IN MEMORIUM

Peacefully, with dignity on Wednesday September 30th 2009. Today we remember and celebrate a special life of a friend known to many in our community. With innumerable admirers on hand it is with deep sadness we announce the passing of another season of fly fishing for brook and brown trout in Ontario. Predeceased by the the 2008 season, the 2009 angling season had a distinguished career in the fly fishing and fly tying community. The energy and hope of its early days was invigorating to all who were lucky enough to know it – even briefly – and provided an inspiration to fly fishermen throughout its short 5 month life. A celebration of the season will be held for friends at WILSON’S on Saturday October 3rd from 9 am to 5 pm. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Trout Unlimited Canada (www.tucanada.org).

We love you. We miss you. We will never forget your gentle spirit…

[Richard VanderMeer, Oil on Canvas]

I was sitting at a table in a Tim Horton’s recently and while reviewing our recently completed year I was quickly building up to having a conniption (one of my mother’s favorite terms). While sales in our fly shop are not down drastically, sales are down. I had just found out that a potential fly order from South America has gone AWOL and the more I read of our financial summary the more my blood pressure started to rise. As I was about to start swearing a blue streak under my breath a van pulled up in frontof the window I was facing. Two cheerful women popped out of the vehicle who then helped 2 severely handicapped men out of the passenger side. When I first looked at the men their appearance took me off guard. They were mentally and physically challenged and to be honest I am embarrassed to admit that I caught myself staring. Thankfully by the time they had entered the door I had recovered my composure and everyone in the restaurant had the courtesy to treat them just as any other customer.

I returned to the business notes in front of me, had a sip of coffee, looked back out the window… and paused. I realized there but for the grace of (please insert your deity of choice) go I. The bills may be a mile high, the dog may be stinking up the couch and I may be sick and tired of having dinner alone but all things considered life is good. Sometimes it just takes a little reminder…

The above picture is of a drift boat trip I did on the Bow River in Alberta a while back but this is about a day I spent with a guide in a drift boat on the Saugeen River this past Friday. If you have never booked a drift boat trip do yourself or a friend a huge favour and book a drift boat trip today. There is no better way to cover water and when you pair a drift boat with a knowledgeable, friendly guide, good weather and cooperative fish the experience is extraordinary !

While on the river I chatted with my guide about how much time and effort goes into a trip and what the typical response is from clients. He explained that it has taken him years to learn the rivers he guides and the fishing holes in each and that each day is a very physical work out. Think about it. Drift boat guides are pulling oars all day – often against the current – so their clients can get into position to cast and frankly many of the drift boat guides we have in Ontario make it look easy. It isn’t. If the weather is tough or the client’s casting not strong or accurate the day is that much more difficult for the guide.

My guide told me that he had a regular client out earlier this month who landed more bass in one day than most people land in a season. The guide also got him into 2 muskie during the day, both over 40″. I smiled and said, “That must have resulted in one hell of a tip !”. To my shock he explained that his client did not tip him a penny and he then went on to explain that this was unfortunately not unique. Many clients he gets in his boat do not tip. Not even one dime. I was dumbfounded.

While we drifted down the river I watched how hard my guide worked while rowing and thought about what he said. I realized that when I buy a meal in a restaurant a waitress usually takes my order, carries a plate 40′, smiles, asks how my meal was and gets a 15% tip for her efforts. I even tip when the service is bad. However, for some reason many people who book drift boat guides do not tip a cent. They watch guides pull oars for 8 hours, get into more fish than most people see in a season and don’t tip a dime…

If you read this please consider doing what is right. If you book a fly fishing guide and you enjoy the day you should be tipping them at least 10% If they get you into fish and make sure you have a great day you should be tipping them 15-20% These guys work their tails off and I know how difficult it is to make ends meet in this industry. Yes, they do it for the love of the sport – but they also have bills to pay.

We are starting our fly tying courses in October and want to let you know they will be taking place on Saturday mornings from 9 until 12:00. Once each class finishes we will have an “open vise” session in our fly tying area every Saturday afternoon. Please plan on joining us ! We are also looking at having an “Open Vise” session on the 2nd Tuesday of every month in conjunction with the Toronto Fly Fishing Club meetings from 6 pm until everyone goes home… Watch for details in the coming days !

My manager Vasilios “Bill” Katraouras and I were interviewed on-line by the ROB Magazine last month and I was pleasantly surprised to see a follow up note in the Feedback section on p. 6 of yesterday’s new magazine saying there were so many follow up emails to the interview the editors decided to share some additional tips. However I was disappointed they failed to mention Bill because he is truly the expert in our store, not me ! Every time I watch Bill with customers I try to listen as often as possible because he has likely forgotten more about fly fishing than I will ever learn. If you have not met Vasili or spent any time with him talking about the minutia of fly fishing, do yourself a favour and come into the store to do so because you will learn something every time you do.