Evan Ritchie Has Passed Away

We have lost one of the original leaders of the Central Alberta Fly Tying Club last night! Our dear friend, teacher and mentor; Evan Ritchie has passed away. Evan was a mentor to many of us as we learned to tie flies under his guidance. Evan for many years spearheaded the club. When Karen and I started to tie flies and get involved in the group, Evan patiently taught us what to do. I do remember years where he taught every single session for the club. 

Evan invited Karen and I over to his home many a time. His wife, Sharon, often would have some delightful treat to share as we visited. Evan would give us tying material that could not be found anywhere. Evan was a generous man.

Last year, Evan passed along his tying binder for the club to me. It will have a special place in my fly tying  reference section. I will definitely take the time to pick out some of his favourites and share the fly tying patterns with the club.

Evan also continued to teach fly tying to interested fly fishers in the last few years.

We all owe Evan a great deal of gratitude for keeping the club together for so many years. I always enjoyed talking to Evan. He was always an inspiration to me.

Evan, I hope the wind is at your back on a bright sunny day at your favourite corner pool on the Castle River with lots of hungry cutthroat chasing your favourite flies.  Rest in peace! Thank you, you will be missed.

 

Belize in December with Dr. Bill and Family

My phone dinged at 5 am last Saturday. I was already awake so I checked out who was the early riser. It was Dr. Bill Young. He sent me the image above. Sunrise in San Pedro in Belize. I never get tired of seeing the morning sunrise over the second longest reef in the world. Dr. Bill; his daughter, Annie, and his son-in-law, Marty, were starting a fabulous trip to Ambergris Caye to fly fish for bonefish, tarpon and perhaps permit! Their trip began the day before with a direct flight from Calgary to Belize City and then a short hop with Tropic Air to San Pedro. That is an all day affair but the direct flight makes the trip down to Central America quite tolerable.

Bill had arranged his guiding and accommodation well in advance. The owner of the VRBO rental took them to their apartment once they arrived in San Pedro just 5 minutes from the airport and right beside the docks on the reef side of the island. Grocery stores were quite close so they were set.

This was the first salt water fly fishing experience for Marty and Annie. Luckily they were with Hilian Martinez, one of the best guides on the island. Unfortunately, they were also dealing with a cold front from the north. Cloudy weather makes sight fishing challenging but Hilian knew where to look! Dr. Bill said they had to deal with rain squalls every day. Usually these squalls are quick intense affairs.

Both Annie and Marty caught their first bonefish and many after that. Getting used to casting with wind and cloudy conditions can be a challenge even for seasoned salt water fly fishers. Having a guide who is patient and willing to ensure his guests have the best possible day makes for enjoyable days on the water. A day on the boat is all about good communication and a guide who can set the boat up for success. Dr. Bill knows Hilian and his family. They got together for dinner one evening. Getting to know your guide off of the boat makes for an enjoyable evening.

The weather was not perfect but 28C every day vs -25C back home makes for a break from our winter.

A few days later, my phone dinged at 5 am. I knew Dr. Bill was sending me a sunrise picture. I got my morning coffee and pretended I was on the dock feeling that warm humid breeze in my face and that amazing sunrise over the reef!

...photos courtesy of Dr. Bill Young and Hilian Martinez

Annie and Marty

Hilian Martinez

The sun rises over the reef just before 6 am. A coffee and a reef side view on the closest dock makes for a great start to the day.

 

Stimulator Dry Flies on Monday December 12th at 7 pm at Reliance Learning Centre

Hi Everyone!

We will be tying stimulator dry flies on Monday December 12th at 7 pm. Stimulators are always in my fly box. They are great attractors and during stonefly hatches, they can be an outstanding pattern on the water. Trout love to smash stimulators and you can easily tie a dropper to a stimulator for a hopper/dropper set up!

Bring your tying tools (be sure to have a hair stacker) and some orange or yellow thread. (8/0 is perfect). I will provide the rest.

I have been enjoying seeing new and familiar faces come out on Monday evenings. This will be an awesome tying session!

Bob