Many thanks, Alec,for your advice on the caddis larva pattern. I’ve really been pounding them on it these last few days! I also tied up a toned-down version with a black bead, dark brown squirrel dub for the thorax, and cream antron with olive caddis dub (and a little ice dub) for the abdomen.
This did the trick when things slowed down with the other pattern. I can’t believe how realistic the abdomen looks when wet, so I’m guessing this technique would work for a pupa pattern, given that it too has very pronounced segmentation. Anyway, I’ll give it a try and let you know how it works.
Thanks,
Thanks for the Pics. We’re in PEI on vacation and won’t be back until Aug 27.
Tell Brian we had a great time and I’d love to do it again.I’ll talk to you when we get back about picking up some gear.
Thanks for a great time,
Just wanted to drop you a quick note and thank you for running a great event on Sunday. I had a great day on the water as part of Team Yamada…
Even though we didn’t catch a lot of fish, I was very impressed with the quality of people involved, both fellow anglers and the tournament organizers and volunteers. It’s easy to see why this tournament carries on year after year.
Once again thank you for all of the work you put into the day and I will try to drop by your shop whenever I’m in the area.
Ray, when I was in briefly today, I noticed AGAIN that yoiur store looks perfect. Obvious pride really shows.
I’ve been in a LOT of tackle shops, through the years, but you’re always looks like it’s the Grand Opening of a new shop.
You’ve put a lot of work in, to keep it looking like that. Sometimes an owner doesn’t get an “atta boy”, like employees do, but you’ve impressed this old guy!
Well done! See you soon.
Joe Penich donated a box of flies to spey clave for the raffle on his behalf and The First Cast Fly Shop. Joe Penich has always been a “class act guy”.
Once again thank you for your support of the spey clave and Friends of the Grand River through yourself and your clientele.
You run an amazing business with the very best of customer service. Your assistance over the years has been much appreciated.
Just a few words of thanks for putting me onto the Beads……WOW!!
A buddy & I fished the ***** this past Saturday….she was high, but running clear. We fished for most of the day and I was 3 for 11 & my buddy 0 for 4. All on those beads!
I was in Guelph for the month and stopped by a couple of times and bought some jigs. I was happy to have found the ones I was looking for as I had looked everywhere for them here in Ottawa. Thanks a million!
I came into your shop yesterday and purchased a copy of “Fly Fishing On The Grand”. A great little book and well worth the drive from Dundas!! Thank you for making me feel so welcome – I like the shop.
I live in Northern Ontario (Elliot Lake area) and have had the great pleasure of stopping by you store while passing through the area last summer. The staff where very helpful to a newbe fly fisher. I have been at it for a good year and have also taken up tying flies.
I just wanted to send you a quick note to thank you very much for all the help tonight with the purchase of my new Wolf Ambush fly line. I have recommended you and your business to a lot of my friends without hesitation ….and service like tonight does not go un noticed my friends!
Thanks again and I will see you again soon! Jonathan L……from the muddy banks of the Notty in Baxter
Ray, you have been the most supportive shop and person over the years! If there is anything we can for you, please do not hesitate to ask.
Thank you a bunch, bud! Kindest regards and best fishes,
The line arrived here safe and sound at just a bit past 12:30 this afternoon. I certainly appreciate the good service that a single phone call can bring.
See you soon.
I am back in the office, but my mind is still lingering around the beautiful Grand River and my splendid day fishing with you . It was a great inspiration to me to learn the nymphing techniques from you, and I will definitely take it up on my next trip for graylings in Norway at the end of July.
I went and bought the necessary indicators, lead and a few other things in Ray’s shop, so I’m ready for the season.
Take care Brian and good luck fishing.
with kind regards, Martin D (Denmark)
Just openend up the package you sent. OMG, it is truly beautiful!! T-shirts are a very cool bonus. I look forward to many years of fishing with my son and in turn giving you more business.
Have a great weekend.
Thanks for the tips and the photos! I will forward to Bill. I especially love the one of Bill fishing in the snow!
As I said before, we had a great time, thoroughly enjoyed fishing with Brian and Pancho, and our appetites are whetted!
Best regards,
Thanks for the great night with April Vokey. My compliments on the great job you do marketing the sport and shop.
Cheers
Just a short note to let you know I received the rod, reel etc. safely and probably in record time since it was shipped Friday morning and I received it later in the afternoon! Many thanks for your assistance and it has been a pleasure doing business with you! I will be in touch regarding waders, boots etc. shortly.
Thanks again!
I really don’t have any complaints or suggestions on how your guides could of made the trip better. I had an awesome time and felt like I learned a lot.
I have been out with other guides before but what makes your guides different is that I felt like there was special attention to improving what skills I already have to make me better.
Thank you again for helping us get on the water in our short timeframe.
Derrick. (Note – Derrick and his Groomsmen were on the water at 10Am the morning after Derrick’s wedding. I think Derrick and his bride have a great future ahead!)
Well I can say that fly fishing for me is a big learning experience that takes patience and time. I had lots of fun learning to fly with Francisco! I’ve been practicing but still need to work on my false cast, mending and knots but I’ll get there!! Next time will catch a big one!
Thank you!
It was great coming to your shop today, I was impressed with your knowledge and your help in selecting what I needed to get me started spey fishing was much appreciated.
Anyone can sell a product, but the time you spent with me to explain what I needed and the reasoning behind it makes doing business with you that much more appreciated.
I know now that I have a place to shop for my fishing needs where I can get knowledge along with the correct product. I like doing business with a class guy, and a store dedicated to the customer.
Add me to your contacts and to any events that you have going on in your store so I can be a part of learning new things around our sport. Rick Whorwood said you would look after me…and he was right.
Thanks,
I caught three fish, two rainbows and one brown. They were little so they didn’t put up much fight. I attached some pics. It was really fun. The waders worked well.
Thanks for all your advice and sharing your passion with me.
I cannot believe you beat me to the punch in sending out an e-mail before I got home. That is something I would do and have done for many years.
I was amazed when I got home that there was already a message from you but based on the experience I had last night is should not have surprised me at all.
As I cannot remember a time that I have ever had a better experience in a retail environment. I enjoyed our time immensely.
In that I have always thought passion is such an important part of success with any business you proved it last night. When I got into the truck and it was 10:15pm and you normally close at 8pm your passion was very evident. I can tell you for a fact that you not only gained a new customer you have gained a loyal one at that. I look forward to seeing you often as I travel through Guelph and getting to know you and your business more with time and I can say without hesitation the thing I look the most forward to is to developing a strong relationship based on friendship and a passion for the greatest sport, pastime, hobby that I know, FISHING.
Thank you for making my day yesterday,
Hey Ray, just wanted to follow up with you. We were totally blown away by you & your shop, great job!
Love how you bring the conventional & fly gear together; the fishing duplex! After all, we all love to fish.
Brian was awesome! He was extremely patient with us warm water guys. Even though the going was tough, we were able to stick a few. Thanks again and hope to see you soon.
Thank you so much for this follow up!!! It looks like you had a great turn out… and awesome sized “big fish”!
We really appreciate you taking the time to send us a follow up… so many people come to us for help with their tournament and then we never hear anything back until they need help again next year!!! Kudos to you and your team of organizers! Have a great day and thank you again!
Sincerely,Dawn McCall
Operations Manager, Black Knight Industries, Inc.Home of Gamma & Frog Hair Fishing
Thanks for making our trips to your store a lot of fun. Andrew is just starting to get into fishing, and you make him feel special when he walks in to your store. We look forward to coming back again soon!
It was great meeting you today & you really helped Robin, Nick & myself. We appreciated all the time spent with us & ensuring that we chose the correct equipment to get off to a good start.
Now all we have to do is practice, practice, practice. As our interest grows I am sure we will have a number of questions, but at least we know who to approach to help us make the right decisions & supply all of our fishing needs.
Thanks again for all your assistance,
Thanks for all the information that you provided to us, you were very helpful and very patient. We all enjoyed the experience and look forward to a long and fun future of fly fishing.
I also look forward to your Saturday sessions in the fall\winter months.
Thanks again for you time on Saturday. I practiced a bit with Robin’s Echo outfit yesterday and I think we (well you) made a great choice.
Cheers
I was in your shop today to get some simms waders with my family. Thanks for the excellent service you provided!
Cheers
