(from left to right)
Doug Pullen, Bob Vanderwater, Jim McLennan, Bob Scammell, Neil Waugh, Don Pike and Dr. Bill Young
Hi Everybody!
The Central Alberta Chapter of Trout Unlimited has made an
effort to recognize and honor members of our community that have made a significant
contribution to our chapter over the years.
Last week we took the time to honor Bob Scammell. Bob has
written an outdoor column that has been published in our main Alberta
newspapers for over 45 years. Bob’s columns have earned him several outdoor
writer awards from both Outdoor Writers of Canada and the Outdoor Writers
Association of America. Bob has also received so many more writing awards. Bob
was recently inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.
Bob has served as president of the Alberta Fish and Game
Association and was involved in the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Bob was one
of the founding members of the Alberta Conservation Association and was a
director from 1988 to 2002. Bob’s volunteering goes past his passion for the
outdoors and right into the community of Red Deer. Bob volunteered with the Red
Deer Regional Public Library for many years and the Legal Aid Society of
Alberta.
The North Raven River restoration was part of the very first
Bucks for Wildlife Project in Alberta. If you have been a regular follower of
Bob’s column, you would have the opportunity to understand his passionate perspective
on the importance of protecting public land.
It was a prividge for several members of our executive to
sit and listen to Don Pike from Trout Unlimited Canada, noted authors and fly
fishers: Jim McLennan and Neil Waugh to tell some fun stories that involved Bob
over the years. Neil brought several books that Bob was either the author or
was written about. One excerpt from John Geirach made me smile. John wrote a
chapter in his book, Fool’s Paradise,
about Bob’s book called the Phenological
Fly. Neil enjoyed pointing out some of the thoughts that were written. It
made for lots of laughter and raised eyebrows at the luncheon. Jim recalled
many an adventure in his early years as a fly fisher with Bob. Bob was glad to add many anecdotes to the foray.
Don Pike presented Bob a certificate of Appreciation on
behalf of Trout Unlimited Canada thanking him for his contributions for almost
5 decades to trout fishing. As Don Pike pointed out, Bob is a great friend of
Trout Unlimited Canada. Bob has also made several contributions to our local
chapter. His photography and books have always been included in our dinner
auctions over the years.
Bob has lost lots of his mobility over the past several years
because of a disease that has cause his leg muscles to atrophy. He still writes
his weekly column in the Red Deer Advocate as well as other Alberta newspapers.
