Courtney Neal
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Courtney joined Fish Tales during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, bringing to the team almost two decades worth of merchandising skill and retail experience. She's been Fly fishing since the 2000s and has worked in the Calgary fly fishing industry for several years. You can find her (and her custom artwork) on IG (@prairiepalette). Courtney's customer service experience and knowledge of e-commerce is a welcome addition at the shop. |
Courtney became a Keep Fish Wet Advocate in 2025 - You can become an advocate too at www.keepfishwet.org.
How long have you been fishing? As of 2025, I have been fly fishing for 18 years.
How did you get started in fly fishing? I was lucky to be introduced to fly fishing by someone with a passion for the sport who was interested in sharing it with me. Since then it's grown from a hobby into my career and I've been lucky to be able to work in the fly fishing industry since 2016.
Favorite species? All fish are special and it's challenging to pick a favorite. Lately I've been enjoying fly fishing for pike.
Favorite water? I love the Bow River, it's my home water. But I carry a little piece of all the places I've travelled to and fished with me in my heart.
Favorite technique? Streamer fishing of any kind, or swinging flies on two-handed glass rods
Favorite flies? Flies that work... I like to fish flies that are simple and effective. I like to tie pike and trout streamers, bonefish flies, and salmon/steelhead stuff.
Favorite fishing book or DVD? I don't read a lot of fiction, but Jimmy Buffett's A Salty Piece of Land get a re-read about once a year. Reading about science and other non-fiction is more my jam. I enjoyed Chico Fernandez's Fly Fishing for Bonefish, as well as An Entirely Synthetic Fish by Anders Halverson.
Favorite Vise (as in the tool)? Anvil Atlas - not expensive and gets the job done.
Favorite pattern to tie? I love tying flies for trips. I will get a list of a dozen or so patterns for a trip and then tie like crazy. Any streamer is fun to tie and I like tying big flies for pike.
Most interesting (remote, distant, crowded, etc.) location you’ve fished.
My first day fly fishing in Europe, I found a glass cat's eye marble in the river that had been tumbled in the sand and water to a silky sea glass texture. Later that day, I caught my first marble trout. The cat's eye marble came home to Canada with me; the marble trout stayed behind.
Your destination/species wishlist:
#1 = Any fish species I haven't yet caught.
Given the opportunity who would you choose to fish with? Or someone who has inspired you as an angler/tyer/teacher/guide.
A day on the Bow River with Joan Wulff
