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By Georgi Abbott, with Photography by Nick Didlick

The Logan Lake Fly Tying contest came to a close on September 4, 2001. Brian Chan had the difficult task of judging all the entries. He stated, "Each category of flies had some very innovative patterns which incorporated both unique materials and tying techniques. I was particularly impressed with the under 16 group of flies. There were many patterns submitted that one knew had taken a lot of time to tie as the body proportions were very realistic"

The contest managed to raise $936.91. The Highland Valley Copper Mine has generously offered to match that amount for a total of $1,873.82. The entire amount will be donated to the Highland Valley Outdoor Association for fish preservation in Logan Lake. The amount raised includes bare hook entries from people who wanted to contribute but didn't tie flies and some American money exchange sent from the south.

And here for the first time are the pictures of the winning flies!

Catagory # 1, Dry Flies

First prize: Bob Hager - Tumwater, Washington
(Jerry's Ghost Lake Stimulator)
Second prize: Colin Saville - Logan Lake, B.C.
(Caddis Emerger)
Third prize: Stephen Morgan - Nanaimo, B.C.
(Green Chrystal Glue Backswimmer)

Catagory #2, Chironomids

First prize: Douglas Wright - Coquitlam, B.C.
(Olive Red-butt Traditional)
Second prize: John Kent - Logan Lake, B.C.
(Redback Chromie)
Third prize: Rick Wenger - Kamloops, B.C.
(Chironomid Pupa)

Catagory #3, Nymphs

First prize: Tom Northcott - Vancouver, B.C.
(Draggin' Time)
Second prize: Jon Alexander - Burnaby, B.C.
(Damsel)
Third prize: Dave Mingo - Lone Butte, B.C.
(Scud)

Under 16

First prize: Douglas Wright - Coquitlam, B.C.
(Arizona Dragon)
Second prize: Tanner Bendzak - Savona, B.C.
(Tan-trum Caddis)
Third prize: Joshua Offerein - Penticton, B.C.
(Idaho Nymph)

The Logan Lake Fly Tying contest came to a close on September 4, 2001. Brian Chan had the difficult task of judging all the entries. He stated " Each category of flies had some very innovative patterns which incorporated both unique materials and tying techniques. I was particularly impressed with the under 16 group of flies. There were many patterns submitted that one knew had taken a lot of time to tie as the body proportions were very realistic"

The contest managed to raise $936.91. The Highland Valley Copper Mine has generously offered to match that amount for a total of $1,873.82. The entire amount will be donated to the Highland Valley Outdoor Association for fish preservation in Logan Lake. The amount raised includes bare hook entries from people who wanted to contribute but didn't tie flies and some American money exchange sent from the south.

And the winners are......

Catagory # 1, Dry Flies
First prize: Bob Hager - Tumwater, Washington (Jerry's Ghost Lake Stimulator)
Second prize: Colin Saville - Logan Lake, B.C. (Caddis Emerger)
Third prize: Stephen Morgan - Nanaimo, B.C. (Green Chrystal Glue Backswimmer)

Catagory #2, Chironomids
First prize: Douglas Wright - Coquitlam, B.C. (Olive Red-butt Traditional)
Second prize: John Kent - Logan Lake, B.C, (Redback Chromie)
Third prize: Rick Wenger - Kamloops, B.C. (Chironomid Pupa)

Catagory #3, Nymphs
First prize: Tom Northcott - Vancouver, B.C. (Draggin' Time)
Second prize: Jon Alexander - Burnaby, B.C. (Damsel)
Third prize: Dave Mingo - Lone Butte, B.C. (Scud)

Under 16
First prize: Douglas Wright - Coquitlam, B.C. (Arizona Dragon)
Second prize: Tanner Bendzak - Savona, B.C. (Tan-trum Caddis)
Third prize: Joshua Offerein - Penticton, B.C. (Idaho Nymph)

All winners names from Adult catagories were put in a draw for an Zoe'sart original piece of art. Bob Hager is the winner.

All winners names from the Under 16 catagory were put in a draw for a 2 night cabin and boat rental at Tunkwa Lake Resort. Joshua Offerein is the winner.

During the contest kick off with Phil Rowley Mitch Rennie won a $100.00 gift certificate for Mile High Lodge. Alphonz Oxley won a "Fly Patterns for Stillwaters" book by Phil Rowley. And 40 Umpqua Six Pack Boxes with Tiemco hooks were given to the first 40 people who entered 2 flies, in person, after June 2nd.

The club with the most member entries was the Penticton Flyfishers. They will receive all the fly entries (except winners). We received 33 entries in the Dry catagory, 47 in the Chironomid catagory, 59 in the Nymph catagory and 30 in the Under 16 catagory.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS AND THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR CAUSE!

We would also like to thank all the contributors for their generous prize donations and all the media for promoting this event. And very special thanks goes to A River Never Sleeps for the wonderful page they set up on the site.

Georgi Abbott - The Logan Lake Fly Shop

Eds Note: Stayed tuned to the October 2001 issue of ARiverNeverSleeps.com as we plan on publishing pictures of the winning flies.

Story by Georgi Abbott, Logan Lake Fly Shop

A fly tying competition is being held to raise money to enhance a small lake in British Columbia that offers remarkable fishing.

Located on the Highland Plateau in British Columbia's Southern Interior, Logan Lake is already one of the West’s greatest success stories. The Logan Lake Fly Tying Contest is raising funds to keep it that way.

The contest is offering $4,500 in prizes that include everything from rod cases, to float tubes - and a two night stay at Tunkwa Lake fishing resort.

Located within the town of Logan Lake, the 11 hectare lake has withstood periodic winter kills, liberal catch limits, ice fishing, the introduction of red-sided shiners and the pressures of nearby urbanisation. Yet it still regularly produces some exceptionally large trout up to 15 pounds.

The original concept of rehabilitating what was little more than a slough came from members of the Highland Valley Outdoor Association in 1979. Over the years assistance has been given by Highland Valley Copper, Highland Valley Enhancement Fund, the provincial government’s Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Ducks Unlimited and the District of Logan Lake.

Presently, the lake, which is midway between Merritt and Kamloops, has a small campsite, a 60 foot wharf, two aeration systems, an artificial spawning channel and a population of both Kamloops and Blackwater River trout, the latter stocked due to the recent introduction of shiners. The Blackwater trout are aggressive and hopefully will reduce the shiner population.

Last Years winning Fly by John Kent
When the artificial spawning channel is operating, in May and June, members of the Highland Valley Outdoor Association keep alert for power failures. A pump shut down could be fatal to spawning trout.Some volunteers even go so far as to sleep with devices that sound an alarm when there is a power interruption. If they have to get up in the middle of the night, they will. Spawning trout must be netted from the channel and returned to the lake as soon as possible until the pump is primed and operational.

Through the Fly Tying competition, Logan Lake anglers hope to raise enough money to upgrade the system and install automatic back-up power. Any additional funds would go toward maintenance and possible upgrade of the aeration systems.

Highland Valley Copper Mine has agreed to match any fly entry money, up to $2,000 to support enhancement work on Logan Lake.

It should be noted that Logan Lake, which has suffered from overfishing in the past, now has a one fish catch limit, single barbless hook and an outboard motor ban.

Logan Lake is an incredible fishing experience enjoyed by people from all around the world. Although it is a small lake it never seems to get over crowded. It is shallow with nice shoals and good fishing from shore.

The Logan Lake Fly Tying Contest is being organized by the Logan Lake Fly Shop, which is located in the indoor mall, downtown Logan Lake. The Fly Shop can be contacted at (phone) 250-523-9711 or by e-mail at: flyshop@look.ca

The Kick-off to the Contest June 2nd, 2001

Phil Rowley (professional fly tyer and flyfishing author) will be at the Logan Lake Fly Shop on June 2nd for a book signing and fly tying demonstration. Although the Logan Lake Fly Tying contest starts May 1st (April 1st for A River Never Sleeps readers) the June 2nd date was picked as the B.C. Interior lakes should be in full Fly Fishing mode. Refreshments will be available along with over $800.00 in prizes and giveaways for that day.

Logan Lake Fly Tying Contest
Prizes, Prizes, Prizes

Adults:

#1) Dry Flies
1st Prize - Bagmaker float tube and Seatux 5ml neoprenes. ($515.00)
2nd Prize - Pacific Fly All-Weather Jacket, Fingerless Fleeceback Glacier Gloves, Steel Shadows Leader Wallet with Umpqua Tippet, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses. ($195.00)
3rd Prize - Brodin Catch & Release net ($70.00)

#2) Chironomids (pupa & larva)
1st prize - St. Croix 906 Imperial Fly Rod, St Croix Imperial Fly Reel, Mastery GPX Fly Line (Leader Sales), Steel Shadows Leader Wallet with Umpqua Deceiver Tippet and Leader. ($495.00)
2nd prize - Pacific Fly All-Weather Jacket, Don Goddard handcrafted fly box, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses. ($250.00)
3rd prize - Brodin Catch & Release net ($70.00)

#3) Nymphs/Wet Flies
1st prize - Griffin Odysey Cam Vise, Metz Neck & Saddle, "True North Creative FlyTying" CD Rom (Fly Angler Distribution) 2x12 Hareline Dubbinizers, Lagartun Flatbraids, assorted Uni Products Spools, Daryl Martin Scissors. ($490.00)
2nd prize - Caddis Fly Box System, Steel Shadows Leader Wallet, "Fly Patterns of British Columbia" Book (Frank Amato Publication). ($195.00)
3rd prize - Brodin Catch & Release net ($70.00)

ALL WINNERS NAMES WILL BE PUT IN A DRAW FOR A ZOE'S ART ORIGINAL PIECE OF ART. ($350.00)

Under 16:

(All Flies)
1st prize - Predator Float Tube (Central Oregon Fly Fishers), Stearns 3.5 ml neoprenes. ($425.00)
2nd prize - 4 piece Flueger Rod, St. Croix Prographite Fly Reel, Mastery Nymph Taper Fly Line (Springbrook), Clearcreek Rod Case ($200.00)
3rd prize - Griffin 1A Vise, Tiemco Bobbin, Eagle Claw Hooks. ($125.00)

ALL WINNERS NAMES WILL BE PUT IN A DRAW FOR A 2 NIGHT CABIN AND BOAT RENTAL AT TUNKWA LAKE RESORT. ($175.00)

Value of prizes are approximate.

Logan Lake Fly Tying Contest Rules of Competition:

1) Fly entries may be submitted from April 1st, 2001 until September 4th, 2001. Winners will be announced on September 15th and will be contacted by phone.

2) Flies must be Stillwater Patterns and will be judged on originality, practicality, durability and difficulty.

3) Brian Chan, a provincial government fisheries biologist and fly fishing writer, will judge all flies. No tyer’s name will be submitted with flies. Judge's decisions are final.

4) $5.00 per fly entry will be charged - enter as often as you like. All entry fees will be donated to the Highland Valley Outdoor Association for Logan Lake enhancement.

5) There are two catagories: "Adults" and "Under 16 Years of Age". Contestants under 16 will be charged a fee of $3.50 and will have the option of entering in the adult catagory for $5.00. Contestants MUST show identification and must be under the age of 16 years at time of submission.

6) Entry forms may be picked up at the Logan Lake Fly Shop or can be downloaded from ARIVERNEVERSLEEPS.com

Mailed entries must include a cheque made out to Logan Lake Fly Shop (no cash). Please phone to confirm arrival if you like. We do not accept responsibility for lost entries. Those entering the “Under 16” category, must include a photo copy of proof of age.

Mail Entries to:

Logan Lake Fly Tying Contest
CO The Logan Lake Fly Shop
P.O. Box 629
Logan Lake, British Columbia
CANADA
V0K 1W0

7) Prizes must be accepted as awarded. No exchanges or cash value.

8) Winners must pick up their prizes at the Logan Lake Fly Shop or have them mailed C.O.D to the address submitted on entry form.

9) Winner's names and pictures of winning flies will be submitted for publication in various media. No flies will be returned. Winning flies will be kept by the Logan Lake Fly Shop for display. All other flies will be donated to the Outdoor Club with the most entries to be used as door prizes or giveaways.

Entry form:

NAME ______________________________________________

CATEGORY _________________________________________

ADDRESS ___________________________________________

FLY _________________________________________________

PHONE ____________________

AGE ____________________

FISHING CLUB __________________________________

DESCRIPTION OF FLY_________________________________

I have read and accept all rules and swear that I have personally tied the submitted fly

SIGNATURE __________________________________________________________

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