Assume "The Position!"

My buddy Rick is a passionate fly fisher. You just never know what position he will be in while fishing in his Outlaw Assault. Take a look!

"The chironomid fishing position!"

Rick can quickly change from the "chironomid position" to the "tangling with a big rainbow position."

I think Rick was hungry this day. This is the "Lunch Box Position."

"Big Rainbow Position!"

 "The Stealth or Faceless Position."

 photo courtesy of Pauline Loos

"Who is the sucker position?"

"The Relaxation Position."

photo courtesy of Phil Rowley

"I am busy position!"

photo courtesy of Silvia D'Amelio

"I am tired position!"

Fall in the Parkland Region of Manitoba

photo courtesy of Phil Rowley

Hi Everybody!

Several of our gang just got back from fly fishing the trophy lakes of the Parkland Region of Manitoba. The lakes have some very large rainbows and browns lurking in the depths. You never know when that next hook up might have have you going toe to toe with a fish of a life time. We stayed at Arrow Lake Lodge and hooked up with Phil Rowley. While everybody was enjoying above normal temperatures in Red Deer, we had to get out the scrappers after the mercury dipped to -5C at night in Rossburn, Manitoba. We visited a new lake called Corstorphine that is located near Sandy Lake. We will definitely be back.

...photo courtesy of Doug Pullen

The snow geese where everywhere. The flyway for the fall migration of the geese goes right over the lakes we visited. We also meet at lot of salamanders. They were on the move everywhere. The hawks, eagles and crows had a great time picking them off the gravel roads.

We also had the privilege of meeting Jerry McBride, a member of the Inland Empire Fly Fishing Club in Spokane. Jerry is the originator of the balanced leech. He did several demonstrations at the vice to show us how he likes to tie the balanced leech.

Jerry McBride and Phil Rowley

photo courtesy of Silvia D'Amelio

Bob did not have the balance to do this on the gunnel. He was tempted to try though.

photo courtesy of Phil Rowley

Doug Pullen tied into several beautiful trout!

photo courtesy of Phil Rowley

John Nahaj caught some biggies. John tied into this big boy near a beaver house at Patterson Lake.

Larry helping with the cooking. Larry claims that the sausages were stuffed with gasoline.

We love hitting Twin Lakes for tiger trout. Unfortunately there was evidence of a partial summer kill at the lake. We still tied into several beauties.

Tracey and Marlene enjoying some time with Phil.

A perfect way to wind down the day. Single malt! Sharing pictures and having lots of laughs is a big part of our trips to the Parkland Region of Manitoba.

 photo courtesy Silvia D'Amelio

Bob and Larry having a great time!

 photo courtesy Silvia D'Amelio

photo courtesy Silvia D'Amelio

Rick snoozing and fly fishing at the same time. Yes, he catches trout all the time like this.

The Tokaryk Lake Slam

Tokaryk Lake in the Parkland Region of Manitoba is famous for the aggressive takes of the rainbows. These arm ripping takes are affectionately known as the Tokaryk Take. Many a fly fisher has been broken off at that moment because of the rainbows striking so hard. A group of us have a new term for Tokaryk Lake. We call it the Tokaruk Slam. You have to catch a sucker, a brown and a rainbow; all on the same day. Larry Prowse from our club is one of the first to complete this feat. Way to go Larry and yes, all on the fly.

The sucker is the toughest to get for the SLAM. Nice lips Larry!

A beauty of a brown taken near a beaver house.

The rainbow was also taken right beside a beaver house.

Trout Unlimited Canada Fish Rescue Program

Volunteer Opportunity // Trout Unlimited Canada Fish Rescue VOLUNTEER!   2012 Dates and Locations: (Note: these dates are subject to change based on weather and irrigation demand) Sept. 29:  WCD (High River) Sept. 30:  WHC (Calgary) Oct. 13-14:  CBRHC (Carseland) Oct. 17-19:  LNHC (Granum-Fort Macleod area) Oct. 20-22:  WBD (Cardston-Pincher Creek area) Click here for maps and directions...   To register, reply to this e-mail and provide the following details: Name(s): Address: City/Town: Province: Postal Code: Telephone: E-mail: Dates: Number of people: For more information or to register, contact Lesley Peterson: 403-209-5184 or 1-800-909-6040lpeterson@tucanada.org Background:  Numerous irrigation diversion structures exist on many river systems and on-stream reservoirs in southern Alberta. However, most of these structures do not have operable fish exclusion devices to keep both sportfish and non-sport species from entering the canals. Wild sportfish that enter irrigation canals are generally lost to the fishery because existing canal structures prevent fish from returning to the river system. Until Trout Unlimited Canada's (TUC) Fish Rescues began in 1996, the extent of the problem in Alberta was very poorly documented and received little attention. The data collected over the years has helped to confirm that large numbers of sportfish are being stranded in diversion canals that do not have devices to prevent fish from entering the canals What is Fish Rescue? TUC staff and volunteers use electrofishing and netting to capture as many fish as possible from six different canals in southern Alberta fed by the Bow, Highwood, Belly, Waterton, and Oldman rivers. The fish are all identified and counted and returned to the appropriate river where they can complete their life cycle. Past Efforts: Since 1998, TUC and our volunteers have rescued over 731,000 fish! Rescued fish include rainbow trout, brown trout, mountain whitefish, bull trout, northern pike, burbot, lake whitefish and yellow perch as well as many unique and interesting non-sport fish species. Read on... Volunteers of all ages are invited to join us! This project provides an excellend "hands-on" activity for individuals, families, youth groups and community groups. What to Bring: Clothes for any weather conditions (rain gear, warm change of clothes, hat or toque, gloves, jacket Sturdy, comfortable boots or shoes Rubber boots, waders or hip boots (THAT DO NOT LEAK) Lunch and snacks for yourselves Water to drink (we will supply coffee, hot chocolate, juice boxes and some water) Your own reusable mug If you bring a dog, they must be on leash at all times You may also want to bring: Camera Lawn chair

Fly Fishing for Salmon on Vancouver Island

Hi Everyone!

Roy Saunders and I just got back from a fabulous salmon fly fishing trip to Vancouver Island with friends and family. The trip was filled with the unexpected and the sight fishing for salmon with our fly rods was challenging. Roy's dad is 81 years young and he learned to fly fish when he was 78 years old. He has quickly turned into a very accomplished fly fisher. I loved watching him catch pink salmon at a spot we affectionately named Qualicum Bob's Riffle at the Stump Pool. Last years trip was all about coho. This year the coho were quite unpredictable and when they did show up, they were elusive. One afternoon, Roy and I hooked up 7 times and landed only one coho. They are brawling fighters that do not easily come to hand. They are into your backing in a blink of an eye and several times, I thought I was about to get spooled. Spring salmon (chinooks) came into the estuary and were taking our flies. We hooked up while trying to catch coho and the last of the pink salmon run. Imagine hooking a 25 to 35 pound spring salmon on a 7 weight fly rod. We were lucky to land some monsters. We also encountered steelhead. We did not land any. We were within an arm reach with one steelhead. The trip also was about 3 brothers and their dad having a great time. Those were very special times for the 4 fly fishers. Camping, tying flies, story telling and fly fishing made the week fly by. When some of the Qualicum Beach fly fishers joined us, the trip was just plain fun. I also borrowed a spey rod and was able to manage several salmon on the 12 foot-7weight rod. That was a first and only made me want to get more competent. That will come with practice and more learning. Next year we will have 10 weight rods along.

Coho

Qualicum Bob's riffle at the Stump Hole was always action packed.

Roy Saunders, his dad and brothers.

I couldn't believe this chinook salmon came to hand.

 

Roy and his long time buddy Don waiting for the coho to show.

A nice coho in the estuary.

This spring salmon was landed in less than 10 minutes and then tore away to complete his journey.

Several perfectly placed casts allowed Roy to catch some amazing coho.

Roy hooks up with a chinook salmon.

A rare triple header.

We were not the only ones interested in the salmon.

Sight fishing along a beach was slow. Roy found these crabs at his feet. Unfortuately a bit small for the pot.

 All species of salmon in the river were taking chartreuse clouser minnows.

The big boys were out and tough to land.