1April 2006 - Vol. 8 - #4 - page

Meetings at 7:15 pm. on the 4th Tuesday of theMonth at the Ukrainian Hall at 4017 Victoria Ave.off Norwell Dr. Visitors and Guests welcome.Phone 758-2138.

CONTACTS

ISLAND WATERS FLY FISHERS

The Island Waters Fly FishersBox 323, Lantzville, BC

V0R 2H0

The Purpose of our club is as follows:-To practice, further and promote the art of fly fishing- To practice and promote fish conservation and enhancement- To encourage fellowship and sportsmanship amongst anglers

Visit at www.members.shaw.ca/iwff Email us at iwff@shaw.ca Ph 758-2138

President: Bernie Heinrichs 390-3266Vice President : Bob Leverman 756-1998 Secretary: Doug Peterson 390-4109Treasurer: Harold Tinling 753-8680 Past President : Keith MacDonald 758-2138 Newsletter: Bernie Heinrichs 390-3266 Directors: Jack Toomer 756-0987

Bruce Cumming 390-2236Ron Busche 758-2225Ron Moll 754-3978Gord Davis 716-2787Paul Inscho 758-2303Ralph Carlson 751-7999

Webmaster: Steve Wawrykow 754-3650Fly Tying: Gerry Stevens 754-4124Videos: Ed Tremblay 245-8552Library: Matt Haapala 390-1917Gilly : Ray Honig 758-9930

The members enjoyed Al Clark’s remark, “The best fishing this winter was the ‘Halibut Special’ atMuddy Waters Pub”, during the “Gilly” at the March 28, 2006 meeting.

2April 2006 - Vol. 8 - #4 - page

The British Columbia Federation of Fly Fishers(BCFFF) is a registered, non-profit societywhose main objective is to promote the conser-vation of the fishing environment in BritishColumbia. By networking with similarly mindedclubs, organizations, businesses and individu-als, the BCFFF provides a voice that reflects itsmember’s and the public’s concern for thefuture of B.C.’s natural resources. Our organiza-tion believes that concern for the future of ourprovince’s environment is not just the exclusivedomain of fly fishers or other recreation groups,but should be the concern of all citizens. Conse-quently, it is with this broader population inmind that we strive to protect and promote ournatural resources for the benefit of present andfuture generations to respect and enjoy.

Visit the BCFFF on their webpage at http://www.bcfff.bc.ca/

President’s Message

Bernie Heinrichs

Program

Some of these are at the proposed stage and willquite likely be changed or switched to adapt torequests and availability of speakers. We arestill looking for ideas and speakers.

April 25 - Lake Fishing Panel Discussionwith Peter Huyghebaert, Moderator and thefollowing expert panelists: Roy Sorensen,Paul Inscho, Keith MacDonald, John Snookand Joie Coe.

May 23 - Guest Speaker

June 27 - Salmon Fly Fishing

September - Habitat Recovery andactivities of the Pacific Salmon Foundationby Mel Sheng, DFO

October 24 - Fishing the Island’s Rivers

November 28 - Match the Hatch andElection of Officers

No report submitted.

Editor’s Comments:

How do you like that? Afterpersuading, then coaxing, then hounding, thenthreatening, the deadline passes for the Presi-dent’s Message! Shameful, disgraceful andnothing is done about this slack a.....ed Presi-dent. The Directors have the power to exorcisehim from our midst and it should be doneforewith!Do you need more reasons? How about the factthat he is a confessed worm fisherman? That hehas been seen cavorting with hardware fisher-men? That he, in a weak moment, even told thetruth at a Gilly? These despicable acts are beingenacted by a person who is supposed to set anexemplary example.He has got to go!

Fly Casting Clinic

Westwood Lake’s beach has more to offer than abeautiful swimming spot. Island Waters FlyFishers took advantage of the area and chose apre-swimming season to hone up on castingskills. The hooks on all of those flying lines werereplaced with wool so it was not quite as scaryas it seems. A warm, calm evening added to thepleasure which was further enhanced later at theJingle Pot Pub. More photos are throughout.

3April 2006 - Vol. 8 - #4 - page

Noon Socials and LuncheonsAt 11:30 am every 1st and 3rd Wednesday atthe Wellington Pub (half price specials). This isgetting so popular that there are some wholunch there every Wednesday.

Calendar of Events

Ron Moll has made up a 2006 calendar of allof our events and activities for the year. It isposted on our web site atwww.members.shaw.ca/iwffnews/.

Club LibraryThe list of books has now swelled to over 60with Dave Connolly’s donation of over 50books. Matt Haapala is the custodian and hewill bring your requests to the next meeting ifyou call him at 754-4124.

List of Videos

See EdTremblay,or Call 245-8552, toCheck TheseOut

Note: These videos are also now availble inDVD format.

12 FLY FISHING MAGAZINE – OLYMPIC TROUT & STEELHEAD13 THE ESSENCE OF FLY CASTING – MEL KRIEGER14 FLY FISHING STILLWATERS – ALF DAVIES16 SURVIVING THE HOOK – D.F.O.

17 RELEASE ‘EM RIGHT – D.F.O.

21 TROUT FISHING – STEVE WAWRYKOW, IWFF23 STEELHEAD FISHING – IWFF

27 MAGIC OF FLY FISHING – STORIES OF MANY TRIPS

34 DUBBING THE LOOP WITH ROOTS

35 TYING BASS FLIES – IWFF37 BASS – THE 99% SOLUTION – FISH’N CANADA40 THE RIVER OF NO RETURN – IWFF REPORT42 25 FISHING LAKES – MERRITT TO KAMLOOPS43 - 1 NORTHERN LAKE TROUT – FISH’N

CANADA43 - 2 FLOATING FOR GATORS – FISH’N CANADA43 - 3 LARGEMOUTH BASS – FISH’N

CANADA

Club CrestsIf you want a crest for your jacket, cap etc.,Five Star Embroidery and Silk Screening at 1-4151 Mostar Rd.(www.fivestarembroidery.com) has our logo setup for you and will provide a quote.

Nanaimo River Hatchery Open HouseSunday, May 7,2006 at the hatchery (turn Eastat the Cassidy Pub from the Island Highway,South of the Nanaimo River Bridge). They haveput out 552,000 pink fingerlings in pens in theNanaimo area and still have 894,000 springfingerlings in the hatchery. Our club has pro-vided casting demonstrations and other flyfishing activities in previous years. Any offers tocontinue this?

4April 2006 - Vol. 8 - #4 - page

March Meeting

Steve Wawrykow, right, presents his productionof “Fly Fishing Pink Salmon” DVD to Joie Coe,left, Keith MacDonald, Roy Sorensen, and PaulInscho. They were the panelists on the “PinkSalmon Panel Discussion” held last June. Thisdiscussion was video taped and forms a part ofthe DVD. The rest of us can purchase this DVDfrom the club (Steve) for $20.00 where $15.00will be donated to a fish enhancement project.Thank you Steve -- this is a great project.Dave Degner, in the right photo, also received aDVD from Steve.

Welcome tothe club, JohnBeaven. Weare lookingforward tohearing thelatest updateon the Cana-dian Fly Fish-ing Champion-ships.

Bob Davies toldus that he is stillpracticing hiscasting in hisbedroom. With alittle more effortand stimulation,he may be readyfor the hallwaybefore fishingstarts in earnest.

5April 2006 - Vol. 8 - #4 - page

Winners

Joie Coie, left, receives his DVD from DougPetersen during the Gilly Draw.

Lloyd Erickson won the other DVD

And the big winner of the cash from the GillyDraw is none other than Gerry Stevens.

Harold Tinling, left, presents Jim McEwan hisprize of a DVD during the Fly Draw.

Terance Swean shows his appreciation uponreceiving his prize of flies donated by the mem-bers for the Fly Draw.

Bill McColl,left, and Gord Davis welcome guest,Gai Burns, during the break in the meeting.

6April 2006 - Vol. 8 - #4 - page

ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY &O. MYKISS

WRITTEN BY THE CHALKBOARDTROUTIST

PART FOUR – THE MAYFLY

Mayflies are the most important group ofaquatic invertebrates – to fly fishers! Not so totrout, necessarily. However, because many of usfish mayfly patterns more than any other, theydeserve to be covered in some detail. Thoughnot as primitive as the stonefly, they still haveonly incomplete metamorphosis; that is, they gofrom egg to larva to adult with no stage inbetween larva and adult. In stoneflies andmayflies, we call the larval stage a “nymph.”

Following is a diagram of the life cycle of atypical mayfly. Note that some mayflies emergewhile ascending (not shown) and some crawl outof the water like stoneflies (also not shown), butmost emerge on the surface in the surface film orjust slightly under it.

The egg stage is of no interest to flyfishers, but the other two stages are. I say twostages, because the adult is only a single stage,even though it has two “instars;” that is, the dunand the spinner. The dun is a sexually immatureadult (much like many of us!). This last moltinto the sexually developed spinner takes place inthe streamside bushes, and makes the mayflyunique among the aquatic insects: it is the onlyone to have two adult forms – an immature adultand a sexually mature one.

All mayfly nymphs are one of thefollowing: clinger, burrower, swimmer, or

crawler. These describethe appearance of thenymph and tell ussomething about theirbehavior. They also tellus something about thevulnerability of some ofthe groups of mayflies.You’ll recognize themwhen you see them nowthat you are alert tolook for the differencesbetween the nymphs.

But now, how willI recognize the speciesitself? Answer – don’tbother for now. As

7April 2006 - Vol. 8 - #4 - page

examples, let’s just look at two of the mostpopular mayflies – one a swimmer, theCallibaetis, and the other, a clinger, the MarchBrown.

Swimmers, like the Callibaetis, are mostoften found in slower moving water or in lakeswhere they flit from weed bed to weed bed tofeed. When they do, they are vulnerable to trout.When they are nearing hatching time, theybecome quite agitated and swim about withreckless abandon. Trout just love it and willattack with equal abandon.

Those that make it to the surface must stillbreak through the surface film, sit on top of thewater to dry their wings, and then they can flyoff. Callibaetis swim quickly to the surface and,except on cool days, do not dry their wings forlong. If it is a warm day, you may not evennotice that a hatch is ongoing without lookinginto the air and seeing the duns there. On thatwarm day, trout just don’t have much of anopportunity to feed on Callibaetis, except withthe swimming nymph just prior to the hatch.

The Hare’s Ear nymph, unweighted, andfished on a sink tip makes a credible nymph anda Parachute Adams in size 12 makes for an adult.

The clingers are usually resident in riffles,where they can move around in the crevices andcling to the rocks. Since they are well adaptedto this behavior they are not usually vulnerableuntil just before emergence, when whey let goand rise to the surface to emerge. Occasionally,however, you will see the silver sides of the troutas he sticks his nose down into the rocks androots out the nymphs. The reason that you seethe side of the trout is because he has to turn onhis side to get his mouth to the nymph. So ifyou’re fishing and you see silver flashes on thebottom of a riffle, the pattern to choose becomesclear.

As well, some of the clingers will be sweptaway by the current before they are ready to

ascend the water column. A weighted Hare’sEar Nymph is a good imitation and using a beadhead not only helps with weight but providessome flash and may represent the gases taken into help buoy the nymph to the surface. Is thisflash created by those gases, a trigger? Why nottry a Flashback Hare’s Ear Nymph?

The March Brown is probably the bestknown of the clingers. It ascends the watercolumn very slowly and so drifts a longerdistance before reaching the surface film, whereit also takes a longer time to break out of thenymphal shuck. This creates an extendedinterval to fish the floating emerger to imitatethis very vulnerable stage. If there was a prizefor best mayfly, it would go to the March Brown.It is the first good hatch of the season, the fliesare a good size, it is a reliable hatch, and now,look, it was made for trout fishers!

Having said this, some March Brownsactually emerge under water, either while still onthe bottom or while ascending. This featureallows for an additional opportunity to fish avulnerable stage – the dun while it is underwater.At these times you can fish a March Brown SoftHackle or a dry fly fished “damp” (that is, allowthe dry fly to be pulled under the surface of theriffles. Don’t use floatant or dry off your fly).Just allow it to tumble down the riffles and overthe shelf, stop the rod, and allow the fly to rise tothe surface.

Basically, all nymphs are vulnerable justprior to emergence. They must leave their placesof safety to swim or float to the surface toemerge. At that time the nymphs are veryvulnerable. While they are ascending the watercolumn, they are again vulnerable. The slowerthe water, the more vulnerable the nymph.When mayfly nymphs are ready to emerge, theirwingpad grow more pronounced and darkenconsiderably. Some believe that large darkwingpads may be a trigger.

8April 2006 - Vol. 8 - #4 - page

While stuck in the surface film trying toescape their shucks or, having done so, trying toescape the “stickiness” of the film itself, they arevulnerable. While the emerging adult is stuck inthe surface film trying to escape its own shuck,the shuck hangs off the tail of the dun. Itrefracts light in a particular way, and manybelieve that trout trigger on the variousrefractions of the light created by the emergence.Try tying your fly with an antron or preferably aZ-lon shuck. Tie and try Klinkhamer emergerpatterns. Try fishing floating nymphs.

While floating along on the surface filmwith their wings held upright, drying them, theyare vulnerable. Riffles or the wind can oftenmake it easier for the mayfly to break away fromthe surface film, but on cool days with no windand no riffles, the float of the mayfly can be longand dangerous. Some believe that the generalbody shape of the dun; that is, with a morepronounced thorax and slimmer abdomen, is oneof the triggers. Others believe that the uprightwing itself is a trigger. Duns should be fisheddead drift in the current.

After emerging to duns, the mayflies flit offto the vegetation where they molt into spinnersand then the females return to swarm over thewater and await the males. Which is as it shouldbe in all animal species! The males arrive and flyinto the swarm and mating takes place in a few

touching down on the water every few feet andrepeatedly dipping their abdomens into thewater, and then die. While ovipositing, thefemales are vulnerable. That being the casewatch the color of the females. Often it is notthe same color as the males. The spinners, bothmale and female are usually a more glossy colorthan the duns, often some shades darker, and thewings are glossy and transparent like glass. Thefemale spinner is the one to be imitated by ourflies, and her behavior on the water can also bemimicked. Float your dry fly dead drift and nowand again give it a good twitch to imitate themovement of the female in ovipositing andflitting along to the next location a foot or soaway.

When the mayfly dies it becomes a “spentspinner” and lies with the wings straight out fromthe body, on the surface of the water. Whatcould be more vulnerable than something thatcannot move? Your imitation must be good,however, and your presentation absolutely deaddrift, or you will only catch small trout. Thewings of the spent spinner lie flat on the water,straight out to the sides. These straight outwings may be a trigger. Try using straightAntron flared out a little, and tied straight out tothe side of the shank of the hook.

NEXT MONTH: THE CADDISCasting Clinic

Some of the members at the April 11, 2006 fly casting clinic working on their tips provided by theinstructors. Paul Inscho, far right shows John Ellis a few pointers about his equipment. Thank youPaul, Keith MacDonald, Roy Sorensen, Jim McCoy and Joie Coie for helping us develop our castingskills. The water was calm, the beach was to ourselves (who would dare intrude into this formidablegroup?) and we all went away with some glimmer of hope that, with more practice, we may be ableto reach that elusive one.

seconds. Remind you of someone? The malesfly off to the vegetation, or not, and die. Thefemales continue to fly about for a few hours,then deposit the fertilized eggs, usually by

9April 2006 - Vol. 8 - #4 - page

Boat Motor Tips By Bruce Cumming

Check the level of the gear oil.Ensure that only new gas or gas with conditioner isused.Before starting the motor, put it into water. This seemsobvious but sometimes it is forgotten.Tip: put some oil into the water—this can save theimpeller (water pump).Start the motor and let it warm up. Put it into gear andrun at or just above idle only (any faster can blastwater out of the barrel). Make sure that the reverselock is engaged then run it in reverse for a while. Placemotor in neutral, disconnect the gas line and let it rundry. This is also done at the end of the season prior tostorage.Trouble shooting a motor that does not start:Remove the hood and remove one spark plug at a time. Ground the plug on the power head andcrank the engine. If there is no spark, put in a properly gapped, new spark plug. Continue thisprocedure with all the plugs. Put mixed gas in the carburettor throat and crank. If it fires but still doesnot start, clean the carburettor. Reassemble and try to start it again. If it still does not start try a fuelfilter then a fuel pump. It still does not start? The next step is the mechanic’s shop. No spark afternew plugs is also a trip to the shop.Freezing weather tip:Before starting the motor the next morning after it has been pulled from the water, immerse the gearcase and all of the impeller in warm water to thaw it out. Trying to run a frozen gear case can bedisastrous.

Tight lines and leaping fish.

More Casting

Roy Sorensen demonstratesfor Dick Bowden

Joie passes along another tipto John Bucchieri

Jim McCoy critiques GordDavis’ cast

1 0April 2006 - Vol. 8 - #4 - page

Early Season BasicsPresented by Paul Inscho

Paul Inscho demonstrates the use of an old reel and rod to be usedin conjunction with the two wooden spools to rewind and store flyline.

Paul revealed his secrets of anearly problem-free fishingseason at the March meeting.His tips covered care andmaintenance of rods, reels, flylines, nets, fly boxes, waders,boats and boat trailers. Theseitems need to be checked forwear and, on the metal parts,for rust. Repairs and mainte-nance now will save a lot ofgrief later while out fishing.These problems invariablyhappen just when the “BigOne” is about to be landed.Thank you, Paul, for a veryinformative demonstration.

Let’s Fill it Up -

- with flies for the fly box (built by HaroldTinling) to be auctioned off at the BCFFFAGM, in Victoria. This highly desired donationis giving our club quite a reputation at thisevent and is a very worthy project to continue.Please hand them in to Dave Connolly at thenext meeting or wherever Dave hangs out.

Keith MacDonald, left, Larry Miller, hidden,John Beaven and Doug Peterson rest their cast-ing arms after some vigorous practicing ofKeith’s pointers.

And More Casting

1 1April 2006 - Vol. 8 - #4 - page

37 Modern Fly Craft38 Night Fishing for Trout39 Northwest Fly Fishing40 Nymphing41 Quick Tips for Catching Halibut42 Reflections from the North Country43 Royal Coachman44 Salmon on a Fly45 Selective Trout46 Spring Creek47 Tangled Lines & Patched Waders48 The Ardent Angler49 The Armchair Angler50 The Compleat McClane51 The Contemplative Angler52 The Dread Fishwish53 The Fishing in Print54 The Flying Fisherman55 The Fly-Tyer’s Almanac56 The Last Cast57 The Living Rivers58 The Living Waters of BC59 The River Why60 The Skillful Tuber61 To Catch a Fish62 Trout Flies63 Trout Streams of Alberta64 Truth is stranger than fishin’65 Warped Rods & Squeaky Reels

Hjames Hyndman 1938Jim Bashline 1987John Shewey 1992Gary BorgerCharlie WhiteSigurd F. Olson 1977Paul Schullery 1999Lee Wulf 1992Doug Swisher & Carl Richards 1971Nick Lyons 1992Robert Jones 1995Editor: Neil Cameron 1994edited - Terry Brykczynski 1986A.J.McLane 1998Roy Wall 1948George Denny 1975Arnold Gingrich 1974R.V. ‘Gadabout’ Gaddis 1967Robert Boyle & Dave Whitlock 1975Rafe Mair 1995Gordon Davies 1996Gordon Davies 1994David Duncan 1984Robert Alley 1991Lionel RHG Leach, MC 1995Charles M. Wetzel 1955Jim McLennan 1996Beatrice Cook 1995Robert Jones 1997

Library Listings

These are the rest of the library books -- thanks to Dave Connolly. They can be obtained by contact-ing Matt Haapala (390-1917) later in April when he is back from his snow bird trip. Call him prior tothe next meeting and he will bring them to the following meeting or whatever you can arrange withhim.

WANTED

Photos, stories, poems, information, “HowTo’s” etc. for the newsletter.

Recycle your magazines to the waiting roomsin the hospital. Bring them to Larry Miller atthe next meeting or noon lunch.

Do not throw out your fishing magazines--bring them to the welcome table at the nextmeeting. They are appreciated by the members.

Fly Fishing Pink Salmon DVD

Filmed and produced by Steve Wawrykow of“on the water” action and other club activi-ties.The panel discussion portion reveals thesecrets of success by our own expert mem-bers and is loaded with tips.They can be obtained from Steve at 754-3650or at the next meeting for $20.00 ($15.00 willbe donated to fish enhancement).

1 2April 2006 - Vol. 8 - #4 - page

A Brown Trout Tale – Fly Fishing inthe Alberta Rockies

By HaroldTinling

In 1977I met GayleStitt when Iworked forW i l l i a m sMachinery inCalgary selling skidders, cranes and otherconstruction equipment. Gayle was a seasoned oiland gas executive but he was also a “gentlemanrancher.” He was looking for a used skidder toremove some lodge pole pine he wanted to use ina post making operation on his ranch on FallenTimber Creek, north of Calgary and west ofCremona, close to the Rockies. We fixed him upand during our conversations he told me abouthis ranch and I, a fly fisher, naturally had to askwhat was in the creek and if I could fish on hisland. He told me there were Brookies and Brownsin the creek and extended an invitation to comefish any time.

I went up there, fished that creek and hada great time. After fishing I stopped at the shop tothank him for his letting me fish his creek. He wastrying to fix a set of electric brakes on a hay trailerwith little progress. Now I, being an old brakeman, told him I could look at them and see what’swhat. I repaired the wiring and that started a greatlong-lasting relationship. Over the years I was upat the ranch many times to do a little work and gofishing or hunting. We still communicate eventhough we are far apart.

One Saturday night in July many yearsago, Gayle suggested we go up to Storm Creekand fish the beaver dams that were part of thecreek. Gayle along with his 13-year-old son Jim,George Beecher, the ranch foreman and myselftook off in the pickup truck to Storm Creek. Now

these guys were unwashed worm fishers, so theyhad Jim dig them up a can of bait. I got a bit ofstatic being the only fly fisher. But in my own mindI knew I was up the fishing hierarchy ladder a bitover bait fishers. It wasn’t long before I had thefirst of about fifteen fish that took my flies. Itdevastated the worm fishers as their catch wasnext to nothing. We went home and I took theusual good-natured bantering common amongfriends on how I was just lucky.

Little did I know that evening changedyoung Jim dramatically. The following Monday,he went to the sport shop and bought a fly rodand all the goodies that go with it. He was waitingfor me when I arrived the next weekend. “Whenare we going fishing?” were the first words out ofhis mouth. He was just a bouncing and I had tochuckle at his enthusiasm. Jim and I went to thecreek for some casting lessons. He turned out tobe a natural and in no time at all he was out castingthirty to forty feet, more than enough to fish thecreek.

I had a green Humpy on my line and Igave Jim a couple of yellow ones to try. It tookabout three casts and Jim had his first fish on afly. He played it well and netted a nice thirteen-inch Brookie. That fish was not going back in thecreek but was going to end up on his plate.

It was great watching Jim casting his flyin the riffles and getting hits and we both caught afew more fish that evening. All stream fly fishersremember the excitement and adventure when westarted stream fishing and for Jim and me darknesscame too soon, ending a most perfect evening.

There is always some thing to be repairedaround a working ranch but before no time themorning had passed and Jim inquired if we wouldbe going fishing that afternoon or would we haveto wait till the evening. After a short discussionwe decided that the fishing would be better laterin the evening. I could sense a little disappointmentin his voice as he agreed to the plan but he gotover it and we went back to work.

1 3April 2006 - Vol. 8 - #4 - page

The afternoon sped by and after a delightfuldinner I had hardly finished my coffee when Jimcame into the dining room with his waders on andhis fly rod in his hand. I suited up and away wewent.

We decided we would go up stream thistime to water that hadn’t been fished for a while.We got to the bridge that crossed the creek andbefore I could say otherwise, Jim says, “I’ll crossover and fish the other side.” Damn, I thought, hebeat me to it. I wanted to fish that side of thecreek. There was a big brown trout holed up undera cut bank where the creek took a sharp turn that Ihad seen numerous times and had a few rises fromhim. You couldn’t get a cast at him from the nearside on account of brush along the bank. With Jimwanting to fish that side of the creek I was losingmy chance at my brown trout. It went through mymind that I should say I wanted to fish that side ofthe creek. However, I decided I had better not asthat would be childish. I really thought though thatbecause I had found the fish that it was rightfullymine.

Maybe I was getting worked up aboutnothing, maybe that fish had moved, and maybeJim would not get his line out that far. Lots ofmaybes ran through my mind. And of course, hemight get a rise or maybe a strike but being new tocasting a fly I wondered if he would he be quickenough to set the hook? No, not enough experienceI thought.

We were getting close to the pool and the cut bankand I had to move away from the bank to get pastthe tag alders and willows that protected the bank.I was just about clear of the brush when I heard aloud war hoop. I couldn’t believe it, Jim had myfish on!. I got in the clear where I could see whatwas going on and saw that his rod had a goodbend in it and that fish was taking line like it washeading for Banff.

Jim kept up the hooting and hollering whilehe played the fish, just like a kid would do. He gotthe fish in and held him up for me to see. The fish,about 14 inches long, was a beauty for this smallcreek. How’s that he called out as he held it up forall to see, all I could muster was an empty sounding“ nice fish.” I wished that I had caught that trout. Ilost some desire to fish real hard but we fished foranother hour and I caught a few more small fishand let them go. We started back home, Jim withmy fish hanging on a stick. Hell I can just hear himtelling me how that fish took his fly, how the fishran with it and how he played the fish and landedit. He probably thinks he is a pro now.

We got to the bridge and I waited for himto cross over, as he approached me he was allsmiles. Here it comes I thought. The first wordsout of his mouth were “Thanks Harold for teachingme to fly fish and thanks for the yellow Humpy.” Idid the only thing I could do and gave him a hugand told him he deserved that fish.

Jim’s dad, Gayle, told me later that I ruinedthat boy. I asked, “How did I do that?”

His response was, “We can’t get him todig worms anymore.”

Great story Harold. Does anyone else have one?Please send it.