Life in the Comfort Zone - A Resolution for 2006
By Chris Chin, Jonquiere Quebec
Last Tuesday in the Angler's Hut Chat Room,...on a whim,
I asked the folks what type of article they'd like to read
coming from North of 48.
Leonard (who was graciously Hosting), suggested something
about Graylings. My first reaction was a bit of a surprise
to myself. I have NEVER fished for the real thing.
That being American grayling, bluefish, Arctic trout, sailfin,
tittimeg, you know, Thymallus arcticus.
Thankfully, a quick search on FAOL revealed that Clive Schaupmeyer
already did an excellent article in this same
column for the February 2nd, 1998 edition.
Also, Jukka Engblom for the April 6th edition in
Reader's Casts.
Want to get the itch, Bob Fairchild also contributed some
excellent prose in the
Eye of the Guide column.
So I was off the hook. I'll just e-mail Leonard with the
fine work these other fellows have done (as well as others,
just checkout the Key Word Search feature on FAOL).
I got to thinking,...I could get to some prime Arctic
Grayling water and try it out. Then again, within a short
hop or a minor road trip, I could hit waters with Arctic Char,
Lakers, World Class Atlantics, Walleye, Pike, King's and Perch.
Charles Jardine mentioned his favourite waters in Canada were
the Blackwater (I used to work there) and all of Northern Quebec.
I can drive in half a day to the Broadback River, The Miramichi
and of course Gaspé. There are Land-locked Atlantics in the river
200 yards from my office window. There are Browns in the Shawinigan
River two hours from here. Not to mention literally thousands of
lakes and streams.
You want rivers and lakes? We've got 'em
So why don't I?
Since 2002, I haven't wet a line on any waters except my home
waters. I suppose that I could convince myself that I'm studying
the river, learning the intricacies of the mysterious Beast,
Salmo salar.
Even better, I could say I go back to the same river, the same
beaches week after week because I want my family to really
enjoy this and we are well set up there.
Home away from home.
Or that our fellow anglers there, as well as the Wardens
and the staff are all top notch and that we look forward
to meeting up with them each weekend.
But, being the analytical type that I am, this just doesn't
wash. In reality, I guess I'm just comfortable there.
Not an overly technical river to fish.
No hatches to match.
Monster fish!
Just plain old fun.
Will I try to explore new waters in 2006. I hope so.
I would like to show some new places to the family this
season. Not necessarily full contact fly fishing such as
on the George or anything North of 55. We do this for fun,
so we'll stay INSIDE our comfort zone. Just some simple
outings to keep the gleam of discovery in the eyes of my
girlfriend and son.
You know that look.
First ever trout/fish.
First trout/fish of the season.
First fish on an indicator.
First really successful double haul.
Renée with her first ever trout on a dry
I think that will be my resolution for 2006. Try two new
waters this year. Who knows, maybe the water is clearer
the next valley over.
I wish you all a very Happy New Year 2006.
Train (practice) for the Worst
Play Hard
Come home safe.
Side bar, What's the search engine at FAOL. Well go to:
https://flyanglersonline.com/search/ type in ANYTHING,
pull up a chair and browse around. ~ Chris
About Chris:
Chris Chin is originally from Kamloops,
British Columbia. He has been fly fishing
on and off ever since he was 10 years old.
Chris became serious about the sport within
the last 10 years.
"I'm a forest engineer by day and part time
guide on the Ste-Marguerite River here in
central Quebec. I've been fishing this river
for about 10 years now and started guiding
about 5 years ago when the local guide's
association sort of stopped functioning."
Chris guides mostly for sea run brook trout
and about 30% of the time for Atlantic Salmon.
"I often don't even charge service fees, as
I'm more interested in promoting the river
than making cash. I like to get new comers
to realize that salmon fishing is REALLY for
anyone who cares to try it. Tradition around
here makes some of the old clan see Salmon
fishing as a sport for the rich. Today our
shore lunches are less on the cucumber sandwich
side and more toward chicken pot pie and Jack
Daniel's."
Chris is 42 years old as of this writing. He
is of Chinese origin although his parents were
born and raised in Jamaica. He has a girlfriend,
Renée. "She and her 12 year old son Vincent
started fly fishing with me in October 2002."
To learn more about the Ste-Marguerite River,
visit Christopher's
website https://pages.videotron.com/fcch/.
~ Christopher Chin
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