Young Guns Fly
Kids and Fly Fishing, by François Blanchet 12/15/2010
 The government spends money into sport programs like archery which is a weapon designed to kill, so why isn’t fly fishing more popular with school districts around our great Country? Well, since there are many ways I could get involved, I decided to help a group of keen teenagers accomplish their lifetime dream: spend 10 days Spey casting for Skeena steelies with me!!!! Who are they? These kids came from Montréal, in a rough area called Verdun. They are part of the coolest youth center I have ever been in since the main focus for this group is to fly fish the world...nothing less. The center is called 'Point de Mire' and the man behind this 15 year journey, Mario Viboux who received the 2009 Roderick Haig Brown prize by the Canadian wildlife federation for introducing youth to fly fishing. He has been writing many articles in a few Québec outdoor magazines and is one of the most hardcore fishermen that I know... Quite a curriculum Since 1993 , the youth center has been traveling everywhere around the globe to experience different fly fishing destinations and the funding for these trips was a result of their hard work: they actually published a book and a DVD on learning to fly fish made by kids for kids which sells at any event related to fishing and through private funding by companies, and private donors. In no time, these kids had the respect of Atlantic Salmon Federation and also many fly fishing companies giving them help on every aspect. Overwhelmed Most of these kids had never caught a fish bigger than a pound and were now wanting to come here to fish with me, so , the first thing I did was to actually made sure they would come prepared, well prepared... First thing was to show them how to Spey cast...  I spent a whole 2 hr of the first Québec Spey clave on a prep course for steelhead fishing only for the kids of the youth center...funny all the adults kept dropping by and getting closer every minute.  The group Second thing was to show them which flies to tie. I stopped by the youth center and spent an evening tying and talking about how hard steelhead fishing was going to be but how rewarding those fish were even if you get one a week.  These kids have a tying bench to make any fly guy jealous. A whole room is made for fly fishing. THE TRIP Finally , they showed up around mid-August in Terrace and luckily , we had the best early season steelhead fishing in 40 years and will let the pictures explain it for me. First day was just getting them going on swinging flies at Ferry island The second day, Brad Zeerip from Zboat took us out to the meat hole on the Skeena and we hooked a lots of different species from cuttroath to pinks, to eventually steelhead!!! We eventually fished the Cooper and the Bulkley all before the 1st of September and landed close to 40 steelies and not counting fish lost...  Fresh from the Skeena. These kids had the raddest trip, got to try a little of everything: raft, jet boat, crazy hikes and bush walks but the real fun was watching them talk about their day at the campsite and tying more bugs until 3 am...only to get up at 5 and to do it again!!       So just remember next time you have a chance of giving back to the world of fishing....it’s not about the money to be made, more to ensure a future to our sport by taking kids fishing. If they like it, you will have friends for life...  Add Comment 'Rivers' - Exhibition of Photography 12/14/2010
I recently attended Adrian O'Brien's opening night photography exhibit titled, 'Rivers'. It is showing at Eastwood Onley Gallery, 2075 Alberta Street in Vancouver. The show runs from noon to 6 PM until the 18th of December. Not only were there amazing photos of rivers in the Greater Vancouver Region but proceeds from the show were being donated to the Pacific Salmon Foundation. One photo titled, 'Storm Clouds Over Fraser' was auctioned off during the opening night and raised $900.00 for the foundation. So YGF would like to give an official nod to Adrian's efforts in helping to protect and sustain British Columbia's beautiful rivers and fish. Celebrate Xmas with a brand new YGF ball cap. We just received Simms trucker hats in orange and camo with our signature YGF logo. This is a limited edition item so get them while they last. Price: $20 not including shipping. We also have our very fashionable shirts available in mens and womens. This is a favorite among the ladies. I think we have actually sold more to the female contingent than males. So ladies, get them while they last. Special Xmas Price: $20 not including shipping. Wear this one of a kind hat and shirt on the water with pride, knowing that you are helping to inspire young fly fishers across British Columbia and eventually the world.  YGF ball caps.  YGF mens and womens shirts. |   Young Guns FlyFuture of Fly Fishing Blog ListAaronGoodisPhotography
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