A River Never Sleeps

Find Your Own Perfect Fish

It comes down to this in the end: one fish. There were lots of good ones, a few great ones, and many wonderful moments shared with friends and spent alone, swept up in nature.

But looking back as December draws the year to a close, there is one fish stands out above the rest in my memory. It was not the biggest. It did not fight the hardest. But maybe it was the most beautiful. Certainly it was in the way it was caught - arcing up powerfully through the water - and in the place it was caught - a the head of a long, perfect pool in fast, dark water.

First there was the set up. Hours had been spent on that pool, on the Pitt River, fishing the tail out in crystal clear water that was only knee deep. A pair of big rainbows sat there, slurping Mayflies. They would rise steadily, then my imitation would drift over - and they would pass on it. I went through the fly box. I changed down my leader, twice. I waded into an ideal position, made text book casts.

They would rise. Then stop, to let the fake drift pass. Then they would rise again.

You see, stationed like that, just inches below the surface, they had the chance to inspect the fly - and find its flaws.

Trout are not dumb.

Sometimes anglers are.

I stayed on those fish for hours, unaware that a heavy hatch had started at the head of the pool.

When I finally realized what was going on, alerted by the shouts of friends, I wandered up in a sort of fly fisherman’s daze. Waited to find a steadily rising trout. Cast over him. Too short on the first cast. Lifted, false cast twice to get the right length, let the fly drop. You see, I was honed by then, by the two refuseniks. And so I made a perfect cast and saw this big, green back hunch up through the surface. When the line tightened he was gone, running way down into the backing.

I half slipped off the rock I’d been perched on, half jumped. Sloshed down after him, as he jumped up so high he was silhouette against the trees on the far bank.

He came in, then ran again, and again, into the backing.

Finally he quit. Still strong and defiant, but willing to be released. After he left I looked up and saw I’d run all the way back to the tail out. Those two trout were rising, still. I tried a cast, my fly still soppy with fish slime.

No dice.

I caught lots more fish that day, and lots more on other trips. But that one stands out. The one that took.

I’ve just got a feeling that 2002 is going to be a good year, don’t you?

Best wishes from all of us at A River Never Sleeps. Find your own perfect fish. It’s out there waiting.

What do you think? Visit our online discussion area and post your views.

Letters can be sent via e-mail to: letters@ariverneversleeps.com

The Drift - When Do We Get Chapter Four?

To: editor@ariverneversleeps.com

Re: The Drift.
I really enjoyed the first three installments of this story. Just wondered if we would see any more?

-Thanks,
Mark Wendt
wendt@kingcrab.nrl.navy.mil

Hi Mark:
Yes, but I'm not sure when. What began as a short story on A River Never Sleeps has now become a novel. Sometime soon I will start looking for a publisher, to put it out in hardcover. Depending on how that goes, sooner, or later, I will bring the rest of the story to A River Never Sleeps. So keep coming back....there are some wild twists and turns in this story.
And thanks for writing....now I know The Drift has at least two fans.

-Cheers,
Mark Hume

REPLY:

Mark,

It's one of those stories that catches you unawares. I started reading it, then by the second installment, I'm thinking, I'm really getting into this. The third installment, I'm hooked (no pun intended). I scoured through the rest of the back issues, and started going through withdrawals. Let me know if it ever goes into hard cover.

Cheers,
Mark Wendt <wendt@kingcrab.nrl.navy.mil>

Mark:
I've put you on the mailing list .....as a matter of fact, as of right now, you are the list! But I'm sure more will come aboard before the book's out....
-MH

Is ARNS Looking East?

Hi,

Thank you for the latest issue of ARNS. As always I am thoroughly enjoying the articles. Any thoughts on doing stories on fly fishing in the Greater Toronto Area ? There are some fabulous stretches of water in our area that surprisingly few people know of.

Regards,
Jim Wilson
Wilson's
"Toronto's Fly Fishing Centre"
61 Front St. E.
Toronto, Ontario
M5E 1B3
JWilson@RoyalLePage.com
Tel (416) 869-3474
Fax (416) 869-9395
www.wilsonsorvis.com

Hi Jim;
Thanks for the note. We are working our way East! B.C. is well covered, as you know, and we've got a lot more material coming from Alberta. I've been looking for contributors across the prairies.....and then we will go on to Ontario. I've got a line on some bass stories already, but we need trout contacts.
Any interest in doing an article?
-Mark Hume

What’s The Secret Of the Crime Scene Fly?

To Nick Didlick:

Okay, I give up ... what's the yellow and black material used for the "wing/legs" of Claire's Clothes ? The only thing I can come up with is tiny strips of that "Police Line: Do Not Cross" tape that you find at crime scenes. Spill the beans, guys :)

- David Hathaway
Vancouver, B.C.
bcangler@canada.com

David:
Your letter came in just before our copy deadline for the December issue, in which we did, as you probably noticed, spill the beans. For those who missed it (and are too lazy to check back issues) I am using Yellow Barred Nymph Sili Legs by DragonFly. But you might have a hard time finding it locally as I went to the Vancouver area fly shops and bought the last packages.
rgds
Nick

Reply:
Thanks Nick. Not a problem. I live in Surrey, so there's an endless supply of crime scene tape laying around on the street :)

Return To Jet Boat Hell

To Mark Hume, ARNS:

Being a Jet boat operator, i agree with you on the issue of the upper Pitt being a small river. I doubt that there is a steady stream of Jet boats up there, I could be wrong. If they do ban boats I hope at least the government would put moorage at the end of the lake as an option for boat owners too access the Upper Pitt. Not everybody has boats but the ones that do, like me, should not have to pay Mr. Garak to ferry us to the "choice" runs for fishing at a "fair" price. I doubt a ban would be implemented on wading angler inconvenience alone. I would be happy to moor my boat and walk in or use a quad runner to fish than actually blast up the river. It's a dangerous run and not for the faint of heart.

Thanks for your Reply Mark!

keep in touch,

- Darren Smith
gysmith@home.com

Hi Darren:
I agree fully on the lower Pitt being suitable for jet boats. However, if you have seen the Upper Pitt, you will know that it is a narrow river. The jet boats can't avoid the wading anglers. And they shouldn't be allowed to run them there.
The Pitt River Lodge does advertise on our site, and I'm glad they do. They are one of the few BC outfits that supports our site. More will in the future, I hope. I can assure you, however, that the Pitt Lodge does not spend enough money to buy our opinion.
We made up our own minds about the jet boats, and you are welcome to do the same. As for Danny Gerak trying to establish a monopoly on the Pitt, I would say the evidence points to just the opposite. He provides transportation to the river, across Pitt Lake, and transportation up the logging roads. He charges a fair price. Without him there, almost nobody would be up there....except the jet boaters, roaring around to their heart's content. The fact is, jet boats just don't belong on small rivers.

-Mark Hume

In The U.S. Those Jet Boats Would Stop - Fast

The Editors:
Recently I read the letter on the pitt river and the jet boats. I too fell victim to the slobs and their motors on my first trip to the pitt river. I promised your prime minister in a letter that I will not return to the country and spend another dollar until the provincial government stops those $#^#%ing jet boats.
Not just because it ruined my trip, but everyone else’s as well! That would not last in the states as you know we have different gun laws than the Canadians! Those motors would come to a stop if you know what I mean. It is too bad that the so called fisherman that run those boats dont understand what they are doing to the river and the people around them! I spoke with over 20 people that weekend mostly Canadians that said they too would like to stop the motors with alternatives other than the American way! It was quite encouraging to hear the consensus on the subject. One way or another I dont believe that jet boats will be on the river next year and I will be back to experience the fishing the way it should be, without the motors.
-Sincerely,
Tony Fallow,
Boise Idaho USA!
tfallow@hotmail.com

Atlantic/Steelhead Cross? Some Freak - But I Want To Catch One

Dear Mark:
Greatly enjoyed your article with John Volpe on Atlantics spawning in our Western rivers. Once, about twenty years ago, I was interested in trying to cross an Atlantic with a winter steelhead. I worked for the Dean of Engineering at the UW and contacted Fisheries and a geneticist there about doing this, plus Steve Fransen of the Skagit tribes, but we got no further than to learn they had the same chromosome count and it was theoretically possible. They all thought it was a form of black magic to try. Timing was tricky, too.
Fish would take flies more readily and jump even higher. Of course it would genetically destroy our wild gene pool, but I feared it might happen anyway and it would be best to know about the likelihood ahead of time. So far, no problem, I guess.

-Bob Arnold

A River Where?

To: editor@ariverneversleeps.com

Subject: Video Review
I don't know if the series " A River Somewhere " has made it to North America yet, but here in Australia it made quite a hit with the fly fishing community. It was screened by the ABC ( Australian Broadcasting Corporation ). The series runs for a total of 158 minutes. It was produced in 1997 by a Working Dog Production in association with the ABC. The series is well worth a review.

-Kevin Hendry
kevinw@powerup.com.au

Hi Kevin:
Thanks for the heads up. I haven't heard of the series....I'll see if I can track down Working Dog Production and request a review copy.
-Cheers,
Mark Hume

ps - Found their web site and e-mailed, requesting a review copy. So stay tuned.

Fan Mail For Carl DeFazio

Carl:

I have had only one chance to fish your lovely state and loved both days that I was there. I caught a brown, rainbow and a 12 inch brookie that took my breath away. That was a year ago last fall and I have yet to return.
I fished Pennsylvania much more extensively this year,but deeply missed the remote, quiet atmosphere of the mountaneer state. I plan on visiting W.V. much more this coming year and look forward to your missives in A River Never Sleeps. Thanks so much for your contributions. I look forward to reading more about flyfishing from you.

- Happy Holidays,
Jack W.
Mantabuck@aol.com>

Jack:
I know Carl has probably replied to you personally. Just an note to say we’re looking forward to featuring more of his writing in future issues of A River Never Sleeps.
-Mark Hume

Fan Mail For ARNS

I will write a more detailed explanation of my true feelings about your e-zine shortly, but for now I wanted you to know how impressed I am with the fine quality and entertainment value I have found with your Mag. Keep 'em coming.
Thanks, Jack
dpreis@unitedauto.com

Thanks Jack. We have a lot of fun putting it together, and get phenomenal stories and pictures donated to us from around the world.
-Mark Hume
A River Never Sleeps.com

The Essence of Fly Fishing

The Editors:
Every time I open up this web site I get a good feeling. I think it is the essence is of what fly fishing and nature is all about.

Roger Grant
Maple Hts., Ohio USA
rwgrant@ix.netcom.com

Roger:
Thanks for the kind note. We don't make a dime from this site, but it sure makes it worthwhile when we hear appreciation like yours.
-Mark Hume

A Note From Scotland

Dear Mark:
Great site. Delighted to read of the new partnership with Home Waters magazine. If I do say so myself, it's a magazine with a future. Teaming up with ARNS can only take both from strength to strength. Having started out on Alberta rivers almost half a century ago, and spending a lot of quality years in north central BC and the coast before moving to Scotland, I want to say that is deeply gratifying to see such great enthusiasm for fly fishing (and writing about it) in such fine home grown Canadian publications. You and Jeff Mironuk have got it right, keep up the great work and best of luck.

Bob Wyatt.
Glasgow, Scotland
r.a.wyatt@ntlworld.com

Hi Bob:
Thanks for the kind note. Great to hear from you. How's the fishing over there? We could use a piece from Scotland if you are even in the mood!
-Mark Hume

RE the PETA Freaks:

I'm not by nature a violent man and though the following thought is extremely violent it's mere musing...

Let's round them up and drop them off in the NorthWest woods. I'm sure the griz and black bears will LOVE them. Yummy!...

Richard H. Weiner
North Van, BC, CANADA

rweiner@paralynx.com
Richard:
Well, they do claim to want to commune with nature. Can’t get much closer than a black bear’s gut.
-MH

Salmonids & Suckers?

Dear Editor(s),

I am interested on receiving the sources you have for your rhabdofario information.

I am writing a paper on the paleoecology of salmonids, similar to your website, but more in depth. You say in your site that it is assumed ancestral salmonids spawned in cool, clean waters. I assume this, as well. However, according to Orr and Orr's Oregon Fossil book several salmonids and salmon-like fish (Esox, Paleolox, Prosopium, and Rhabdofario) were found in the same formation with suckers (catostomus and chasmistes) as well as catfish (Ictalurus), sunfish (Archoplites), sculpin, as well as others.
The other localities in which these fish are found they occur with sculpin and minnows that do not raise any questions in my mind, as these are species that they are presently associated with. However, the association of Rhabdofario and the other salmon-like fish with catfish and sunfish arouses some interest. Is there anything that you can tell me about this? Under what conditions might this be possible? Perhaps, this is of little surprise, perhaps not, if you have anything to say upon the matter it would be most interesting to me.

Also, it is very nice to see others interested in the paleoecology of the salmonids. I like your website very much. I am a little surprised you did not mention Smilodonichthys (please forgive the lack of italics) surely the readers would be impressed with its amazing size.

Thank you,
Susan Reithel
Corvallis, USA
reithels@onid.orst.edu

Hi Sue:
I've forwarded your note on to Harvey Thommasen, who I think wrote the article you mention. I haven't heard of salmonids in sucker habitat, but as I noted in my message to Harvey, it would make sense for spawned out salmonid carcasses to collect in the slower water favoured by suckers and catfish. That might explain their presence.
As for Smilodon, you're right, that's a fish definately worth discussing. I did have a brief reference to it in one of my books....I'll have to dig that out an put it on the web.
Thanks for writing.
-Mark Hume

{E-mail letters may be edited for clarity, taste and brevity. It is understood they express the opinions of the writers, not the editors.}