We just got back from a weekend of fishing with some incredible people who all had the same goal in mind; raise money for the Casting 4 A Cure event. (Photos and details of the event and charity to come soon!)

For now, I would like to ask you to take a minute out of your life to open your eyes to Rett Syndrome and educate yourself a little on this disorder.  We’re going to be touching on this a lot on the Fly Gal Blog so please visit the Casting 4 A Cure website and get up to date on C4C and future announcements.

First person to donate a donation (large or small) and email me verification wins this Metalhead DVD.

Please email proof of payment to april@flygal.ca and stay tuned for full details on our trip!

Thank you for your support,

Ape.

***CONGRATS TO HEATHER MATTSON FOR BEING THE FIRST TO DONATE TO THIS GREAT CAUSE!  A SINCERE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE ELSE WHO ALSO CONTRIBUTED!  IT HASN’T GONE UNNOTICED…..

A.

I prefer to call it temporary retardation and it’s a talent that I consistently excel at.

Perhaps this is why I fish such large rivers in my home province of BC, Canada. Wide runs and Spey rods, boulders and seams….. the simplicity of silent prayers that a steelhead is somewhere lurking in the current.

Cast, swing, step,pray. Cast, swing, step, pray. (Adam Tavender photo).

See, without visually spotting the fish in advance there is truly no buck fever, only buck surprise; and it’s a whole lot easier on the ego when one screws up after the fish has been hooked.

Sight fishing in the saltwater is something that is still quite new to me and I’ll be honest in admitting that it doesn’t take an overly observant guide to note this.

For example, take the buck fever I mentioned. In my case I instantly turn into an over-sized kindergarten student who’s forgotten her lefts from rights, all the while appearing to have never looked at any clock other than a digital Timex with a Velcro strap.  The guide yells ”11:00!”, I cast at 2:00…..what a mess.

“Oh, THAT one o’clock!” (Glendon Paulk photo).

If I’m lucky I may be able to avoid the sick “thunking” sound as my Clouser nails the back of my head and if I’m really lucky, I may be able to delay the disgusting slurp of catching water as my overly excited back cast drops to where there are simply no excuses.

Don’t let them fool you…..they hurt. (Tim Myers photo).

Another unique newbie talent I seem to possess is my curse of enthusiasm and uncontrollable excitement. My friends call it the happy dance, my guides call it something I can’t quite make out as they always seem to mutter it under their breath.

Oh I get so excited!   My feet start to dance like a football player practicing that silly drill atop old car tires while my hands subsequently keep along to the rhythm with ridiculous clapping and nervous squeals. The anticipation kills me.

So when I booked Travis Holeman of Holeman Brothers Outdoors no one could blame me for not telling him about any of these ‘ buck fever symptoms’. I wanted Travis to take me and several other friends fishing in Louisiana for Red fish; BIG Red fish.

I had heard of Travis through another guide we had arranged to fish with, Greg Dini.

Greg had contacted me several years earlier in an email tempting me to take a shot at the famous New Orleans catch; the spotted beauty and glowing Red Drum. He had twisted my mind (and my arm) and had plagued my thoughts with visions of monstrous, record breaking fish.

Paired with a city that had intrigued me for years, New Orleans, land of Jazz legends, wild parties, historical brilliance, world famous cuisine, swampland and of course, fishing….had me doing my happy dance before my feet even hit the boat.

There were eight of us fishing on this trip and each of us were eager to touch down and settle into a feast of oysters and Hurricanes (a cocktail designed to help rowdies accumulate an abundance of beads…if you know what I mean). We were arriving only one day after Mardi Gras and had no idea what to expect.

Oh Mardi Gras…

Sure enough, beads and red plastic cups littered the asphalt and the lack of life on the dark streets implied that everyone had indeed participated in a wild night just 24 hours earlier.

One of our many refreshment stops during our stay.

We chuckled and made our way to the famous Bourbon street for dinner and drinks.

The next morning came fast (5:30am to be exact) and Travis was waiting to pick me and friend Phil Napolitan up before the sun made an appearance.

A beautiful morning.

The weather was cold but the smile on Travis’ face warmed us instantly and within seconds we were loaded up and on the road.

We had a 40 minute drive ahead of us and Travis settled in to give us the lowdown on the latest fishing report and weather conditions.

He went on to explain that February wasn’t usually this cold and that the weather had been baffling the locals. Usually warm and sunny, the below freezing temperatures, overcast skies and choppy wind was unusual and overwhelming for some; especially while seated in an accelerated boat in the middle of the ocean.

The boat ride was long but with Patagonia and Buff as my new best friends, the ride was tolerable. Travis wasn’t lying; it was cold.

(Tim Myers photo).

Rumor had it that the winter months brought in fewer, but larger fish.

Big game hunters, Phil and I knew this going into our trip so we were prepared for a day of patience and selective stalking.

The sky was gray and visibility was not at its best. Travis stopped the boat and assumed position on the poling platform, pole in hand. He looked like a giant up there, burly, weathered and standing in at 6’4.

Travis Holeman….the Man. (Tim Myers photo).

“Ape,” he demanded, “Let me see your cast. I wanna see what I’m working with here.” I shot out a bomb and watched my weighted Clouser plummet into the water and instantly pierce through the depths. I smiled proud and prematurely. Buck Fever hadn’t consumed me yet.

Travis instructed me to land my fly softly and to keep my eyes open for what looked like a “large Golden Retriever” swimming in the water.

I truly had no idea what to expect but I kept my eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary.

Next, Travis worked on my vision. As he poled us effortlessly he pointed out schools of Sheepshead and tested my eye sight and distance approximations.

Sheer concentration. (Glendon Paulk photo).

The overcast sky and rippling water was not making this easy….

Suddenly across the way, a loud shout of excitement broke the silence and echoed through the yellow grass and marshy tundra. Dini’s boat and two of our guys were into a big one and it was taking them for a ride. We had found fish!

(Tim Myers photo).

Travis maintained his cool (something I never was fortunate enough to see him lose) and pointed almost directly in front of me.

“There, fifteen feet 11:00″.

I squinted then felt my stomach flip. There truly was what looked like a floating canine almost right at my feet. I cast, stripped and came up blank.

I cast again, only this time clumsily landing the cast on its head. With a tuft of sand and one quick dart, my fish was gone and I was left unimpressed.

(Tim Myers photo).

“Arrgghhh! Idiot!”   Needless to say, there were no pats on my back.

Travis laughed and continued to pole. I handed the rod to Phil.

“Alright Philthy, let’s see what you’ve got.”

I watched Phil and Travis work together spotting the next fish. Travis instructed Phil where to cast and Phil landed his fly with precision. He kept his nerves composed and maintained focus. I wondered to myself how much the wad of chewing tobacco stuck inside his cheek helped to ease the anxiety.

Watching the guys intently. (Tim Myers photo).

Again Travis instructed him clearly with casting direction and distance. The fly landed with a soft “ploop”.

“Wait….slow strip….strip….strip…he’s on it dude!”

Phil set the hook hard and to the side flexing his forearms and preparing to battle.

The water churned and metallic scales had me squealing…. This fish was sturdy and fighting with passion.

Phil fought his beauty like a pro and before long she had succumbed to the battle and was ready for landing.

Nice wad Phil.

Travis leaned over and swiftly brought her into the boat for a photo and a release.

Leeches squirmed on her belly and fins, a result of the cold water and laying close to the ocean floor as Travis later explained.

It wasn’t an hour after Phil’s excitement that I was putting on a similar show and my rod buckled while I concentrated on landing my first Red. With long runs and intimidating head shakes, it battled hard and teased us as it neared the boat, only to peel line again.

Upon landing, I admired its distinct scales, thick shoulders, blunt face and a spectacular signature dot marking the girth of the tail.

I smiled as I watched her swim back into the depths.

My first Red.  Thanks sweetheart….  (Phil Napolitan photo).

Some photos to tell the rest of the story….

A New Orleans Voodoo doll checking out my “Boots with the Fur”.  Whatever.  It was cold… (Glendon Paulk photo).

“You’re awfully small to be poling this thing aren’t you?” (Glendon Paulk photo).

Phil with a nice one.

A nice New Orleans Red. (Travis Holeman photo).

Love.  (Travis Holeman photo).

Glendon fighting a good one.  (Tim Myers photo).

Glendon lands a nice Black Drum.  (Tim Myers photo).

Trav with a good one.

(Tim Myers photo).

Travis has been keeping us updated with the latest on the BP oil spill and how the spill is affecting Louisiana’s fishery. Visit his Face Book page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1638460732&ref=ts

We have got some great friends in this sport and are privy to some pretty awesome guide sales and deals….
This said, we will have a new page of “Blow-out Sales and Deals” announcing fantastic last minute deals and discounts.

So…we’ll kick-start it with this:

Terrace, BC

With a recent cancellation during one of our best Summer Steelhead and Salmon weeks of the year, we are offering trips at a discounted rate of 20% off.

So, that means our lodge trips are starting at just $2850.00 CDN – which includes 5 days of guided fishing, all meals and 6 nights at Yellow Cedar Lodge.

The ever popular on-river Skeena Camp package is priced at $1860.00 – for 5 plus days of fishing!

If you’ve been thinking of going on a Steelhead trip but for whatever reason it hasn’t materialized, this is your chance at what may be one of the best Steelhead returns on the Skeena in years.

Steelhead numbers past the Tyee Test Fishery are nearly double the historical average, meaning that you’ve got an even better chance at hooking into the Skeena’s monster fish – fish approaching and well over 20 lbs that are just plain mean!

If one of these trips piques your interest, contact me at april@flygal.ca.

Available dates are August 15 to 21 – Lodge (6 spaces) and Skeena Camp (1 space) and August 22 to 28 – Lodge (3 spaces) and Skeena Camp (3 spaces)

So naturally, when my sister got a job at the lodge, my gut churned with both jealousy and ache as she was not only being taken from me for an extended period of time, but she was being taken from me to be put on some of the best steelhead water in the world.

Her stories of huge fish, fantastic food, fluttering hummingbirds, rushing waterfalls, great company and a top notch boss (Justin Blackwell), had me itching to experience such paradise.

Justin Blackwell and his family have been historical markers on the Dean for years and as humble, down to Earth, kind and gracious people, they ooze with integrity and sincerity.  I couldn’t believe how lucky I was when Justin’s email lit up my inbox extending an invite.

Myself, so used to lodge atmospheres full of pretentiousness with stories of who can cast the farthest, who can hook the most fish and who’s heard what about who…..my stay at the Blackwell’s was refreshingly flawless, encompassing the epitome of what a back-country utopia should be like….

Here’s the story by photos and a video clip or two….

From Vancouver we flew into the teeny tiny village of Bella Coola.

From here we flew into an even smaller town known as Anahim Lake.

Once we landed in Anahim Lake, we drove to Justin’s float plane and loaded up in preparation of a 45 minute flight over pure bliss.

That smile only got larger as the flight went on.

The Dean River

This waterfall was truly magnificent!  See the Blackwell’s Lodge tucked in the far right corner.  Is that a view or what!?

Getting ready to land.

We land in the ocean only minutes away from the front doors of the lodge.

The main lodge (Andrew Maillot photo).  Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ofR53ab80c to see the view upon waking up from my cabin.

Ummm, can you say “the best staff in the world”!?  Dana Vokey, chef extraordinaire and a true breath of fresh air to the Dean River.

Our guide, the hilarious Stevie Morrow.  Steve seconds as the Blackwell’s comedian when we’re off the river and playing with whiskey and rum.  This guy knows his stuff and is hands down one of the best guides I have ever had the pleasure of fishing with.

Getting ready to load up into the boat.

Ah ha!  First one of the trip!  A fuzzy self-photo but an everlasting memory that’s clear as day….

And another.  One of four pulled from this spot….what a day!

Saying goodbye.

Doug running to a nice one!  (Andrew Maillot photo).

Nice one buddy!  (Andrew Mailott photo.)

Wow!  Does it get any better than this?  (Steve Morrow photo).

Ummmm….nope!  Sure doesn’t!

Sharing stories of the day (Jack Daniels photo).

Just minutes from the ocean!  See the video of the fight here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StnT2G6VmV8 (Stevie Morrow video and photo.)

Rock on Kenny!  (Andrew Maillot photo).

Atta boy!  Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miXxAlMUng8 to see Kenny hook into a slab!

One happy girl!

Utopia (Stevie Morrow photo).

This was one of my favs!  Beau hooks this beauty and loses the reel of his handle in the water!  Check out the whole commotion on YouTube here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpV_JFD0WV4

Freakin’ awesome!

Hot summer heat… (Andrew Maillot photo).

Two peas in a pod.  The Dean beware, the Vokey sisters plan on menacing this river for a long time!

Kenny with yet another nice steelhead!

Ahhh, beer, Dean, chauffeur, steel?  Check!  Doug’s got it made (Andrew Maillot photo.)

Cast, swing, step.  Andrew Maillot photo.

Another beauty!

Nice work Mike!

Ohhhhhh…………..

Psych….The pinks are in.  (Andrew Maillot photo.)

Argghh!  Bugger took my whole fly line and busted off at the middle of my amnesia running line.  Amnesia?  I wish…. because I sure remember being very unimpressed.

Nonetheless, equipped with a new fly line and a little luck, all was forgotten when this stomper decided to battle!  (Andrew Maillot photo).

Oh, don’t tease honey….come to Mama!  (Andrew Maillot photo).

Magnificent.  (Andrew Maillot photo).

Hans!  Right on!

My angel and Dean River sweetheart, Dana.

Reflecting on a trip of a lifetime and a love like none other.

The Dean turned me to mush and had me tearing up upon departing….this will be an annual trip for me.  My heart is lost somewhere amidst those mountains and I can promise you that I’ll be back soon to find it.

If ever you have trusted me on one thing this is it; Book your trip of a lifetime on the Dean River and make the conscious decision to leave your heart behind.

Contact april@flygal.ca for more information or to book a trip.

Includes- One night cabin accommodations, 2 full days of walk and wade fishing, all meals.

Includes- One night cabin accommodations, 1 full day of walk and wade fishing, 1 full day of float fishing, all meals.

Contact april@flygal.ca or info@outflyfishingoutfitters.com for more info.

Rio fly lines have graced our spools since the beginning and we are proud to be working in part with such a great team!

Product updates and reviews on their way!

We are ecstatic to announce our Co-Ed Learn to Fly Fish Weekend retreat in Terrace, BC!

(Jeff Bright photo)

Join us as we team with Nicholas Dean Lodge www.nicholasdean.com on the long weekend of August 6, 7 and 8th fishing for salmon and steelhead.

(Noel Gyger photo)

Course includes 3 days of fishing, 2 nights accommodations at a 5 star lodge, and all meals.

Price:  $895.00

Contact april@flygal.ca or Chad Black at chadblack@nicholasdean.com to reserve your space.

I will be putting many of those ideas into play for future Pay It Forward Contests.

For this particular contest however, I have to announce two “winners”. 

We will be able to combine both of their ideas to hopefully help make this world just a little better.

“Hey April,
What if we make short videos and upload them to Youtube? Everyone has a digital camera these days, and the quality doesn’t have to be fantastic. That way everyone can see and appreciate these random acts of kindness!

Ashley Rae”

And

“Often in this heavy society which we all live, individuals can get bogged down by various degrees of stress. I think it would be nice if fishermen and women pledged to pay it forward by; taking one person whom they know could USE a day out fishing and inviting them along. Whether it be a friend who’s fallen on hard times, a child or teenager who’s parents are separating, a neighbor returning home from Iraq or Afgan, what ever it may be- I think we all know someone who could USE the pull of a trout on the end of their line.

“And if the angler catches a fish, surely then there is no man merrier than he is in his spirit”
-John McDonald The Origins of Angling

Pay it forward by treating someone to a day on the river or lake.

A.J. Gotschall “

So, here’s the challenge:

Take someone fishing who you know needs it REAL bad…  Ideas to try out are old folks homes, Girl/Boy scouts, youth centers, veterans, that neighbour across the street that just looks sad all  the time, your quiet co-worker who always seems to be looking down…. It’s really up to you…

Try to be sensitive to the people around you and see who is looking like they may need a friend and a day away from home.  Heck, even an hour of dry casting on the grass is better than nothing.  Just show someone that you care…

Directions: 

Capture the moment on video and make sure that you film a piece of paper that has “Pay It Forward Contest 2010″ filmed in the opening scene (even your digital camera may have a video option…try not to discredit those).   

Post the clip to YouTube (it doesn’t have to be a long clip) and email me the link in an email titled “Pay It Forward Contest 2010″.

We have got some incredible prizes and each will be given away accordingly.  Contest will go until August 1st, 2010.

I’m excited to see what you come up with!

Ape.