This photo by Dennis Nazarenko is one of the 12 pictures we have received for our December photo contest. We would like to get 4 more pictures submitted this month so we can beat our total for November so send us yours today! Remember, pictures of trophy fish are nice but we appreciate receiving photos of everything and anything associated with people enjoying fly fishing so don’t be shy about sending us your favourite shots! You can check out the pictures at http://www.canadasflyfishingoutfitter.com/gallery-photos.php

‎”Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind”

Dr. Seuss

Unlike occasional years in the past when we had not properly anticipated how many shoppers we would get in the store, this year we are more than prepared. Our manager Bill has got inventory levels exactly where we think they should be and, more importantly, exactly where our customers want them to be. With 4 shopping days left until Christmas we are expecting the stream of customers we get at this time each year to increase with each day like a spawning run on the Maitland… and both are something to see!

This has been a rebound year for our store and we appreciate the ongoing support of our customers. To show our thanks we are having a Customer Appreciation Day this coming Saturday December 17. We will post details throughout the week so mark it in your calendars!

I was speaking with a new customer in the store yesterday and walked away from our conversation with a sense of frustration that I want to share.

With all of the choices out there we are delighted that this customer (who by the way is a recent convert to fly fishing from float fishing) has chosen our store in which to buy his gear and he explained that the main reason he has done so is the guys we have behind the counter. As he said, “They know their stuff!”

My frustration was not with the customer but rather with his innocent and heartfelt response to our suggestion that he submit some of his pictures to our monthly photo contest. As we were speaking I asked if he was aware of all the information we have on our website and he said, “No. Not really.”

He was interested so I took a moment to explain that we have almost 30 fly fishing access maps for southern Ontario as well as the major hatch charts you need to fish them effectively.

I then asked if he was aware of our monthly photo contest and when his response was again, “No” so I explained that we give away a $50 gift certificate every month to the person who sends us what we choose as our favourite photo. When I suggested to him that he should send us some of his pictures because we only get a handful of pictures each month and the odds of winning are excellent (!) he got a bit sheepish and replied, “I don’t think so because I don’t have any pictures of trophy fish…”

His comment, but more so the look of embarrassment on his face, made me pause.

“That, my friend, is preferred!” I said. “Let’s face it. Pictures of people holding big fish are at times impressive but after a while they get pretty boring. Our contest is not about boasting but rather about sharing and we would appreciate receiving any pictures you send us.”

With that he smiled and said, “If that’s the case I’ll see what I can do!” He wished us a Merry Christmas and out the door he went.

There are too many people – beginners in particular – who are intimidated by our sport and embarrassed by their perceived lack of knowledge so we hope that everyone reading this blog will send us a picture every month for our contest of anything EXCEPT a trophy fish!