The Look
By Chris Chin, Jonquiere, Quebec
I changed employers about 18 months ago. Smaller staff,
more freedom and opportunities. Anyway, after the regular
period of adaptation (the company finally adapted to me),
the staff started to learn a bit about me.
It finally got out that I would sometimes Guide for Salmon
and Brookies. One of the crew found that weird, saying that
he fishes to relax and have fun, why would anyone ever do
it for pay?
Being an analytical type, I reflected a bit on that one.
And reflected on it a bit more. Well, I finally came up
with (a part anyway of) the answer this past week.
The winter up here is pretty pleasant, no bugs, mud, even
the Honda Civics slow down a bit, when they're not in the
ditch. (ooops, .. sorry Rant). We tie some flies, clean
the gear, tie some flies, tie up some leaders, tie some
flies. Well, you get the idea.
Another "activity" starts after the Christmas break. We
start seriously getting ready for the new season. About the
same time, old and new friends start calling and sending
e-mails, preparing their new season as well. Planning opening
day, road trips.
I had chatted a bit with a fellow FAOL'er and we exchanged
a few notes. Then he called. Dave (of Dave & Gundo) called.
Made my day. Heck, I'm still smilin'.
Now Dave may not come up. Actually, I've found that any manner
of coincidence can quite quickly side track the best laid plans.
That's life. Why am I still smiling then?
Well, just the prospect, the slim chance, the possibility of
showing a newcomer around on our Homewaters, well that's just
grand.
That brings me back to why I like "guiding" friends around
here or Guiding clients. The 'Looks' on their face, the twinkle
in their eye when they come down the trail to the #43 and see
the run spread out before them in the morning mist.
Joe M. exploring the #43
The Look on a stranger's face when they first struggle out of
the SUV after a road trip from Ajax Ontario, almost painfully
untangle their knees, then get a caress of cool (not air
conditioned) air which flows out of the gorge on the #23 pool.
The Look of my girlfriend's face each time when the dishes
are stacked and we sit out on the rocks on the #49 to watch
the evening Salmo salar air show.
Finally back to the river - June 2003
The Look on Junior's face when I wake him up at 5 o'clock,
he rubs the sleep out of his eyes and realises that there's
no school today, we're on the river and the trout are stacked
in the #8.
The Look on friend's faces as we explore the trails along
the river. The photo on the right is exploring the trail
along the 5A (the blur is dog Kenny just havin' a Hoot!)
The (knowing) Look on the head Warden's face when he ambles
into camp mid day, sees us lazing around a fire, asks why
we're not fishing, and I reply, "Oh, well the trout will
always be there this evening."
I guess Dave just made my day this week. If (well,...when)
we finally meet (or Deanna, or Jim, Mike, Lisa, Dennis, or,
well heck, any of you), and we come down the ramp to the
lookout on Big Pool, you won't have to wonder why I'm not
looking at the pool.
I'll be watching your face, peering into your eyes. Looking
for that Look. ~ 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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