Westcoast Flyfishers Association
1101 Munro St Victoria, BC, Canada

MERRY CHRISTMAS from WFA. T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CADDIS BY RICHARD FRANK... Twas the night before Christmas when down by the stream The full moon looked out on a chill winter scene. A lone trout was sipping a midge in his brook, Untroubled by worries of fishers with hooks. Then from above a small sleigh did appear Pulled by a brace of eight tiny reindeer. It swerved of a sudden and down it did glide, Settling its runners along the streamside. The fat, jolly driver dove into his sled And emerged with his three weight held high over head. "Thank you my elves for this wand smooth as silk. This break will be better than cookies and milk." So saying, he jumped from his sleigh with a chuckle, Hiked up his boots and cinched up his belt buckle. Santa meant business that cold winter's eve. A fish he would catch - that you'd better believe. Looking upstream and down, he spotted that trout, Then he open his flybox and took something out - "Size 32 midges are only for faddists I'll go with my favorite tan reindeer caddis." So he cast out his line with a magical ease And his fly floated down just as light as you please. And it drifted drag free down the trout's feeding lane, But the fish merely wiggled a fin of distain. "Oh Adams, oh Cahill, oh Sulphur, oh Pupa, Oh Hopper, oh Coachman, oh Olive Matuka! I've seen every fly in the book and the box. I'm old and I'm wary and sly as a fox. To catch me you'll need an unusual gift, For a present this common no fin will I lift." Old Nick scratched his head for his time it grew short The reindeer behind him did shuffle and snort. He looked once again in his box for a fly When a pattern compelling attracted his eye. "The Rudolph!" he muttered and grinned ear to ear "Far better to give than receive, so I hear." So he cast once again and his magic was true, And the trout it looked up and knew not what to do. "This fly has a body of bells don't you know, And if that's not enough there's a shining red nose! I know it's fraud and I know it's a fake, But I can't help myself. It's I gift I must take!" So he rose in swirl and captured that thing, Flew off down the stream. Santa's reel it did sing. "Ho!" shouted Santa, "You're making my day. If the heavens were water, you'd be pulling my sleigh." So, Santa prevailed and released his great rival First taking great care to ensure its survival. He then mounted his sled and he flew out of sight Shouting, "Merry Caddis to trout and to all a good night!"

Despite this year of uncertainty, Cowichan Lake Salmonid Enhancement Society had an incredible year of fry salvaging and broodstock. We are at our Coho quote ca...pacity, as well brought in a good number of Chum. We have followed all the safety protocols. Not accepting new volunteers, limiting our number of volunteers at given projects, and of course disinfecting our equipment after each use as directed by DFO and WHO. It has been challenging but we continue to get it done. This would not be possible without the continued support from our vital volunteers sacrificing their time, our commited community, and our amazing donors. Without you we would not exist. Sending our deepest gratitude to everyone that has ever volunteered their time, effort, and resources to this amazing cause. The DFO are estimating the returning Chinook at over 20,000 fish. Coming into 2020, there was an estimated 20,000 returning Chinook with 22,390 arriving this year. The average will continue to increase. Entering the four year average return of 20,000 Chinook has fully doubled the 12 year average which was 10,090 fish. Only 500 returning Chinook just 10 years ago. What an astonishing and possibly sustainable recovery of Chinook returns to the Cowichan River. Attachments below contain the Fisheries and Oceans South Coast Salmon Bulletin. Including escapement updates for area 18 - Cowichan River. Along with Lake level graphs.

You are looking at a parasite called Cymothoa Exigua. It enters through a fishes gills, eats their tongue and then replaces it. This lil delight literally sucks... out the blood off the fish's tongue, and then replaces the withered tongue with itself. Now everytime the fish eats, it takes away a portion of the food for itself. See more

Cowichan River drifters .extreme hazard at road pool on Riverbottom rd .You must stay hard right when entering pool .lots of trees in river along wash out run .

Helping all Fly Fishers who Fish Sooke River, Big Thanks to Charters Creek Interpretive Centre for their Efforts.

Now That's a Serious "Fisher Bird".

Happy Monday, for those that go work daily, I Bet you've thought of this a least Once.

We know people with same issue...only fly rods!

The Pilchuck River Dam is no more and finally after 118 years the river naturally flows. As the river is reconnected this achievement will help future generations of fish, people, culture and whales to survive.

How big will a modern day sea-run Cutthroat get? For a fish that eats similar food as their anadromous cousins, big differences in size has been a head-scratc...her of Cutthroat afficianados for years. Reports from biologists and anglers are allowing us to compare the average and maximum size across the range in hopes of highlighting a few important patterns. We now know that sea run cutthroat that have access to a lake, rank among the largest of the bunch. In contrast, those that share habitat with steelhead and depend on spawning in upper tributary skinny water consistently top out at 19 inches with some rare exceptions. Our past work along with that of others at WDFW and NOAA has shown strict habitat partitioning in both freshwater and marine where shallow nearshore and upper tributary habitats are the bread and butter for this unique fish and rapid growth rates until a size of 12 inches appears to be the recipe for their success. The graph here shows maximum recorded size of cutthroat in our dataset of over 10,000 cutthroat measured from 22 systems. Just scratching the surface in this post but couldn't wait to share what we've been thinking about. See more

Great tip for storing krystal flash.

SOME MAY RELATE TO THIS.

It is bitter and sweet, to see the leader of our school, Fred Schaub, move on to Quadra Elementary next school year. We appreciate Mr. Schaub and all he did for... our program. He saw innovation in education as essential to engaging kids in learning. He took a risk on the program, being the first of its kind, and we appreciate that so much! . To thank him, we created a fly in his honor called, "The Schaub". The colors of white, yellow and gold reflect his Swiss heritage. This fly will mainly target salmon or steelhead, particularly with the coloring and krystal flash . For those interested, Mr. Schaub immigrated to Canada years ago. He went into education because he disliked school when he was a kid. He wanted to make a difference, and he certainly did, not just at our school, but many. He's even facilitated our school district's first canoe founded in moving forward with reconciliation in education! He's done great work in our district . We want to wish you all the best next year at your new school! Even though we know you don't fly fish, may your lines tighten on many spring and coho this season when you're fishing the salt chuck! Thank you for your support and all the best in your future Mr. Schaub. We'll let you know how your honorary fly holds up during salmon season! Carihi Secondary School Carihi Secondary Activities and Events #carihi #carihiflyfishing #bcfishing #bcflyfishing #fishing #crsd72 #cabelas #loopaktiv #flytying #dedication #support #community #fly #salmon #steelheadfishing #steelheadflies #youthflyfishing #movingon #thankyou #tugisthedrug #innovation #education #fishbc #explorebc #principle #flytyingaddict #flyfishingjunkie #troutbum #trout

Interesting, FYI.

Member Kelly Reibin with a Nice Steel Head on Harris Creek, San Juan River or ?? Kelly may or may Not Tell us.

Are you upset at the loss of access to your favourite public fishery? Take action now - join the PFA and fight for your right to future access of British Columbia’s sustainable public fisheries. Learn more here => https://publicfisheryalliance.ca/membership-sign-up/

Might have to Agree with this on Occasions. ??

Mr Gawesworth Explains Leaders & Tippets so it Makes more Sense to us.

Great Story by Art Lingren & a Great Fly.

You May be interested in Sending a Letter to Help with Salmon.

Some of You may be Interested to Read this.

Tip of the Day. Might Help.

More Tales & Wisdom from a Dedicated Fly Fisherman Art Lingren .

I Think you are All going to like this !

Save 20 Now only 39.99

I Think some May agree with this. ??

Some wise words from an Experienced Angler.

All of Australia's largest salmon farmers use 'oxytetracycline', an antibiotic the World Health Organisation says should not be used in salmon farming, because ...it is very important for human health. Tassal Tasmanian Salmon recently disclosed 260 fold increase in antibiotic use from 2018-2019. Farming on a large scale in our waterways, we want accountability and appropriate regulation for these businesses. Please sign our petition at www.salmon.org.au. See more

In this era of dam removal, we’re experiencing renewal and recovery across steelhead country as migration barriers are torn down and rivers are restored. But in... Washington’s Chehalis River basin, a new dam proposal is being considered. Here's what you need to know and how you can speak up in opposition to this proposal >> https://wildsteelheaders.org/whats-brewing-in-the-chehalis/ See more

You may be Interested

That's right! STARTING MONDAY WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS AGAIN! We will be maintaining specific safety protocols and encourage everyone with any symptoms to st...ay home. Yes we are open again, but let's continue to be safe. Summer is coming so let's get ready for our #NextGreatAdventure Thanks in advance for understanding why we all adjust to our new normal! We are still taking appointments/orders over this weekend, Woo! #buylocal #shoplocal #victoriabc #shopping #giftideas #shoplocalvictoria #YYJ #vancouverIsland

I don’t think I’ve ever had hope for the future like I do now. You don’t hear scientists say this too often these days, but they are on the Elwha. Watch our video to learn why.

I thought I would share my favorite summer steelhead fly, the Buck Bug. Some might even call this a Glitter Bug. I've used this all over the Skeena, the Dean and the Island. I got the orignal brown one from Joshua Stevens . I hope you enjoy it!

Here's another video to watch with your Sunday morning coffee or at the tying bench. I'm having a good time making these! I wish I could take credit for the editing work but that's all Deon Towle.

Covid-19 Interlude, ENJOY Fellow Fly Fishers.

Close to our Club Fly by Jim Humphries as he Tied the "New Generation" Curry Fly.

From Steve Taylor. Why I Fish I fish for the peace. When I’m fishing, I’m in the moment and thinking of nothing else, for long periods of time. I might notice the pair of mergansers sail past, or changes in the wind or sun or current, but I am not thinking of work or bills or the myriad tests life throws at you. And that has GOT to be a healthy thing to do. I fish for a challenge. And the feedback, which can be immediate. It’s a great feeling to think you did the right thing,... on the right day, at the right time, on the right piece of water, in the right way and won the fight with the rainbow that’s now in the net. And it’s humbling to know, that it also could be nothing more than pure, sweet, dumb luck that the trout ate at the end of the swing while you were cleaning your glasses and reaching for your water bottle and you look like a genius, Slim, because that happens too. A lot. But it was you who made the decision to stand where you are at the exact time that this is happening and that’s half the battle. Well done. But failure is always an option. Some days, it simply doesn’t happen, no matter who you are. There’s always tomorrow to look again for that right place, right time, right way. I fish for suspense. I know how this movie ends. Seen it happen over and over again. But standing here dead drifting a nymph, I really don’t know exactly what’s going to happen. There are possibilities. But I really don’t know what will happen in the next 5 seconds, or minute, or hour(s), or days of fishing. And boy, doesn’t that add some spice to this whole thing? I fish for friends and family. Because fishing alone is awesome and fishing with people you love and respect is even awesomer. I might give the stink eye to an angler that moves into a spot 100 feet away, but it’s more than okay to fish right on top of my buds, to the point of tangled lines, the better to give each other the worst kind of hard time for failures, ancient history, and perceived slights. And there is no better feeling than watching a little kid catch that first fish. Really. Nothing better. Period. And it’s fun. It just is. Why would you do something that’s not? So I believe I’ll keep on fishing, keep pursuing my state of accidental meditation, keep catching lucky fish because it happens all too often at the exact moment my attention lags, keep hanging with friends who’ll tolerate a fool and laugh at themselves, maybe get a cold beer afterwards and just keep keepin’ on. -S. Tyler See more

Here’ a little video for your viewing pleasure. Nothing fancy just a steelhead fly that was always good to me. Have a nice day!

Get a behind-the-scenes look at how legendary angler, Jeff Currier, has organized thousands of flies for targeting over 400 species of fish worldwide.

Just some Light Humor.

Just a Reminder, Don't want to get caught BECAUSE WE FORGOT TO RENEW our Licenses

We're all guilty of this at One time or another to trying to Impress someone , Right ! ??

Matt King doing what he does so well.

Picture says it all!

I thought since WFA are indirectly Members of BCWF now & some of you are very good Photographers you may like this opportunity to show the World your talents.

Some local stocking info.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THIS EVENT: In light of the recent closure of the Mary Winspear Centre to all business other than by telephone and the Direction from... Government about the safety of events greater than 50 people, we are postponing this event until the situation improves. For any of you who have purchased tickets, we will be in contact with you by email to determine if you would like a refund or credit toward a future event. If you wish to contact us please direct your emails to [email protected] Grant MacPherson President Sidney Anglers Association

https://themissionflymag.com/issues/issue-20/

Quick overview of fly lines.

Here’s some information for one of the fly’s tied during our last social instructional meeting. The Skagit Minnow Fly Pattern.

Interesting Information ?