My Fishing

Dean River Update 2013:

Since I was old enough to hold a bamboo pole( bought for under 25cents), fishing, especially for Eastern Brook trout was the activity of choice and an integral part of our family outings.

My father worked in the lumber and “pit props” business and hence we had private access to many of the “cutting limits” leased by his company.

It seemed that every brook in New Brunswick had trout and every outing was successful. Naturally or not, a worm was the bate of choice for all but my Dad who had this fetish for fly fishing with his dads bamboo fly rod.

Every summer would find us in a small cabin on the Pokemouche river near Paquetville New Brunswick. This was a treat enjoyed generally at the close of school for the summer holidays. We would all load into a very long canoe and a guide would pole the river. I recall hooking and landing some very nice sized trout and Dad would congratulate us and make a special deal out of the event.

One year we were invited to a Lodge on the Peribonka River in the Saguenay – Lac St. Jean area in Quebec. What an experience!!!

My granddad, father, and we three boys had finally arrived. But so also
came the fly rod. The experience was memorable but the results left much to be desired. If only we had brought our regular fishing poles!!

Over the next few years river names like the Caraquet, Jacquet River, Miramichi and Tabusintac (my aunt Teddy’s farm) became familiar but mostly for Dad and his fly rod not for us boys who still frequented small brooks in and around Bathurst.

At age 12 we moved from New Brunswick to Timmins Ontario and with that move came the introduction of Lakes and spinning gear. On occasion we would go with Dad to a river called the RED Sucker where we would use mepps spinners and worms while Dad with his fly rod would still pursue the elusive trout. And I might add with success. The lakes offered mostly pike and pickerel and most every one used spin tackle.

My brother Brian was the “creek” fisherman and was always seeking out a special spot for trout. We would head out on our bikes with a lunch of mayonnaise spread sandwiches in pursuit of bigger trout.

For my graduation from Technical school, my parents gave me an Ocean Pacific automatic fly reel. I still have it in the original box. At that time I also bought a combination Fly rod / spinning rod and a double tapered fly line. I would suggest this was a humble first effort. I recall fishing a Govt’ pool on the St John river in the Gaspe for salmon. Thank goodness I didn’t hook anything since I had a few yards of mono as backing.

In 1979 we were transferred to Vancouver and within two months I was on my way to the Dean river. the Valhalla of Steelhead rivers. I had a 6wt rod made by a friend, a high D line, 2 leaders and 12flies. On the 3 day I hooked and landed a 18lb buck. I recall an old-timer with our group, Fank Cundall, observing that he hoped I would earn a million dollars. When I ask why, he said because you will spend it on fly fishing. — the fact isI am working on doing just that.

That first trip we were delayed on departure and I asked another member of our group, John Spearing, to list what equipment and material I required to learn how to tie flies.
And the rest is history.

Fly fishing and fly tying became an obsession for the next 25 to 30 years. I read everything I could lay my hand on in fact have every flyfishing/tying magazine for at least 25 years.
Kathy and Malcolm Ruddick became good friends and I worked at their store, as a hobby, on Thurs. evenings and Saturdays for at least 15 years.  Can you imagine the dubbing I collected. I followed the likes of Lefty Krey when ever he was appearing at a fishing show. I even managed one early Sat morning in Seattle to get a private casting lesson from Steve Rajeff 28 time National Flycasting champion. Oh yes I had it bad!!!!

I’ve made 30 trips to the Dean ( thanks to Rob Stewart and Billy Blewett,) and both my boys have worked as guides on the river for 5 seasons. I have fished from Alaska ( 8 times), New Zealand(2times) , Ireland, Cuba, Honduras, the Margaree, the Miramachi and several US rivers. And lets not forget numerous lakes and streams in BC & Alberta including one of the best, and a favourite, the Bow river( at least 40 times).

Now in my 70’s I seem to spend more time at the fly tying bench then on the water, but with the urging of Billy Blewett and Rob Mc Dannold I still make it to the Dean. The river that I have had a love affair with for over 30 years.