ITie

Well, yesterday was most definitely one for the brooks. We started our day off with an early wake-up call at 5:30am. Dad had breakfast started, and Aly and I soon joined him. After getting a good fill of protein in our bellies, we quickly made up lunches for the day, loaded up the boat and truck, and hit the road. We weren’t 10 minutes down the highway, and we are all treated with a big surprise. A cow moose, standing on the side of the highway! I can’t tell you how long it has been since I saw one on a highway. That right there could’ve been my highlight! As we continued on our journey, we were delighted with a handfull of mule deer does at various locations. Upon arrival at the lake, we met up with dad’s friend, and got everything set up and into the water. Skeeters were moderate, but we had “pre-sprayed” in anticipation of a feeding frenzy. One last trip to see Jon, and we were pushing off from shore. Normally, we would go to a predetermined location on the lake and begin trolling our wet flies of choice (basically any green wet fly). But this time, we changed things up a bit, and started trolling sooner. What was very notable on this trip, was the fact that the fish appeared to be very dispersed, as opposed to being congregated as we usually saw in years past. Fish were rising everywhere. Why? What was so tempting to them, that they would spread out so much? And why were they so active on the surface? As we navigated the lake, we had hits in locations that was typically non-productive before. We were each using a sinking tip fly line, as many locations are quite shallow. A wet line would typically be too heavy and you’d hit bottom too much. A floating line was simply a surface line, and generally less productive while trolling. As we worked the area, there was an abundance of activity in the exposed w**d structure. Fish were very aggressive out there. We agreed to head that way. As a rule when fishing, look for the area with the greatest amount of activity, and focus your efforts there. There’s a reason why the fish are flopping out of the water. We entered the w**d structure very methodically, picking out a pathway with less w**ds so we wouldn’t snag up as much when passing through. I looked on top of the w**d structure, and immediately notice one typ of beetle looking critter making that it’s home. They were very plentiful. Also very noticeable was the great numbers of caddis (sedge) fly adults, sharing the same habitation as the beetle looking insects. If they weren’t there, they were out on the water, close to the w**ds, motoring erratically across the surface, leaving their distinct V wake behind them. A key magnet to all fish species looking to fill that void in their tummy. We decided to anchor in a pocket inside the structure, and fly fish. When anchoring to fly fish, it is advantageous to anchor by bow & stern, to minimize any or all boat movement. That will in turn, prevent your fly line from getting a “belly” in your line, as opposed to a nice straight line from the tip of your rod, to the fly. A straight line will allow you to detect the slightest of bites, much sooner. It may seem trivial, but it’s actually quite the opposite. Always achieve for a straight line. And that comes with practice. You can also stretch your line out prior to fishing by securing the leader end, and pulling, or stretching all your fly line, right down to your backing (the first 100 or so yards of dacron line used as the base layer of line on your fly reel). So now we’re anchored, and we begin to cast and retrieve wet flies, using a sink tip fly line. I also set up a dry line with a dry fly, in hopes that my daughter may experience the ferocious take of a trout eating a dry fly. Hopes and expectations were highly elevated, as there was so much feeding activity all around us! Ironically, our success was anything but stellar. In fact, it was downright disappointing. Sure we got a few hits, but, nothing like we thought it would be. We switched up numerous time, still with little success. The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing, and expect different results. So we pulled anchor, and decided to troll again. A damsel fly nymph had always been a good presentation to these fish, so that’s what dad put on his line, and we began to troll. BANG! He’s into fish!! He passed the rod to Aly, and she begins the process of learning how to fight a fish on the fly rod. Dad catches a glimpse of the fish and confirms it’s a great fish. But as with anyone learning the do’s and dont’s of using a fly rod, Aly was tough on the fish, not allowing it to “run” when it wanted to, and pulled the hook out of the fish. All good. Just a part of the learning process. We carried on. Soon enough, dad hooks another fish, hands the rod to Aly, and she begins a new battle. This time, she plays the fish a lot more, beginning to comprehend what needs to be done. Unfortunately, she loses the fish again. But we were sure to praise her for all the things she was doing right, and reassuring her that she was doing things right, by reminding her that she got to play this fish, much longer than the previous one! I asked dad what fly he was using? It was what I would refer to as a small bead head nymph pattern, in a chocolate brown colour. Swallowing my pride, I asked him if he had an extra couple to spare. Of course he did. Winter in the Cariboo, provides the fly tier with ample time to stock up on fly’s. I tied the morsel on to the tip of my leader and sent it down into the depths on a sink tip fly line on the one rod, and converted over the other rod which I had the dry line, to a full sink wet line. I then tied the brown nymph pattern dad had given me to that line, cast it out and joined them in the slow troll through the w**d patches. I hit a fish almost instantly! It was a great fish, as when I came up on it to set the hook, it was Solid! As luck would have it, the fish was gone, as fast as it came. I decided to give my rod to Aly, and I took hers, as she hadn’t had any bites of her own. Not long after the switch, she hooks her own fish!!!! She battles it hard!! Back and forth, the play the game of
tug-o-war!! We continue to mentor her in playing the fish, and she applies that knowledge. I grab the net and she slides the tired fish head first into the net!! Her first fish, on the fly❤️🎣🐟 !!!!! If you could only have seen the joy in her face, in her words, in her expressions, you would be hard pressed not to be grinning from ear to ear, or, maybe even feel the need to wipe a tear from your eye. There’s something remarkably special, or primitive, about setting out on and adventure, to conquer the objective of providing food for one’s self, or their family. Or for the simple pleasure of setting a goal, and seeing that goal become reality. Aly’s first fish was on the smaller side, and she asked if she could keep it? I said, “of course”. It was the perfect size for a single dinner portion, or in this case, an added bit to the smoker when we would return home. After all the high fives, and knuckles, and pictures, we got the lines out again. BAM!!!!!!!! She ties into another brook trout. The slab pictured above. This time, she plays it like a seasoned veteran. Letting the fish run when it wanted, keeping tension on the rod at all times. Honestly, when I saw the bend in the rod, and how the fish was behaving, I knew it was a good fish. I suddenly was a bit nervous for her. But as stated, she played that fish like a pro. After an epic battle, she tired out the fish and as it payed on its side, she glided the football gently into the waiting mesh basket, and had her second fish on the fly! She was ecstatic! I was ecstatic! We were all Ecstatic! That fish was no small feat. And she got it done! On the fly! On her Own! This is a defining moment in a fly anglers tenure, and was certainly hers. In her words, “I’m just so happy in my heart, and in my head! I don’t know what to say.” I say, well done kiddo. I’ve had the privilege of teaching our boys Alexander Grant and Josh Grant, the values of getting outdoors and fly fishing when they were young boys, and to this day, it’s an adventure they still seek. I’m proud of that. It gives them a very healthy lifestyle choice, and now, one of our two daughters has the same knowledge. Addi may or may not take to fly fishing, and that’s totally cool too. She is very artistic, and loves to tie fly’s. So for now, we will go with that. Either way, I’ve had the privilege of spending quality time, with my kids, partaking in a primitive activity, that not only provides them with practical knowledge that can allow them the opportunity to provide for themselves and others, but it also gives us the opportunity to strengthen the bond that secures a family together. This was a trip of lessons, of family, of past and future. It was a trip that I am eternally grateful for. We live in such a beautiful province. Get out and explore it. Find it’s potential. Find your potential. And enjoy it to the fullest. I know I am.🐟

Freelancing with baitfish patterns. These style off patterns are useful for targeting large trout, salmon, pike, walleye. Pm to order yours🐟