my name is Brandon Esposito, 27 years of age from Airdrie, AB - the summer of 2019 was my official first year guiding. Before this, my passion for fly fishing was growing rapidly, to the point, where I wanted to take my love for sport to the next level - possibly making a career out of it. As I started doing my research, I quickly found Guiding to be my path. Although Guide School was only noticed in the states, a group of men locally here in Calgary took the plunge and decided to set up shop here in Calgary. This quickly grabbed my attention, considering travel and accommodations down to Montana (where the bulk of Guide Schools are) was noticeably more expensive than the one here in Calgary. With the itinerary looking quite similar, it was a no brainer that this is what I wanted and taking this class will get me one step closer to my dream.  My initial feeling of intimidation when enrolling with Western Canada Fly Fishing Guide School was holy moly, these guides know there stuff and all though I was very familiar with the methodology of fly fishing the Bow River, adding a drift boat into the equation, with ZERO experience, also added the feeling of confusion. I didn’t know what to expect, taking a complete leap of faith into a path I was very unaware of. Adding on thousands of dollars in hopes I was making the right move. It didn’t matter. I knew in my heart this was the right move. Commit Now, Plan Later.  It’s here, finally. Booked months ago, eagerly waiting to start this next chapter in my life. A series of guides - Quinn Styles, Dana Lattery, Timothy Hepworth, and Troy Langelaar with Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters. People I’m very familiar with in the Instagram world. As the Itinerary was released, I became quickly aware that the most important factor I need to focus on was “time on the water.” Along side, a series of 6 days in two split weekends. Both weekends consisting of morning classroom work followed by time on the water. I promised myself to leave my ego at the door, become completely transparent and to open my mind up to the possibility of failure. Being completely overwhelmed with the amount of material and knowledge these guides were throwing at us, I had no choice but to remain silent and take in as much as possible.
As I took my first seat in a Hyde Drift Boat, my hands grabbing the oars, I instantly fell in love. Problem is, the boat was still on the trailer. Being completely different then what I was use to, I was very eager to get on the water and test my capability. Push, off the trailer into the water. With a brief explanation of what we’re doing, it was my turn to row. Dana standing in the front seat giving the order, I had to row from river left to river right. After doing multiple donuts and having both Dana and another student laughing hysterically, I realized two things: the stern is my steering wheel and I might be in over my head.  As the days went on, I studied the guides sitting in the driver seat. I watched every single movement and told myself to remain patient. Hour after hour, I became significantly more comfortable behind the sticks. Confidence was getting bigger and bigger and I started to believe that this was by far the best decision I’ve ever made. Guide School changed me. It opened me up to more knowledge and “golden nuggets” then I ever would have been able to find on my own. The guides took the time to highlight what’s important over decades of guiding. The information was extremely valuable, if you pay attention to the fine details and execute, guide school WILL take you to the next level. Whether you want to be a guide, outfitter, or simply the best angler you can be - Western Canada Fly Fishing Guide School is for you. Check Out Western Canada Fly Fishing Guide School Here
Where I was once lost and confused prior to guide School, graduating gave me the confidence to purchase my own drift boat. Solidifying a job with Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters and finishing the 2019 season with 28 trips under my belt. I still look back with shock in my heart. But I will never forget the opportunity Western Canada Guide School presented me. If you’re on the fence about moving forward just remember, fear isn’t real. Put the emotions aside and invest in yourself. It just might be the best decision you’ve ever made. ⁃ Brandon Esposito
 Many parents choose to spend the early years of their children’s lives stuck at home thinking there is no way they can keep up the outdoor pursuits that they love until their children are older. I can tell you this is simply not true. My name is Tim Hepworth; I am a husband, father, medic, and fly-fishing guide in Southern Alberta. I was born and raised in central Alberta. My parents started taking me on hunting and fishing trips at a very young age. However, when my wife and I first started talking about having children I was very resistant to the idea. I feared that if we had a child, all the things I loved doing would no longer be possible. I could not have been more wrong. My daughter Wren and I took our first fly fishing trip when she was 6 months old. I carried her on my chest and to my surprise she did amazing. Eventually she graduated to a backpack carrier which made things even easier. That first Spring and Summer I got her out multiple times a week. Wren is now almost three and we have had an amazing few seasons together. I will admit that not every trip goes smoothly. There were many times when we would arrive at the river and be packing up to go home shortly after. Adaptability is the name of the game. You need to ask yourself what is the goal? Do you want to catch a ton of big fish every time out? Or do you want to show your child the beauty of the outdoors?  In today’s world it is so easy to set your kid in front of a screen and let it do all the teaching. However,I believe most people want something different. We want our children to appreciate the outdoors the way we do, and to be the stewards of taking care of it for the generations to come. I have chosen this path for my daughter, and it excites me to see so many others doing the same. I have fielded countless questions about fishing with Wren, so I figured it was time to put some words together and try to pass along some of what I have learned. I have come up with 5 tips I feel are essential to a positive day with your child on the water.
1. Don’t Have A Timeline Fishing with an infant is actually quite easy. More than likely they will fall asleep in a pack and sleep for hours, giving you all the time in the world to fish. However, with toddlers and small children they decide when your day starts and ends. You have to manage your own expectations for the day and be realistic with yourself. You may get to the water, make two casts when your child has a meltdown or diaper blowout. This may end your day and you need to be ok with that. The worst thing you can do is force your child, who is obviously restless and no longer engaged, to stay out fishing. If you do then they will start to hate it and that completely defeats the purpose of encouraging your kids to be in the outdoors with you. Listen to your kid. When they’re done, be done.  2. Buy the right outdoor gear One of my biggest frustrations is trying to find good quality gear for Wren. It took me months to find her a pair of toddler waders. These have kept Wren warm and safe and helped her be comfortable on our adventures. However it is still difficult to find warm gear at an affordable price. But don’t give up. Be prepared to put the money out for your kids. It’s an investment in the experience you are hoping they will love as much as you. If anyone actually needs the best warm, and durable gear it’s actually our kids. So don’t give up the search for good gear, it can be found if you're willing to look for it.  3. Snacks, Snacks, Snacks! It’s such a simple thing, but having adequate amounts of food for your day on the water will save your butt a thousand times. You can lengthen your day by having just that one more granola bar or bottle of milk. Overpack what you think you will need for them and you won’t be disappointed. Always bring lots of water. My daughters “comfort food” has always been her milk. If I have forgotten it at the truck I may as well turn around immediately and go back and get it. Find what that comfort food item is for your child and don’t forget to stick it in your pack!  4. It’s a bug’s life Once your child is big enough to be spending some time out of the pack. Get them on the shoreline digging in the rocks. Yes it may mean a lot of ruined holes as inevitably those rocks get thrown into them, but what it will do is get them looking at some bugs. Kids are fascinated by the creepy crawling things, which just so happens to be a perfect opportunity to teach them about the flies we are using. For every hour you are on the water go spend 20 min helping them find some bugs. Trust me they will appreciate it and it will probably spruce up your knowledge too!  5.Let them practice! More than likely your child has spent hours watching you whip your rod around and will want to try it too. Now I’m not saying you hand them your $1000 T&T rod but have a rod there they can try to cast with. I started by buying my daughter a couch rod for inside. She spent weeks playing with it. I then started bringing along a rod I had bought for her (it’s the Echo Gecko kids rod), to practice with. Yes you will untie a thousand knots and tangles, but just be patient and let them “play” because for them that is what it is, and playing is supposed to be fun. I haven’t actually taught my daughter that much when it comes to casting, but I tell you what, it is uncanny how much they learn from watching you! At two and half years old my daughter casted, hooked, and landed her first solo fish. I wish I could say I had more to do with it than I did! But she learned by watching and practicing, give your kids that chance to learn. In the end they just want to be like you, so give them the chance to do so.  To conclude, remember what all of this is for. Yes you want to share your love of fly fishing with your kids, but furthermore this is about spending quality time with your kids in the outdoors. Cherish it and don’t take it for granted. One thing hours of time together can give you, is the chance to create a forever lasting bond with your child that cannot be replaced. Talk your kids, be their first teacher and guide them down the path you want for them. I can’t tell you how many hours I practiced the “abc song”, or sang the “itsy bitsy spider”. Much of the time you are just a walking day care centre, but it’s these moments that I know will be some of my best memories for the rest of my life. Don’t fear the difficulty or inconvenience of taking your kids fishing, I promise it will never be something you regret.
  My name is Dana Lattery and I am the head guide/outfitter with Fly Fishing Bow River. We are a guide service based out of Calgary, Alberta and we guide the rivers in all of central/southern Alberta. Having spent the last ten years in the guide/outfitter industry, I have seen a lot of things take place on a guided day of fly fishing, some good, some bad. Some outfitters better prepare their clients for a day on the water, and some completely miss the boat on this. Throughout the 10 years, I have come to a conclusion that most errors come from lacking of being informed. So, I have compiled a list of things to try and merge the expectations of guides and the expectations of clients so that there is a better day had by all on the water. Remember this list is just a starting point, and nothing can take place of great communication. So whether you’re a guide, or a guest looking to go on an amazing guided fly fishing trip, take into consideration these points as you prepare for your next awesome day on the water.  Bow River Rainbow in the Net 5 TIPS FOR A GUIDE |
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