Courtney joined the Fish Tales team amid the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Courtney has been part of the Calgary fly fishing industry for a few years and has great customer service skills. You can find her (and her custom usable artwork) on Instagram (@prairiepalette). Courtney's customer service experience and knowledge of e-commerce is a welcome addition at the shop. 

How long have you been fishing? As of 2024, I have been fly fishing for 17 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 and who was interested in sharing it with me. Since then it has 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 beautiful, it's challenging to pick a favorite. Lately I've been enjoying fly fishing for pike.

Favorite water? 

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 like learning and sciency things. 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. 

Most interesting (remote, distant, crowded, etc.) location you’ve fished.

My first day 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 came home to Canada with me; the 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