If you are a member of the Comox Valley Fly Fishers you will recognize the byline in Norm's e-mails that serve as regular reminders of the fly-tying sessions he hosts at the Royston Community Hall.
Dan from Gone Fishin' sporting goods store graciously subsidizes the hall rent for this creative hobby event, Thank-you Dan. There is a $2 charge with a raffle at the end of the day that returns a nice gift to the winner. This is an important social event for all fly tiers in the Valley. For would-be fly-tiers or recent retirees it is a wonderful opportunity to learn about this fascinating hobby and also a great opportunity to meet some of the best fly-tiers in the Valley and indeed some of the best in Canada.
It is free to junior members and seniors over 100 years old. You do not need to be a member of the Comox Valley Fly Fishers to attend these regular events, but you might find yourself attracted to this group – they are the most sharing, friendly group of fishers it has been my pleasure to be associated with for many years.
There are four sessions remaining for this season: Feb. 24, March 9 and 23, and April 6. Sessions start at 9:30 a.m. and go to 4 p.m. Some of the group gather at Plates for an 8:15 breakfast and to exchange news and plan future fly-fishing adventures.
The photograph with the column is a partial view of the hall which is full of tables that the group uses as stations to tie their flies. It is important to have a small task lamp to give you adequate light for the finer details of tying. Many members of the group bring a lunch and others retreat to the local pub in Royston for lunch.
Over time, fly tiers will become associated with particular patterns that they fish with on a regular basis. In my case it is the Tom Thumb that I tie as a dry fly. Tom Murray is known for a Rolled Muddler. Wally Nowak, an international fly tier, favours the Muddler in all of its many forms. Last afternoon I went around the remaining tiers and had them name their favourite fly.
Bob Adamschek chose the pheasant tail Nymph. Dave Blamire favoured the blood leech, but used a wide range of patterns. Conall Connelly surprised me with his choice of the March Brown. Cecil Henley liked Kelsey's Hope for salmon and Elk Hair Caddis for trout. Don McDermid's selection was the Caverhill Nymph for trout.
Dave Wells liked the Tom Thumb for most trout situations. Chris Moller favoured the Muddler Minnow. Chris Kissenger a new fly tier had many favourites. Rick Forsters chose the Elk hair Caddis. Norm Neiderer selected the Rolled Muddler. Nigel Burden liked the Stimulator. Bert's choice was Woolly Worm and Partridge and Orange. If you filled a fly box with these patterns you would have a good beginning selection of flies that catch fish in local waters.
If you would like to learn more about this happy group of anglers, they meet on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Filberg Centre seniors' lounge. Prospective members are welcome and there is no pressure to join up right away.
The club is primarily a social club where the members generously share fishing knowledge and techniques and arrange frequent club fishing trips. Over and above the social aspects of the group, the club's special strengths include its ongoing efforts in enhancement work and sharing skills with children.
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Of particular interest to fly fishers is the Fly Fishing Film Tour that will be hosted by James Fisher (Fishers Adventures) of Courtenay at the Stan Hagen Theatre, North Island College on March 23.
Tickets will be available at Tyee Marine and at the Comox Valley Fly Fishers' next meeting. Advance tickets are $15, and $20 at the door. I suggest we are fortunate to have this national show in our Valley. Look for more details in future columns.
Ralph Shaw is a master fly fisherman who was awarded the Order of Canada in 1984 for his conservation efforts. In 20 years of writing a column in the Comox Valley Record it has won several awards.