May, 2013

Ahhh... Spring! One on my favourite times of the year. Highlights: I met my wife, Wendy, in May, and our son Barry was born in May. The days get longer and warmer, and stillwater fishing really gets going! Gotta love it!

Where went the last 25 years? Happy Birthday, Barry!

Gadget, the furry grandchild.

Alison's tattoos are getting good!

Woo hoo! The ice is off at Zipperlip Lake.

And the fish were willing.

Kye with a nice rainbow on our first outing of the season.

Chironomids were active, too!

This loon harasses us constantly. Oh well, I guess it needs nourishment to produce those eggs. Check out the gouge in the top of its bill. Caused by a fish hook?

This expert angler at Hall Road Pond in Kelowna, where I take my flytying club kids, nailed a trout just as we arrived for an afternoon of fishing.

Melissa hoping for a take.

Fish on!

Way to go, Evan!

April, 2013

Slowly but surely I'll finish the year, month-by-month...

April means shaking off the shrouds of winter and getting back out on the water in earnest. Two casting events occured in April this year, both annual events that I always eagerly anticipate attending: the Michael & Young Spey Clave in Chilliwack and the Trout Waters Fly & Tackle Cast Away Day at Sutherland Park in Kelowna. It's casting only ay the Specy Clave, but if it's warm in April there are big carp swimming around in the shallow bay at Sutherland Park. I learned my lesson a few years ago: bring flies!

Alison showed off her art.

Alison's tattoos are getting better and better!

Ken Baker, Ralph Jolley and I made the trek down to the annual Michael & Young Spey Clave.

Lots of eager spey casters at one of the many workshops.

As usual there were lots of great prizes. Sadly, I got shut out this year! :-(

Shuggy looks on while Peter (R.I.P.) checks out some flies.

Kyle Sawayama, BCFFF President, addresses the crowd.

The load out before the long drive home. Happily, the weather was great to end the day.

Savas helps a new caster at the annual Trout Waters Fly & Tackle Cast Away Day in Kelowna.

Nick got interviewed for the local news.

Lots of two-handers to try!

This old girl just wanted to relax.

Casting demo on the beach.

Jordan landed a carp!

And so did I! 'Fat one, eh?

Ahhh... Stillwater trout season begins with a Sawmill Lake rainbow.

March, 2013

Yes, I'm officially the slowest blogger. Oh well, here's some pix from March. Better late than never, I guess!

Decisions, decisions...

Fishing won! Alex, Chelsea and I hit the Methow River for a day trip. Steelhead were not interested, but Alex got this nice bull trout.

Alex & Chelsea using the buddy system to cross a run on the Methow.

The long trudge back to the car.

It feels good to get out of the waders!

Teaching flytying at Trout Waters Fly & Tackle

Another trip to the Methow yielded some steelhead.

Ralph swinging a two-hander for the first time. South Thompson River on a coooold day. Only whitefish were willing this day.

The ice is receding on Sawmill Lake!

Rods ready for action at the Kettle River with Nick and Zoe.

Nick and Zoe using the buddy system to cross a run on the Kettle.

Sometimes things just don't work out the way one hopes. Nick doing a little flyline macramé...

A little Kettle River rainbow.

There were a few midges hatching!

The peanut gallery.

Itching to get the season started, the Tunkwa gang met at Tunkwa for a weekend in the receding snow.

It was sunny!

Bonny chillin'.