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Monday: Paul Arden
Tuesday: Harps
Wednesday: Bernd Ziesche
Thursday: Mr T.
Friday: Ray
Saturday: Viking Lars
Sunday: Bruce Richards

Ronan's report

Thursday 24th December, 2009

The winter solstice is a very important time of the year that signifies the death of the past year and a new beginning. It used to be a tradition to keep a fire burning for the longest night; it was also the time when livestock were slaughtered before the winter and when ales made during the summer were properly fermented and therefore, a time of celebration. In more modern times, Christmas is celebrated around the time of the winter solstice (in the northern hemisphere).

In Canada, the solstice is a short, dark day often well below freezing. Really a quite miserable time of year... except the clean crisp air, the sparkling white snow, and the deep blue sky... actually, if you dress warm enough, it could be the most beautiful time of the year.

For the past few years local anglers have been standing up to the beautiful cruel Canadian winter. This winter solstice fly-fishing is a much anticipated event. Many years the -25 degree weather makes it impossible to fish, but some years the weather is perfect (for a December).

This year the temperatures were only -7 degrees below freezing, ignoring the windchill. A great day to rally the troops and prove to nature that despite the horrible Canadian winter, we will fish! Folks from our local fly fishing club, from a few internet forums, and even from Facebook gathered at the river on the appointed morning.

My wife and I arrived late to find a Fish and Wildlife officer pulling away from a group of parked cars. I had not met these officers before, and a brief conversation revealed the same thing that we hear from officers across Alberta... "We don’t bother checking fly-fishers most of the time, as they are more likely to be turning in poachers than fishing without a licence.” He drove away with a wave to look for more worthy prey.

After a quick and cold change into waders, we were off to the river. There were folks scattered along the river, so we decided to walk up the trail to a part of the river I had never fished. Flyfishfairwx was on the river along the trail and he offered to show Farrah and me a great pool, farther up the road. This stretch of the river is absolutely spectacular! Unfortunately Ray caught the only whitefish that is in the river.

It wasn’t too long before the obligations and dropping temperatures chased us back to the fire that had been started (Thanks Terry!!). It had been a great day, and the with the busy Christmas season, quite possibly the last fishing day of the year.

Merry Christmas!!
Harps

Pic Of Day