March Break -- Any Suggestions? The Bow?

[Quentin]

Hey all,

 

I haven't been around much at the meetings because my wife is away -- so I'm single-parenting. Fortunately, she gets back before Christmas, which is good, because there is a lot of cleaning to be done.

 

But...onto my questions... For single-parenting, she owes me a fishing trip. The first set of good dates we have is March. Any ideas? The new Fly Fusion is out, so I looked up a Dean River trip...8K plus. Looked at Mexico....10K plus. Then, I tried to find my way around the internet to figure out the Bow. There are a lot of websites for guides! Is the Bow fishable in March?

 

QT

[dipperdan]

Hey all,

 

I haven't been around much at the meetings because my wife is away -- so I'm single-parenting. Fortunately, she gets back before Christmas, which is good, because there is a lot of cleaning to be done.

 

But...onto my questions... For single-parenting, she owes me a fishing trip. The first set of good dates we have is March. Any ideas? The new Fly Fusion is out, so I looked up a Dean River trip...8K plus. Looked at Mexico....10K plus. Then, I tried to find my way around the internet to figure out the Bow. There are a lot of websites for guides! Is the Bow fishable in March?

 

QT

It sure is , if the weather will cooperate. Or you could do some ice fishen.

Dan

[dave robinson]

Talk to Dave at Fish Tales in Calgary. They run trips to Cuba in the spring for bonefish etc

Not sure when they start, but some of us are going on May 12th.

I know Dave is there right now, so even if he's not running a trip in March, maybe he can give you some advice and contact information

 

If you want more exotic and have the time and money, you might try New Zealand's north island

There are direct flights from Vancouver (about 14 hrs travel) basic air fare is under $2000 return.

once there you can get some cheap accommodation at what are called backpackers.

and you can do the self guided thing with a relatively inexpensive rent a car

 

Rivers like the Tongariro, Tuangi-Taupo Waimakariri and Ngagataha on the north island can easily be fished without a guide

If you want local help

 

Dave

[dipperdan]

Talk to Dave at Fish Tales in Calgary. They run trips to Cuba in the spring for bonefish etc

Not sure when they start, but some of us are going on May 12th.

I know Dave is there right now, so even if he's not running a trip in March, maybe he can give you some advice and contact information

 

If you want more exotic and have the time and money, you might try New Zealand's north island

There are direct flights from Vancouver (about 14 hrs travel) basic air fare is under $2000 return.

once there you can get some cheap accommodation at what are called backpackers.

and you can do the self guided thing with a relatively inexpensive rent a car

 

Rivers like the Tongariro, Tuangi-Taupo Waimakariri and Ngagataha on the north island can easily be fished without a guide

If you want local help

 

Dave

WOW!!!!!

[Terry H]

QT,

If you're on a beer budget, book a B&B, and head down to fish the Crow. If the weather is right, pre-runoff spring fishing can be great. Aim for the end of March or early April.

Terry

[Quentin]

I like the New Zealan option...WOW is right! I think I'll work on developing that option. Tougher sell to the wife, though, as it isn't exactly a beer budget. But...then again, it shouldn't have much snow either!

 

I think the Crow might be a good backup plan. I assume that's Crowsnest pass? Is it open and fishable the last week of March? I can't move the dates because they align with my forced vacation days...and the children's school break.

 

QT

[dave robinson]

If you are looking at the Air New Zealand web page, you may have to navigate a bit ti find the direct flights from Vancouver.

The cheapest ones go via LA, but that takes quite a bit longer, You end up with almost a 24 hour travel day

For example the web page shows direct fights only on Wednesdays and Fridays

currently quotes cattle class for direct flight Vancouver Auckland leaving March 2 early returning March 16th late at $1468

You'd have to add Edmonton to Vancouver air fare via West Jet or Air Cantada

If the flight times don't work you may need a hotel in Vancouver. Regardless, that's pretty dang cheap..

You'd arrive early enough in Auckland to make it to Hamilton, Taupo or Rotorua on arrival day.

Then it would be a matter of finding a cheap motel or backpackers.

Backpackers are like high end hostels. You have your own sleeping room but share washrooms and common area for sitting and kitchen

You need you own bedroll too.

If you are serious, I can inquire about car rentals and accommodation options from my Kiwi buddies.

March would be a good time. Fall with enough moisture to make things green and move the fish.

Dave

[Quentin]

If you are serious, I can inquire about car rentals and accommodation options from my Kiwi buddies.

March would be a good time. Fall with enough moisture to make things green and move the fish.

Dave

 

Give me a few days to convince the Mrs.....

 

QT

[Quentin]

Well, I wasn't quite successful enough. I've sold the principal of the matter, but not the timing of the expense...grrrr.

 

QT

[dave robinson]

Oh well, it was worth a try eh?

NZ isn't going anywhere, so there's the future possibility.

March in the crowsnest is a more affordable trip.

You can ask Terry H for advice.

DR

 

Well, I wasn't quite successful enough. I've sold the principal of the matter, but not the timing of the expense...grrrr.

 

QT

[johnk]

If it was me and I didn't want to fly anywhere exotic I would go to Powell River on the Sunshine Coast in BC and fish stillwaters for cutties to 10 lbs. and rainbows even larger. It is beautiful there at that time of year.