tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11711913719980565572024-02-02T16:24:41.994-08:00April Vokey's Fly Fishing Blog - FlygalApril Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-89555436391538890452013-10-28T19:47:00.000-07:002013-11-01T21:31:29.965-07:00Wondering Where We've Gone?There comes a time when personal outlooks and business announcements need to have some distance between them... we've done just that with our other site that shows <a href="http://www.aprilvokey.com/current/" target="_blank">April's personal posts and travel schedule</a>.<br />
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Feel free to have a sneak peek and please take note that we will be in Arkansas this weekend, Montana the next, and back in Chilliwack the third week of November where we invite you to our place at the <a href="http://fraserriversedge.com/" target="_blank">Fraser River's Edge</a> for our annual tying night!<br />
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Please email info@flygal.ca to book.<br />
Thank you for your business!<br />
~FGV<br />
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<a href="http://www.aprilvokey.com/current/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFXVThYK8NosUMhExisLvF3kruey-Ju1-bFuKPRVJsGzl_ziGdtmSrLl580K-fSUU5swnWoKwlHwoL_R9LukQaHQ0zs1iMNTCzVO5hVXUqURlznaHi6dumELcv8i2aVrab_7mPM1svC8/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-10-29+at+1.31.18+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-58768934086849109662013-10-14T14:16:00.001-07:002013-10-14T14:16:10.933-07:00What's In A Cast?<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">For a sport so consistently full of inconsistency, it is a wonder why we as steelheaders put so much emphasis on the perfectly sculpted cast.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As irregular as the conditions that we come to expect during steelhead season, so are the anglers who come along with it. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">With variety vast enough to shame a box of assorted chocolates, each angler not only fishes differently from the other, but also casts with their own flavor as well. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There are those who are more concerned with their cast than their hookup ratio, those who are just thankful to land their fly in the water, those who are talented at both casting and fishing... heck, there are even those who are happy to simply sneak a moment out of the house!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGf9htw2V_fHeC_FoXu-aWzo7vFSPMla3Dz1oPRr80cVDUQ62jsl7qenYWhdCbPVg2v8VSBtElrmv2e3FtC_3OjMC5AYaSd5L8LGaOfMmkFZBmJ2OWPF9iLs_nJQFif5xK5yL3Zvq9AE/s1600/Ade+photo+teaching+Loomis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGf9htw2V_fHeC_FoXu-aWzo7vFSPMla3Dz1oPRr80cVDUQ62jsl7qenYWhdCbPVg2v8VSBtElrmv2e3FtC_3OjMC5AYaSd5L8LGaOfMmkFZBmJ2OWPF9iLs_nJQFif5xK5yL3Zvq9AE/s320/Ade+photo+teaching+Loomis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I remember the times where insecurity with my own casting ability on a spey rod plagued my days and stirred my wits when brought into question. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Perturbed by a collapsed loop or a tailed sink tip, I would mutter profanities, strip in my running line and recast it "properly”. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Casting solely in vain, It wasn't until the day that I came to appreciate my accumulated experience as an angler rather than a caster, that I simply stopped caring about the aesthetics of my yellow floating line and began to let even the poorest of casts fish themselves out. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Naturally it was no surprise that my catch rate skyrocketed... for it doesn't take a specialist to summarize that the more time a fly is left in the water, the more opportunity it has to catch a fish.</span></div>
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<i>Matt Harris 'silly face' </i><i>photo.</i></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Today, as the years quickly pass, I am fortunate enough to spend a great deal of time with other anglers where, as a guide, it is my job to observe and recognize commonalities amongst my guests. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Bluntly put, I can honestly announce that there is a 50/50 split between the anglers who can cast with competency and those who need a little aid. From where I stand, as long as the fly is able to make it from the shore to the main current, I am content to sit back and watch the day unfold, regardless of how talented the flies’ delivery is.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Now before I elaborate further on my personal viewpoint of the infamous casting snobbery, please allow me to open my argument with a minor disclaimer on such.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I will be the first to admit that it is beneficial to all parties to spend the day’s hours used productively in an attempt to try and understand the mechanics of an efficient cast.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">To say that the cast and its form are trivial details would be incorrect and irresponsible of me, as a knowledgable caster is far more comfortable in the imperfect and highly probable scenarios of pesky winds, heavy hardware, overhanging trees and riverbank obstructions. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Further, this column is only in reference to steelhead fishing and the double hander as I will argue that the casting ability of a saltwater angler on a single hand fly rod is absolutely crucial to the success of sight-fishing productivity.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Now moving forward, it is a phrase that I use daily when an angler turns to me with an embarrassed grin and a desperate plea that I allow them to recast a collapsed delivery; “even bad casts catch good fish!” I remind them while I watch them squirm as their itchy fingers fight from pulling their running line back in.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Truth be told, I have seen damned near as many fish hooked on poor casts as I have on immaculate ones and it was inevitable that I started to wonder why.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3mwtHeHye0KudTwRSkMTsOgXftyOFNXd14WnKFLLOqCNBJ7ltHiOzzwjzC1tIcLWAdDO6LrK6APGXh0PZAUQqhvjCC34V438MRCzkvE09NG0eW9NU6d4GfzuxH1fhCy96MDb7p5K3t0/s1600/refined2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3mwtHeHye0KudTwRSkMTsOgXftyOFNXd14WnKFLLOqCNBJ7ltHiOzzwjzC1tIcLWAdDO6LrK6APGXh0PZAUQqhvjCC34V438MRCzkvE09NG0eW9NU6d4GfzuxH1fhCy96MDb7p5K3t0/s320/refined2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have always liked to say that there are three types of anglers; there are the ones who can cast, the ones who can fish, and the ones who can do both. It is the multi-talented folk out there who I try not to fish behind...</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Often, the creme do la creme of the casting world are eager to wet a long line and, tromping out to the middle of the river, they cast far and away from the nearby seam that the fish are holding in. Angled downstream, they often swing their fly too far, too quick and too unfocused to demand any attention from migrating steelhead. These are my favorite people to fish behind as they are beautiful to watch, perfect for learning casting tips, and are incredibly courteous as they leave plenty of steelhead untouched for those of us willing to fish in close for laying players.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Then there are the anglers who don’t even pretend to know how to do a left hand up snakeroll at 150 feet. More concerned by how their fly looks </span><i style="letter-spacing: 0px;">after</i><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> it is in the water, these are the anglers who have put their time in understanding water hydraulics, fish behavior and maximum efficiency. Limited at times by large rivers and other barriers, these anglers try to make up for their lack of distance by applying their “fishy” sense throughout the entirety of their day on the water.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Naturally, as mentioned previously, there are those who possess all of these great qualities... this comes with time, experience, true dedication and a little natural talent.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In a world where internet and faceless critiques so openly disregard and maim an imperfect caster, those of you who know me and this column by now should not be surprised that I must come to the defense of the anglers out there who are insecure with their rod handling.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In my observations, a collapsed cast often lands in a pile where it is given the ability to sink deeper than if it were to be cast on a taut line. This is quite often beneficial when steelheading and there is nothing as priceless as the surprised look on an angler’s face when their self-demeaning criticisms are rewarded by a hooked fish.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In the single hand world, we often use a cast called a “pile cast” where the line is deliberately crumbled to allow for a dead drift... in the Spey world, we call it an error but if the steelhead are responsive to it, I much prefer to call it success.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Additionally, there are often conditions that push fish close to the shore. Colored water and poor visibility will drive both migrating and holding fish in closer to the riverbank. I have witnessed countless occasions where an angler casting no further than fifteen feet has been the top rod of the day. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Granted there is always a way to take things too far, and while I am by no means necessary suggesting that new anglers dump copious amounts of line into holding pools while hoping for a flossed fish, I am very much encouraging all anglers to have enough confidence to allow a messy cast to find its rhythm with the current, working its wonders through the underwater obstacle course of rocks.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">While the river surges, so do the hydraulics of the flow and it is never a guarantee how each landed fly will be manipulated by the current. What is certain though, is that it will eventually straighten and it may just be the perfect pairing for a hungry fish.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My opinions on the aforementioned is exactly that, my opinion. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And while there will always be those who argue that a perfectly composed cast is of the utmost importance to catch that fish of a lifetime, I will undeniably stand by my debate that a fly spent mostly in the air does no more than catch the attention of a passerby and quite possibly, an ear or two.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Fish can’t tell what goes on above the water’s surface but they sure are keen on what goes on below it and the last I checked, a fly in the water caught more fish than one that wasn’t.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Please fish out your casts and when you look around before recasting a “failed” loop, I will hope that you will hear my voice in your ear, reminding you that you are doing great and that “even bad casts catch truly awesome fish.”</span></div>
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April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-88561917285133205482013-08-20T18:28:00.001-07:002013-08-20T18:28:51.158-07:00One Stepper Stackers are on the Way!<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Introducing the new most versatile tubes I could conjure up; the One Step Stacker. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Stack on one, two or five of them if you'd like and easily switch up weight, size and color by just adding or removing the steppers from your leader. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Anyone</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> who has taken my tying class is familiar with my 'one and two steppers'. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Montana Fly Company just bought this pattern and it should be in stores soon. In the meantime, please order through info@flygal.ca<br />Thanks for having a look!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-86751478403318617512013-07-19T12:58:00.001-07:002013-07-19T12:58:43.462-07:00Priced To Sell!All of our t-shirts on the cart are priced to move! Only $9.99 per shirt! Don't miss out! Stock won't last long...<br />
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April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-80764536536102043472013-07-06T21:26:00.000-07:002013-07-06T21:26:04.675-07:00A Little Clarity...<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">He stared at me vacantly, his back hunched over, arms in an awkward fold, bottom hand lingering uncertain on the butt of his Spey rod.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">"The what?!" He asked, squinting his eyes as though I had just demanded him to perform some sort of risqué musical striptease.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I laughed and repeated myself, “The dangle! Let your fly hit a true dangle...”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I stumbled over the rocks to reach close proximity to his ears and proceeded to explain what I was asking of him. Throwing his head back in a relieved smile he proceeded to apply my instruction to his cast and increased his productivity tenfold.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It is a regular occurrence for a full-time guide; a guest who isn’t up to date on the latest fishing lingo bears minor confusion as a nine hour day laced with steelhead terminology unfolds, reminding them that there’s always more to learn.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It can be intimidating to some, confusing to others, and just downright annoying to many people who are trying to get into the steelhead game. So with this awareness, I have drawn up some simple definitions for basic terms that you may run into during your next venture to the river.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Anchor: </b> The portion of fly line, sink tip, or leader that is touching the water during the sweep and backstroke in Spey casting. The anchor provides “stick” caused by water tension so that the line will not jump out of the water during the D-Loop. If the anchor is “blown” the line and fly will leave the water causing a failed cast.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Bloody L:</b> A common Spey casting error in which the D-Loop fails to align the anchor parallel to the forward cast; the name derives from the typical layout of the line in an “L” shape on the water when this occurs. The result is a forward cast that lacks energy to roll over properly. This is typically caused by setting the anchor in an improper position prior to the sweep, or an incomplete or shortened sweep which fails to carry enough energy into the D-Loop. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Boot/Tomato: </b> A steelhead that has been in freshwater for a significant length of time and has taken on a darker, rainbow trout coloration. The term is usually used in a derogatory manner.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Bucket:</b> A particular location in which steelhead often lie. Can vary with river conditions and is usually quite specific. Oftentimes, a run will have one or two “buckets” that consistently produce steelhead due to structure or bottom configuration.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Cack Handed:</b> A cast in which the D-Loop is formed on the side opposite one's primary shoulder while maintaining a hand configuration that puts their strong hand up on the grip still. For example, if a right-handed angler performed a cast in which the D-Loop formed on the left shoulder while still gripping the rod with the right hand above the left hand he/she would be casting cack handed. Also referred to as “reverse” as in Reverse Snap-T.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Carrying a Loop:</b> An excess length of line that is loosely held between the cork and the reel while swinging a fly. The length is largely a function of personal preference and varies from several inches to a foot or more. The concept being that the loosely held length of line will be pulled taut when a steelhead takes, thus preventing an excited angler from yanking the fly away from an interested fish in an attempt to set the hook.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Clipped:</b> A term used to indicate that the adipose fin of a fish has been removed meaning that the fish is of hatchery origin. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Chrome(r):</b> A fresh steelhead that lacks the traditional rainbow trout coloration. As a steelhead spends more time in freshwater it takes on a darker hue. Steelhead anglers generally prefer catching bright steelhead as they are at the peak of physical condition having just entered freshwater from the ocean.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>D-Loop: </b> The D-Loop is the “backcast” in Spey casting. It is the semi-circular length of line that unfurls behind the angler prior to commencing the forward stroke. The name comes from the shape the line takes when viewed in profile.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Dangle (or Hang Down):</b> When an angler allows their fly to complete its swing but leaves it to hang parallel to the shore in either the current or the slower water for a few seconds. Fish often bite flies on the dangle or follow them from the main current and finally take the fly after the swing is completed. When the water is murky, it is quite common for fish to push in closer to shore to escape the heavier, sediment carrying main flow, making the dangle even more important in this scenario.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Grab/Pull/Pluck:</b> An event in which a steelhead has intercepted a swung fly but typically has not been hooked. The phrase “any grabs?” is often used in river-side chats in substitution of the more direct “catch anything?”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Hen/Buck: </b>Terms used to describe the gender of a steelhead. The most common method of discerning is by looking at the head of the fish. Bucks (males) have longer snouts and mandibles, whereas hens (females) have shorter snouts and mandibles.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Kelt: </b> A steelhead that has spawned and is migrating back downstream to the ocean. Kelts are typically encountered in the late-spring and early summer period. It is recommended that fishing for kelts is avoided.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Low-Hole:</b> When an angler steps into a run and begins fishing below you without permission. Since steelhead anglers typically work their way downstream, proper etiquette dictates that anglers start in above anyone already fishing a run. Low-Holing is frowned upon virtually everywhere steelhead swim.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Overhang: </b> The length of running line that is extending out the tip of the rod while casting. This is largely a personal preference and typically varies from almost nothing to a foot or more.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Pocket Picked:</b> A scenario in which another angler hooks a steelhead in water you have just recently fished. Most commonly used in the context of swinging flies in a run with multiple anglers.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Running Line:</b> A thinner, consistent diameter line attached behind the belly or head of a line. There are several types of running line available including monofilament, braided, and plastic coated fly line type.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Scandi:</b> Short for Scandinavian. A shooting head typically in the 30 to 40 foot length range with a long front taper. While not particularly effective at casting large flies or sink tips, Scandi lines have gained popularity as an easy casting summer/fall steelhead spey line.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Skagit:</b> A short and heavy shooting head used in spey casting that is usually 20 to 30 feet long. Developed in the Pacific Northwest for casting large, heavy steelhead flies with sinktips. Often used for winter steelhead fishing.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Steelhead Green:</b> A term used to describe a river with a greenish water color that typically indicates ideal water conditions for encountering steelhead.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Stinger Hook:</b> A hook added to the back of a fly. Stinger hooks are commonly seen on streamer patterns and on modern steelhead flies. They provide several advantages over more traditional “J-Hooks”, particularly on large flies. The positioning of the hook at the rear of the fly typically results in an increased percentage of hook-ups, allows the use of smaller hooks that are less damaging to fish, provides the ability to swap hooks when one becomes dull and lessens the leverage a fish is able to apply when sideways force is applied to the hook.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Swinging:</b> Method of presenting a fly in which the fly is swept across the current in an arc while maintaining a taut line. This method typically has the ability to cover more water than that of a dead-drifted presentation.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Tail:</b> To grab a steelhead at the “wrist” just ahead of the tail in order to land it. Tailing a fish does not involve the use of a net.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Tank: </b>Usually a deeper, slower section of river. Often holds fish but is difficult to effectively present a swung fly in.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>“Touch a fish”: </b> To get a grab (or pull) from a steelhead. This does not mean to physically land or touch a fish.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>White Mouse: </b>The steady spray caused by the line being “torn” out of the water and swept into the D-Loop in a waterborne anchor cast such as a Double Spey.</span></div>
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April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-47745565890880196782013-05-14T10:23:00.003-07:002013-05-14T10:24:37.497-07:00Now in Stores! The Sugar Pop and Gluttonous Leech!<br />
It's official! My Sugar Pop and the Gluttonous Leech fly patterns are now for sale in shops! <br />
They'll also be available on tubes in the coming future along with some new smaller scaled patterns! Shops that currently carry them are listed below! <br />
Please feel free to pick a few up to try for your local steelhead... I have a feeling they might work. ;) If you are fishing with me in BC this year... no excuses!<br />
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Thanks everyone!<br />
~April.April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-22872131938123064522013-05-12T11:10:00.001-07:002013-05-30T16:04:06.943-07:00Ontario! We Are Coming Back to you but Only for One Day!<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: tahoma, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 17.59375px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Don't miss out on either our casting or tying classes this June!<br />
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Our Co-Ed Learn to Fly-Cast Workshops are designed to introduce and teach the pure fundamentals of fly-casting.</div>
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From the first-timer, to the seasoned angler looking to rid themselves of bad habits, all skill levels are welcome.</div>
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Most of our courses are dry-land (free from distraction) classes that take no more than 4 hours to complete, while many of our workshops are designed as weekend getaways that last several days.</div>
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Co-Ed Learn to Fly Cast Workshop (& Break Habits)</h2>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mount Albert, Ontario</b></h3>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Location-</b> The Franklin Club, Ontario</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Workshop Dates-</b> June 1st, 2013 (Sat), 2:00pm-6:00pm</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Instructor-</b> April Vokey (CCI)</div>
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Rates</h3>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$99.99 CDN (plus HST)</b> per person</div>
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Looking to improve your tying skills or learn popular steelhead flies!? Directly before this class, we have a tying class perfect for you! From 9:00am to 1:00pm we will be having one of our famed tying classes that will help you with popular steelhead patterns and tube fly basics! Only $99.99 and we supply all of the materials. Email info@flygal.ca to book or receive more info!</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: tahoma, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 17.59375px;">*Includes 4 hours of instruction and gear upon request. </span><br />
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Course Information</h3>
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Our fly-casting workshops are a dry-land clinic, including both a theory and a hands-on session.</div>
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This course teaches the mechanics of why and how fly-casting operates, allowing students to develop their own style and work towards the common goal of successfully casting an efficient loop.</div>
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Students are encouraged to bring their own equipment so as to become familiar with their set-up, however we will provide equipment upon request.</div>
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For instructional purposes we will be using a 9 foot, 5 weight rod with a 5 weight floating line.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To reserve your space <a href="mailto:info@flygal.ca?subject=Co-Ed%20Learn%20to%20Fly%20Cast%20Workshop" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">click here</a> or call 1.888.359.4259</b></div>
<br />April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-28798305794730458252013-05-06T07:34:00.002-07:002013-05-06T07:34:41.340-07:00Norway 2013<br />
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Join April Vokey and the Norweigian Flyfishers Club for a one-week workshop on over 10 kilometers of private Gaula River beats.</div>
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From June 9th - 16th 2013, a limited number of guests will have the opportunity to fish with and learn from one of British Columbia’'s most internationally renowned fishing guides. April'’s expertise in Spey casting and fly tying for wild steelhead and salmon is coupled with a passion for environmental conservation.</div>
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Using the exclusive fly-waters of the Norwegian Flyfishers Club, April will bring her expertise in tackle and high, cold water fishing techniques to Norway for the first time. Skagit and Scandinavian lines and their casting techniques will be the main topic of the week.</div>
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Presentations will be related mostly to spring conditions and tactics and all guests will benefit from April's individual consultations and tutorials throughout the week on the river.</div>
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The course will include:</div>
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<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Introduction and orientation of the course by April</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Techniques to be used during spring fishing for big salmon</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Casting demonstrations and individual casting tutorials</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Fish and work with all participants as a group and individually</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Presentation on swinging flies</li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Fly tying</li>
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Depending on the weather and water conditions during the week, the course'’s agenda will be tailored accordingly in order to get the most of out this unique opportunity.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Price:</b> $4,350 USD<br />
<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Includes:</b> Accommodations, course, half-board (supplies to prepare your own breakfasts, and main meals prepared and served at the the lodge on the riverbank)</div>
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Please contact us for more details at <a href="mailto:info@flygal.ca" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">info@flygal.ca</a> or by calling 1.888.359.4259</div>
April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-53231643289383559382013-04-22T22:40:00.000-07:002013-04-22T22:40:03.570-07:00Learn to Fly Cast Workshops<br />
Still some room available in our Learn to Fly Cast Workshops next weekend with Certified Casting Instructor April Vokey (Saturday, April 27th and Sunday, April 28th)!<br />
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From the first-timer, to the seasoned angler looking to rid themselves of bad habits, all skill levels are welcome.<br />
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Our fly-casting workshops are a dry-land clinic, including both a theory and a hands-on session.<br />
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This course teaches the mechanics of why and how fly-casting operates, allowing students to develop their own style and work towards the common goal of successfully casting an efficient loop.<br />
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<u><b>Co-Ed Learn to Fly Cast Workshop</b></u><br />
Location: Chilliwack, BC<br />
Workshop Dates: April 27th, 2013 (Sat), 12:00pm-4:00pm<br />
Instructor: April Vokey (CCI)<br />
Availability: 8 students<br />
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<b><u>Women’s Learn to Fly Cast Workshop</u></b><br />
Location: Chilliwack, BC<br />
Workshop Dates: April 28th, 2013 (Sun), 12:00pm-4:00pm<br />
Instructor: April Vokey (CCI)<br />
Availability: 8 students<br />
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<b><u>Rates:</u></b><br />
<b>$99.00 CDN</b> (plus GST) per person<br />
*Includes 4 hours of instruction and gear upon request.<br />
**Classes are not determined by weather and will not be canceled as a result of less than desirable conditions.<br />
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Please visit our Workshops tab for more details, <a href="http://www.flygal.ca/workshops">www.flygal.ca/workshops</a><br />
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Email <a href="mailto:catherine@flygal.ca">catherine@flygal.ca</a> for more information or to book!<br />
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Hope to see some of you there!<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
Catherine Laflamme<br />
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April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-9592055640299530522013-01-16T15:15:00.000-08:002013-01-19T14:42:07.398-08:00Where Did You Come From Ms. Vokey?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Once upon a time...</div>
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There was a young woman who graced poise and class.</div>
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Beautiful, adventurous, wild and determined, she fled a difficult past, riding the days away atop a small mare named June.</div>
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From child to teenager June mentored this young woman, teaching her independence, strength, ambition and solidarity.</div>
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Together, the two of them would roam endless fields and forests, seeking refuge from the world and excitement in the wind slapping at their faces.</div>
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I am proud to introduce you to my mother.</div>
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Mom never was one to take the word "no" lightly.</div>
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A free-spirit by heart but a professional in the office, she was an anomaly in her own right and fierce in every sense of the word.</div>
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Disinterested by the attention her appearance received, she worked tirelessly with determination to win the respect of her male counter-parts (regardless of whether or not they were willing to give it up with ease). <br />
The motto of "you don't have to like me but you will respect me" was a common theme through her career and as a young girl I remember sitting quietly through the open tears, dried cheeks, ambitious healing and, consequently, raised pay cheques.</div>
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Mom was tough, she rocked the work-force and her quick witted intelligence paired with her no nonsense approach quickly took her to some of the lead roles in the 9 to 5 world.</div>
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She finished her degree while working a full-time job, raising two young children, leading a group of girl scouts and making sure the house was healthy in every aspect.</div>
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My mother was/is the toughest woman I know and for that I will forever be thankful.</div>
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Enter Dad.</div>
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Oh, where to start...?</div>
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My father had twelve years on my mom. </div>
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Sensitive, intelligent, independent and opinionated, Dad had left his home in Newfoundland at the age of seventeen to hop freight trains across the country, living on a dime along the way until eventually settling in Vancouver.<br />
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He was a hippy and while he cringes a little when I describe him as such, his bellbottoms, hair and constant attachment to a guitar give him away before I even utter the "H" word.</div>
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A luthier (guitar builder) to this day, I have never witnessed a single day in my 30 years without the man strumming, building or admiring a guitar.</div>
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The two of them met as room-mates in the small confinements of a Vancouver apartment. <br />
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Mom would do her hair and makeup before heading out on a date and Dad would sit with her as she primped and placed. Truly the best of friends, they would laugh, philosophize and daydream over a bathroom counter of lipstick and mascara.</div>
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It was on an evening of some poor fools' misfortune that a scheduled date stood up my mother, leaving her to stew at the wasted energy on her beauty efforts and time. Dad, the tricky man that he is, offered to stand in and take her out for a coffee.</div>
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It's been almost 40 years now and the two of them are still together; more in love than ever.</div>
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They each had their passions, Dad had his guitars and a small airplane, Mom had her horses, and both had the outdoors.</div>
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They shared each others interests and dabbled in new areas of adventure.</div>
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Delighting in the finer things in life, they stayed away from the preconceived pressures of large homes and fancy cars, focusing on the pleasure of the outdoors instead.</div>
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Mom always stayed true to her feminine roots, never ceasing to blow my Dad's mind as she explored the world alongside him, welcoming the stain of dirt and grit in true lady form.</div>
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It wasn't until I recently opened a dusty photo album titled "1970's" that I realized where this strange passion of mine found its roots.</div>
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<i>Here she is fishing in the 70's during their honeymoon. Yes, those are platforms and very short shorts. I love you Mom... you were badass.</i></div>
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Oh, they were fun... troublesome, but fun.</div>
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The best of friends, together they owned the world and shared the same morals. Good people, honest people, both willing to fight for what's right and both in agreeance that they would never be birthing any children.</div>
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It was a conversation that neither of them had expected to have when they decided that they had a lot to offer a child.<br />
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After many discussions and shuffling of schedules, it was in 1982 that they conceived a small baby during a rushed lunch break (sorry Mom).</div>
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Eight and a half months pregnant, my Mom stayed true to her earthy nature as her and dad maintained outdoor pursuits and good times. Here she is on the Chilliwack River at eight and a half months pregnant and ready to deliver a small baby girl in just two short weeks:</div>
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Soon after, I was born...</div>
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Responsibility forced them to consider their priorities and Dad soon sold his beloved plane; my Mom in turn decreasing her time at the stable.</div>
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Dad took a factory job in Richmond, dreading the shift work with every ounce of his body, consequently making me vow that I would never fall into a life of misery so often associated with "the man".</div>
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I stayed true to my word that I would follow my heart and swore that I would choose happiness over money in a pursuit that I was passionate about.</div>
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Perhaps it was inevitable that their families would be concerned at the parenting choices of my folks.</div>
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Determined to ensure that I was never sheltered and certain that I would be as independent as each of them, they were more relaxed than most parents during my upbringing.<br />
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While some critiqued their methodology, they stood beside their decision that a few bumps and bruises would better me as a person.<br />
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They set out to make me strong and they most certainly succeeded.</div>
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We lived in a humble home...</div>
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Drove inexpensive vehicles....</div>
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And were rockstar rich with outings & adventures.</div>
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I was a barn baby from before I was born...accompanying Mom at the stables and entertaining the horses from my days in the womb into my early teens.</div>
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It is my belief that Mom wanted me to be an equestrian but she never forced me to continue with the sport as I outgrew it.</div>
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Dad, on the other hand, had plans for me.</div>
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Tricks, jokes and pranks were always par for the course with my father. Never failing to seek humour in this crazy world, he would thrive in the hilarity of watching me adapt.<br />
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Whether it be giving me a ladle to eat soup, or watching me trap myself in the corner of my cradle only to leave me on my own to figure a way out, he was never short on entertainment. To this day, he still delights in such comedy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2su8sWprJHR63MCR4FBm4yxpEipFu5An_z7vgrqWObhgtz6wLO_fLpeQQUvhGQU7uHhy-X_gDzE9dnBEN0LZRpGupncRPK22A3WZITrBCKR6yhjBOIQKDvD_e9Oi4LtJMd-JW8Idty4U/s1600/IMG_0977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2su8sWprJHR63MCR4FBm4yxpEipFu5An_z7vgrqWObhgtz6wLO_fLpeQQUvhGQU7uHhy-X_gDzE9dnBEN0LZRpGupncRPK22A3WZITrBCKR6yhjBOIQKDvD_e9Oi4LtJMd-JW8Idty4U/s400/IMG_0977.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I grew up loving to laugh and spend time with them both.</div>
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A confessed "Daddy's girl", I couldn't get enough time with him. He was/is a damn good father and my best friend in every sense of the word.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDJZuRwmG5Ze-pJvqujrhXbrBcNVLULqEJB_ZQrfjdgNZMQImQQO4DFCu8XAzwpN24tvvq-U9RDSdPfaQHVy8ifttPIf4zWYrzIpy7tRttyBM4V0-lApOOlYhtc1rceUD4_NhX1G0xGg/s1600/IMG_0959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDJZuRwmG5Ze-pJvqujrhXbrBcNVLULqEJB_ZQrfjdgNZMQImQQO4DFCu8XAzwpN24tvvq-U9RDSdPfaQHVy8ifttPIf4zWYrzIpy7tRttyBM4V0-lApOOlYhtc1rceUD4_NhX1G0xGg/s400/IMG_0959.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEiB9yBMoKfYDkFpFX0k0HJblnFkx2VBFkoyw7aalxvP8u4YXNdkZEgIcnJl1xrmtc-TVYsPM6nruDr2zrJZ506OSR7bYZmk-65ba-K9K9RRcDi-IqfrKy_4MVdFFa4j4IFOnoKL9eF4/s1600/IMG_0968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEiB9yBMoKfYDkFpFX0k0HJblnFkx2VBFkoyw7aalxvP8u4YXNdkZEgIcnJl1xrmtc-TVYsPM6nruDr2zrJZ506OSR7bYZmk-65ba-K9K9RRcDi-IqfrKy_4MVdFFa4j4IFOnoKL9eF4/s400/IMG_0968.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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They allowed me a lot of time on my own and delighted in watching what interested me. Bugs and the pet worm who lived under the back door mat kept me entertained and days spent indoors were rare.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWmqLsBxj-I5N1G5hUDXPz5AOekCyIg82xCGolnOLAriocJx9RXuzMfCYjHNX9q7ciFM2ptZ2CSycp_Y08nA9DDB_gvEyjr7UXsvPyu0vbtJ4cHPIEtHhBK-5j11imvffMfeYEi9KXLU/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWmqLsBxj-I5N1G5hUDXPz5AOekCyIg82xCGolnOLAriocJx9RXuzMfCYjHNX9q7ciFM2ptZ2CSycp_Y08nA9DDB_gvEyjr7UXsvPyu0vbtJ4cHPIEtHhBK-5j11imvffMfeYEi9KXLU/s400/IMG_0965.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Horses, guitars, comedy and bugs...yet it was the fishing and the rivers that made the strongest impact in my early days.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkEZrPLxHp5tuXSRtXqJvKTHOiq4fd-hRbHlxmzBLzEeMSbCe5z1ahfGuz-2Pp1uxdA8F1_BlUZ456aTC0Pe7sR6Et1SWlJovRkbUiLmRIo48Le_jiuYFFbxYuK0O9yOtFisozRsT48o/s1600/IMG_0998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkEZrPLxHp5tuXSRtXqJvKTHOiq4fd-hRbHlxmzBLzEeMSbCe5z1ahfGuz-2Pp1uxdA8F1_BlUZ456aTC0Pe7sR6Et1SWlJovRkbUiLmRIo48Le_jiuYFFbxYuK0O9yOtFisozRsT48o/s400/IMG_0998.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Dad, an occasional bait angler would take me to the lake and together we would troll worms in hopes of encountering an unfortunate rainbow trout.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRG-_joTI-g8El5BhvMWBW3ll4XvsjmW6jWWtHcueQpn4_NAT09ufwYj_HRHxjqHDImWj_Vz9C_fg_95Mj6mnPDGJn2SoWfjObKCvi_Jb8jCWeepd_d7Ac6ugsorz5hZi-9nwfQoXvyII/s1600/IMG_0992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRG-_joTI-g8El5BhvMWBW3ll4XvsjmW6jWWtHcueQpn4_NAT09ufwYj_HRHxjqHDImWj_Vz9C_fg_95Mj6mnPDGJn2SoWfjObKCvi_Jb8jCWeepd_d7Ac6ugsorz5hZi-9nwfQoXvyII/s400/IMG_0992.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp3CjmdvG1XNY8yMCgRBrmOX3n_jtMEVZxmt9XFZJaOcTstCz64TrQNcI2Xbnm8XJYc2fIm2pbNr5t2QEkpTpDmynVe9w_3dzcg6s4VdnMRMA6G6zwICVDGuG2w8rss1ieNrbokTvWz0/s1600/IMG_0993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp3CjmdvG1XNY8yMCgRBrmOX3n_jtMEVZxmt9XFZJaOcTstCz64TrQNcI2Xbnm8XJYc2fIm2pbNr5t2QEkpTpDmynVe9w_3dzcg6s4VdnMRMA6G6zwICVDGuG2w8rss1ieNrbokTvWz0/s400/IMG_0993.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Setting up camp in our large backyard, we would play wilderness adventure where Dad would pretend that we were lost in the deep woods, trying to survive through the cold so we could appreciate the next morning.</div>
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Mom made sure she kept her little girl looking exactly like that: a little girl. I was a mini version of her but with dirty nails, grey knees, fraying dress and silky ribbon in my hair.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZHdx_wqo7Bogfo_YfY_5pN26yjIFJp65PrYuUsJ5Ra9-8x7vcJb-AnoJiBR5u2kFvv_43EHFvZmxrZG7BTtwifKWsE_O8mYWvs4CWvSNjnzvNSkf_FWmtVJZjp7LOXKzSkFce5VOu64/s1600/IMG_0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZHdx_wqo7Bogfo_YfY_5pN26yjIFJp65PrYuUsJ5Ra9-8x7vcJb-AnoJiBR5u2kFvv_43EHFvZmxrZG7BTtwifKWsE_O8mYWvs4CWvSNjnzvNSkf_FWmtVJZjp7LOXKzSkFce5VOu64/s400/IMG_0980.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It wasn't long before we were expecting another member in our family and Mom was pregnant with the best thing that ever happened to this world: my sister.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl-P4wvAMfnt0C2ANUeEAgwZJbIAbzhLKH_0camMU3fP3o3hPMAKbfkNrihjf3-fp3Z1LBl7vCsuNGICKBMyLVq9cGEsN5mHJsKxbRVNmqB3Dazw5OHQDGeWNTxwU9HQV70aKM3Gq80U/s1600/IMG_0973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl-P4wvAMfnt0C2ANUeEAgwZJbIAbzhLKH_0camMU3fP3o3hPMAKbfkNrihjf3-fp3Z1LBl7vCsuNGICKBMyLVq9cGEsN5mHJsKxbRVNmqB3Dazw5OHQDGeWNTxwU9HQV70aKM3Gq80U/s400/IMG_0973.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was love at first sight when I saw her...dark and gorgeous, Dana stole all of our hearts.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHub5JzRCX46lJW0Vg1IULBA9AMX8J28fMbu8JqBySW-qEf18Rpp1zLdvEbkq8Av1rbfhOz6TP9Wt4oFnYglS-ZDq3XlhIJW1ACqm1fHdOWQ-ndWRr6jvGKIy6ezVCCfrzZJ3BdA1_LAo/s1600/IMG_0974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHub5JzRCX46lJW0Vg1IULBA9AMX8J28fMbu8JqBySW-qEf18Rpp1zLdvEbkq8Av1rbfhOz6TP9Wt4oFnYglS-ZDq3XlhIJW1ACqm1fHdOWQ-ndWRr6jvGKIy6ezVCCfrzZJ3BdA1_LAo/s400/IMG_0974.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQZU_qv6o2MGZMxwCuNQ6ELjHNtlC3UWVG4ToFBp2WEQsSLaPloqEVYSG7sRbPvf-hAt1ErzPJkEWm-TzNDLdTII8w5jlj4TH9P2ElCN4w_P6MKPU607KeIxvEfuhJBH2ii4CrrMShN8/s1600/IMG_0979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQZU_qv6o2MGZMxwCuNQ6ELjHNtlC3UWVG4ToFBp2WEQsSLaPloqEVYSG7sRbPvf-hAt1ErzPJkEWm-TzNDLdTII8w5jlj4TH9P2ElCN4w_P6MKPU607KeIxvEfuhJBH2ii4CrrMShN8/s400/IMG_0979.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our entourage hit the beaches and the waterways of the coast as we turned over rocks, sighted for fish in clear streams and shrieked as crabs clung to our tiny fingers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEP9bISaMYAysZRMduOXeBI1NY15-bEs3pEjg47vj_q_UWwfuIVfrBPvtZ_F3uI_DLrlhx0YmY9RrKiprLIn1GSRAQVjGiHLjqa4tN8Z61uQhevhAksxo3ZhSC7R2Ibuw4ErG5wQsas0/s1600/IMG_0982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEP9bISaMYAysZRMduOXeBI1NY15-bEs3pEjg47vj_q_UWwfuIVfrBPvtZ_F3uI_DLrlhx0YmY9RrKiprLIn1GSRAQVjGiHLjqa4tN8Z61uQhevhAksxo3ZhSC7R2Ibuw4ErG5wQsas0/s400/IMG_0982.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Camping was always a large part of our family outings and the summer months had us road-tripping to the woods. Packing a crib for little sis and enough lifejackets to float an arc, there was nothing that could get in the way of my parent's passions.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyn0NzPzE4jcbFj7HRTB14Pps0HXZJgRknZdWDzWE40qnzhzsOKDXhqP-QUPzS0YsVvWxLDlKXdmDzzGgOWw2X72PNh1NzOIQafhFGmCNK5rl2FiSyjDzXdNsAmhRz4CoHblxnCaOOToc/s1600/IMG_0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyn0NzPzE4jcbFj7HRTB14Pps0HXZJgRknZdWDzWE40qnzhzsOKDXhqP-QUPzS0YsVvWxLDlKXdmDzzGgOWw2X72PNh1NzOIQafhFGmCNK5rl2FiSyjDzXdNsAmhRz4CoHblxnCaOOToc/s400/IMG_0989.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Hq_1MV0BYzDk4rlTVi2bm6bhDoA0m6fFPvVhck2acJupJ-_VxRpxqW_N742Phg-dlfCsThU4xbqmMh0bozXJnj_hyphenhyphen_FMozBKp5tyAmSd2cHLjVwwe40hEIlzxx9tlLnAlutjZAMzRg0/s1600/IMG_0983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Hq_1MV0BYzDk4rlTVi2bm6bhDoA0m6fFPvVhck2acJupJ-_VxRpxqW_N742Phg-dlfCsThU4xbqmMh0bozXJnj_hyphenhyphen_FMozBKp5tyAmSd2cHLjVwwe40hEIlzxx9tlLnAlutjZAMzRg0/s400/IMG_0983.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0-I5vrMMmC54T6a2dFGm3oQ2l3vYUG-U4e-2D1Pgw-IDO5iSxv-SMKkABRxHgEHL-jL2Kfc9ZjZjvCBWULudjO1Yi9fguJc7DZM5twZNnQig8q2ilD09GgeSSoWNLCSzOX7_PGXOMKo/s1600/IMG_0986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0-I5vrMMmC54T6a2dFGm3oQ2l3vYUG-U4e-2D1Pgw-IDO5iSxv-SMKkABRxHgEHL-jL2Kfc9ZjZjvCBWULudjO1Yi9fguJc7DZM5twZNnQig8q2ilD09GgeSSoWNLCSzOX7_PGXOMKo/s400/IMG_0986.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDHU3qU3GL1En0EQJxExhT78VlB9OCiHmX1hjDIxATZNt81-6yZBofyOg9MYCzp1nuN8_TWXQmBKO_QRbE7UBNLnvM_ptvsuvaJ5sg8wCaz4OVKZ6ckx9DYSgCINngoF8hhqmX375r2w/s1600/IMG_0984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDHU3qU3GL1En0EQJxExhT78VlB9OCiHmX1hjDIxATZNt81-6yZBofyOg9MYCzp1nuN8_TWXQmBKO_QRbE7UBNLnvM_ptvsuvaJ5sg8wCaz4OVKZ6ckx9DYSgCINngoF8hhqmX375r2w/s400/IMG_0984.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrFpdJCEYA7MU8S43qNBF5SaokWg5lqPZdbDuFI8XUFi8wOly5sx3eTXMZthhVfMTYbFjiTVSBLYr4ueZQLPVqXj8-iWWqqsOHgVapt19swUTVLlkHhSw704E0_7CO6XwU2FcJIwD9xw/s1600/IMG_0987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>Dana was often attached with a rope to ensure that the river couldn't steal her and I roamed the bank looking for life.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrFpdJCEYA7MU8S43qNBF5SaokWg5lqPZdbDuFI8XUFi8wOly5sx3eTXMZthhVfMTYbFjiTVSBLYr4ueZQLPVqXj8-iWWqqsOHgVapt19swUTVLlkHhSw704E0_7CO6XwU2FcJIwD9xw/s1600/IMG_0987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrFpdJCEYA7MU8S43qNBF5SaokWg5lqPZdbDuFI8XUFi8wOly5sx3eTXMZthhVfMTYbFjiTVSBLYr4ueZQLPVqXj8-iWWqqsOHgVapt19swUTVLlkHhSw704E0_7CO6XwU2FcJIwD9xw/s400/IMG_0987.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-uSBTu8q-Ros4-3sPc7QOKmKm2l9DrX5Zh_AcV2HbDA5Oqmabi7kEZ5KpxJ2YLSVDmdIeg5_xl-u0Tfk-Iz8jyrFxrLaagiJ-37V1We-MxkCovkqtqYOgQjwc0COoRJIKhhhuV0_P6w/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><i>(Here Dana and Dad fish the Chilliwack in hopes for a taker... I absolutely love the rope).</i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-uSBTu8q-Ros4-3sPc7QOKmKm2l9DrX5Zh_AcV2HbDA5Oqmabi7kEZ5KpxJ2YLSVDmdIeg5_xl-u0Tfk-Iz8jyrFxrLaagiJ-37V1We-MxkCovkqtqYOgQjwc0COoRJIKhhhuV0_P6w/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-uSBTu8q-Ros4-3sPc7QOKmKm2l9DrX5Zh_AcV2HbDA5Oqmabi7kEZ5KpxJ2YLSVDmdIeg5_xl-u0Tfk-Iz8jyrFxrLaagiJ-37V1We-MxkCovkqtqYOgQjwc0COoRJIKhhhuV0_P6w/s400/IMG_0994.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfag61BnxdLF53KxoCedXreItgQXWU-BgOpv64JSVQbTSz9J0c6Szz1ClEEw1Tyl9Qgadxf8jFA01eNY-8tFom5DDO6bYSrWjGUtjfXZ5HiGtGJGD2RnDxipGC31txu_KojYmzf2Z0UE/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfag61BnxdLF53KxoCedXreItgQXWU-BgOpv64JSVQbTSz9J0c6Szz1ClEEw1Tyl9Qgadxf8jFA01eNY-8tFom5DDO6bYSrWjGUtjfXZ5HiGtGJGD2RnDxipGC31txu_KojYmzf2Z0UE/s400/IMG_0990.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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She was precious.</div>
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Mom was a girl scout leader and she affectionately allowed me to put her through nine long years of scouts. Eventually when I completed the final year of the program (in my teens) I followed her steps as a leader trying to help the younger girls to also earn their badges.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HPWPSYBCXR6OwEg5BIMB6C6jIX6efOK6hvBOWqnvkMl3Q1tVxC0Rdjel27IaCnkMzS8lydQFitEEmfadKq86-GItj77_h8a4ihAeLxjG-aWezLx3QXgCP6lS69VmaFonZQH-3r236UM/s1600/IMG_0991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HPWPSYBCXR6OwEg5BIMB6C6jIX6efOK6hvBOWqnvkMl3Q1tVxC0Rdjel27IaCnkMzS8lydQFitEEmfadKq86-GItj77_h8a4ihAeLxjG-aWezLx3QXgCP6lS69VmaFonZQH-3r236UM/s400/IMG_0991.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I will forever swear that by my participation in this group I maintained a passion and education for the outdoors.</div>
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Never without entertainment, I would make nets out of nylons and hangers where I would proceed to fish/dipnet for just about any species I could conjure up.</div>
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By the age of 8 I had my own bike and a copious amount of outdoor freedom.</div>
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A large frog pond in the woods a few miles away captivated me and I often dredged through it in my rubber boots. </div>
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I recall a day where I peddled to the pond, determined to fill my glass jar with enough frogs & tadpoles to start my own sanctuary. </div>
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My collection activities done, I headed home but uneven asphalt on the ride back flung my canning jar to the cement and I cried as I frantically scraped the drying, squashed bodies from the road before burying each of them in a very serious ceremony under the large conifer in the front yard.</div>
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It had been my first feeling of loss and it sickens me to this day when I think of the dread that filled my excited heart.</div>
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Frogs, salamanders, minnows, trout... ponds, rivers, lakes and puddles all were worthy of my attention. This is another staple that holds true to this day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-WExVqci821sOVKGHypEs_eJK1m783Xl-p6-gyOxHdMp03Xc_ynBNd38LZncjDEYBsh0X1W8ThXwO9nmJ1YsNb4korBb7CKLuGJTMvL3MPypC9kgt_Pb-AAaRZc8tb0jkJhfV6mJGmk/s1600/IMG_0997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-WExVqci821sOVKGHypEs_eJK1m783Xl-p6-gyOxHdMp03Xc_ynBNd38LZncjDEYBsh0X1W8ThXwO9nmJ1YsNb4korBb7CKLuGJTMvL3MPypC9kgt_Pb-AAaRZc8tb0jkJhfV6mJGmk/s400/IMG_0997.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The fish were always a bonus in my younger days. At the age of 12 I had accumulated a worthy allowance and it just so happened that a nearby mall nested a small tackle shop next to it.</div>
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An eighth grader with shallow friends, I received funny looks when I chose to spend my money on glass jars of yellow marshmallow PowerBait and anise-scented salmon eggs.</div>
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Dad had given me a small brown tackle box and it was my mission to fill it for a day when I could drive myself to the river to continue my solo pursuits for elusive fish.</div>
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Soon, old enough to drive and equipped with my first car (a 1983 blue Buick Skylark), I was hitting the river on a near daily basis.</div>
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By 21 I had purchased a home in Chilliwack where I was close to my beloved river...and by 23 I was guiding for a local outfit.</div>
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I started my business 6 years ago in tribute to the misery of my father's dreaded job at the factory. </div>
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Readily risking the acceptance of all things deemed normal by society, I gladly made an exchange of the aforementioned for the satisfaction of following my heart.</div>
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It is a path that I have chosen to blaze for myself; a zoning permit that my parents put in my hands as a newborn. This business stands for so much more than just days on the water or fishing memorabilia... this business is what I dreamt of as a little girl; one that I have been training for since my first comprehension of societal expectations; one that I am delighted that so many of you have chosen to share with me.</div>
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I would like to take this moment to announce that from this point I will be moving any blog posts about opinion and personal tributes to a venue that is more specific to uncensored vocalization. I will continue to keep the Fly Gal blog active for more business related articles but am excited to speak more openly on a page solely built for the purpose of writing from my heart. Details and new link to come.</div>
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Thank you for your business and for your readership... Words cannot express just how much wind you have gifted these wings of mine and I am so incredibly glad that I jumped.</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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April Vokey</div>
April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-37925918618338708212013-01-01T13:23:00.000-08:002013-01-01T13:56:02.196-08:00Late Nights...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love late nights.</div>
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Emails slow, television airs tosh.O, the world around me sleeps and I let down my guard as I delight in a long awaited release of sarcasm, humor, truth and other trivial fruitions that I'm not so sure the general public would be overly impressed to learn about me. </div>
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I laugh with my mouth open, disregard chocolate stuck in my teeth and model my sweat pants like they're sexy in rhythm to the music of the late night "want-ad" commercials.</div>
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Colby cocks an eyebrow and looks at me in disdain - naturally I mock him in the husky voice chanting the 1-800 number and laugh at the ridiculousness of it all...</div>
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Yup, I love late nights.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVVULOgM5h6jW4XPCoje8rA1LhV1mjp4jnV4l8lVqfe6xuYBLSBZXbSvvUe1omeuM90ebxEIU4niMrb3o8SqjlHd0Rg_L079n4m5RRjJfMrRXQmlMSauD05DLY-UYSiZeZ-7D5AETQ-c/s1600/IMG_1613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVVULOgM5h6jW4XPCoje8rA1LhV1mjp4jnV4l8lVqfe6xuYBLSBZXbSvvUe1omeuM90ebxEIU4niMrb3o8SqjlHd0Rg_L079n4m5RRjJfMrRXQmlMSauD05DLY-UYSiZeZ-7D5AETQ-c/s320/IMG_1613.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In this wonderful world of fishing, I am often brought abroad where I find that while my fishery of choice may change with the seasons, my level of professionalism may not. </div>
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Surrounded by classes often full of testosterone, jokesters, presumptions and innuendo, I turn a blind eye to the off colour comedy and ignore the open faced text messages of "is she at least somewhat intelligent?" (true story) and reference to how perhaps I'm better suited for either the kitchen or a playboy magazine.</div>
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Pretending to have the capacity of a G-rated Bob Saget routine, I shy away from response while my brain silently plays a Roast in the words of Lisa Lampanelli and I remember why my humor needs to stay confined to the after-hour sweat pant charade and the company of like minded friends.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPhUMRRVm8EAMxDscCaxOhyrufi4e3LV-hSWAHByUugIUBhJD2R-RgVVk68If-rnZ4y-2AONeHlisF5j9OxBnXeI-n4sbzgO6JAsLJdObUnx6UGXNKbKyz3Wt9oFpakC2Y5Fyi7gswWA/s1600/Unimpressed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPhUMRRVm8EAMxDscCaxOhyrufi4e3LV-hSWAHByUugIUBhJD2R-RgVVk68If-rnZ4y-2AONeHlisF5j9OxBnXeI-n4sbzgO6JAsLJdObUnx6UGXNKbKyz3Wt9oFpakC2Y5Fyi7gswWA/s320/Unimpressed.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Playing coy to the intricacies of such thoughts, I admittedly censor myself here on my business blog but will confess aloud, however, that I am not bound alone by such strict mental confinements.</div>
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For it is a similarity in all professions; one that I witness every day on the river.</div>
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It is the doctor thankful to crack a joke without offending a patient, a saleswoman mocking her male-dominated office, a priest stumbling over rocks and landing on the sharp edge of profanity, the housewife who comes clean about who she really is... They are the people who so often control their mannerisms only to engage in freedom and unbiased pleasure as they pour their facades into the non-discriminatory currents of the washing tides of the river.</div>
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I guide them, mentor them, accompany them, befriend them, and of course, mind my manners while doing so.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBqsSUYRfXdIIWoTi4FbX9mFXA0oCug0DoIesx5I2iMBYbCMsC7-AJxxlaoT2st2WZsflCs94UDTe92V14ZGs8ot_ftBjVhzCPKszzwpoCWWs5PXBV1g1Z_oZENUvbxN5amNUbnrRDyc/s1600/thought+bubbles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBqsSUYRfXdIIWoTi4FbX9mFXA0oCug0DoIesx5I2iMBYbCMsC7-AJxxlaoT2st2WZsflCs94UDTe92V14ZGs8ot_ftBjVhzCPKszzwpoCWWs5PXBV1g1Z_oZENUvbxN5amNUbnrRDyc/s320/thought+bubbles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There was a time once where such mindful restrictions were not so necessary.</div>
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Before the plethora of cell phone cameras and wireless internet on river streams, gossiping forums and dirt-digging social rejects... before the assumption of 'mi business es su business', life for many of us seemed a little more relaxed.</div>
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It was in the dark of a late night recently that it occurred to me that my safe place was and had always been a large river in my beautiful home province of British Columbia.</div>
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Large enough to lose sight of others anglers, hard enough for only the serious to pursue, wide enough to not have to engage in small talk and close-knit enough to know where, if ever needed, help could be found... this river was a no-guiding zone, free from competitive trash-talking and slanderous outbursts.</div>
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I could curse like a sailor if I lost a big one, pick my nose if I so desired and sing my heart out as I swung through the immense runs. </div>
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The next morning my bags were packed and it was off to the sub-zero terrain of the interior and the reminiscing of more candid days.</div>
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The roads were quiet after the holidays and the snow lined the path to freedom along the slushy highways.</div>
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Immediately tension lowered in my body and we rolled into the small town in time for a whiskey and a convenient dinner of prime rib.</div>
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Good friends and my sister had been plagued with the same thoughts as I and there were a few of us congregated at the dinner table that evening.</div>
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Not having to bite my tongue or follow cautious guidelines, a few of us headed to the bar for a evening game of (very painful and unskilled) pool.<br />
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Dripping icicles gave away the rising temperatures and a sunny morning awoke me from my holiday hibernation to allow for Ben and I to get an afternoon start on the river. </div>
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The long sleep was much needed and I struggled internally with contemplation about my lack of motivation to awake for an early morning pursuit of over-wintered summer steel. </div>
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I sat in the warm Tacoma, the sun reflecting on its gold flecked paint giving the very real impression that the temperature had actually risen above freezing. </div>
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Why had I lost all desire to fish eight to ten hour stints during the subzero days? </div>
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I used to live for this... </div>
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Was I losing my passion? </div>
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This once epitomized who I was...</div>
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Did this mean I was losing me?</div>
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I stared blankly at Ben as I confessed my lack of guilt at our late morning start and a very possible deliberate stall over piping hot coffee and glorious cot stretching.</div>
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His light laugh lifted my frown and together we analyzed the situation... yep, it would appear that I had indeed graduated to the right of selectivity and unless I was targeting hot summer steelhead, tailing permit or a brand new species, I was content with half days on the water.</div>
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The way I saw it, I was either getting old or spoiled... neither of which excited me much.</div>
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Ben laughed at my confused face and shut the engine off as a gentle "get the hell out".</div>
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He smiled warmly to ensure me that my growth was perfectly normal, succeeding in concreting a huge smile on my face before handing me my rod from the back of the cab.</div>
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Stumbling down to the river, our cheeks flushed with excitement and frost. Four hours was better than no hours and we were going to make the most out of it.</div>
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Our hands desperately pieced our weapons of choice together.<br />
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Unimpressed by how early the sun began its set, I begged Ben for one more cast until the clear current eventually dimmed into an oozing black tar. </div>
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With no vision, no fish and a vanished sun, we admitted defeat and shook hands that the following day we would put in a full effort as our last day of steelheading in 2012.</div>
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The next morning came fast.</div>
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Having flipped over the face of the digital thermometer the night before, I had committed to spending more than a few hours on the river (regardless of what Mother Nature threw my way).</div>
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With Buff high and mittens dry I slid down the trail to one of my favourite runs.</div>
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The dogs played and I rocked the spool of my reel back and forth to try and slow its freezing process. </div>
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It was bloody cold outside... my hands took notice, losing feeling and tormenting my finger nails much like I would imagine the cool steel of a hitting hammer would.</div>
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My gloves, wet with ice chips (courtesy of stripped running line) were soon discarded and a cursing Ben showed up behind me with a block of ice that once was his reel. </div>
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Turning to him, I pointed my iced guides up and together we laughed at our misery.</div>
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Step - cast - step - cast, turned to, ten steps - cast as best as you can - ten steps - pray that a fish doesn't take while playing disc jockey on your reel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-eHsclLyjs4vO4UBy5W9UpbIKodpkOzYEQLnYv46vUxxP4wk5Wsvm1R1VAWbnKyPRJE9Bf9_CH_U5hjhFq_UfD5FMN2z8Rfbz7ZTwQ9sJgytioOf1Z5K1sOZIMH39Q94z3XqUEjahNO8/s1600/DSC_1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"></a><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-eHsclLyjs4vO4UBy5W9UpbIKodpkOzYEQLnYv46vUxxP4wk5Wsvm1R1VAWbnKyPRJE9Bf9_CH_U5hjhFq_UfD5FMN2z8Rfbz7ZTwQ9sJgytioOf1Z5K1sOZIMH39Q94z3XqUEjahNO8/s200/DSC_1216.JPG" width="133" /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPd08EL5tZzswc-PFQM4z7K-BK4qKkYHW4FZFdHovCyriW5xDFQHg8IMT-6yvniVVv-ArGhuBuu5jDx5vEtVNq6EZcPRr_FcmhB11dUijlkkfrptirzYdDV3y52IbxKpeBamnbQ4wDnA/s1600/DSC_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPd08EL5tZzswc-PFQM4z7K-BK4qKkYHW4FZFdHovCyriW5xDFQHg8IMT-6yvniVVv-ArGhuBuu5jDx5vEtVNq6EZcPRr_FcmhB11dUijlkkfrptirzYdDV3y52IbxKpeBamnbQ4wDnA/s200/DSC_1217.JPG" width="133" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUUuHdWUTKAgpMc6X8di3C8tb9nKs6B6_JEywcW3MWwH2C2_A8bhMduClViCF5AlLcSFof2So7-l_muqnj1uUf3vQwKPougQpIHxek3DojGuUqNPmtCZrEOCABEK8YkmnJiC0r4v4w2s/s1600/DSC_1218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUUuHdWUTKAgpMc6X8di3C8tb9nKs6B6_JEywcW3MWwH2C2_A8bhMduClViCF5AlLcSFof2So7-l_muqnj1uUf3vQwKPougQpIHxek3DojGuUqNPmtCZrEOCABEK8YkmnJiC0r4v4w2s/s200/DSC_1218.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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Two whiney dogs, a flushed man, and hands that quit on me without asking pretty much had us racing to the truck where I would proceed to complain like the woman I swore I would never be as wretched pain shot through my poorly circulated hands, making sure to hurt them as much as possible before allowing the poor little purple guys to indulge in any relief.</div>
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All was silent as we loaded into the truck and a -3 reading on the gauge secured the discomfort that crept through our toes.</div>
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The insulting thoughts of how much of a wimp I was slowly subsided as fishing had always been less enjoyable for me in anything below -1; that hadn't changed. </div>
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I shook my head in disgust at the difference a mere 2 degrees made but accepted it for what it was.</div>
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I had only given myself two days of fishing, both of which may have equaled the effort that I once put into a full day during my younger more 'hard-core' days... with the exception of trout, there had been no seen fish.</div>
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Apart from an embarrassing game of pool, there had been minimal socializing on my part, this new wireless iPhone fascination pretty much guaranteeing that steelheading in the small no cell-service town would never be the same again (we once used to talk about our days at the pub... now it's just a bunch of bent heads absorbed in the app of the day). </div>
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I had changed, the scene I once loved so much had changed, the fishery had changed (albeit just slightly), the world had changed and to be quite frank, from where I stand none of these changes are deserving of any warm or fuzzy feelings.</div>
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So why the hell did I feel so satisfied?</div>
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It was on the way out of town that I saw through the dark and the obvious occurred to me... </div>
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In the end it had been the river herself who brought me back to her year after year.</div>
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It was not the steelhead, nor the social hour in the bar. It was not the abundance of pride that I felt after a productive day of fishing or the satisfaction of having worked hard for success.</div>
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It was none of the enamouring qualities that for so long I immersed myself in while believing that they were the answer... at the end of the day it was all so much more simple than that.</div>
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It was her, my river, my friend... a relationship that could pick up where we had left off and reconnect as though no time had passed at all.</div>
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We had grown up together and she never minded my faults, my humour, my passion, my pride or my truth. </div>
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She didn't care about what I looked like or where else I had been. She couldn't care less about my professionalism and while she certainly picked on me on occasion, she had also always been the one to pick me up whenever I would fall.</div>
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I had run to her after breakups and heartaches, losses and gains & she had fed my heart with the love that I needed most at the time. Authentic and pure, our visits (both short and long) were a sincere cleansing of my built-up and putrefying tongue-bitten frustrations. </div>
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Similar to the comfort of my beloved late nights, together we laugh at my idiocy (open mouthed and chocolate stained), break the noise of the refreshing silence, let loose like the world could end tomorrow and delight in the privacy of our silly moments. Colby, though a new addition to our camaraderie, still cocks an eyebrow as I playfully model my waders between swings and naturally I sing a poor rendition of Beyonce before laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of it all...</div>
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Happy 2013 everyone,</div>
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See you on the river.</div>
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April.</div>
April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-32254004035767775112012-12-31T00:59:00.002-08:002012-12-31T01:03:14.924-08:00Going to Norway! Meet Me There?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We are excited to announce that we have teamed with the Norwegian Flyfishers Club to offer a one week workshop on over 10 kilometers of their private Gaula River beats, in the second week of the June 2013 season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Depending on the weather and the water conditions during the week, the course’s agenda will be tailored accordingly in order to get the most of out this unique opportunity...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIn6Ivf661E5ZnJeO5IbiIk_gyNet3m8JD_i4nFZYzngBMafLQ-HosLi_odJvom_xEBFSuPTglyOyLSd0A4_DVZhjwtcUhpLCAiGOoaXUZKQ3UCRW-rEzEpN4sRYhhiyKQpSRvKdFHPA/s1600/9fbdf27ae094912319af7cf084e54e64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIn6Ivf661E5ZnJeO5IbiIk_gyNet3m8JD_i4nFZYzngBMafLQ-HosLi_odJvom_xEBFSuPTglyOyLSd0A4_DVZhjwtcUhpLCAiGOoaXUZKQ3UCRW-rEzEpN4sRYhhiyKQpSRvKdFHPA/s320/9fbdf27ae094912319af7cf084e54e64.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Spaces are limited and if you are interested in joining us at the Norwegian Flyfishers Club, contact <a href="mailto:info@nfc-online.com"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b style="color: #1c39f6; text-decoration: underline;">info@nfc-online.com</b> or info@flygal.ca </span></a></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">for information and reservations.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Includes:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">•<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Talks and presentation on subjects related to spring conditions and tactics<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">•<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Best gear and techniques for spring fishing <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">•<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Casting demonstrations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">•<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Fly tying for salmon flies <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">•<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Daily private tutorials with April<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">•<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Opportunity to fish for the big spring salmon in all of our privates beats on the river, which add to more than 10km of water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">•<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Accommodation in one of our country houses, which are shared with other fishermen and are self catering, or in a local hotel which includes breakfast<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The participants to the course will arrive on Sunday the 9th of June, preferably in the early afternoon, and move into their chosen accommodation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At 6 pm of the 9th of June there will be a general meeting with all the participants to the course where April will present the schedule for the week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fishing starts at 8pm on the 9th and ends at 12 noon on Sunday the 16th of June.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prices for one rod in a country house accommodation includes: </span></u></div>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fishing with April Vokey course </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fishing within our rotation which covers over 10 km of the river Gaula</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Accommodation in one of our country houses – shared with other fishermen and self catering </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gear disinfection</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Norwegian State fishing license</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 river grill meals with all the participants in the course</span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NOK 32.272 = $ 5,600<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Single room surcharge: NOK 1.855 for the week = $ 320<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not included in these prices is the cost of the hire car, which we'll happy to arrange for you. This cost can be shared with another participant to the course if preferred.</span></div>
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<br />April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-10390855958538082532012-12-26T21:34:00.001-08:002012-12-26T21:46:15.752-08:00Take it to the Top...<div style="text-align: center;">
'Twas the month before Christmas and all through the house</div>
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Not a dry fly was rigged up, not even a mouse...</div>
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The rods were all strung by the chimney with care </div>
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In hopes that the steelheaders would soon all be there.</div>
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The fishers were nestled all snug in their layers </div>
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While visions of steelhead tempted the players.</div>
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With foolery and naysay I reached for the wakers </div>
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Whilst some anglers told me there would be no takers.</div>
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With frosted, cold fingers and shivering casts</div>
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I threw a long line with a large D-loop blast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPYD9lp7CJpPvs8m8dDGFDfRciOcghyphenhyphenW_CR-0k9KqyASo9Y7gEOEYjHhiTo_jCKjbhCL_0zdTStbajzfFA6J-8dtck5j8xdHC_ZOLPf0KKuxtGSDfRZPbNB9bOgqhw8ECs0El4wpcieQ/s1600/DSC_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPYD9lp7CJpPvs8m8dDGFDfRciOcghyphenhyphenW_CR-0k9KqyASo9Y7gEOEYjHhiTo_jCKjbhCL_0zdTStbajzfFA6J-8dtck5j8xdHC_ZOLPf0KKuxtGSDfRZPbNB9bOgqhw8ECs0El4wpcieQ/s320/DSC_0569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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When out of the water there arose such a clatter </div>
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I froze in dead fear as the calm current shattered.</div>
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The line screamed in anger as the large hen took flight </div>
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And I reeled like a maniac as she fought with her might.</div>
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Her tail spread my fingers and I gripped her girth tight</div>
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Leaving teeth marks, frothing water and a girl in delight.</div>
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I smiled at the chaos, shaky arms a reminder</div>
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For I had just experienced my first subzero riser.</div>
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Merry Christmas and thank you cold weather steelhead for having some sympathy on a fool.</div>
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See you again soon.</div>
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April.</div>
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The next day a beauty wet fly fish reminds us all why we are so madly in love with these fish.</div>
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April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-77520996875554368702012-12-19T20:12:00.001-08:002012-12-19T20:12:43.525-08:002013 Winter Steelhead Trips Still Have Openings!Hello and happy holidays everyone!<br />
Here is an update on what I still have open (personally) for guide trips...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xVlsqWx8Kw4Ve6mgMjJhhwNkEKSjnlouKxAgsIHRsDgp7g_zPBFURHF7j85E7qjiMiV9LvwJOYs-s1M8yjZaIapnuaTSsah9TjrxKHpdqo4tmdvi8sxkJoI7Uf3sBBK_zzoBE-aPMQU/s1600/winterrune_fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xVlsqWx8Kw4Ve6mgMjJhhwNkEKSjnlouKxAgsIHRsDgp7g_zPBFURHF7j85E7qjiMiV9LvwJOYs-s1M8yjZaIapnuaTSsah9TjrxKHpdqo4tmdvi8sxkJoI7Uf3sBBK_zzoBE-aPMQU/s320/winterrune_fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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February, 2013 - 1, 2, 3, 4<br />
March, 2013 - 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, 27-31<br />
April, 2013 - contact for dates<br />
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Rates are : $399.00 for one angler or $499.00 for two ($249.00 each) and include a hot lunch, all transportation and a darn good time!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQikvnU1-yqAPRYK56tWAn-OotgW-jDXaqbpKdDJcrvKJgruMwaO6qKvDpBj6nCvUe3AmXxFzSO09ZMbIFIxpgKIIzMHtUHBbVH3wkTxfIzNdJpAzt-KNKWRlEKaYsg3z3yeoDAVgVMo/s1600/winterrun_geninfo_img.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQikvnU1-yqAPRYK56tWAn-OotgW-jDXaqbpKdDJcrvKJgruMwaO6qKvDpBj6nCvUe3AmXxFzSO09ZMbIFIxpgKIIzMHtUHBbVH3wkTxfIzNdJpAzt-KNKWRlEKaYsg3z3yeoDAVgVMo/s320/winterrun_geninfo_img.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We take pride in the relationships that we develop with our guests and hope to be able to share a day with you.<br />
Need a place to stay? Great! Come and stay with us! Until May, I live in and operate the Fraser River's Edge in Chilliwack, making it easy for our guests to get to and from the river before and after their day on the water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIFUyStccD6FX2Pr35Cx_Zblnx2PdX985fsHdOZMVFtLsxTbE_OiepZGY9Ec7lLAXwqjtlvAVTLaaeKC75dno0xF6a1zxugD8dHPggECBWW6Q_QsOIOmXQFqxdbHR6lLx-_qAnp22KyI/s1600/fraser_accom_img.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIFUyStccD6FX2Pr35Cx_Zblnx2PdX985fsHdOZMVFtLsxTbE_OiepZGY9Ec7lLAXwqjtlvAVTLaaeKC75dno0xF6a1zxugD8dHPggECBWW6Q_QsOIOmXQFqxdbHR6lLx-_qAnp22KyI/s320/fraser_accom_img.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the time of year when we start to fill up for the 2013 winter steelhead season. <br />
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Don't see dates here that work for you? Don't fret! Our company has several other guides who are thrilled to help you hook into your first steelhead! <br />
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Please email us at info@flygal.ca for details.<br />
See you soon!<br />
April V.<br />
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<br />April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-38902073574570072502012-12-16T16:40:00.004-08:002012-12-16T16:42:57.448-08:00What's in a Day?Previously in Tackle Trade World.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbqU9FWP-CJs8hB3BuuDZRynUrLNQOHse3YqysSVO5Jlaci1UG2dBnxIsKvxQga0KSXEtYwGiCXN6_UcFAWWH1asTzaGaUrlruV0S44j5NV6IBtzWCKkoYTVYvVPOGQtfWQQvpe9Msn0/s1600/TTW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1000" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbqU9FWP-CJs8hB3BuuDZRynUrLNQOHse3YqysSVO5Jlaci1UG2dBnxIsKvxQga0KSXEtYwGiCXN6_UcFAWWH1asTzaGaUrlruV0S44j5NV6IBtzWCKkoYTVYvVPOGQtfWQQvpe9Msn0/s640/TTW.jpg" title="700" width="452" /></a></div>
April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-9852697301023252382012-12-05T10:40:00.002-08:002012-12-05T10:41:59.106-08:00Flies for Fins is Back at it Again!<div style="text-align: left;">
We're live!! We're live!! </div>
While we are still adding items and waiting on promised donations, the cart is indeed up and running with some great prices! <br />
We have committed to raising $20,000.00 this time round for the <a href="http://www.skeenawatershed.com/" target="_blank">Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition </a> and know that with your help, we can do this! <br />
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Please visit the Flies for Fins site at <a href="http://www.flies4fins.com/">http://www.flies4fins.com</a> and find more info on our current cause here <a href="http://www.flies4fins.com/about">http://www.flies4fins.com/about</a><br />
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Thank you for your patience as we expand our items and thank you again for your support! <br />
This is our third project at Flies for Fins and with the success of this next round, we will have successfully raised $46,000.00 towards BC based projects. 100% of funding goes towards the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition and our fight against Shell's fracking.... thank you for helping us reach our goal.<br />
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Share the word!!! :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flies4fins.com/">http://www.flies4fins.com</a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SsdbBCN_LNE" width="420"></iframe><br /></div>
April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-69989951724428927012012-12-04T03:20:00.000-08:002012-12-04T03:20:12.362-08:00New Rhea Is Here<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">We just got in a seriously nice batch of rhea and they make great stocking stuffers!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">All of our lengths are guaranteed (each feather is measured to ensure quality standards) and these are sure to be some of the lowest prices around. Grade A quality feathers make beautiful large profile flies while the B's are perfect for smaller patterns and "min-truders".</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Videos on how to use rhea are on the way soon!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://flygal.ca/shop/flies">http://flygal.ca/shop/flies</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">to purchase.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgKA43xV1ISAadOABL9ySQFXZo9nJ36FqThEY7PqDMN6-2VFLdcXm8k5VoAph3LHKMSc9Wrr6Y3dxpHPZJM47GxlyAJX47m58fmqYrhRRg_N_zcA6s6dNhab2JkRBZ3qbW8pXcMpEwIA/s1600/IMG_1543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgKA43xV1ISAadOABL9ySQFXZo9nJ36FqThEY7PqDMN6-2VFLdcXm8k5VoAph3LHKMSc9Wrr6Y3dxpHPZJM47GxlyAJX47m58fmqYrhRRg_N_zcA6s6dNhab2JkRBZ3qbW8pXcMpEwIA/s320/IMG_1543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-46178944088513106472012-11-30T19:26:00.003-08:002012-11-30T19:30:20.090-08:00A Step in Time...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8799503264017403" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.8799503264017403" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh Mr. Dylan, how right you were… The times they are a changin’. </span></b></b></div>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8799503264017403" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a world of social networking, computer graphic enhancement and online shopping carts, the times have officially found themselves “changed”. </span></span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8799503264017403" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s a new age, a new generation and a new very distinct dividing line that is being drawn between the ways of the past and the ways of the present.</span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbY18XqYjQSg4neQGzoDjqPzNeyccbuodSXirBtDZHTk14vdGMeZzAqkP3i6oLPZwwh8qGQEOGzurJKlMLf3dTlMDcLK51j9sMLttlV4pqDxleIULTRUoDSU6LMaTwxDuuodRYQLs82WE/s1600/Fly-Fusion-Magazine-2012-V9I2-USA-Cover-700-x-10241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbY18XqYjQSg4neQGzoDjqPzNeyccbuodSXirBtDZHTk14vdGMeZzAqkP3i6oLPZwwh8qGQEOGzurJKlMLf3dTlMDcLK51j9sMLttlV4pqDxleIULTRUoDSU6LMaTwxDuuodRYQLs82WE/s320/Fly-Fusion-Magazine-2012-V9I2-USA-Cover-700-x-10241.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This dividing line cuts deep, driving the mavericks and the leaders of this generation to proceed in paving new paths; more specifically to the fishing industry, paths that are being paved quite literally to the river.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Needless to say, this path is not welcomed openly by all.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is always an interesting topic of discussion for me. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You see, the truth is that I have listened to many an angler share their story and I have been blessed with the good fortune to meet some incredibly knowledgeable people who have spent the majority of their days of existence on the water.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From the industry’s old guard of anglers who built the sport’s foundation, to the industry’s “new school” of anglers who continue to add renovated extensions to this existing structure, I am always fascinated by the tales and opinions that I am told.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As should be expected, varying personalities result in varying opinions and while there are some who view this dividing line as growth, there are others who view it as counter-productive (an “if it ain’t broke then why fix it?” viewpoint).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Personally, not one to call myself traditional, I admittedly embrace any form of “new” mentality ‘outside the box’, whilst moving forward and onward towards diversity and whatever other innovations I may be privy to exploring within myself as an angler.</span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q5iHGo2hQydj-mQvWRnnrv6hxG7CBBQZLndq9zeL4IDSsKvGwzAe7eAriPeF8ODatQc1uu_RdsSnkDrez_yUV8ke4xXV6OMMYELMQLdqC5-LdW1j7g5rW5jKBeYqZhlnvetu72VAqEQ/s1600/560359_119460261525032_1145968459_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q5iHGo2hQydj-mQvWRnnrv6hxG7CBBQZLndq9zeL4IDSsKvGwzAe7eAriPeF8ODatQc1uu_RdsSnkDrez_yUV8ke4xXV6OMMYELMQLdqC5-LdW1j7g5rW5jKBeYqZhlnvetu72VAqEQ/s320/560359_119460261525032_1145968459_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Mike Davidchik photo.</i></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This can of worms that I am about to open has many related areas of controversy that a 2,000 word column can’t support, so while we could fill half of this post with the changes and debates of “old vs. new” from a media standpoint, I am choosing only to focus on one of the branches of this topic: what is the difference between the flies developed and improved by each of these generations?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fly-fishing for steelhead in BC began to gain popularity and momentum in the early 1900’s when legendary writers and anglers like Roderick Haig-Brown began exploring steelhead opportunities on the coasts of Canada and the USA. A true pioneer of the sport, it is said that Haig-Brown fished like he wrote: with elegance, admiration and respect for the fish that he longed for.</span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdJkISPFgY35O6hVK7-QivONNoNHZ169RW-msvZeKtmMr6zyEnaYZvS_l0-4Vf2hnP8iwW77bcxUJZSiX-97vtRfb2XoHFSc8iadHG_yD_4QwURIAf03S-gJVaZz5e-DTZnFWPmGzOCQ/s1600/c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdJkISPFgY35O6hVK7-QivONNoNHZ169RW-msvZeKtmMr6zyEnaYZvS_l0-4Vf2hnP8iwW77bcxUJZSiX-97vtRfb2XoHFSc8iadHG_yD_4QwURIAf03S-gJVaZz5e-DTZnFWPmGzOCQ/s320/c.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Haig-Brown days started an angling revolution of deer and mallard clad flies, silk fly lines and traditional presentations for non-pressured fish. A myriad of anglers found themselves touched by the poetry of the sport and a romance soon blossomed amidst man and the blushed cheeked beauties we call steelhead.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Simplicity graced the equipment, the rivers and the anglers themselves. Conservation mayhem had not yet encompassed entire fisheries and angling pressure simply didn’t exist. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Similar to the traditional methods of Atlantic salmon anglers, flies were sparse and delicate, sink tips were virtually unheard of, and long bellied lines were the only method of fly delivery.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have always had a soft spot for the classic tiers and steelheaders from before my time.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To have seen the things that they must have seen, walked the shores that they had walked, unraveled the mystery of the elusive steelhead with the truest of virgin eyes. As a girl, I would fantasize and toy with the idea that my very steps were falling within the outline of Mr. Haig-Brown and such legends. A walk to a river that may well have once been the first of a fly-fisher set out on a mission to find a traveled steelhead. </span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-VMi7RpsGq4H_mRT6casmXLyilRT0lZT_kBDjkxzC0xgpWOaIIC-_p9rfo1lw88jb4qwK3DPTAzv8ki4zLjX_r3nQ12XM8WlxAtiG3UlJY8tIiV6AYmal7a4gzU_IE6_Ucj4jlpehZE/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-VMi7RpsGq4H_mRT6casmXLyilRT0lZT_kBDjkxzC0xgpWOaIIC-_p9rfo1lw88jb4qwK3DPTAzv8ki4zLjX_r3nQ12XM8WlxAtiG3UlJY8tIiV6AYmal7a4gzU_IE6_Ucj4jlpehZE/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A river never touched by a line, crossed by a wader-clad human being or disrupted by a stripped streamer; I was enamoured by the possibility that I may well have been experiencing the exact moments of anticipation that those before me had felt. Fishing seemed simple then. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was inevitable that the techniques of the early 1900’s would transition and begin to take the form of alternate methods.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the early 1990’s, a small group of anglers on the West Coast of the USA, including the likes of Ed Ward, Mike Kinney, Mike McCune, and Scott O’Donnell, developed a fly line known as the “Skagit” line. More similar to that of a 26 foot long, condensed grain shooting head ideal for double-handed fly rods, these lines enabled anglers to turn over larger profiled/weighted flies, as well as heavy sink tips in various lengths.</span></span></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Adam Tavender Photo.</i></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These adaptations were a relief, as more anglers were able to effectively fish entirely new depths in the water column, thus enabling them to present more obnoxious flies to less active winter steelhead that often needed extra “assistance” with their aggression.</span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAN8bjfGJIehwPKiL2tU6yB0LpEpUoYaPrChXxNCmHvmy8qgWixnME4ev7WgaOGQpZp8qndvrL0F4-3Z9J5nQHAIA7viG8CcCBdu6rmJZ1vQaakYn28VtGI5X9nmgLpnnPzbxA6gtgfE/s1600/DSC_0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAN8bjfGJIehwPKiL2tU6yB0LpEpUoYaPrChXxNCmHvmy8qgWixnME4ev7WgaOGQpZp8qndvrL0F4-3Z9J5nQHAIA7viG8CcCBdu6rmJZ1vQaakYn28VtGI5X9nmgLpnnPzbxA6gtgfE/s320/DSC_0172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With the ability to cast heavier flies, came an explosion of articulated bunny leeches and elongated streamer patterns. Bright colors and creative materials made their way to the river as steelheaders from around the world sought tying therapy by delving into their creative energies at tying desks in an attempt to craft an ultra-effective steelhead fly.</span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoW83yX6r8rXCLhC_4YphI3S8RM8j4dMKdSjtsXYZFrOwAM5FPKuHdSUBZ66rQyo5T0TgDiNmRDBOTBtgRm2t1FNaPK8GCoBkF2MznaWLMPCqw0k3cMh0hydOA5_YVHtuMfqQBLfqBnww/s1600/548840_335159613230130_545239184_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoW83yX6r8rXCLhC_4YphI3S8RM8j4dMKdSjtsXYZFrOwAM5FPKuHdSUBZ66rQyo5T0TgDiNmRDBOTBtgRm2t1FNaPK8GCoBkF2MznaWLMPCqw0k3cMh0hydOA5_YVHtuMfqQBLfqBnww/s320/548840_335159613230130_545239184_n.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With shorter lines, easier casts, interchangeable sink tips and “no need to follow the recipe” flies, steelhead fishing has become appealing to even the most inexperienced of fly anglers.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fishing is “simple” now.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are some traditional anglers who scoff at the flies and technique born of this revolution. </span></span></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Justifiably, such naysayers are soon met by an explanation that an influx of angling pressure combined with the misfortune of fewer fish, has forced anglers to think a little differently.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The reality of it all is that both traditions, old and new, have proven to be astonishingly effective.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the major hang-ups that I have encountered as a fly-tier is the perceived drastic difference in patterns stemming from the old and new ways. It had always been my impression that the older style of flies seemed to be tied with more neutral colors and a smaller profile. In stark contrast, I have found that many of the more modern steelhead flies tend to be brighter and larger in both length and profile.</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While I understand that the majority of these more recent flies are designed to be swung through the current, many of the flies of “yesterday” were also designed for such a presentation as well.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was inevitable that I would finally reach out to the men that I have followed and learned from, to ask them myself: “What is your favorite winter steelhead fly pattern?”</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I reached out to eight different tiers, each of them renowned as fly-fishermen and dedicated long-time steelheaders. I put serious thought into each before I contacted them, and set out to find one expert from each of the listed categories.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Traditional:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canada West Coast, Canada East Coast, USA West Coast, USA East Coast.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Modern:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canada West Coast, Canada East Coast, USA West Coast, USA East Coast.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t really know what to expect.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Would these flies be ultra-traditional, complete with gut eyes and tented wings, or would they have adopted some of the more recent characteristics of stinger hooks and other tricks?</span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECV9fDFUJhAo2b6_y2orFrBbLW_TX4qOyBJ0LPar9qmDW1vhTwdoU0ZfT0X00fVYMC_jyZW7kC_YWOYhekdqmdywQEPj_TFh7D8oQWTvwYh99OJJGhevy-dNaIZfTKR5Vtx72p7v0Uog/s1600/lady-caroline-dressed-by-rick-whorwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECV9fDFUJhAo2b6_y2orFrBbLW_TX4qOyBJ0LPar9qmDW1vhTwdoU0ZfT0X00fVYMC_jyZW7kC_YWOYhekdqmdywQEPj_TFh7D8oQWTvwYh99OJJGhevy-dNaIZfTKR5Vtx72p7v0Uog/s320/lady-caroline-dressed-by-rick-whorwood.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t have to wonder long as their photos and flies poured in and I was able to come to a conclusion myself...</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The end result being that I was astounded by the similarities between patterns. From the West to the East, and from then to </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">now, despite distinct differences, there were equally as many similarities.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each fly had related characteristics. While the more seasoned tiers tended to down-size their flies, most of them let me know that they also tied and fished their trusted patterns with an articulated and extended trailing hook. This method not only allows the angler to replace dull or bent out hooks with new ones, but it also allows for an extra amount of security while fighting fish.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The use of a trailing hook was not the only major characteristic these flies shared. Their profiles and colors shared definite likenesses as well. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each fly was designed for classic swinging water and each fly was tied to maintain a profile as it danced and flickered through the current.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The differences that I noted were surprisingly few, but all of the differences that I observed came in the form of either size, weight, or use of flash.The newer flies seemed to hold more size, often included weighted eyes, and had an abundance of flash or tinsel. Bigger, bolder, brighter…</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> like a steroid infused traditional pattern, the newer flies simply demanded the attention of any finned passer-by’s.</span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYq42IabHVrXy0u746Lj7JQ3OuHOfaR6HOE1bZF5_bHV3BP_KWbqYu5xFuIM9FaNHpT6V5Cn01_ULx9aDTnf4brhS0zCiLmLEX58JIx0NmKGN6jUaaa9y9ZrRQRnlvCO6sdAmPUNzvRus/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYq42IabHVrXy0u746Lj7JQ3OuHOfaR6HOE1bZF5_bHV3BP_KWbqYu5xFuIM9FaNHpT6V5Cn01_ULx9aDTnf4brhS0zCiLmLEX58JIx0NmKGN6jUaaa9y9ZrRQRnlvCO6sdAmPUNzvRus/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are reasons and stories behind every innovation.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The men before us once sparked creation from their inspirations: a ribboning leech through an early morning pond, a Coho Blue pattern found on a coastal stream bank, an idea sparked from a late-night tying session with the guys…</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just as they have built from theirs, our new generation seeks inspiration and creates as well: an injured bait fish gasping in the shallows, a photo of a Combs’ classic or perhaps a pattern in the bin of a fly shop…</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both “old” and “new” walk the same line of creation and artistry. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So while it is true, the times are changing, it is the perceived dividing line that finds itself reshaped and morphed into a full circle. One where the “new” comes back to the old, and the old revisits the “new”. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They both meet in the middle and they both evolve as one; dependent on one another to move ahead.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Traditional:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canada West Coast- Art Lingren</span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHWCXLX6C9eUrA2rBXek5KF8jYWSCAssurysXZnVm0Wpj-t3JohDxixMaKFQWAfX5HK0tqG0fleUZhEKq-_utHqZflZfQJO3EGiMCTf9GNVcxJ9_ihwDiB1RWL6JK4xl273by8FgvUSo/s1600/ART+LINGREN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHWCXLX6C9eUrA2rBXek5KF8jYWSCAssurysXZnVm0Wpj-t3JohDxixMaKFQWAfX5HK0tqG0fleUZhEKq-_utHqZflZfQJO3EGiMCTf9GNVcxJ9_ihwDiB1RWL6JK4xl273by8FgvUSo/s320/ART+LINGREN.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canada East Coast- Larry Mellors</span></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGrZBGAvXqdfmlb8O5DD4LDcmsr9U-nF5XvsF3v4DY0Ew2JPlB-lgWOwM-9H2sWSpWWsclhooX7aMCljkaIFL6hlCXbX0_cwC9Es_rV-SbDfZ6s5shg3uM-5HC45jMkP0u2bVkM5QK2Q/s1600/LARRY+MELLORS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGrZBGAvXqdfmlb8O5DD4LDcmsr9U-nF5XvsF3v4DY0Ew2JPlB-lgWOwM-9H2sWSpWWsclhooX7aMCljkaIFL6hlCXbX0_cwC9Es_rV-SbDfZ6s5shg3uM-5HC45jMkP0u2bVkM5QK2Q/s320/LARRY+MELLORS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">USA West Coast- Trey Combs</span></span></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">USA East Coast- Ray Schmidt</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Modern:</span></span></b></span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canada West Coast- Sky Richard</span></span></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canada East Coast- Paul Castellano</span></span></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">USA West Coast- Scott Howell</span></span></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">USA East Coast- Kevin Feenstra</span></span></b><br />
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April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-17117085691814220822012-11-27T21:02:00.002-08:002012-11-27T21:02:13.291-08:00Some Q & A With the Washington Herald<br />
Nice to not have to answer questions about makeup. ;)<br />
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<a href="http://m.heraldnet.com/heraldnet/db_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=3aPzyqzW&full=true#display">http://m.heraldnet.com/heraldnet/db_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=3aPzyqzW&full=true#display</a><br />
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April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-61915849841768272152012-11-25T09:38:00.002-08:002012-11-25T09:43:17.207-08:00<br />
I have just price slashed like never before in order to make room for new stock! Save close to 50% off most items and remember that everything must go! Christmas orders must be placed no later than December 10th to ensure timely delivery... place your order now and get that shopping over with! <br />
<br />
There are gifts for both men & women to be found.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://flygal.ca/shop/">http://flygal.ca/shop/</a><br />
<br />
Orders over $99 get free shipping (difficulties with the coupon code) but I will refund your shipping costs upon purchase.)<br />
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Merry (soon to be) Christmas!<br />
April.<br />
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In house Vokey tubes!</div>
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New!</div>
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New!</div>
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New Kids!</div>
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<br />April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-54674979036915158012012-11-24T00:19:00.000-08:002012-11-24T00:19:05.823-08:00Fly Gal Now Offering Tube Fly Classes Curious what all of the fuss is about? Well, we're here to help answer your questions about the tube fly and its advantages...<br />
Fly gal is proud to now add tube fly classes to our list of schools and will likely be in your area soon.<br />
Need an individual lesson? We can do that too... <a href="http://www.flygal.ca/workshops">http://www.flygal.ca/workshops</a><br />
Email info@flygal.ca to book.<br />
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<br />April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-23672645248022459562012-11-16T11:12:00.002-08:002012-11-16T22:24:10.442-08:00A Day in the Life...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My schedule is one that always rouses up questions from people who can't quite comprehend a life on the road. "How do you do it?", they ask.<br />
"With a smile," I truthfully reply.<br />
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I love being busy, I love new adventure, I love running to a tight flight and I love never knowing what to expect when my feet touch down in a new country.<br />
My heart belongs amidst the vastness of BC and within 3 weeks of being away from her, admittedly the glow in my eyes begins to dull and the edges of my smile are just slightly less curved.<br />
Like a drug to a user, BC is my fix but between sessions I am a girl who needs to run.<br />
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Over the years I have noticed a curiosity amongst those who read my work and I figured that an update and brief outline of a "Day in the Life of..." might be appropriate. Without further adieu, here is a glimpse of my life and where I have been this October.<br />
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Upon leaving the Dean, it would have been wrong for me to not pay the Skeena region a visit. With a continued desire to wake the foam poppers (see post below), I opted to catch fewer fish but more excitement and I held true to my word by leaving my sink tips at home. Colby and I hit the freeway.<br />
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Naturally those who swung behind me were rewarded with any fish I had missed and everyone was happy.</div>
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A few weeks later, with bright eyes and a very curved smile (courtesy of the Skeena), I headed to Seattle's Evergreen Fly Fishing Club where I was fortunate enough to meet some fabulous people and share the secret behind my glowing face with them.</div>
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The next morning, with a coffee in one hand and a history book in the other (I am currently completing my business degree via correspondence and am most focused during flights), I sat next to the Seattle airport window stretching and enjoying an unexpected rainbow that arced over the terminal. This was going to be a good trip... I could feel it. The warmth of my Starbucks touched my lips, the hustle of the airport behind me faded while the whole world just seemed to slow in perfect harmony.</div>
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I was on my way to New Brunswick where I was set to team up with Fredericton Outfitters for several schools with Atlantic Salmon enthusiasts. The shop was beautiful and the Munns (Chris and Caitlyn who own the shop) were instant friends as they met me at the airport. Caitlyn, 8.5 months pregnant extended her hand past her belly and her 'to the point' conversation made her an instant friend of mine... They welcomed me into their home and began to explain the week we had planned.</div>
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Our first stop was at the infamous Wilson's Salmon camp on the Miramichi where I would teach 8 students the basics of casting and the specifics of the double haul.</div>
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The day was great fun and after taking a good hard fall on my ass in front of the class (leave it to Vibram soles), the mood was light and everyone was in high spirits.</div>
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The next day brought us to The Ledges where we repeated the days events from yesterday (minus the clumsiness) with new students.</div>
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After the class, the Miramichi was low but Chris and I had to give her a try. We met up with some of his friends at his cabin and after a hot toddy and some fresh duck, the lot of us headed out to try our luck at an Atlantic.</div>
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I swung and slowed my fly, applying steelhead tactics to my swing. Chris swung his fly fast through the current and picked up a jumping beauty behind me. With a squeal, laugh and curse, I made my way upstream to try again... downstream mend and all.</div>
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The bush crashed behind us and I turned petrified to peer into the yellow leaves. <i>Please be a bear,</i> <i>please be a bear.</i>.. bears, I know what to do with. </div>
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Chris and I both stood turned to the disruption behind us and I wondered just how limber moose were in the water. Soon, silence was all that shook the leaves and my heart rate lowered in time with my slight disappointment at the diversion of danger.</div>
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The next day was a repeat only without the salmon. This time, a large truck of filthy men carried in a hunted moose. New Brunswick has a three day hunting season for moose and there were hunters everywhere throughout the province.</div>
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Was that you making all of that commotion behind me?</div>
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The guys taught me how to call and howled as I put both hands in the air, swaying back and forth with a stupid face as I attempted to call in a mate.</div>
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Back at the home-front and accompanied by my new homegirl Caitlyn, we dove into a feast of lobster, mussels, potatoes and butter... New Brunswick style. <br />
Damn, I love the maritime life!</div>
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I cooked alongside artist Catherine Munn, still flushed from the beautiful painting she kindly handed me upon our introduction. With paint still fresh, she glowed as she placed the artwork in my hands. Jaw dropped, slight blush, moist eyes and absolutely zero words to explain how I was feeling, she knew I was a collector and she added her talent to my collection.</div>
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Katy (her niece and a student from one of the classes earlier) had shown me one of her pieces upon arriving at the river and I had purchased it immediately as my eyes drowned in its melancholy. It had been painted at a jazz festival and the energy poured through the canvas and into me.</div>
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The following day, I had a date with some of the kids at a local elementary school. A banner hung from the entrance wall and my stomach did a flip as I read my name on the large display. </div>
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I began with an introduction and explained what steelhead are.</div>
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Soon it was time for us all to tie flies. The kids (who have quite possibly the best teachers in the world) were all supplied tying equipment and together, as a class, we all tied a marabou leech. It was hilarity and sheer chaos but the result was some beautiful flies, a sore face from laughing and enough feathers on the floor to dress an entire show of Vegas girls.</div>
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Alright! Let's swim these!</div>
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Nice work everyone!</div>
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A short week later, it was off to Toronto to meet with caster Rick Whorwood of <a href="http://www.flycastingschool.com/">http://www.flycastingschool.com/</a> where he and G. Loomis had arranged a couple of tying classes, a couple of casting classes and an on the water school where each of us would drift 2 anglers down the Grand while helping them to understand efficient steelheading techniques. </div>
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First stop was First Cast Fly Shop in Guelph. I have worked with Ray and his shop in the past and can honestly tell you that if you live in the Toronto region, you simply must check them out. Integrity, professionalism and patience... this shop takes their relationships seriously.</div>
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I was later emailed by the young gent through the swim tank about his success with the fly that he tied in the class... check this out! Good for you Mike.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"Hey April, Just wanted to thank you again for teaching me the great intruder patterns, they are working great! We had a blast on Sunday and I had some great takes swinging. The second pic is actually the fly I tied at the class!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Good Luck with the classes/seminars this fall.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Mike" </span></div>
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Next, it was off to Rick's place for a ladies casting workshop. We pulled an "underground" and met up in Rick's garage close to a nearby park.</div>
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7 of the 8 ladies drove in from Quebec and a translator helped to remove the language barrier, Ashley (the 8th of the 8) and I both sat in sheer silence at times, lost in the french language and comedy of the group. </div>
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What I didn't need a translator for was the ridiculous amount of laughing, sass and passion for the sport that each of these gals held. Ranging from 11 years old to their early 20's, these french gals were good, damn good... I can tell you with confidence that this fishing industry is about to be struck with some serious talent.</div>
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I remember 10 years ago when another gal on the river was a "hallelujah" moment... I am so proud to look forward now and see just how far all of this pushing has gotten us. </div>
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The following day, Rick had the boats set up for our on the water school.</div>
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I took the raft while he took the drift and together we rowed our crew down the Grand in pursuit of steelhead.</div>
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The water was low but we pushed onward.</div>
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Using swinging techniques from home, we called in a bass or two.</div>
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And of course, we managed a few steelhead (whew.)</div>
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The day was fun and productive and almost everyone in the group landed a fresh fish.</div>
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Again, it was off to the airport and I prepared to say goodbye to Canada for a few more weeks.</div>
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Germany came with a day of lost time and Alex Siems of ADH Fly Fishing in Peine, Germany picked me up from a very foreign airport (this was my first visit here).</div>
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ADH holds an annual fair and they had brought me in to teach, speak, tie and drink beer (it was Oktoberfest).</div>
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My room had a glorious view and the small farm town reminded me just how much I like 'simple'.</div>
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Diana and Alex hosted me in their home and together we tried to get through several of the largest beer mugs I have ever seen. </div>
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Cheers!</div>
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The next morning was one of casting. Working together on the double haul...</div>
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Class didn't start until 10:00am so I awoke for the crack of dawn and headed to the river for a shot at a pike with one of the ADH guys. Cast, strip vigorously, cast, strip, repeat... I waited for my line to tug from my hand. A bolt of smeared grey stained the water and I watched in disbelief as a huge pike hit my leader from the side. Missing the wire altogether and nicking the thick mono instead, my fly and the pike were both gone in a flash (literally). The words exchanged from here shall remain censored but needless to say, I was nothing short of unimpressed.</div>
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Regardless, I picked up this little beauty and then proceeded to head back to the shop for my class.</div>
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The next day was the day of the event. I set up to tie for onlookers in the shop and tried to learn some of the German language.</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE8hUBHlCjc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE8hUBHlCjc</a></div>
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Before I knew it, it was presentation time and I squirmed and struggled trying to beat my enthusiasm into the crowd. The language barrier and polite tone of the Germans made it interesting but the result was efficient and I was able to spend a fair bit of time working individually with local anglers.</div>
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Plus, does it get any better than German sausage? They even have their own Ketchup that simply puts ours to shame.</div>
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The week sadly came to an end and I prepared to leave Alex, Diana and the ADH crew. Late night casting comps, fine rum, European techniques and a ton of great new people... I hope to be back soon.</div>
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Alas, all good things must 'finito' and I was determined to take a personal vacation to Florence Italy for some good wine, food, gelato, art, history, and did I mention food?</div>
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The Cathedral... my hotel was perfectly placed.</div>
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Off to the opera! One more dream crossed off the list...</div>
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With a full stomach, a satisfied heart, a newfound passion for the Italian language, several hours of conversation with the two ladies sitting next to me (turns out even the most conservative women have an interest in outdoor excitement) and a suitcase packed with as many truffles, limoncello, biscotti and oils that I could fit, I headed home to a wagging tail, a wet cheek kiss from Mom and a bellowing hello from my Dad. I always love this part.</div>
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The visit was short lived... and 20 hours later Colby and I were packed and back on a 14 hour commute through wretched road conditions to visit my beloved steelhead.</div>
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Yup, this was not a fun one.</div>
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Lol! Colby's a boss... </div>
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A roadside stop for some chilly teeth brushing and Colby exercise.</div>
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Instant relaxation... it feels good to be back.</div>
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The stare down as Colby unleashes in a furious, frothing rage from the backseat of the truck.</div>
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Hello lover.</div>
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Moose and I get along better when I'm safe in the truck... those feet are not something I would like to find myself under.</div>
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Exactly.... look at the size of those things!!! Jeremy Koreski photo.</div>
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We scout the Kispiox and Mr. High Maintenance gets his hair did.</div>
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We were set to meet with photographer Jeremy Koreski who would be trying to capture some photo moments for Patagonia. He was going to fly into Smithers where we would spend a day on the Kispiox before making our way to Terrace (photos to come later).</div>
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The weather had taken a recent plummet and every 2nd cast demanded that we crunch our ice off our running lines with our teeth. To be quite truthful, it was miserable outside and a recent flu bug (courtesy of a girlfriend's adorable children) had me mentally glued to my seedy hotel bed. Sweats and hacking lungs kept my days short but I did what I could to keep up with the other two healthy lads.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaoSOniyoQhAwqBE05wgopqx0FcipiS3_YcDcdARJ9OsoQM6oJ8BEZ0rEj12bKGM06rvDy7-aB3c_T2_hFje9Jx23PTVgCijXsWI2V-20iliXeY5_EQfm5nzNp8iKPUqZ5qSm505e9Mg/s1600/IMG_8200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaoSOniyoQhAwqBE05wgopqx0FcipiS3_YcDcdARJ9OsoQM6oJ8BEZ0rEj12bKGM06rvDy7-aB3c_T2_hFje9Jx23PTVgCijXsWI2V-20iliXeY5_EQfm5nzNp8iKPUqZ5qSm505e9Mg/s320/IMG_8200.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jeremy Koreski photo.</div>
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Ben and Thompson look outward to laying steelhead.</div>
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Is it the medication or is he laughing at his snotty mom? Jeremy Koreski photo.</div>
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Jeremy Koreski photo.</div>
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So, there you have it: "a day in the life". </div>
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Life is too short to be small. I'm going to live every second of this thing as though I'm going to die tomorrow; even if it does include flus, moose, ice and long flights... that's just all part of what makes it so much fun. </div>
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Close your eyes and jump... I'll see some of you on the "how do you do it?" schedule soon.</div>
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April.</div>
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April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-41765878351900267892012-11-16T00:50:00.002-08:002012-11-16T00:50:14.451-08:00<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Waking foam bugs makes for a great day! Tried and tested on various rivers throughout the coast... Stevie's foam flies have these fish launching out of the water to annihilate in a top water frenzy. I only wish I could capture each take on film to share... thankfully for me they are permanently etched into my mind forever. :)<br />
April.<br />
<br />April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171191371998056557.post-84547206754312846452012-10-26T17:05:00.000-07:002012-11-04T21:54:16.336-08:00Dean 2012 Blog<div class="post_body float_left" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #2e2e2e; float: left; font-family: tahoma, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 17.59375px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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Wow! What a fantastic year of guiding it has been... warm weather, fresh fish, great company and new friends; I could not have asked for a better season.</div>
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Some highlights of the summer:</div>
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A piece of perfection, safe and ready for release. Steve Morrow photo.</div>
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Colby, Dana, Stevie and I get comfortable in our staff cabins while taking a moment out of each day to thank our magnificent Grantham Falls view.</div>
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Our entertainment in the evenings... the fluttering wings of hummingbirds keep smiles lively and people in awe.</div>
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A small community Canada Day party brings out the truest in us all, eh?</div>
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I almost fell in laughing as Kenny hooks his hat, casts it across the river and then reels it back in. Where's the video camera when you need it?</div>
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It's scary how hard so many of us fall in love with this river... she keeps us wrapped tight around her little finger.</div>
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Dana & Stevie's, Kaleigh, and Colby cuddle into my cozy cabin.</div>
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Before guests arrive, I take the pups for a quick burner up to the snow caves.</div>
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Dangerous? Maybe... but so incredibly worth it.</div>
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High water but fishing is still hot! Steve Morrow photo.</div>
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One of my favorite guests of the season holding a magnificent fish!</div>
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When guests are set, rock statues keep the body moving!</div>
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Need I say more?</div>
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A grizzly encounter several years back leaves a mark for passerby's.</div>
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Colby and I set off to Bella Coola for the next three months.</div>
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My small guide cabin in the forest.</div>
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Caught while reeling in! I will never forget this one...</div>
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Fall is here.</div>
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Hang to dry... keep it green.</div>
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A gorgeous office.</div>
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Stevie and I take a week or two to fish for ourselves... Colby is useless on the oars.</div>
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A quick and wet release. Steve Morrow photo.</div>
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Cheers to another hot fish on the dry.</div>
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...And yet another.</div>
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Dana and the game warden Mike entertain us for an afternoon lunch.</div>
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Keeping it classy where we can.</div>
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Uh, ok maybe not so classy... two beer wenches secure the cooler and head down to the river.</div>
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Woah!!!! A pig!</div>
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A long season brings a tired April and Colby home.</div>
Thank you to everyone for a great season!<br /><div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
April.</div>
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April Vokeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693692919484144517noreply@blogger.com