Fox Rocks...

99.3 The Fox radio station has always entertained me. 

They say it like it is, play fantastic music, and do so all while having a great time.

Recently, I was minding my business when a friend called to let me know that they had been speaking about me on the Jeff O'neil show (a popular morning show on the station) earlier that day.

He let me know that they had Mariko Izumi (a fellow Canadian conventional angler who has sought fame with a bikini and contagious party laugh; I think she's hot... say what you will). 

Regardless, Mariko was on the show as Canada's hottest fisher woman and she handled their crude questions well. "Dinner plates or dimes?", they asked her.... Yes, they are classy guys.

Well as the show ended, they received some calls that encouraged them to contact me for an interview. 

So as my inbox lit up with an email from one of the hosts, I took some time to think about if it was worth signing up for what could potentially be an embarrassment of perverse questions and a self controlled stifled temper.

I thought about it long and hard; it is a big radio station and I am trying hard right now to reach to the general public about the Shell issue that has me so fired up.

Before long I found myself saying yes to the interview, but warned them that I likely wouldn't be as much fun as Ms. Izumi. After all, how can I compete with underwear Olympics and a string bikini?

That morning I left bright and early, following the directions of my GPS and sipping on a coffee. 

The "reliable" bossy woman's voice barked me from street corner to street corner "turn left, turn right to destination", and eventually landed me at a dead end; lost and shrieking at the stupid thing.

The radio program kept running and so did the clock... tick, tick, tick. I could hear them on the air "April Vokey was SUPPOSED to be here... You know how those country folk are. Maybe she got lost?" 
Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to hear people talking about you and you still can't do anything?? Oh wait, maybe some of you do... bloody internet forums. ;)

Without further adieu, check out the link below to hear a very sweaty but recorded radio interview.

http://www.cfox.com/DJsandShows/TheJeffONeilShow.aspx

Dean River 2011... What A Year! Book Now For The Simon Gawesworth School in 2012!

In June this year, Dana and I set out to Anahim Lake where we were scheduled to catch a small float plane into the Dean River.
Stevie was there waiting for us and he and I were anxious to see if we could hook into some Dean River Chinook.

Clients didn't arrive for another week, and we were eager to do some "research".

The water was especially high this Spring and the murky flow was a little concerning. Both wading and casting were difficult with the water so high in the trees, but the fishing proved incredible regardless.
Early steelhead were around and the Chinook fishing was off the charts! It is truly the only fishery that I will openly admit scares the hell out of me.
These fish are almost as big as I am, and while they aren't overly long, they are wide enough to hold most of their weight. We hooked into fish up to 65 pounds and spent a great deal of time standing in shock as we stared at our bare hooks after battling with a monster.

It was awesome...
http://www.youtube.com/user/FlyGalVentures#p/a/u/1/UMTM7iD3vHE

Even landed the first fish that I couldn't successfully pick up (the 30 minute fight didn't help... excuses, excuses, I know.)

Guests arrived the following week.... and fishing stayed hot!

Just as a brief side note, we are excited to announce that Simon Gawesworth will be joining us in June next year for a Chinook/Early Steelhead Spey School.

Only two spaces left... email info@flygal.ca to book.

Before long, the steelhead were numerous and the days flew fast as Stevie and I were kept busy while tailing fish and toasting the fish Gods.

We had some incredible anglers and personalities join us at the lodge... With accommodations of only 6, the nights were often long and the laughs were endless.

The season seemed to fly by and while the stories are countless, they'll have to wait for another day.

Here's a taste of some of our favorite people...

To be perfectly honest, words can't do the season justice... I'll let the pictures do the talking:

We are almost full for next year but do have some spaces available. Email info@flygal.ca to book for the Simon Gawesworth school or for one of our open slots.
Hope to see you there!

April.

Back to Belize....

We are on our way back to Belize and we're making sure that we're doing it right!

Join us as we visit Water Caye (located off the coast of South/Central Belize) and experience this world-class fishery that has been appropriately labeled the best section of permit flats in the world!

Dates/Hosts

Trip Dates- May 6th to May 13th, 2012

Trip Host- April Vokey

Spaces Currently Available-7 of 8

Rates

$3885.00 USD

*Includes 7 nights accommodations (double occupancy), all meals and 6 days of guided fishing (guided days are 10 hours long).

There are flats located directly behind the lodge that are accessible for our guests, in the event that they'd like to wade the flats (without a guide) in the evenings. The combination of 10 hour days and the option of fishing in the evenings, secures this as one of the most productive angling adventures that we offer.

Also included in the price is our private shuttle (flexible to all flight arrival times on May 6th), round trip airfare from Belize International Airport (Belize City) to Dangriga, round trip water taxi service from Dangriga to Water Caye (our final destination).

**Responsible for gratuities, transportation into Belize City, alcoholic beverages and USD Belize Airport departure tax.

To reserve your space click here or call 1.888.359.4259

Package Information

Water Caye is located off the coast of South/Central Belize, roughly 16 miles off the coastal town of Dangriga. Water Caye is undeniably one of the most visually stunning locations in all of the Caribbean.

Along with permit, there will be the opportunity to fish for tarpon, bonefish, jacks, grouper and large barracuda.

Guests arrive in Belize City on Sunday, May 6th, 2012 (at whatever time is most convenient for their scheduled flight), where they are met by our assistant Lilly.

Lilly escorts all of our clients to the domestic air carrier in preparation for the 20 minute flight South to the coastal town of Dangriga.

Upon exiting the plane in Dangriga, guests collect their luggage where they are then met by our driver, Bennett, who makes the drive to the Dangriga boat docks and its waiting water taxi. From here, it's a quick 35 minute ride out to the fishing paradise and island of Water Caye.

This island is situated directly in the heart of what many consider to be the best skinny water permit fishery in the world.

The flats extend both North and South of the island, consistently producing an abundance of permit.

To the South, countless saltwater flats sprawl through the ocean and are indisputably the finest in the world. We know how challenging permit fishing can be, and as a result we're determined to 'fish the best for the best'.

These pristine flats hold incredible numbers of permit and have proven reliable to wading anglers who can handle the excitement of casting to tailing fish while standing in only 3 feet of water.

Anglers can expect to see multiple tailing fish each day and have the opportunity to cast to some absolutely magnificent permit! While the majority of this fishing is done while wading, the ultimate challenge is hooking permit from the flats and fooling these beauties into playing the angling game.

Important travel information- For American, Canadian, and E.U. citizens, all that is required for entrance to Belize is a valid Passport. Guests from China, Columbia, Cuba, India, South Africa, and Taiwan require a Visa for entrance to Belize.

Accommodations

Our guests stay at the Blue Marlin Lodge which is located on the North end of the island.

The Marlin has air conditioning in all of its rooms and is complete with, 2 double beds, and a private washroom with both hot and cold running water.

Guests frequently see bonefish tailing from the porch of their cabana and are more than welcome to fish at the days end. The island is an intimate setting, comprised of only 12 acres consisting of beautiful scenery and excellent fishing!