The Magazine for those who like to catch big fish and lots of em! Fall Edition
Where do waders go when they die? Pres
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ing a
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FISHING IN SNOWVEMBER! DO YOU NEED TO GET YOUR FISHING GROOVE ON? NO HOCKEY! LET THE STEELHEADS SATISFY YOUR NEEDS! ERUPT AN INCREASE IN SALMON....
2012 VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4
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CONTENTS The Magazine for those who like to catch big fish and lots of em!
FEATURES Fishing with Friends Good Times!
p. 7
September Adventures p. 9 A month of silver and steel New Rides! p. 13 Is it time for a new addition Getting your Groove On p. 18 Dr Fishy can help ease the pain A Tale of Two Sizes What is your preference?
p. 20
Smithers Steelheads p.27 Satisfying your hockey withdrawals Waders Graveyard Rest in Peace!
p. 32
DEPTS Does this look out of Place? Will waders be around in 30yrs p. 34
The Lamson Lightspeed 4 and GLX Dredger pointing up into the blue skies above a river laden with wild steelhead.
p. 3
Technology p. 4 IPhone 4 fishing - Pimping your phone Gear Review p. 5 Latest & Greatest fishing Gear
Building the Big Stick p. 6 Get Educated! p. 8 YCL - Review P. 14 Deeper - IPhone App p. 15 Alone with Grizzlies & Steelhead p. 16 Quotes p. 17 Larry’s First p. 23 An Eye for Fishing p. 28 Erupting a whole lot feed p. 30
Cover:
p. 36
Editors Edge
Cooking the Catch Maple Baked Salmon
p. 19
Movie Review Salmon Fishing in Yemen
p. 22
SkagitMaster 3 Flies p. 24 Can it replicate the success of I & II
Editor: Robert Bryce
Liquid Lense An underwater world
p. 25
Quiz Me What would you do?
p. 26
Worlds Most Interesting Man p. 29 Words of Wisdom? Hog of the Month p. 38 You will squeal when you see these oinkers! Page 2
EDITORS EDGE Taking the edge off Who Owns the River
Gloomis Break x Three
On a recent trip to the Morice River we made our way up river to the upper fishing boundary to one of my favorite runs. As we came around the corner and there was a local guide on the opposite side of the river with a client and another client in a run below the run we were targeting. Great, we thought, no one in the run so we beached the boat at the top of the run. No sooner had we got out of the boat and got our gear ready when the guide came roaring across the river and began to chew us out for taking his spot that he was “about” to drop his client off. He began to to tell us how many km’s of river there were available and that we should have not be fishing in his vicinity. He also accused us of racing up and down the river which was untrue as this was the first time we had made it up this far. After he was finished giving us an earful he raced off through the run we were about to fish. No class; especially from a person who is supposed to be a professional. I can’t imagine what his clients were thinking of his behaviour.
Congratulations
Glen Mikkelsen for his 1st place prize in the Salmon & Steelhead Journal annual Photo Contest. This one of kind action shot was good enough to beat thousands of other submissions. Glen’s eye for the perfect shot is something to behold. He always seems to get that photo of a lifetime and this submission was no exception. If you like “Double Rainbows” (“Verdoppeln Regenbogen” for the German readers) then
you will truly appreciate the above photo.
Kispiox QWS
In issue three there was an extremely informative article on the newly implented Skeena Quality Waters Strategy. The main component of these new regulations was that non - Canadian Residents could no longer fish on weekends on steelhead rivers unless guided. The goal was to reduce crowding on our local rivers. On a recent trip to the Kispiox River this year during prime time we were pleasantly surprised by the lack of other anglers on the river. At the end of our float we were checked by the local conservation officers to ensure that we were Canadian Residents. They informed us that there was typically 2/3 less fisherman on the river during weekends due to the new regulations. The new regs seem to be doing what they were designed to accomplish.
An unusual event happened this July. Myself and two friends all own the Gloomis Dredger Spey Rod which is a top of the line rod. Within two days all three of us had broke our rods and leaving us scrambling to patch together rods to get back on the water. Gloomis’s rod warranty program worried me for awhile as they took their time to put a new rod back in my hands. This fall while floating down another river we were attempting to make up some time and get to our pull out location quickly so I turned the raft around and paddled backwards to get more speed and power. A friend was on the lookout for in river hazards when we unexpectedly impacted a submerged rock which caused the boat to stop instantly and therfore the passenger to fall forward and almost out of the boat except for a handhold on the nearest item to grab which just happened to be one of the spey rods lying on the edge of the boat. This was followed by a loud crack which was definitely one of the rods. My first thoughts were; I hope it was not my rod as I already had one rod in for rod repair. ( I know this is not very compassionate but what can I say) It ended up not being my rod but my friends hand built sage spey rod. A real bummer since we were only 400 m from the take out spot and the river was not that difficult to float. Got a gripe or good news story? Let Fishtails air your concerns! Page 3
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IPHONE 4 FISHING Pimping out your IPhone
IPHONE Cases Those with IPhones know that you need to protect them from drops and bumps so why not pimp it out with your favorite case. Sites like Case-osaurus and Zazzle stock a multitude of different cases to meet your stylish needs. Can you guess which one I ordered?
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GEAR REVIEW Utilizing Technology in our every day fishing
Fuji’s EZ Keepers are easier to install than traditional hook keepers and can be repositioned as much as you like. Handy fold-away design snaps into upright position quickly with cam-lock action. My pet peeve on my Gloomis spey rods is that there are no hook keeepers and I am always using one of my eyelets to hold the hook. Those that fish with a spey rod know that it can be a hassle to get the line out of the rod especially when it is the mono tippett section. Having atleast a portion of the sinktip or flyline past the tip of the rod makes it far easier to get casting on a new run. Many rod tips have been broken while trying to pull the line out of the rod so why take the chance! Invest the $3.00 in the Fuji EZ Keeper if you do not have a built in hook keeper. Stanleys Ice off Paste It is that time of year to contemplate using “Stanley’s Ice Off Paste”. A non-toxic antifreeze paste for lines and guides to keep them from freezing. Effective to 12 degrees below freezing. Apply Stanley’s to your line and guides with fingertips or a clean cloth. It won’t hurt you or your equipment as it is completely safe and environmentally friendly. The night before, smear it onto the rings of your guides as well as the first 30’ or so of line and you’ll be in business. It typically does a good job the first 30 min and then it’s effectivenss diminishes greatly and needs to be reapplied. You may find it’s another product to add to your bag of tricks. Fishing Journal One of the most useful items in a fisherman’s arsenal of equipment is the fishin journal. It is never too late to start one and it provides many useful applications. A journal can help a fisherman refresh their memory when they head back to one of their favorite lakes and help hone in on that goto fly or technique that did or did not work the last time out. For me the water depths of rivers is one of the most valuable pieces of knowledge as I can gear my fly rods with the appropriate weight of sink tips and also know if the river is too shallow to run with a jet boat. Reel Adrenaline Energy Drink Energy Drinks are a fishermen’s best friend. They wake you up in the morning, and keep you alert late into the day, helping you attain the extra edge needed to land that fish of a lifetime! While hunting your favorite gamefish you deserve to be at the top of your sport, and REEL ADRENALINE helps keep you there.moist. While I do not drink energy drinks while fishing I fish with others that occassionally need a pick me up to keep them fishing hard all day long. The “Big Game” drink could be just the ticket to keep them going full speed all day long. Page 5
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BUILDING THE BIG STICK Hand Crafting a Graphite Fish Catching Machine !
As a fly fisherman one of the most rewarding experiences is catching a fish on a fly tied with your own two hands. Hopefully I can get the same satisfaction from building my own fly rod and catching a fish with it. I had never contemplated building a rod until a recent flyfishing club meeting where the basics of rod building were demonstrated. This sounded like a great opportunity to give it a try and see if it was something I would enjoy. Previous to this experience the whole idea of rrod building was a mystery to me as I had no idea on how a fishing rod was built. The website of “Hook & Hackle” (http://www. hookhack.com/) was recommended for checking out possible rod blanks and kits. I was surprised at the relative inexpensive kits that were available. I decided upon a 8 wt, 10’ 8” switch rod as this was one rod I still needed in my arsenal of fly rods. I was very thankful for the assistance of local club members Erich Franz and Brian Smith as they help guide me through the process of rod building step by step. I have to admit that the quality of my rod building was not to the standard of Erich’s or Brian’s but I was still proud of my first build. Now all that remains is to catch that first fish! BATSON RAINSHADOW SWITCH ROD KIT - Rainshadow RX7 Switch Rod Blanks feature a highly technical blend of RX6, RX7, & RX8 high strain graphite material.The combined types of graphite achieves a precise action, added length increases casting distance and line control, Caster friendly Medium Fast Action,Blank combined with quality components such as Batson’s high end fore & rear grip , fighting butt , HOT METAL ALPS A7L2 reel seat, Chrome Traditional Snake Guides , Large Loop Tip Top , Winding Check & Black Thread. 10’ 8” / 8 Wt. Limited Lifetime Warranty on blank. 4pc. $178.00 for the kit. Page 6
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FISHING WITH FRIENDS Good times and some fish as well!
I was sitting at work one day when the phone rang and it happened to be one of our instructors that teaches many of our courses. We got talking and then realized we were both going to be in Terrace, BC in late September so we decided to meet up and go out fishing while we there. When we arrived in Terrace, Mel and Krista had a delicious steak barbecue ready for us which would give us the energy for the following day of fishing. We decided to float and fish a local river that I heard had been producing some nice coho in the past week. We shuttled vehicles first thing in the morning and then prepared our raft and pontoon boats for the day. The river was relatively easy to float and we satrted by fishing a couple of less than ideal runs until we found a nice deep trough. It did not take Krista long to hook into two nice coho but unfortunately lost both. We worked our way down river throught out the day hooking and landing some nice fish.
Getting ready in the morning
The next day we all jumped in my jet boat and headed up another local river to try and hook some coho. We tried a few spots and managed to land a few nice fish. Overall it was a good day and half of fishing even though we did not get to fish the rivers I had hoped as the water levels were too low on some of the preferred rivers. We were also very rushed during the two days as I had purchased a new boat and had alot of running around to finalize the purchase.. It is nice to take friends fishing, especially when they are good at taking your picture.
It is always nice when the guests get into some nice fish!
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GET EDUCATED Increase your fly fishing knowledge
I try not to mix work and pleasure but the below courses offered by UNBC Continuing Studies are a great opportunity for those looking to increase their fly fishing knowledge base. The courses are taught by two of the central interiors most knowledgeable fly fisherman. If you know of anyone that may be interested - Spread the Word.
Introduction to Fly Tying
The course is designed to give you a basic understanding of fly tying tools and techniques. Topics such as proper use of tying tools, tying techniques, material selection, tying simple fly patterns will be covered .The classes will be once a week over a 6 week period. During the classes, students will tie a variety of flies that have been proven successful in this area. Participants with their own tools and materials are encouraged to bring them along to become familiar with their use. To begin with, tools and materials can be provided but as the course progresses, students will be encouraged to provide their own inventory. March 4-20, 2013 Mon/Wed eves $95.00 +HST Instructor: Erich Franz
Students practising their casting
7:00-9:00 pm
Introduction to Fly Fishing
This course is geared towards beginner fly anglers and people interested in taking up fly fishing. Four classes will introduce participants to the basics of equipment, how to tie knots, fly casting, entomology of lakes and rivers, fishing tactics and fishing ethics. The course will end at a high note with a field trip for some dry fly fishing. The following will be covered: Introduction to fly fishing equipment Fly fishing lakes Equipment and methods Entomology and flies Fly fishing rivers Equipment and methods Entomology and flies Knots: clinch knot, mono non-slip loop knot, perfection loop, nail knot, and surgeon’s knots Fly casting May 7-21, 2013 Tue eves, 6:00 - 9:00 pm (In addition, a field trip will be held June 12 or June 13, 2013) $150.00 + HST Instructor: Danie Erasmus
Match the Hatch: a Fly Fishing Course
This is a fly fishing course geared towards intermediate fly anglers an interest in aquatic entomology. We will discuss and develop a good understanding of trout food such as insects and other invertebrates, and their biology in lakes and rivers. Additional topics will include fly tying and using tying materials to match the hatch, how to assess what food is available, and setting up your own hatch charts. You can also visit www.princegeorgeflyfisher.com for more information. May 27-June 10, 2013, Mon eves, 7:00 - 9:00 pm $80.00 + HST Instructor: Danie Erasmus Page 8
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SEPTEMBER ADVENTURES The Month of Metals - Silver & Steel!
The month of September can be a great month for the fisherman in northwestern BC. It marks the start of Steelhead season and you know that if you do catch one it is going to be hot fish that is full of aggression and vigour. The other species of interest is the Silver or Coho Salmon as it is prime time to catch these acrobatic and also aggressive species. Both fish will readily take a fly or gear if you can find them and that is the challenge. Our trip started with a bit of bushwacking into prime steelhead waters that were a little glacial but that did not mean the fish were not there.
The skies were clear and the morning was cool but that did not deter us or the fish as they could not resist a swung fly.
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SEPTEMBER ADVENTURES The Month of Metals - Silver & Steel!
The fishing did not come without a little pain as one fish added a little extra torque and dragged me to my knees on the boulder strewn run, causing a nasty gouge on the knees but when you are searching out fresh, strong fish it is a risk you have to be willing to take. Next we were off to the “Steelhead Highway” otherwise known as the Skeena River where the fish use this waterway to navigate towards their native rivers and streams. The weather was beautiful and the water was in great shape. We jetted down the river towards a likley stretch of water where it did not take master angler Glen Mikkelsen to land this mint bright fish. It was one of those blue blazer afternoons when you can fish in a t-shirt, except this was late September when a rain coat is more the norm.
We could not stay on the river very long as we had an appointment in Terrace to test drive a new boat (see “New Rides” article) and then over to a friends for a steak barbecue. Steelhead fishing, gorgeous weather, buying a new boat, steak barbecue, accommodation at the Yellow Cedar Lodge and three more days of fishing in Salmon & Steelhead Mecca; it does not get any better than this. The 2nd day of fishing was off to a new river that neither of us had ever fished. The highlights of this day are featured in “Fishing with Friends” article.
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SEPTEMBER ADVENTURES The Month of Metals - Silver & Steel!
Day three started with a gourmet breakfeast at the Yellow Cedar Lodge while we talked to departing guests after their week of guided fishing by a local sportfishing outfitter. This day we had two rivers on the agenda. The first would be navigated with the new 12.5 ft quiksilver inflatable and 25 hp jet motor.
The fishing species we were targetting was coho salmon. They proved to be a little more difficult to track down but we did manage to hook a number of beatuiful specimens in the few hours we had to fish this river. We rushed back to Terrace to finish off a few administrative tasks related to the new boat and then it was off to the Kalum River for a few more hours
of fishing. We were back in the big jet boat and in search of whatever species the Kalum would provide. Again we managed to entice a few more nice fish to the bank. As usual in our fishing trips we like to pack alot in and this trip was no excpetion as we loaded up the flotilla of boats and headed to the Morice River for some primetime Steelhead fishing.
The Flotilla Page 11
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SEPTEMBER ADVENTURES The Month of Metals - Silver & Steel!
We arrived at the Morice River around 9:00 pm and quickly prepared our sleeping accommodations for the evening. This consisted of folding out the seats of the boat and laying down our sleeping bags under a bank. of stars. This may sound like a nice way to spend a night but we were camped only 3 km from where a fisherman was mauled by a grizzly bear only days earlier. We knew this going in so we armed our bed sides with bear spray and bear bangers. Amazingly these safety devices can provide a tired fisherman with a great night’s sleep. We awoke in the morning to see warning signs about the bear attack on the boat launch. Another friend had arrived overnight as well and camped in the back of his truck.
We had a quick breakfeast and then headed off for another day of chasing these silver bullets.
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NEW RIDES Time for a jet if you do not have one yet! 2012 was year of new boats and motors for myslef and some of my fishing friends. The main theme seemed to be “JET POWER” which could be attributed to one of the most read articles published in Volume 1 Issue 1 of Fishtails Magazine where the benefits of jet powered fishing transportation were touted. One friend bought a slick setup which consited of a 15ft Jon boat and 25 hp Merc jet. The addition to my fleet consisted of a 12.5 Quicksilver inflatable with an identical 25 hp jet. The
Nice Jon Boat Setup
key ingredient to this purchase was the relatively rare 2 stroke 25 hp jet. It is light enough to carry and will also fit on my exisitng 10.5 ft quicksilver inflatable. Another friend just bought a Yamaha F40 jet for his 14 foot inflatable. And yet another friend is in the market for a larger jet boat. Time for a jet if you do not have one yet! Everybodys’ doing it!
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YELLOW CEDAR LODGE Accommodations fit for a “Fishing” King Tucked away in a wooded corner overlooking the world famous Skeena River sits the Yellow Cedar Lodge, a full service Bed & Breakfast style accommodation with a back to nature feel. Just minutes outside of Terrace British Columbia on Highway 16 west the Yellow Cedar Lodge is your year round destination for adventure and relaxation.
you.
The lodge with the playful dog
Whether you are an avid s fisherman looking to land a record breaking wild salmon, an outdoor enthusiast ready for adventure and exciting discoveries, a business owner planning a corporate retreat to refresh and rejuvenate your team, or you are simply looking for a quiet weekend getaway and a little romance, the Yellow Cedar Lodge welcomes
At the heart of the Yellow Cedar Lodge you will find Chef Alf who, with his passion for locally sourced foods, and his culinary expertise transforms this rustic Bed & Breakfast by day into the ultimate in fine dining experiences by night. At your request Chef Alf will prepare for you a three course dinner showcasing BC’s fresh, seasonal fare, a culinary adventure you won’t forget! Myself and good friend Glen Mikkelsen were lucky enough to spend two nights at the lodge in late September courtesy of another friend Danie Erasmus and his wife Hilary who gracioulsy donated the two nights to our fishing cause. They were unable to use the gift certifciate for the two nights so we glady accepted the offer. I had heard of the lodge and often thought it would be nice to stay there sometime, so this was a good opportunity to check it out. The lodge is reasonably priced and within the price range of other accommodations. We also had our meals included so we had a chance to share stories with the clients from “Nicholas Dean Lodge” as they run their operations from the lodge. The dinners were far better than any meals we typically enjoy on our fishing trips when in Terrace so this was an added bonus. There is a great view of the Skeena River from the balcony of the lodge.
Beautiful log beams and cedar panelling in the bedrooms. Page 14
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DEEPER! - WISHLIST Is your pocket book “deep” enough for this app!
I saw this unique app and fishfinder a few months ago and I have been following its progress. The app and associated fish finder is a unique idea by a few entreprenurial guys who utilized an investing website for like minded individuals. The are trying to raise funds to complete the app and go into production with the sonar ball. They use a popular site called “Indiegogo”. where they offer different packages depending on the money you invest/pre-order so investors can become the first people on the planet to try the app once it is rolled out. http://www.indiegogo.com/learn-how-to-raise-money-for-a-campaign Entreprenurial individuals everywhere should have the opportunity to raise money. Now everyone does. People all over the world use this industry-leading platform to raise millions of dollars for all types of campaigns. No matter what you are raising money for, you can start right now with no fee or application process.
The app and sonar ball will retail for $199.00 After a few futile hours at the pond with a fishing-rod many begin to wonder what it would be like using one’s smartphone to see where all the fish hide. Friday Lab created the first smart sonar Deeper in the world both for amateur and professional fishermen. It is the sonar that can show you where to look for fish directly on the screen of a tablet computer or a smartphone. If you could not brag about great catches until today, with Deeper you will always bring fish home. Deeper is a smart sonar for smartphones and tablets supporting Android 2.2+ and iOS 4.0+ operating systems. COMPATIBILITY. The smart sonar works in the depths from 0.5 m to 40 m and uses Bluetooth connection to display the information about the fish, the pond bed, water temperature and obstacles you may bump into, on the screen of a phone or a tablet. With Deeper sonar you can go angling in any weather: the device works in the temperatures from -10 to +40 degrees. When angling from a boat, a coast or a bridge, you can observe the situation on the screens of your smart devices within 50 m radius. Deeper turns on and is activated only when immersed in water, that way it extends its working time so in unfavorable conditions there is no need to take off your gloves or other protection to get a grip on small operational buttons.
Deeper sonar is very compact and ergonomic, being only 6.5 cm in diameter and made in such a way that it cannot be damaged by water. The sonar is resistant not only to water, but also to small shocks. The lithium ion battery ensures about 6 hours uninterrupted operation of the echosounder and Deeper can be charged using a conventional Micro USB cable.
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ALONE with GRIZZLIES & STEELHEAD Cold nights & Mauling Bears
If you are someone that likes steelhead fishing and a little adventure, then what do you do when you have a day off work in September. Head to the Morice River with boat in tow in search of some early fall steel. I left directly after work and even had time to fish a favorite run at dusk for 20 minutes. I proceeded to the boat launch after fishing and got my sleeping quarters prepped. This entailed folding, putting a half cover on the boat, pull out the seats and lay down a sleeping bag. The skies were clear and the stars were in full form which made for a magical night. There was no need for a full cover tonight just a warm sleeping bag as the temperatures dipped down near freezing. For those that are not familiar with this area it is a haven for
The view from the boat bed Grizzly bears looking for one last meal of spawning salmon before they head off for hibernation. This trip would be no different as I spotted four grizzlies in the morning as I drove the boat up river. All were within 3 km of the Cozy in my sleeping bag boat launch. This plethora of bears turned out be unlucky for one angler as three days after my trip a fisherman from Alaska was mauled by a grizzly bear only a few km away. He was also fishing at dusk when this tragic incident occurred.
Early morning on the Morice
The reason why I do things like this. Page 16
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QUOTES! What is your favorite fishing phrase!
• Luck is skill displayed by another fisherman • If you accidentally hook another angler do not insist on having him weighed for a possible record. • Lunkers are irreistibly attracted to ultrlight tackle • All fish feed sooner or later but sooner than you get there and later than you can stay • The reason fish need to jump when they spit the hook is because they cannot give you the finger • Even if you hand tie the fuses with Ostrich herl and execute a really stylish throw with a smooth continuous side arm motion, it is never sporting to fish with dynamite • Never ask a fly fisherman if he really believes trout live in trees. • The liklihood of an outboard motor malfunctioning is in direct proportion to its distance from shore • A pair of waders is a remarkably powerful laxative • People who snore always fall asleep first • When you run out of gas on the lake, you are the last boat out there. • There’s a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot. –Steven Wright • My biggest worry is that my wife (when I’m dead) will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it. –Koos Brandt • The best fisherman I know try not to make the same mistakes over and over again; instead they strive to make new and interesting mistakes and to remember what they learned from them. –John Gierach • The angler forgets most of the fish he catches, but he does not forget the streams and lakes in which they are caught. –Charles K. Fo • ”Who ever said “A bad day of fishing is always better than a good day at work.” Never had their boat sink.”—Author Unknown • The worse your line is tangled, the better is the fishing around you.—Author Unknown • Only an extraordinary person would purposely risk being outsmarted by a creature often less than twelve inches long, over and over again. —Janna Bialek • Three-fourths of the Earth’s surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn. ~Chuck Clark • Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths. ~Author Unknown • My secret fishing hole is so secret even the fish can’t find it. Page 17
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DR FISHY If you are a fishaholic let Dr Fishy soothe your pain
Dr. Fishy is a 4 piece band from Terrace BC created by James Powell and Greg Linton. They have become NW BC festival standards. A combination of folk, rock, jazz and blue grass, their music genre can best be described as “Spruce Roots�. All original music, the local themes flow through the music like the Skeena River through NW BC. The band has been featured on CBC radio across the province and across the country. Dr Fishy fans are known as Fish heads. I was lucky enough to see the band in concert in 2007 at Artspace in Prince George. I bought one of their albums and often playe it enroute to Terrace to get me in the fishing mood. They have some catchy tunes and many are related to fishing and the local area. Marabou Jig I Need The Rain Ferry Island Faces Spin And Glow Candle Fish Cat Fish Blues Bottom Bouncing
Latest Album
The band tours around the region and does local gigs as well. Their latest show was November 4 in Terrace. For more information or to buy a CD http://www.drfishy.ca/
Past Albums Page 18
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COOKING THE CATCH Maple Baked Sockeye Salmon Ingredients • • • • • •
1/4 cup maple syrup 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 pound sockeye salmon steaks
Directions In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, garlic salt, and pepper. Place salmon in a shallow glass baking dish, and coat with the maple syrup mixture. Cover the dish, and marinate salmon in the refrigerator 30 minutes, turning once. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place the baking dish in the preheated oven, and bake salmon uncovered 20 minutes, or until easily flaked with a fork.
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A TALE OF TWO SIZES Big fish or unlimited action!
One of the questions that often comes up enroute to our fishing destinations is “What would you rather do?” A typical scenario would be similar to the one in the story except we did both. Would you rather catch a dozen very large lake trout on a lake with average scenery and little adventure.
or
catch over 50 Rainbow, Bull Trout and Whitefish on the fly on a scenic river that you have all to yourself with an added jet boat trip up the river. Luckily we got to do both trips this September and had the best of both worlds. These scenarios are typical in a fisherman’s decision making when deciding what body of water to fish. Do you want to fish for the chance of catching big fish but not that many or fish somewhere with lots of action but nothing too big. For me personally I like a mix of both with some days going after the “Hogs” and other days so much action that you feel like a fishing superstar.
Fish like this are once in a lifetime.
Other decisions (other than numbers of fish) that come into consideration more and more for myself and probably others are: Adventure - How remote and difficult is it get to the location Crowds - How many other people will be fishing there Scenery - Is the location scenic or as this can make up for a poor day of fishing if the surroundings are spectacular.
This fish is no slouch either! Page 20
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A TALE OF TWO SIZES Big fish or unlimited action!
My annual fishing trip Mr Iwasaki, the visiting professor from Japan was a little short this year due to constrained time committments. We decided to do two day trips with one for a chance at a trophy lake trout and the other day with some adventure and lots of action. Both days did not disappoint as you can see in the photos. We had great weather and lots of fish. The first day was in search of large lakers and we were confident we would have success but as we started hooking and landing some real monsters we realized that this was a good day. Some of the fish barely fit in the net and really strained our 15 lb test and medium action rods. The second day we headed off to a river that we heard Getting ready for adventure and small but plentiful fish.
had been fishing well for rainbows and bull trout. The river was low due to the dry month of August but it was still navigable and held plenty of fish. The fish came in bunches as triple headers were fairly common. We also saw a few nice bull trout in the 5-6 lb range but they were a little more wary than the smaller 1-2 lbers. On average the rainbows we caught were larger than the bull trout. By the end of the day I was “bagged” as I had been lifting the “kicker” motor up and down all day and reeling in the third rod every time someone caught a fish, plus netting, and releasing fish. One of many during the day. Page 21
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SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN “If you like movies about fishing then you will find this enjoyable!”
A fisheries expert is approached by a consultant to help realize an Arab sheik’s vision of bringing the sport of flyfishing to the desert and embarks on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible possible. The plot revolves around a progressive, wealthy shiek (Amr Waked), who wants to transpose his beloved salmon fishing hobby from his Scottish estate back to his native Yemen. His go-getter PA, Harriet (Emily Blunt), is charged with arranging a shipment of the species (10,000 of them are needed) from Britain to the Middle East, as part of a leisure activity designed to boost global relations with the region as a whole. Filmed on location in the Morrocan Atlas Mountains. If you like movies about fishing ( of which there are not alot ) then you will find this enjoyable. The movie did get me thinking about Salmon biology and is this something that would be possible in the real world. We already transplant salmon all over th eworld into systems that they are not native too but what would happen if they were transplanted into the middle east where water is scarce and temperatures are very high. Could it be done? Would the fish actually migrate upriver to spawn as our salmon do? Would farmed salmon act the same way as wild salmon if let go into a river system? Would they know what to do? Where do you get 10000 salmon from, for an experiment like this? How do you keep the river cool enough for the salmon? How do you keep enough oxygen in the river? How do you keep enough water in the river during the dry hot summer months of Yemen? Watch this movie to find the answers to all these questions! 3.5 / 5
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LARRY’ FIRST Hard to believe it’s a first for someone with his fishing prowess
It was a pleasure to fish with one the interiors finest fly fisherman, and especially since we were going to target a special species - STEELHEAD. Larry is a wiley veteran when targeting the lake bound version of steelhead but he had yet to prove himself on these Sea-going Rainbow Trout. Myself, Erich Franz and Larry Mikulasik headed out west to one of the regions premiere Steelhead Rivers to see if we could get Larry into his first Steelhead. Larry decided to fish his single hand rod which was probably a good choice as he came to pound some steel and not to learn spey casting. It took Larry awhile to get dialed in but when he did he did not waste any time.
Proud angler with his Steelhead
We found a nice fishy looking run where Larry could air out his casts. With lots of room to back cast he launched his egg sucking leech towards the honey hole and let it swing. As the fly swept across the cobble filled bottom a 7 lb steelhead could not resist and the battle began. Larry used his trout fishing skills to expertly coax the beautiful doe to shore for a quick photo. He was now in one of those mental states referred to as the “Zone” where every fish in the river was now in danger of being caught. After a few congratulatory high fives Larry quickly stepped back into the river and after a couple of practice swings he was now into his second fish in three casts.
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RE VI EW
SKAGITMASTER 3: FLIES Steelhead Flies: Beyond the Books
After watching the previous two versions in the SkagitMaster DVD series and being very pleased with both ,I was eagerly awaiting this 3rd release. The first DVD focused mainly on the Skagit Style of Spey Casting with Ed Ward. The 2nd DVD featured Scott Howell and his cast by cast instruction while actively fishing for steelhead. The 3rd edtion called “Steelhead Flies: Beyond the Books� focused on a variety of fly patterns and colors and how they looked from different underwater angles. Maybe I was expecting more but I have to admit that I was a little disappointed with this version. It is still worth a watch but not to the same standard as the previous two. Below is the official media release from SkagitMasters. Skagit Master 3 features a few modern patterns and the steelheaders who tie them: Hannah Belford, Tom Larimer, Eric Neufeld, Jeff Hickman, Ed Hepp and of course Scott Howell, Ed Ward and Jerry French. Steelhead flies showcased: The Grizzly Bear, Reverse Marabou, Orange Blossom, Fish Taco, Underachiever, Skaopper and an Ed Ward Intruder. Skagit Master 3 is much more than a fly tying film: The steelheaders in the show invite you into their world. A series of underwater studies examine light and dark flies in various water and light conditions. A flow tank is used to present each pattern in a controlled environment.
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PH OT O
LIQUID LENSE Adding a New Persepective to your Fishing Photos
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?? ?
QUIZ ME REEL WORLD FISHING DILEMMAS
Snowy Boat Launch (based on real world situation)
You show up for a day of fall Steelhead fishing on your favorite river with boat in tow only to find that the boat launch has a 2 ft berm of snow and a foot of snow on the launch. What do you do? 1. Turn around and drive back home. 2. Wait for another fisherman with a boat to show up and hope he shovels the boat launch. 3. Wait for grader to come by and hope he will plow it for you. 4. Drive over the berm and snow covered launch and hope that you do not get stuck 5. Shovel off the berm and the rest of the boat launch. 6. Hope for chinook winds to roll in and melt the snow.
Tiny Tires (based on real world situation)
You purchase a new inflatable boat that comes with a trailer. The problem is you are 7 hrs from home, you are already towing a trailer, and the tires are very small and look like they are not meant for continous highway speeds. How do you get the boat and trailer home? What do you do? 1. Sell the trailer and buy a new one with bigger tires and then get a friend to tow it back. 2. Sell the “tiny” trailer and lift the boat onto your existing boat and trailer. 3. Ask a friend to tow the boat and trailer back and take your chances. 4. Lift the tiny trailer and boat on top of your exisiting boat and trailer. 5. Make two trips (14 hr round trip) 6. Lift new inflatable onto the existing boat and trailer and ask a friend to tow the empty “tiny” trailer back.
Snowy Options (based on real world situation)
You are lucky enough to tie in a couple days of work with fishing in one of the regions premier fall steelhead rivers. You have have been looking forward to this trip for awhile but you are wary as the weather in November can be quite variable with either bone chilling winds, arctic freeze ups or monsoon rains that flood every river that flows, but what about record snowfalls. You wake up the morning you are about to fish and look out the window to see a foot of snow on your vehicle and flakes coming down the size of small pancakes. What do you do? 1. Pack up and go home 2. Hope it lets up and try fishing in the afternoon 3. Go back to bed and dream of catching fish 4. Drive to the Ocean and fish cutthroat trout in the rain. 5. Grab your gear and head for the river. See page 34 for the “Reel World answers”
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E IC
SMITHERS STEELHEADS Where hockey and fishing meet!
If you are an avid hockey fan and you also like to Steelhead fish in the Bulkley Valley then maybe take in a home game of the “Smithers Steelheads� Hockey Team. You have to admit that they have one of the coolest logos around plus they are a pretty good hockey team. As of press time the team is 10-0 this season. Origin of the CIHL Around 1996, four guys started talking about Senior Hockey in Fort St. James and about organizing a team. Those four people were Reo Martin, Rob McDougall, Jazz Rossa, and Terry Rysz and there efforts directly contributed to the evolution of the league you see today. The first season the Fort St. James team raised enough money to fly a Powell River team up for a couple of games. They then continued to raise funds and eventually went to Powell River to play in a couple games. The next season, in 1997, Mackenzie, Quesnel and Williams Lake formed teams and came together with Fort St. James to form the Central Interior Hockey League (CIHL).
Team Jersey Since the CIHL was formed a number of teams have joined and left the league. One of the original teams, Williams Lake, rejoined the league in the 2003-2004 season after a few year hiatus. The Burns Lake Braves dropped out of the league at he end of the 2004-2005 season. Two new teams, the Hazelton Wolverines and the Omenica Ice joined the league for the 2006/2007 season, which also saw the splitting of the league into two divisions. In the 1998-1999 season 100 Mile House joined the league, eventually leaving the league for a few years before rejoining the league in the 2004-2005 season. Burns Lake joined the league in the 1999-2000 season. Most recently Kitimat (2002-2003), Houston (2002-2003), Smithers (2003-2004), and Terrace (20042005) have joined the league, bringing the total to eight teams as of the 2004-2005 season.
Other teams in the league Hazelton Wolverines The front of the team bus
Houston Luckies Kitimat Ice Demons Lac La Hache Tomahawks Omenica Ice Prince Rupert Rampage Quesnel Kangaroos Smithers Steelheads Terrace River Kings Williams Lake Stampeders.
Cool Logo
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E
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FOR FISHING How is your underwater vision?
Some of the most productive steelhead runs I have fished are due to seeing steelhead stacked up on the river bottom. They are one of the most difficult species to sight fish as they blend in with their surroundings and are therefore known as the “Grey Ghost”. The human eye is very keen to motion, however it will not work as well when looking for a stationary object, for instance a steelhead resting on the river bottom. So the first rule of thumb is to put every optical advantage you can in your favor”. The first of such advantages as many of you may have guessed are polarized sunglasses. Polarized sunglasses help to cut the glare off the water and increase the area and depth that we can view with our human eyes. Almost all sunglasses let some light in through the sides and to some degree lessen your ability to see into the water. Normal sunglasses decrease the intensity of everything by the same amount. Polarized sunglasses can selectively eliminate the reflection from light coming from above the water surface. Maximum polarization is obtained when the sun is at about 37 degrees from the horizon. If the sun is very low or very high the sunglasses will be of little help in filtering the glare in calm seas. A rule of thumb would be that polarized filters limit the glare from calm waters for a sun altitude between 30 and 60 degrees. Anyway, it should be stressed that polarization won’t help in looking directly at the sun. If you have poor vision to start with then nothing will you spot these almost invisible creatures.
When was your last “fish” eye test? Can you see the fish?
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The World’s Most Interesting Man Words of Wisdom to Live By!
He was once skunked
Just to see how it feels! Stay thirsty my Friends
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EW S
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VOLCANOES = a FISHING What relationship could volcanoes have with fishing
In the news lately there has been a story about the Village of Old Masset on Haida Gwaii and there efforts to increase the number of salmon in the waters off their island by increasing productivity of the ocean. The salmon-restoration project started because coho and chinook from the Haida Gwaii hatchery were not surviving in the ocean and research showed there was not enough food. The missing element appeared to be iron. It has long been known that the growth of phytoplankton in the North Pacific is limited by the amount of iron in the water. Dust storms from Asian deserts add doses of iron to the North Pacific, and volcanoes have recently been considered to be another important source. “After dismally low numbers in 2009, sockeye salmon mysteriously returned in record numbers to British Columbia’s Fraser River this year. Tim Parsons, one of Canada’s most eminent fisheries researchers, has suggested that iron in the ash from the volcanic eruption on Kasatochi island, which spurred a phytoplankton bloom, could have indirectly provided a feast for the salmon. Parsons, an honorary scientist at the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney, Canada, has a government-awarded medal named after him for ocean sciences. So fisheries experts are keen to hear Parsons out and look forward to studies that might confirm the theory. “It’s as good as any other theory we have at this time,” says Carl Walters at the University of British Columbia’s Fisheries Centre in Vancouver. The paper links the 7-8 August 2008 eruption of the Kasatochi volcano in the Aleutian Islands to a huge phyotoplankton bloom later that month. The eruption wasn’t particularly large, but a storm spread its ash over a wide area. The resulting bloom was the biggest in 12 years of records, covering 1.5-2 million square kilometres of ocean. “We’d never seen anything like that,” says Hamme. The Hamme paper hammers home that connection. The question is whether such eruptions can have an impact on salmon. The salmon that returned to British Columbia this summer would have been in the Alaskan Gulf in the autumn or early winter of 2008, in time to benefit from the food boom” The Gulf of Alaska is uniquely sensitive to boosts in salmon productivity from inputs of iron, according to researchers, because it is generally lacking in this essential nutrient. Other Alaska fisheries, such as West Coast fisheries, would not be expected to benefit from the same mechanisms because the ocean systems they rely on are naturally abundant in iron.
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EW S
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VOLCANOES = a FISHING What relationship could volcanoes have with fishing
The researchers conclude that the annual algae blooms that occur in the Gulf each fall due to increased seasonal circulation of nutrients might be an important factor in determining the survival rate of sockeye salmon that migrate there. They note that another atypical sockeye run in the Gulf occurred in 1958, two years after a major volcanic eruption in Kamchatka. Nicola Jones Nature - International Weekly Journal of Science
Haida Gwaii: ‘We have created life out there’ Iron-dust trial to foster sea life in B.C. waters arouses hope, horror By Judith Lavoie, Times Colonist; With Files From Postmedia October 16, 2012 A controversial experiment that entailed dumping 100 tonnes of iron-laden dust into the ocean off Haida Gwaii has spawned a 10,000-square-kilometre plankton bloom. While organizers in Old Massett are hailing the geoengineer-ing trial as a success, scientists and climatologists are horrified. The idea of sprinkling iron in the sea to promote the growth of phytoplankton came from California businessman Russ George. Scientists are worried about side effects such as ocean acidification — George’s vessels were barred from ports by the Spanish and Ecuadorean governments after he attempted to dump iron in the ocean near the Canary and Galapagos Islands. George claims the plankton will absorb carbon dioxide, opening the door to selling carbon credits. That’s what the Old Mas-sett village council and economic development officer John Disney are counting on. More than $2 million has been borrowed for the project from village reserve funds through the Haida Salmon Restoration Corp. Disney, who has shepherded the project through the council and a village vote, said carbon credit sales will start as soon as the data has been tabulated and will be used to repay the debt to the community. “This is a village project about bringing the fish back and we are going to sequester carbon,” said Disney, who is delighted at the algae bloom and the abundant sea life feeding there. “It’s like putting compost on your lettuces.... We have tuna, salmon, whales and dolphins,” Disney said. “We have had enormous support for this from leading scientists and institutions and we have come up roses. We have created life out there.” The salmon-restoration project started because coho and chinook from the Haida Gwaii hatchery were not surviving in the ocean and research showed there was not enough food, Disney said. Iron sulphate — iron-rich dust from Alberta — was taken by a local ship in July and put into a moving eddy in the ocean, which is now about 400 kilometres offshore, Disney said.
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W AD ER S
WADERS GRAVEYARD R.I.P.
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WADERS GRAVEYARD Waders - Rest in Peace!
If you fish long enough you will undoubtedly become the victim of “LEAKY WADERS”. For some of us this occurs
on yearly basis. Typically waders leak in two different areas for different reasons. The pinhole is one that usually occurs above the booty and is typically the result of wayward hook or pointy branch. These leaks are usually fixed easily with a bit of Aquaseal or UV Wader repair and they tend to stay fixed. The second leaky source and also my pet peeve is the seam. The seam leaks also tend to occur in the booty and therfore this is usually the first place where wetness is noticed. There are a few strategies to avoid leaks and a few more to fix the leaks. To avoid leaks ( or increase the life of the waders) • Purchase high qaulity waders like Simms or Pategonia • Purchase waders that have ample room in the booty and ankle to avoid pulling at the seams while removing the booty. • Not too loose as this will create folds that will rub against each other • Allow waders to dry fully between uses • Store in a shaded, cool, dry place To find that leak. • Turn the waders inside out. • Make sure the area around the waders is dry • Fill with waders with water. • Look for any water droplets or wet areas starting to form • Use a felt marker to mark the source of the leak. • Drain water and dry both sides of the waders.
One of the best warranties in the industry belongs to ORVIS Orvis fly fishing waders are guaranteed to be free from defects in materials and workmanship or we will repair or replace your waders free of charge. The guarantee does not cover abuse, improper care, accidents, or the normal breakdown of materials over time. No one expects fly fishing waders to last forever, any more than you should expect a pair of pants or shoes to last forever. Waders will wear out over time, and how long depends on how often and how hard you use them. In other words, if a seam on your waders gives out after a year we will repair or replace them. If you tear your waders on barbed wire after two years, or if your waders leak after five years, we can repair most waders for a $30 repair charge.
To Repair: • Coat the marked area with UV Wader Repair or Aquaseal • For difficult leaks I will patch both sides of the waders • Aquaseal will require a 12 hr drying period before use • With UV Wader repair shade the area from the sun while applying and then remove the shade and expose to the sun to cure the gel in about 30 seconds. A UV light can alos be used to cure the gel if no sunlight is available. This typically takes a couple of minutes to cure. • Some areas that are leaking due to wear may require a patch.
Waders fix it ointments
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WADERS - 30 yrs FROM NOW! A look into the future of waders?
From the previous article it is evident that waders are not lasting as long as they should and are beginning to pile up and fill our landfills. Just how bad are “used Waders” for the environment? The issue is that the vast majority of waders — especially those with neoprene or neoprene booties,— will not biodegrade. What is Neoprene? The technical name of Neoprene is Polychloroprene. It’s Monomer structural formula is C4H5Cl. Neoprene is a synthetic polymer. We know that Neoprene is not biodegradable because it is very environmentally unfriendly.
Physical Properties Many physical properties of neoprene include the density which is (g/ cm3) = 1.23000E+00. It’s texture is mostly smooth and rubber-like. It’s melting point is around 40 degrees Celsius. It has many properties similar to rubber being that it is resistant to sun and weather damage; also that it resists well to twisting or flexing. Chemical properties The chemical properties of neoprene are that it resists well to many reactions with other compounds or solutions. It is water proof so it does not react with water or oils at all. The other side of that question, as I understand it at least, is simply the sheer numbers. Thousands of waders are discarded worldwide each year. Despite the politics around waders and landfills I am afraid the bottom line is that the chemistry does not change. Waders that end in the landfill will be there for hundreds of years. So could surcharges or deposits potentially reduce impact? Absolutely, but what $$ amount would dissuade fisherman from using them? Would a $20 /day fee for fishing with waders keep you on the bank? The other thing they do is bring to the forefront a green mentality about waders. Make people think about ways they can avoid needless use of waders. On those hot summer days are waders really neccessary? I have personally fished in a float tube without waders and have found the experience to be quite pleasant and especially gratifying since I was doing my part for the environment. See the photos on the next page of “Environmentally Friendly “ fisherman who choose not to wear waders. I’ve done a lot of traveling to Europe. It is routine for anglers to either share waders or use none at all. We could all learn alot from the Europeans! Page 34
E UR
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WADERS - 30 yrs FROM NOW! A look into the future of waders?
At the same time it would be nice if they could address the packaging industry, but that’s a tougher one. I notice an inordinate amount of cardboard tags with manufacturers logos and promotional material donning the waders ( and other gear likes hats and waterproof cases) while they are on the shelf. An awful lot of it could be avoided! What about recycling? This is one are that has not been discussed in depth. There are many stylish waders that could conceivably worn as business wear after the life of wader. Since the waders would be worn mainly out of the water there would be no need for waterThese environmentally friendly proof ness. You could soon see future waders designed for this dual purpose with minded fisherman choose not to style and elegance. ie built in bow ties, pleated pants and stitched pockets. wear waders What do you think about proposed legislation to outright ban waders? There may not be an appetite within goverment right now to outright ban waders but these things take time as attitudes change but the time will come when all of our fishing is done without this protective coating. Are biodegradable waders on the horizon? Yes is the answer. There are people working on biodegradable waders. There are already waders that will biodegrade over a relatively short period of time but what about the seams? For example, sometimes when you get stitches, they are made from a polymer that holds your skin together while it heals. Gradually it will degrade and the stitches eventually dissolve. These kinds of stitches are being used on the seams of waders and as the waders degrade so do the seams. The difficult part is timing! How do we simultaneously have both parts of the waders degrade? As fisherman we can do our part for the environment. Start planning your waderless fishing options now!
QUIZ ME! (answers from page 26)
Snowy Boat Launch
5. Shovel off the berm and the rest of the boat launch.
Tiny Tires
6. Lift new inflatable onto the existing boat and trailer and ask a friend to tow the empty “tiny” trailer back.
Another environmentally friendly minded fisherman.
Snowy Options
5. Grab your gear and head for the river. Page 35
W O
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TERRACE IN SNOVEMBER Don’t let the White & Fluffy Stuff Hinder your Fishing Waking up to a foot of snow on your vehicle (and still snowing heavily) is still not a deterrent to going fishing
The Boat Launch - 2 ft of snow - no problem, just drag the boat to the river On the river - nothing finer than being on a river with plentiful steelhead and snow laden trees
Catching a ride at the end of the day. The Reward! Making all the effort worthwhile. Page 36
W O
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TERRACE IN SNOVEMBER Don’t let the White & Fluffy Stuff Hinder your Fishing Dragging boat around a logjam, which provided exclusive access to 5 km of river.
Day Two Boat launch
Nothing warms the body like a 12 lb chunk of steel.
Reward! Winter Chrome!
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S G O
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OF THE MONTH The Readers have Spoken - the nominees are!
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S G O
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OF THE MONTH The Readers have Spoken
And the Winner is!
This 18+ lb Steelie is another well deserved addition to the Pig Pen for this month’s “Hog of the Month”. The lucky angler was Rob Bryce from Prince George, BC
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KEEP YOUR EYE OPEN FOR THE NEXT EDITION Page 40