Bass Pro Shops- A New Outlook....

I remember the first time I ever stepped foot into a Bass Pro Shops store.

Between my initial awe, shock and complete overwhelming nausea, I didn’t know whether to turn left, right or simply around and out the doors.

I was a part-time worker at a small fly shop close to my hometown (Reaction Fly and Tackle in Abbotsford, B.C.) and truly loved the feel of working with a relaxed and tight-knit group of guys who, like me, worked to collect discounted fly gear instead of nominal pay cheques.

Petrified of the industry (not always the most compassionate crew), I was shaking in my boots that word would get out that I had stepped foot into the devil; Bass Pro Shops.

Bass Pro Shops in Calgary.

I muttered as I walked through the aisles, shook my head at the life sized photo of Bob Izumi, bitched to myself that this was the reason fly shops have a hard time making it, and found myself briefly questioning if the cartoon character from King of the Hill was sponsored by Bass Pro and if he even actually fished.

Dave Mercer rocking the stage (he is one seriously funny dude!)

It was an uncanny feeling. I was both incredibly impressed and disgusted at the same time; similar to that feeling of meeting a beautiful man who simply can’t stop saying something stupid.

Ladies, you know what I’m talking about…….

So several years later when (now) friend George Wallace (who consequently works for Bass Pro in Toronto), asked me to participate in a seminar at the new store opening in Calgary, I immediately had my answer; “No.”

The fact that the grand opening fell on my birthday weekend certainly didn’t help matters either.

“I already get enough grief, being who I am as is. There is no way I’m getting involved in this one George. Calgary will have your head, and if you ever think you’ll make it in B.C., you’re wrong.”

Man, was I ignorant. It’s amazing what indoctrination, incorrect influence, and close-minded people will do to one’s opinion.

It’s no secret that I’m one to voice my thoughts (unfortunately), so I sat down to a phone conversation with George to let him know my gut feeling on the whole situation.

“You’ll put the ma and pop shops out of business”.

He was patient and answered me kindly, “This is about inspiring people to love, enjoy and conserve the Great Outdoors! The “Ma & Pa Shops” you speak of will always enjoy the support of their core customer-base . . . no matter the destination, or if you prefer, preference, the overall experience and the success therein will always be defined by the level of customer service.”

“Well, sounds like just a bunch of rich dudes who don’t fish, and promote the sport to the equivalence of a carnival”.

“I’ll try and keep this short; two words for you: Humble Beginnings . . . back in 1972, Bass Pro Shops started out with a mere 8ft of space in the back of a local liquor store. Yup . . . I said it! Since then, Bass Pro Shops has grown into the leading retailer of outdoor recreational products. This didn’t just happen overnight; and, we didn’t get to this point without the clairvoyant vision of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops Founder – an avid angler himself! From the novice angler & hunter to those considered unrivaled in their “game”, including those inducted into the International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame, Bass Pro Shops is home to the outdoor enthusiast. Much like yourself, albeit we’d rather be on the water or afield, a big part of Bass Pro Shops’ success has been its commitment to conservation; not just to those that volunteer countless hours of their own time, but to the resource as a whole.”

“There are two things I’d like you to take away from this; it’s paramount that those we support in the field not only be at the top of their game, but ultimately embody the character of Bass Pro Shops. Second, and last, as you said, at the end of the day, it all comes back to inspiring people (young or old) to love, enjoy & conserve the Great Outdoors!”

“You’re geared for the newbie, commercialized, fruity, and way too mainstream….” I caught myself on that one. Too mainstream? Seriously? Did I just say that? When did fishing hold the same standards of couture clothing and underground hip-hop? Wasn’t fishing supposed to be about having fun? Wasn’t I promoting the sport for the sole purpose of getting more people involved? God knows, I don’t do it for the money…….

And “geared for the newbie?” Yeah, so?

If everyone has to start somewhere, doesn’t this just make perfect sense? As an angler advances, they will undoubtedly adopt more advanced recourses, meaning quality fly shops, with quality staff and quality gear. It’s inevitable that as they advance, so will their knowledge of gear, fishing buddies and ultimately, choice shopping locations.

Bass Pro was taking the Joe Blow that holds the light-up spinning rod, and turning their heads, if not only for a second, to witness a fish caught on a fly rod. These same anglers are lost in the aisles of Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart, either unaware of ulterior methods or intimidated by major fly shops who can be frightening to approach.

Giving a tying demo at the Calgary store's grand opening (Richard Gibson photo).

Either way, they would be bound to be a lost cause.

I would know. See, I was there once too. I was scared to death about stepping foot into a fly shop for fear of looking like a complete fool. If only I knew then what I know now……

It became clear as we chatted, that Bass Pro Shops was the first step for many in a sport that consists of an endless flight of stairs.

One month later, I was on my way to Calgary, eager to step foot into their new Bass Pro. The people there were kind and the customers were excited and sincerely eager to learn what I was doing with my “crazy flying rod”.

The boys behind the scenes were hilarious and nothing like what I figured a multi-million dollar company would be. They laughed, treated each other kindly, and made wise cracks that had me clutching my ribs at times.

FFF Update

Alright.  So by now you probably know that I am working on a fundraiser called Flies For Fins where people donate their flies to raise money for the love of so many of our lives; BC steelhead.

Long live BC steelhead! (Ralf Raacke photo)

Perhaps it’s not fair to expect those who have not fished for these wild beasts to understand my passion for them, but for those of you who can empathize, you appreciate that the wild in BC’s steelhead is undoubtedly a wild that runs in the West-Coast steelheaders blood.  That’s right; we’re wild, bucking, and not ready to be broken.  It’s amazing what a fishery will do to you.

The only sport in the world that can keep me focused for longer than five minutes (Richard Gibson photo).

So when I started this fundraiser to get everyone pulling together to make a difference, I never for one second imagined the hoards of support that would pour in from people from all over the world.  Japan, Ireland, New York, Idaho, England, New Zealand, New Brunswick, Toronto…..The list is endless!!! Those who didn’t know how to tie steelhead flies, did their best, and those who didn’t tie at all, donated whatever they could to help.  It was heart warming for me and instilled a whole new faith in society and man-kind, proving that together we can make a difference.

People from BC started bringing in their flies to the shops, and customers went out of their way to support the cause.  It was awesome!

A generous contribution of flies from Aaron Goodis.

To date, on the sale of flies alone, we have made over 00.00 (since January), pretty impressive…..especially since the boards are still so full!

Now, as the steelhead season is getting ready to pass (or just get started, depending on how you look at it) it would be amazing if we could sell off the rest of the flies, to maximize the amount of money Flies For Fins has raised. If you live nowhere near any of these shops (let alone BC), please feel free to mail out a cheque made out to the Steelhead Society of BC, letting me know how many flies and of what variation you would like (the flies are more than reasonably priced and all donations are welcome).  Cheques can be mailed to:

8505 Norman Crescent Chilliwack, BC V2P 5C6

Words cannot express how grateful we are for every single person who has gone the extra distance to show that they care.

Hello Ladies....

Wow.  The “Girls just wanna have fun” song is repeating itself inside of my head.  The worst part, is that it’s singing in my head with the same scratchy nasal voice of Ms. Lauper and it’s causing me to sing along with it.

We recently had our ladies learn to fly-cast day and, my goodness, what a day it was!  In a months forecast of rain and snow, somehow myself, eight other ladies, and a little lady in training, were able to coax Mother Nature into hooking us up with some serious sunshine.

Ape teaching on a beautifully sunny day.

The day was hot, the wind was minimal, the burgers were juicy and my ladies were a riot!

Learning knots.

I always have a hard time chatting over a table to a group of fiery women who are chomping at the bits to get a fly rod in their hands.  Half an hour into theory, I notice eyes wandering and we scoot to the field to laugh with each other and intimidate the passing fishermen unfortunate enough to have to walk by us to get to the run.

Paying close attention.

It always amazes me just how quickly the female population catches on to fly-fishing.  Sometimes I sit on the sidelines with a grin on my face, proud as all hell watching them concentrate on their rod tip, and count their timing aloud.  This is why I love my job……

This is why I love my job.  Damn, they made me proud.

So four hours later, goodbyes were exchanged and hugs were given, most of them eager to return and master the double haul.  I hate seeing them leave, as the female angler in me wants so bad to establish the most kick-ass, hard-core team of female fishing buddy’s around, but I wave “so long” and just hope to be able to see them again on the water.

Keep your eyes open, there are some fierce anglers on their way to the water!

Close Your Eyes.....

When was the last time you closed your eyes and let the sun warm your face?  Allowing that fantastic orange glow to trap itself inside your eyelids, forcing you to slow down both your breathing and your mind. That slight warmth is a true appreciation.

(Aaron Goodis photo)

I have a best friend who regularly forces me to do just that; slow down and appreciate.

Sharing strawberries on the river (Jan Wolff photo).

Last November I fell in love with a small puppy in the pound.  His head stuck out with distinctive white markings, and his paws were huge.

Colby at ten weeks old (April Vokey photo).

“He’s going to be big….” They warned me.  Half St. Bernard and half coon hound, I fell in love with the mutt, knowing full well that he was about to be adopted into the life so many creatures long for…..an outdoor adventure alongside river banks and evergreens. Yup, he was going to be a fishing dog, and he was going to be my saving grace, “the glue that holds me together”, as one of my buddies so eloquently put. So I named the “mutt” Colby, and started his training at ten weeks old.

Boat training (Scott Baker McGarva photo).

(Aaron Goodis photo)

Training gone right.  Keeping still while mom looks for fish (Hannah Belford photo).

Yup.  Been there before.... (Michael Davidchik photo).

It’s amazing the difference it makes when you are accompanied on the river by someone you love, and even more amazing how much of a difference it makes when they can’t speak English or say something stupid to ruin your day.

(Michael Davidchik photo)

We play in the sand and share strawberries on fallen cedars.  He walks me by my pinky finger and gets excited when he hears my reel wind line back in.  He has brought a whole new meaning to appreciation in all of it’s most simplest forms.  Amazing how those simple forms can often times carry the most impact.

(Matt Moisley photo)

If Only They Knew.....

I’m allowing myself ten minutes to remove my tongue from between my teeth and say a little something that has entertained my thoughts for the past six years.

Assumption and I go way back.  Way, way back.

High maintenance, made-up, prissy, fake…. My fishing buddies and I always chuckle when the guy who has too much time on his hands feels a strong desire to make a crack about my makeup or color of my hair. If only they knew the joke was on them….

Enjoying a laugh (Dave Allen photo.)

Truth be told, as a casino cocktail waitress for longer than I care to admit, serving drinks and pretending to care about the pace at which chicken fingers are served, allowed me to fish like a maniac during the day and learn more about fishing faster than the average weekend angler. Tight shirts, combed hair, manicured nails (I always had fake ones to try and conceal my embarrassingly calloused and rugged fishing hands), and an ‘easy on the eyes’ image were all part of the uniform.

For years I would work until the early morning, only to clock out and head straight to the river for some early morning fishing.  Car packed with all my gear, a toothbrush and a small tube of paste, I would drive all night through icy canyons, stopping only for the occasional energy drink, day-old coffee, and consequently, dreaded rest stops. When my eyes began to feel heavy, I would nap in the lonely bend of a highway pullout until I was snapped back to consciousness by a loud passing semi-truck or obnoxiously honking train.

Hell or high water, I was making it to the river so I could fish all day, before driving all dusk back to work to do it all over again.

Straight from work to the river, crimped hair and all.....(Matt Moisley photo).

There were days I fished with nylons under my breathable waders, and days I fished with rhinestone earrings sparkling in the snow.  There were days I reeked like beer and stale perfume, and even more days where mascara flaked my cheeks. But I didn’t care.  I was fishing….. and I didn’t have the time to be bothered with high maintenance facial scrubs, make-up remover or hair elastics.

Ironic, isn’t it?

An Introduction.....

“A what!?  What’s a blog?”  Man, I felt old having to ask my little sister for the definition. I always figured I’d stay far, far away from keeping a “blog”. An online diary filled with updates about my scattered life and sometimes chaotic days on the water….  Hell, it even sounded like a messy word; like some sort of stain or gross spill on a sheet of paper.

But as I miraculously began to gain some knowledge about computers and inevitably, the internet, I soon realized that I am a woman who has a lot of things to say with no one to say them to. Hmmm.  A blog was starting to sound quite interesting….

I suppose an introduction would be fitting right about now, wouldn’t it? My name is April Vokey and I am a fishing bum who has built my life around this passion. There are several questions that I find I am asked fairly regularly and would like to address them first and foremost:

April Vokey holding a small but sweet piece of steel (Aaron Goodis photo).

What/Who got you into fishing? How long have you been fishing for? What else do you do? Are you one of those girls from ‘Fishing With Shelley and Courtney’?  (Yeah, I really love that one).

I always cringe when the question, “so, what else do you do?” is shoved in my direction. I especially love it when it’s asked by one of those guys who makes David Beckham look unathletic. (You know, the good looking guys with the spiky hair and uncomfortably tight shirts who stink of adrenaline?  The ones with pecs so huge, I find myself covering my own chest in embarrassment…)

My answer is always the same.  I shift feet, turn a funky color, and stammer pathetically trying desperately to think of another interesting sport or hobby that I may have tried once in previous years. “I studied jazz and classical music in university, and have had a number of roles in musicals…..”  I watch their eyes glaze over.

Acting a fool, as usual.

Truth is, I really don’t (and never have done) much of anything else.  I fish, I write about fishing, I read about fishing, I tie flies for fishing, I take other people fishing…and I love it.

Onto the next question.

I started fishing when I was three.  Dad wasn’t much of a fisherman, though I must give him credit for trying.  We trolled worms around the lakes and were equally excited about the bites we missed, as the fish that we caught. Mom, always got a kick of how fast I could race into shore with a chain full of blood soaked pan-fries. (*Note to fathers with young daughters:  These are the days that your girl(s) will cherish forever.  If you don’t already, take her with you on your next outing to the water.  Though you may not realize it at the time, you may be starting something truly wonderful!)

Three years old and crazy about fishing already....

As the years passed, our roles began to change, and it was I who was waking up at the crack of dawn to catch the first bite. By the time I got my drivers licence, there was no hope for me.  I spent every waking minute at the river learning about fishing.  Lord knows, how many spinning reels I blew up before buying my first bait caster, and consequently, how many bait casters I banged up before buying my first fly rod. For years I slugged away alone on the river bank, learning how to read water and find sitting fish.  These years were filled with innocence, excitement, scares, enlightenment and countless other emotions that turned me into the woman I am today. I found inner strength and a true sense of independence, all the while meeting some genuinely wonderful people along the way…..

Last question.

Nope, not Courtney. And certainly far too short to be Shelley. But while we’re on this subject, my friends call me Ape (as flattering as that may be), and ‘April’ usually means I’m in trouble….. It’s up to you.

So there you have it.  The basics.

NOW!!!  I would like to take a moment to utilize this blog for its true purpose.  Please read the following:

B.C. Steelhead numbers have been on a steady downwards spiral for far too long than most of us would like to admit.  These fish are wild, native, unique, and loved by anglers from all over the world. I have conveyed a message to all of my fellow anglers, and to anyone else who is willing to listen. It is as follows:

Listen up!!! This message is for you whether you live in Norway, Oregon or British Columbia.... Our steelhead are suffering and need your help! I have started a fundraiser called Flies For Fins. I don't want your money, but I do need some of your time and tying materials. I am working with Reaction Fly and Tackle, Pacific Angler, Michael and Young Fly Shop, Whistler Fly Fishing and Sea-Run Fly and Tackle to raise money for the Steelhead Society (steelheadsociety.org). Each location will carry a cork board that is full of steelhead flies MADE BY YOU. These flies will be sold at the shops, where proceeds will be donated to the Steelhead Society. In the middle of each cork board will be a graph that is updated weekly to show how much money had been raised.  (I will also update the graph on this blog) Mailing flies only takes a couple stamps (just make sure that they can be flattened in an envelope.) This is for a great cause, please choose to take some of your time and flies out of your box for it. I will have a Face Book page up in the next several days for Flies For Fins, however, we need flies RIGHT NOW.

"Wizard Of Oz" Design and tied by Vokey.

Flies can be shipped to: 8505 Norman Cres. Chilliwack, B.C. Canada V2P 5C6

Feel free to send one fly, or ten! Make them as fancy or as plain as you would like. Please include your name.

Envelope, stamp, fly. It's that simple. Please do your part and help us make a difference!