Juno-winning jazzman P.J. Perry reveals his favourite fly-fishing spots

For our 2016 Fishing Special issue, Outdoor Canada recruited a supergroup of acclaimed Canadian recording artists, who also happen to be hard-core anglers. And these fishin’ musicians agreed to sing about their favourite Canadian fishing holes—74 in all. For the full list, see The Fishin’ Musicians.

Widely acclaimed as one of Canada’s finest jazz saxophonists, P.J. Perry has been playing professionally since he joined his father’s dance band at age 14—and he’s been fishing since age 12. Known for his bebop-influenced style, Perry has accumulated numerous awards over his six-decade career, including a Juno in 1993 for his solo album My Ideal and another for his work with The Rob McConnell Tentet in 2001. Today, the long-time Edmonton resident still records and tours and, as you can see from his hot spots, remains passionate about beautiful fish in lovely places.

Learn more: www.pjperry.com

Favourite fish: Steelhead

Favourite type of fishing: Steelhead on the fly

Favourite fishing song: “I’m Gonna Go Fishin’” by Duke Ellington and Peggy Lee

BOW RIVER, CALGARY, ALBERTA

GPS: 51.034456, -114.012190

FISH: Brown and rainbow trout

WHY: Friends in Calgary showed me the ropes here

BEST TIME: Fall

BEST FLY: Grasshoppers

BULKLEY RIVER, B.C.

GPS: 54.790, -127.151

FISH: Steelhead

WHY: Good wading river, and conveniently flows through town

BEST TIME: Fall

BEST FLIES: Large dry flies

MORICE RIVER, B.C.

GPS: 54.374, -126.755

FISH: Steelhead

WHY: Wild area, with excellent fishing and wading

BEST TIME: Fall

BEST FLIES: Large dry flies

RAM RIVER, ALBERTA

GPS: 52.371, -115.413

FISH: Cutthroat trout

WHY: Gorgeous Rocky Mountain stream

BEST TIME: Summer and fall

BEST FLIES: Caddisfly imitations