THE
REEL THING July
1989
We
don't have a lot to report to you in the Reel Thing at this time of year as I
guess many of our members are busy putting into practice a few of the things
they have learned in our club during the winter.
We do have a few items of interest for you anyway.
First
of all we would like to offer a big welcome to our newest members, Bill
Hooper, Peter Durnford and his friends, Paulo Conceicao and Reinaldo Eusebio.
Peter actually joined the club back in the spring, but somehow didn't
get into the bulletin or on our mailing list - sorry about that Pete.
He has since proven to be one of our more active members and has hardly
missed a practice session since he came on board.
Keep it up, Pete, and by next year you'll be one of our best casters!
Paulo
is just getting into the swing of things, and eager to try his new-found
skills and equipment out on the streams and lakes.
His buddy Reinaldo is going to have to work hard to catch up to him
with Paulo's two or three week head-start.
Bill
Hooper is the head fisheries biologist for the New Brunswick Department of
Fish and Game (I hope I go that right, Bill) and a renowned Maritime Atlantic
Salmon fly fishing angler. Bill
has been trying to break into tournament casting for over twenty years but
unfortunately got in touch with the wrong people.
We were fortunate enough to meet him last year when he took it on
himself to attend the North American National Casting Championships.
He
was subsequently invited to join our club and attend this year's Canadian
Championships. He came to
Scarborough a few days prior to the competition in order to work out and train
with us, then surprised quite a few people by snaring the silver medal in the
Trout Fly Distance event. Fantastic
effort, Bill! Exciting for all of
us and we look forward to more of the same next year.
Meanwhile, I guess the only practice that the poor guy is getting is on
the Miramachi River, fly casting for big salmon. It runs right through his front yard.
George
McConnachie and his sons spent 5 or 6 lovely days camping in Algonquin Park
and worked hard for the first few days trying to learn the secrets of the
sulking Smallmouth Bass. It paid
off on the last couple of days when George (Yeah, he finally outdid Graham)
caught several in the two to three pound class and released (!!!!) one that he
swears would have gone six pounds. Son
Graham kept pace with his father by hooking (and releasing!) a nice Lake Trout
that surprised him by grabbing his bass lure.
Wali
Cunningham must be spending the summer at his retreat in the Florida Keys as
he hasn't been around the last month or so.
I hope you are putting that hat that you won in our tournament to good
use, Wali - we would hate to see you get sunburned badly under those hot
Florida skies. Rick Madden is
obviously spending most of his spare time solving the Lake Simcoe Bass
riddles.
We
are getting virtually no fishing results from everybody so unfortunately we
have little to report. However we
can tell you that Sheila had a personal best and a great tournament in
Columbus, Ohio at the Great Lakes Casting Championships and finished just out
of the money in two of her three events.
She lost to Marcia Willson, Zack's wife, by just a few strokes in 1/4
and 5/8th ounce accuracy. Marcia,
by the way, has been casting for many years, so coming so close to beating her
in her own hometown was quite a feather in Sheila's cap!
Way to go, Babe!
The
North American Casting Championships are coming up in a couple of weeks in St.
Louis and we are are training hard for this one.
I hope do do better than I have in the other tournaments so far this
season.
We
are taking deposits now for our annual weekend fall-fishing trip to the
Saugeen River. This year, we will
be going a little earlier in order to get better rainbow fishing - fewer
salmon in the river. Cost will be
$89.00. That includes your breakfasts, lunches and Saturday evening supper or
banquet, accomodation (2 nights) complete.
As the accomodation this time of year is limited, the trip will be
limited to the first twelve members to get their deposits ($50.00) in.
If
anybody is interested in joining Sheila and myself on a combined camping,
fishing and casting weekend to the Catskill Fly Fishing Centre on the weekend
of August 26, please get back to me as soon as possible.
By the way, Sheila and I, along with a couple of friends, had a great
camping weekend to A/B Lake on the last long weekend.
Lots of trout, too, but on the small side.
We
haven't been getting too many casters out at the pool on Monday evenings this
summer so there is lots of room and time for those who do show up to sharpen
their skills and enjoy the company of fellow club members.
All you folks who brave the snowstorms in winter to come out to the gym
to practice are missing a bet in not coming out to the pool on these lovely
summer Monday evenings. Come on
out and give it a try.
If
you have any fishing results, why not share them with us?
We'll pass them on in the next bulletin. Also, if you are looking for a
fishing buddy or have tackle to trade or sell you can use the Reel Thing to
let other members know your wishes. That's all for now,
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