Pool 32 Mag No. 3 by Pool 32 Mag

P00l 32 MAG

pool 32 mag

Editor M.Wengler media & sales M. Bernhof mail@pool32.com blog www.pool32mag.blogspot. com Previous Issues Pool 32 Magâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

ince our second issue came out, I have been asked a couple of times why I really bother to make the effort creating this e-mag that your are reading. Well it’s simple I get so much pleasure from this amazing sport we all love so much, but I also experience some serious environmental problems world wide. I therefore really want to give something back, and create focus and awareness on causes that need some help and support.

When I was a kid our danish oceans used to be filled with fish. Today they are almost gone and the fact that no one really wants to make any politically decisions to change this sad development, shows us that this lack of action usually happens because of huge economic interests. It’s very sad, but it doesn’t mean it’s hopeless - we have the power to change things, make the right decisions on a long term basis, if we want to. “Our decisions now - will shape our future” - it’s that simple! In this issue of Pool 32 Mag we bring an article called “The return of the King” which is a unique example. It describes a Danish environmental project with really amazing results. Check it out, it’s a great source of inspiration which shows us that positive changes can be made, for the future generations. If we look at the fish farming industry for example. Is it OK to allow a large number of fish farms in a lot of very fragile environmental regions, where wild salmon are exposed to parasites, deceases, sea lice and very serious levels of pollution? - NO!! - of course not. But why does the local politicians allow these actions? - very simple - MONEY!!!

But what can we do about it, what can each of us do to change these wrong decisions? - it’s also very simple - DON’T BUY IT!!! - I bet you if they can’t sell these fish farming products, things will change rapidly. It’s called “consumer power” and it’s highly effective. So think about what you buy - and eat - personally I’m not tempted by this kind of “pre-medicined-pre-colored-genemanipulated” so called “fresh” fish food. A lot has happen in our world lately. Extreme nature catastrophes is a reality, but to witness how environmental problems are combined with these violent nature catastrophes, is scary, very scary indeed. The nuclear problems in Japan are a perfect example of how careful we humans should plan our future energy supplies. We need energy, that’s a fact we have to deal with, but research and knowledge has to be the answer to our future energy policy and supplies . We are surrounded with energy. Solar, wave, and wind power just to mention a few classics, but a wide range of new energy sources are being developed. One I really like the perspective of, is the algae technology, so far it has shown some very interesting results. But also wave and tidal energy could show some serious potential. Fly fishing is a great passion for me, but it isn’t always the catch that gives me a buzz as much as the fact of just being out there by the river bank, enjoying the beauty of Mother Nature. Our world is rapidly changing with new demands, technologies and challenges.

So hopefully we will learn how wrong decisions, like placing a huge toxic dam in the Bristol Bay head water region could have a very negative impact on a whole region for decades, if a earthquake suddenly strikes. A nuclear disaster, like the one we are witnessing at the moment in Japan, should teach us to re-think our energy supplies and choose the right decisions for our future generations. In this sparkling new edition of Pool 32 Mag I can promise you a wide range of amazing photos essays from some of the most stunning and unspoiled areas round the globe, send to me by equally passionated fly fishing enthusiasts. So let’s get on with it. I really hope you will enjoy the journey, as much as I did, when I made this edition of Pool 32 Mag. Tight lines - and don’t forget “consumer power rules”

M. Wengler Editor Pool 32 Mag.

If you don’t want to miss the next edition of Pool 32 Mag, then sign up it’s free for everyone on the planet!!. Or send it to one of you fishing bud’s with only a few click’s. And if you have good story you want to share or just some Q or C then send us a mail. PS. This

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Q & c for Pool 32 Mag

Hemsila - Extreme Pressure drop

40 the EWF - Beyond good atmosphere 58 the SALMON JUNKIES 136

interview with Aleksandar Vrtaric - Suck my fly

158

April Vokey - Skeena memories

194

Skjern Ă&#x2026; - The Return of the King

222

Alexandra Morton - A salmon warrior

232

photo diary from NEW ZEALAND - Castabroard

274

C & R - a sensitive

288

Gaula - the golden river

324

Clean ocean project - interview with Wim Geirnaert

subject - N. Griffiths

360

Diversity as Testament to Bristol Bay - Sam Snyder

376

Argentina - The land of fire

396

Paul vercsei - Drawing char

418

Alenco - the one and only

422

Thank you......

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.â&#x20AC;?

Hemsila Extreme Pressure drop

Photo & Story: M. Wengler

ow water level the first day

verything was perfect

lanning a fishing trip takes time, you have to think about everything you might need, before you need it. Lines, rods, reels, waders, boots, shoelaces for the boots, cap, sunglasses, tippet material, mosquito nets, not to mention all my photo gear....I could go on and on. As a fly fishing photographer I hardly ever travel light. But there will always be one thing I can’t plan when I’m travelling - the weather!!.So here is a little photo story from one of my trips to Norway, describing some pretty crazy weather conditions. When I was in BC fishing for Steelheads I coincidentally heard about Hemsila, the river that runs through Hemsedal, a famous ski resort in Norway. A Swedish photographer told me stories about huge brown trout, fascinating waterfalls and beautiful scenery. It made me curios, I had to check this place out!! Through the internet I got in contact with “Mr. Himsila himself” - Tor Grøthe. Tor runs a sovereign guide service in Hemsedal, and he basically know’s every rock and fish in the river, so you are in very good hands when he is guiding you. And you do need a guide, at least to begin with, because Hemsila holds a lot of amazing pools and it will take “a first timer” ages to discover all the relevant details. I ended up booking the two prime weeks, staying with my daughter in one of Tor’s very cosy and charming Norwegian huts. After planning everything thoroughly I was ready to do some serious fly fishing. But this trip ended up being one of the most dramatic I ever experienced, because of the one thing I couldn’t plan - the “mood of Weather Gods”. When we arrived everything was perfect, the temperature and water level was perfect,solid hatchings were taking place and through the crystal clear water you could spot some huge brownies constantly rising, which Hemsila is so famous for. But all that was about to change.

hen it started to rain, not just some “cosy-candlelight-warm-the-rain” It “power rained”

he day after we arrived, the temperature dropped dramatically, and dark clouds began to cover the sky from the North. Then it started to rain, not just some “cosy-candlelight-warm-the-rain” - It “power rained”!!. Massive amounts of water were poring down from above, and my first concern was that this would create a mud coloured river the following days. At that time I didn’t know that this would be the least of my problems, because we experienced some really extreme weather conditions the following days. It kept on raining for the next 7 days, uninterrupted, without a single “optimistic hole” in the sky. It was literally dark outside. Fishing wasn’t an option with these conditions. The water level was way beyond normal high water level, it was all about being hopeful and patient. After 7 days of “power rain”, it slowly cleared up a bit. First a tiny clearing in the sky appeared, then the sun peaked through the dark clouds - it was a wonderful feeling, like a long night finally ending, birds were singing, temperature rising. First priority was to check the river. But what we saw when we arrived to the river bank was unbelievable, the river had turned into an ocean, but it was not over yet. I guess we only saw the famous “centre hole” in the middle of this huge low pressure. Within a couple of hours the sky turned black again, and then the second round began, even more powerful than the first one. Again we were in for some unbelievably weather conditions. I simply couldn’t believe this was happening to us, I had never experienced anything like this before. This was really extreme weather conditions, no doubt about that, and we were right in the middle of it. The famous Hemsedal waterfall had turned into a massive wall of water, and the campsite were flooded, located only a few meters away from the roaring water masses. The military were in a state of emergency preparedness, the whole local community were holding it’s breath because the huge dam further down stream were close to a collapse. Everybody was really nervous. When would this abstract weather phenomenon end? After five more days it was finally over. We had been a witness to what the locals called “a 40 years flom” - an extreme low pressure moving in from the north, a weather phenomenon which only appears every 40 th. year.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we saw, when we arrived to the river bank, was unbelievable - the river had turned into an oceanâ&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The famous Hemsedal waterfall had turned into a massive wall of waterâ&#x20AC;?

................................................................................................

he campsite were flooded, located only a few meters away from the roaring water masses. ..........................................................................................................

ecause of the extreme water lever in Hemsila, I had to fish the back country lakes of Hemsedal

wo days left - and despite the extreme conditions I still managed to do a bit of T Fly fishing with Tor. He felt so sorry about the whole situation and did all he could

to help out, but what can you do when the “Weather Gods” provide you with such a challenge? Tor even offered me an other stay up there the following season free of charge absolutely great guy. I haven’t managed to get up there since this trip, but one thing is for sure Hemsila holds some really big brown trout, and it’s a stunning and very charming place (when it doesn’t rain). And one day I certainly have go back to this amazing place again, hopefully the “Weather Gods” will smile my way.

If you ever think about planning a trip to Hemsila, then you should get in contact with Tor, he knows this river like the back of his hand. Direct Link to Tor GrĂ¸theâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website

If you didn’t sign up before, well then here is another go to sign up. It’s totally free - don’t miss the next issue!!. And don’t forget your fishing bud’s as well?!. Have a story which need some exposure?? - Then drop us a mail. PS. This

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Q & c for Pool 32 Mag

long cold winter is finally over. Do you thirst for some serious fly fishing action? Then donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss the EWF 2011 - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s everything you need.

The 6 th. International EWF fair “Experience the World of Fly Fishing” 2011 The most complete exhibition in Europe for fly fishing! Just in time for the fishing season, the comprehensive information and sales exhibition “The 2011 Experience the World of Fly Fishing (EWF)” will open its doors for the 6th time on 9 and 10 April 2011. This is a true highlight and “must see” for all fly fishers and those who wish, in a wonderful environment, to inform themselves about fly fishing and to enjoy the highly varied products offered. The EWF takes place near Munich at the Event Forum Fuerstenfeld / Monastery Fuerstenfeld and can be very easily reached. About 100 well-known exhibitors from Germany and abroad will present over 130 high-quality brands. Company representatives and manufacturers will be personally on site. In addition, international personalities, authors, publishers, artists, travel companies, fly fishing schools, casting experts, and fly tyers will provide for a highly varied and exciting time. Internationally known fly tyers and casting instructors (for both single- and double-handed rods) will be demonstrating their skills. Various casting areas, including two large casting pools and the monastery canal, will invite you to try your own casting. The extensive programme is rounded out by special events for women and beginners, children’s fly tying and casting, a casting clinic, and a number of informative presentations about general travel and fly fishing. In addition, the 4th Open German Fly Tying Championship will be held as part of the 2011 EWF-- all interested tyers are strongly encouraged to participate! (Closing date for registration: 30 March 2011) Including last year, Experience the World of Fly Fishing has taken place five times -- the 2,950 visitors in 2010 show the success of the EWF! The fundamental idea has been to bring the fly fishing family together with personalities in the field in an outstanding atmosphere. Particular emphasis has always been on the latest developments in terms of products as well as services. Our first five years, with a total of nearly 11,000 visitors, have been a convincing demonstration of the complete success of the concept. This success has been greatly helped by numerous enthusiastic supporters. Especially satisfying is that the exhibition spaces are already again fully booked. We conclude that quality is greatly desired!

you want to learn more about the EWF App then use this link directly to Symentis, the company behind the new super EWF App for smart phones, Ipads and computers - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a brilliant marketing tool - check it out.

Here

is a little photo tour from the EWF, a fair everyone looks forward to. The atmosphere is fantastic and the beautiful old Fuerstenfeld Monastery creates a perfect frame for this epic international fly fishing event.

Testimonials from the EWF between 2006 and 2010 indicate, “The atmosphere and the comprehensive offerings of information and products make the EWF loved and unique for visitors from Germany and its neighbouring countries.” The conclusion from the 2006 to 2010 EWF is clearly: Keep to it! Experience a very special exhibition on this weekend in April 2011! In addition to a wide variety of products, advice, new product developments and introductions, special focus lies on the presence of internationally known personalities and experts as well as meeting people with similar views in a most pleasant setting. The Pijawetz-Stroh organizing team, the exhibitors, and all who work on the EWF look forward with great pleasure to your visit! Important information for the 2011 EWF: Location: Event Forum Fuerstenfeld / Monastery Fuerstenfeld / Fuerstenfeldbruck, Germany Dates: 9 and 10 April 2010 Hours: Saturday 9:00 to 19:00 and Sunday 9:00 to 17:00 Entrance fee: One-day - € 12.00 Two-day - € 20.00 Children under 14 free Parking: Plentiful and free Organizer: Erlebniswelt Fliegenfischen Lindenstraße 8 D-82031 Grünwald, Germany Tel. 49 (0) 89-641 86 397 For details about the 2011 EWF, the programme, travel directions, etc., as well as an overview of the 2006 to 2010 EWF exhibitions, please go to: www.experience-world-flyfishing.com

Salmon junkies

Photo : Steffen Juhl

Interview : M.Wengler

c “

onfessions of a

Salmon Junkie

“

Steef, you began your “career as a Salmon Junkie” many years back, but where and how did it all begin?

I held a fly fishing rod in my had the first time when I was 12 years old, fish ing in the Danish rivers and small creeks. It was “love at first sight” and after a couple of years I found myself involved in the Danish Sports Fishing Asso- ciation, which lead to a education as a fly fishing instructor.

Being a devote salmon fisher isn’t exactly a normal job, do you ever miss a regular 9 - 5 job situation?

No !! - I used to work a regular job. Back then I worked as a firefighter in Co- penhagen. It was a job with a very flexible work schedule, which opened up for the possibility to change my working days. This was the beginning of my fly fishing adventure and it made it possible for me to combine these two worlds. In the beginning I enjoyed it but after a while it became a bit frustrating to combine these two different worlds. It became a life full of contrasts. One day I was fishing on an exciting and very exclusive beat or flying around in a Helicopter scouting rivers, then next I was back home in my normal 9/5 again, so it’s been a tuff process over the years, not always as glamorous as a lot of people often think.

Steffen Juhl 100 % Addicted - “hopeless case”

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia A Junkie or Junky may also refer to:

• A person suffering from drug addiction most commonly used to refer to a heroin addict. • Also used as a hyperbolic expression for a person with a particularly strong enthusiasm for some activity, e.g. “a TV junkie”, “a ski junkie” or the worst case ”a salmon junkie”

Having caught and released more than 2500 salmon, makes you a very experienced salmon fisher Steff, and it really makes me want to “pick you brain” for relevant salmon secrets. I was once told by a fellow salmon fisher, that most of his takes were happening close to the river bank.Tell me Steff what is your experience regarding the “take it self”. Do you see some kind of pattern or is it just a pure coincidence when and where a salmon take the fly?

Well, it’s always hard to say because it changes from one river to a other. But it is essential to be a bit humble and listen to the locals / Fish ing guides, when you are fishing a new river. They know what is going on in their backyard. My experience tells me that the take often happens in the last 2/3 of the swing. Or when you start striping the fly at the end of the swing.

What about the presentation of the fly it self, any good advises for our readers?

First of all everybody who want’s to catch a salmon must be able to cast de cently - not necessarily a very long cast, but a decent and straight cast The fly has to “Fish” as soon it hits the water. Then it is very important to “read and understand the water” you are fishing, and don’t be afraid to try some thing new out there. And make sure the fly is fishing right away by letting the leader stretch out completely in every cast. Salmon fishing is a piece of in tense work, no matter where in the world you are approaching these fish.

“From Pocc

R with love”

Colourful tools

“This place is instant addiction” Unknown Salmon Junkie

Kåre Lundquist 99,9 % Addicted - “still a bit of hope left”

“Life is hard - and then we die”

“Salmon drugs & Rock’n Roll”

The boy’s with their toy’s

Bear country

No doubt water temperature is essential when it comes to salmon fishing, but would you say there is a perfect weather condition and water temperature for salmon fishing in general?

In my opinion you should always try to fish the fly fast when the water tem perature is over 8 - 9 degrees. Speed is very important in these conditions. Cast you fly across the river in a 90 degrees angle instead of the traditional 45 degrees, it will increase the speed of your fly significantly. But when the water temperature is below 8 degrees then you have to fish your fly slowly with heavier lines.

I believe there is just as many theories about how to approach salmon fishing, as the amount of fly fishers. But when it comes to fly lines which combination do you use most of the time?

Floating line with a 10 ft. fast sinking polyleader plus max 3 ft 0,35mm nylon.

Being a camp manager in Russia for so many years must have been quite an experience. How would you describe the situation today compared to when you first set your foot in Russia?

In the â&#x20AC;&#x153;old daysâ&#x20AC;? 20 years back, everything was VERY different in Russia. I remember a situation back then, when the kitchen served a bowl of fruit for some of our guests. The Russians we worked with had never seen a banana before, which describes the situation we were in at that time. It was like we Westerners came from an other planet.

Sometime it also created a lot of problems for us. Things weren’t always as you expected them to be. Today everything has changed in a very positive direction. The middle class in Russia is growing, and the general level of wealth is higher than ever before in Russia. In the old day’s we could hire a helicopter for a whole day for only 200$ and a candy bar - today it would cost 20 - 30.000$ so things has changed a lot since back then.

As you know Pool 32 also focuses on environmental issues as well as fly fishing issues, simply because I believe that our world is changing rapidly, and salmon stock world wide, are under a lot of pressure. How do you se the future for the wild salmon world wide?

Well, Norway is a perfect example of how things shouldn’t be handled. They really have spoiled a lot of their beautiful rivers over the last 15-20 years. But there has also been made some really positive actions world wide, like the NASF ( www.nasfworldwide.com ). This fund does such a fantastic job and what Orri Vigfusson has achieved so far is unbelievable. This is exactly the kind of awareness we need - and inspi ration as well.

I really hope new salmon anglers understand that good salmon fishing doesn’t come by it self. These amazing fish is under a very, very hard pressure eve rywhere from fish farming industry, high sea overfishing, pollution, illegal net ting, Hydroelectric dams, etc. The new generation of salmon fishers has to be fully aware, that they cannot just lean back and expect everything to be perfect in a future perspective. It is a hard fight, every day, every hour - everywhere!

llegal netting is a growing problem in a lot of rivers world wide. How would you describe the situation in Russia?

Illegal netting is also a problem in Russia, like so many other places. But in Russia it easier to fight the poaching compare to the west, as we don’t have the same democratic rules as here in Denmark - and that saves salmon - be lieve me. Besides that hey are showing some parliamentary determination.

Are you involved in any conservation projects in Russia?

Yes I’m involved in a project where we have removed the illegal nets in the lower part of Umba. We have made a detailed plan 2 years ago, which specify exactly what should be done 24 / 7 all year round. This has made the condi tions much harder for the illegal nettings and the results are very positive. “A river without friends will find it self unprotected” - but Umba has a lot of friends, and I’m one of them as you probably are aware of. Umba is my favorite river in Russia. It’s very unique and has it all. It’s a typi cal forrest river, very beautiful with several different runs and in Umba you always have the chance of catching a really trophy fish from May till October. Besides that Umba offers a long season with several runs, it’s easy to cast, easy to read, not to big, no helicopter is needed to get around. But the fish in Umba is also something very special. These fall fish are designed to stay in the river for up to 18 months without feeding so they are in very good condition when they enter the river. Fall is pure magic in Umba, with some amazing colors everywhere. Only two river in Russia have these late autumn runs - Umba and Ponoi - but in Umba the fall fish get huge

“Salmon Junkies” is a great name - a name you remember and also a very descriptive name, everybody who loves salmon fishing knows exactly how addictive this sport is. What’s the story behind this name?

Well we ARE true Salmon junkies (big laugh) so it just came natural – we are “thinking Salmon” twenty-four hours around the clock No, honestly I think we were inspired by the BC steelhead fly fishing commu nity, they have a good time up there and I really like their approach and atti tudes to the game.

It seems like Russia have “seen the light” and made C & R mandatory from the beginning, something other countries could learn a lot from. What is your experiences with C & R ? - do you see it as the way of the future on the international fly fishing scene?

I think it’s a very good way to help the wild salmon stocks, and I’m practicing C & R in nearly every catch I make, but to be honest I sometimes think it’s a bit to “black & white”. If a fish is caught in the gills or deep down the throat it will die, so to end the suffering in such situations, I think it’s OK to take a life, minimum 9 out of 10 fish survive C & R. But in a holistic perspective, I have a strong believe that biologists should fol low a river closely and estimate how the stocks should be treated. That way you leave it to people who knows what they are doing. We can not just harvest all the time, we also have to nurse, and protect our nature resources. C & R are an excellent tool to change in a positive direction, results from all over the world, shows clearly that C&R secure a very big part of the annual runs.

I spend a week in Iceland two years ago, here dry fly with fishing with a “rifling hitch” gave salmon fishing a whole new meaning to me. Have you practiced any dry fly fishing in Russia?

It’s defiantly possible to catch a salmon on a dry fly in Russia. End of June to mid August, are sovereign for this kind of presentation. Water temperature around +10 degrees a clear and low water level, makes the conditions perfect for dry fly fishing.

You have been fishing in so many exciting places, others just dream about so I have to ask you which one is your favorite river?

As I mentioned Umba - That river has stolen my heart and soul. In Denmark it is Skjern å, especially now with all the very positive results showing.

I really like your photos Steff. You have a very good eye for composition and when to convert a photo into the very powerful black and white expression. I always carry my Canon with me when I’m fishing, and sometimes I prefer to shoot pictures instead. How would you describe your relations the photographic side of fly fishing?

I love to shoot pictures, and it’s been something I have practiced since I where 13 years old. I meet a Danish guy called Bent Schultz by one of the Danish rivers, and he became a sort of mentor for me. Bent had shoot some fantastic photos. I learned a lot about from him and we became good friends.

Last question Steff - do you have anything you want to add to this interview? - any wishes for the future of salmon fishing?

My biggest which for the future would be that people really will understand how important it is to support the organizations, funds and even the small lo cal associations, in their work to help and preserve wild salmon world wide. I fear what will happen in the future, when people like Orri Vigfusson one day pulls out. Who will take over his place and follow his footsteps? That guy rocks!!

We all have to realize that only by really doing something, participating and supporting some of the great work being done out there, only then we will still be able to enjoy the presences of wild salmon in the future. But it will al ways be an ongoing battle and we can never “just lean back” and take wild salmon for granted.

I worked with the Danish Sports Fishing Association (DSF) for many years and it taught me that nothing comes by it self. If it wasn’t for DSF we wouldn’t have seen the progress in Skjern Å and many other Danish rivers, as we are witnessing today.

Famous Salmon angler Lee Wulff once said : “ A salmon is to valuable, only to be caught once”!! - it says it all.

“I’ve heard that salmon fishing is as addictive as crack.... I think I could give up crack”

Need a quick fix - click here

Photo : Aleksandar Vrtaric - Interview : Mark Wengler

Interview / Aleksandar Vrtaric

Suck my fly

Aleksandar Vrtaric A very talented fly fishing photographer from Croatia Aleksandar shoot some amazing photos from the fly fishing scene, often very simple motives but yet very powerful results. So of course Pool 32 had to get in touch with this young fly fishing photographer and ask him a few Q’s - Here is the result. Hi Aleksandar - I’m very pleased that you said yes to this little interview and to let us show some of you great B & W shoots. Well, let’s get right to it!

How old are you and where were you born?

- I am 30 and I was born in Koper, Slovenia and after a few years I moved to Croatia.

As a fly fisher and a photographer - what is a perfect day for you?

- Well, that one would be hard to answer because no matter how good fly fishing and photography go well together, there are days when I can capture a few nice shots and not necessarily enjoy the fishing. Say, a rainy day, water level too high and murky… Clear, warm day and clear, shallow water with a few fish usually make good fishing day.

Do you have a favourite river - “you know - the one and only river”?

- I live in a town that is surrounded by waters – rivers, ponds and lakes. There are many waters in Croatia, luckily, there are still those waters that by some miracle still seem intact and then there is Adriatic sea. I love all waters, whether it is a small mountain stream or the Great Danube. Korana and Kupa are the ones I wander the most though.

History has presented us to so many great photographers - like Annie Leibowitz, Ansel Adams, Castier-Besson, Sally Mann etc. - do you have a favourite photographer who inspires you.

- Not really. This might be a bit weird to read but my own photos inspire me so when I take a shot, I look at it and usually have an idea of something else, what else might have been done there, what did I miss, did I do everything to make the composition right. It’s always about lines and shapes and putting them all together. It is all there, you know, it is just matter of putting it all together and push the button. There are many photographers I am truly amazed with.

Being out in the field with a camera while you are fly fishing at the same time, can sometimes be a bit difficult. How do you decide what equipment to bring just so you don’t carry load of camera equipment.

- I never carry too much equipment – it is usually two cameras with two different lenses but sometimes even one does the job.

What camera do you use? - and what is your favourite lens?

-This is what I get asked practically every day and I would rather have people asking me about composing and making photographs. Any SLR camera available today would to good job for me and I am not a brand addict. People get too weird with brand addiction and Nikon/Canon nonsense like their fathers actually own those companies. Any camera that serves it’s purpose and gets you money is a great camera. On another note, it is quite sad to see someone using a decent kit and still have issues with composition and sharpness. (PS. Pool 32 really like this answer - a honest and straight forward answer to our relative stupid Q - no doubt composition is God, well put Aleksandar!!! )

Here you show some really great B & W’s - when do you decide to shoot a motive in B & W instead of traditionally colour shots?

- When I was younger, there were analog films and it was much more fun. You had to have some knowledge of the basics and then there was the sweet awaiting. Now you just convert your colour shot to B&W. There are some shots you just know would look better in B&W, you could say that they are almost destined to that. That said, some motives look better in B&W, sometimes you get more accented details, more mood and the timelessness.

Have you some special “goals” you want to achieve in the future, within the fly fishing photo scene? (places to go to - or technical challenges you want to master) - I want to go everywhere, to be honest – North America, European north, New Zealand, Africa... But fly fishing photography is not something that will make you a rich man. As for goals, not really. Goals can be good but can also make you disappointed so being OK with how things are and hoping they might get a bit better soon is just enough for me.

Do you always carry a tripod with you when you are in the field?

It depends on what I am going to photograph but basically, I rarely use tripods and rather like to use things that are already out there – fill a bag with some sand, use a rock, a branch, whatever keeps the camera still.

Before a photo session do you make a careful plan or do you just shoot a lot of pictures and the look for the special ones at home afterwards?

No, shooting too much photos is OK if you are a beginner and you are totally thrilled with everything you see around you. It is different if you are serious about photography and when you know what you want. It is not easy to always succeed, often impossible but when you know something makes no sense, you save the shutter button and go on.

Video is a growing media with You Tube, Vimeo etc. - How do you think this media platform will develop in the future, and what are your plans for the future regarding video?

- I am not into video making at all but I do think it is nice since there are lot of talented people around the globe and they can present their work to everyone via You Tube or any other video sharing service. Today anyone can make a video but to be honest, there are not many people who can make good ones. Internet will indeed help some guys to stand out and show their work.

You inspire a lot of people with your great work for sure, but if some of our readers want to improve their photo skills, do you have any advise you want to share?

- Always think about lines and shapes and see how objects pertain and what can be done to create the perfect image. It is easy to take a photo but making a good photo is a great challenge. Thinking about cameras and lenses too much can also be demotivational and it is always better to learn about light, composition and all the things you can do to make a good shot – buying a Nikon D3x will not make that happen sooner or make it easier. You buy a certain camera or a certain lens when you know exactly what you want. It makes no sense buying a great macro lens if you are not able to make a flawless shot. Gear is easy to buy, but it is a bit harder with knowledge, experience and creativity. There are many good books about photography and reading them is highly recommended. It is always good to see photos of successful, well known photographers and ask your self „why is this photo so successful?“ and always seek to perfection. When you think it is good, stop and check again. Knowing that what is different and has not yet been seen will lead to ideas so when you want a good photo, always take a moment to think – “is there an angle that will makes this fin look different and more eye catching, is there something I can add or remove from the background, do those colours that I see match and create nice contrast, is this light too week or too strong, is my hand still enough or do I need to lean it against something, what is it that I actually want?“

Do you want to share where you have shoot this B & W photo essay? Â - Most of these photos were taken in Croatia. Korana, Kupa, local ponds, Mreznica and Adriatic sea.

As a creative photographer you must listen to some music - Music and creativity goes hand in hand - so of course I have to ask you what your favourite music is?

Actually, music is much bigger love then photography in my case. I love guitars, I love singing and will play anything that is able to make a sound. Music is so much different then photography, it is born out of emotions, guided by them and can take you to most different moods and states. I am a pure harmony addict and I love classical masters like Beethoven, Mahler or Rodrigo as much as I love David Bowie, Roger Waters, George Harrison, Radiohead or Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan.

You have had a photo essay presented in Catch Magazine, what has the reaction been from this very privileged opportunity?

- I received many e-mails from all around the world from those asking about food in Croatia, fishing opportunities and guiding to those asking „Hey dude, what’s up, I was wondering what lens did you use?“ or „Could you tell me what camera should I buy? I am taking photos with my cell phone but they don’t look that good“. It is always nice when someone compliments what you do because with photography, you don’t do it for yourself. You do it so others can see it.

And the last Q - Alex if you could have a wish come true for the future, what would it be?

I would like to see people I know and that are close to my heart to stay well and healthy as long as possible. Myself included. Thank’s for sharing some time with our readers Aleksandar, we wish you all the very best for the future, and Pool 32 Mag will for sure follow your carrier with pleasure. If you want to know more about Aleksandar and his great photos, the use this direct link to his website.

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Skeena

Memories Story: Photo:

April Vokey Nick Pujic

e had eleven Fly Nation episodes done and were contemplating where to film our W lucky #12.

I’d been itching to get the Fly Max film crew to BC....hell, it’d only been close to 6 years of harassing poor Nick Pujic to come and play with wild steel in a wild province with a wild girl...he’d been a tough nut to crack. Since the day Pujic and I met under the fluorescent lights of a crowded Vancouver trade show, I’d been teasing him with steelhead photos, stories and animated play by plays... I loved watching the look of excitement splash across his face when I explained how our fish fought and bucked like wild stallions trying to throw their rider. He would wince and grit his teeth in anticipation....then smile and throw his head back to laugh as I shared my fishing stories with him. I saw the look in his eyes when it came time for him to go back to Ontario and leave BC... he hesitated and we vowed to make it a mission to bring him back.

I always toyed with the idea of bringing the Fly Max crew out my way to film our unique steelhead fishery....but with unstable conditions and a tedious filming environment, it was looking like BC steelhead were going to have to wait for a while.

“When the Fall of 2010 rolled around and I was on my way back up to Terrace, BC it seemed only right to see if I could tempt Mr. Pujic one last time....” So the 5 of us (let’s not forget Colby...) packed up the van and made the 14 hour trek to BC’s interior.

Andrea and I were an interesting mix... she always made my ribs hurt with laughter and I always drove her crazy enough to beat me into submission... so I figured that the two of us could provide Fly Nation with some entertainment.

“I really think we can do it justice Nick...” I pitched. “We’ll do it right, I’ll bring up my best girlfriend Andrea Charlton and we’ll show you how the two of us do it...” Maybe he knew how cute Andrea was, because he booked flights for himself and cameraman Tim Myers several days later.

Andrea and I went way back.... Back in the days when we were waitresses at the Langley Olive Garden, suffering with the pain of “soup, salad and breadstick” combos and 5% tippers, we had been in each other’s lives for quite some time.

She had contacted me several years after quitting and wanted to try out this â&#x20AC;&#x153;whole fly-fishing thingâ&#x20AC;?. She was a natural on the fly rod and a comedian off the water..... Together the two of us ripped it up on the river.

Every once in a while, I get to witness something truly incredible. This double header by Dustin and Andrea had me awestruck! It was one of my more interesting moments trying to land both of their fishâ&#x20AC;ŚColby stood there pointing, not knowing who to tend to.

“There’s always that pressure to cast half decent when the cameras are out ….oh, how I hate stage fright….”

The wonders of our incredible BC riversâ&#x20AC;Ś.a glacial green that compliments all those who step foot in its beauty.

“Every angler has that one fishing buddy who makes their days on the water that much better….Colby, my pup, is that buddy for me. We play in the sand, wade through heavy currents, and both get excited when I hook fish. Life wouldn’t be the same without him”

A larger Skeena tributary steelhead caught by Andrea. Guide Dustin Kovacvich makes the two of us look like dwarfs…he is one large man.

The Skeena is one of the greatest anadromous fish “super highways” in the world. In addition to steelhead, the river is famous for its return of multiple species of Pacific salmon and its gigantic Chinooks (King salmon) that frequently top 50 pounds. Indisputably one of the most well-known angling rivers in the world, the Skeena’s large size is intimidating to many, but if timed right can be highly productive when the fish are making their way upriver. Unlike holding fish, where the angler must pursue steelhead that are resting in slower water behind boulders and in gentle seams, the Skeena steelhead are moving at a determined pace and don’t require spot hopping or “first crack” at the run.

“Heaven on Earth”

Girl Power Andrea resting after an epic day of fishing.

ustin and Colby walk to the head of a run and prepare to try their luck again with the dry fly.

“Beauty & perfection”

It had always been a dream of mine to catch a steelhead on a dry flyâ&#x20AC;Śa mayfly or something similar, dead drifted through the riffles of a boulder patchâ&#x20AC;Ś.this run was perfect and proved successful as we landed several fish on dries out of it.

Mission accomplishedâ&#x20AC;Ś.I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know if my face had room for a smile any bigger!

Check out April V’s great new website click on this direct link

Flygal Nation website

“It’s a Pandora’s box” Full of cool stuff. Adventure travelling, clothing, workshops, blog, gallery, last minute deals etc.

The return of the King The recovery of Danish salmon stocks

re the Danish salmon extinct? A This was a question often asked only 15 years ago, when several decades of human impact on the Danish salmon rivers had resulted in a reduction of former healthy populations to only a few hundred individuals in one river. The brief history of the Danish Salmon Rivers is one long (200 years) story of habitat degradation, mainly due to agriculture. Denmark is a very flat country with farmable land everywhere. For at least a century, rivers and streams were viewed merely as transport channels for water from the fields to the sea. Thus, to gain more farmland, most wetlands were dredged and almost all rivers and streams were “straightened out” and the resulting channels were maintained by repeated removal of sand and gravel. On top of this, several migratory obstacles were constructed, various weirs for water diversion and even minor hydropower stations were build 65 – 100 years ago. So the once abundant salmon and sea-run brown trout have gradually lost most of their main spawning habitat and most of the remaining suitable spawning areas were blocked by dams and weirs. Over the last 25 years, much has been done to improve the conditions in the streams and surprisingly the migratory brown trout seem to have managed to survive and recent studies showed that despite 40 – 50 years of intense stocking with hatchery reared trout, most rivers and streams still have the original (genetically) populations. With the salmon it was a different story; out of a total of 9 major salmon stocks, only the one in the Skjern River was believed to have persisted. Now it must be noted that the Danish Rivers are rather small, short and flat. The largest of these is the 90 km long Skjern River with mean annual discharge of only 28 m3s-1 and an elevation from spring to outlet of less than 70 m. Up till the early sixties, this River supported a highly esteemed spring fishery for very large, early migrating salmon.

D.C. Dinesen’s record fish from 1954 Story : Niels Jepsen DTUA

Photo : Niels Jepsen & Naturstyrelsen

The Danish record fish was caught by D.C. Dinesen, who landed a 26.5 kg (58 lbs) salmon in Skjern River in early April 1954. In the 1970’ies and 80’ies, only a handful of fish were caught annually and serious concern was raised about the viability of the last Danish salmon population, simply due to the fact that there were too few individuals left to carry on the genetic diversity of the population.

Treasure hidden in old archives

reasure hidden in old archives T After improvements of water quality, river passage and restrictions on commercial netting in the estu-

ary, the number of returning salmon increased up through the 90’ies. In 1997, Professor E. Nielsen, DTU Aqua, found a way to test if the present population still carried the same genes as before. In the dusty archives in the basement of the institute we found old cardboard boxes containing plenty of old scale samples from salmon dating back to the early 19-hundred. Also scales from Dinesen´s magnificent record fish were found. The genetic lab succeeded in extracting DNA material from these old dry scales, enabling us to compare the genetic structure of the original population with the present. This comparison showed that very little or nothing had been lost in terms of genetic variation, so it was basically the same original and viable population. From other rivers in West Jutland, we knew that most years a few salmon were caught and nobody regarded these as part of a population, but merely as stray fish. However, when we performed the genetic comparisons, these revealed that salmon from two of the rivers, Varde and Ribe, actually still carried genes from the original populations, closely related to the fish from Skjern, but clearly distinct.

anagement plan M The situation had changed almost overnight from one with only one small population that may not be viable to one where we actually had 3 original populations of Atlantic salmon to take care of. In 2002, the first national management plan for Atlantic salmon was issued. However, before that all stocking of salmon of foreign origin was stopped and all adults to be used as broodstock were individually screened to only include those with “original genes”. Recently a new hatchery facility has been built, where the 3 strains can be kept and reared separately. Now only ½ and 1-year old “pure bred” juveniles are stocked in Ribe, Varde and Skjern rivers, whereas smolt releases are stopped. It is our hope and the goal of the management plan that all stockings will be unnecessary in the near future as have been the case in several of our sea-trout rivers, where we now see the best returns in historical time after the termination of 30 year old stocking programs. Besides stocking plans, the management plan recommends a number of measures to reclaim lost salmon habitat, mainly by removing migratory obstacles, but also genuine habitat restoration projects are outlined. To monitor the development of the salmon populations, regular scientific surveys are carried out, using electro-fishing and telemetry to estimate the number of spawners and locate the main spawning areas.

kjern river restoration S In 1992 the largest nature restoration project in the Danish history was initiated. The lower part

of Skjern River had been canalised and dredged at a considerable cost only 35 years earlier, but now it was decided that this lower river should be changed back to how it was before. This was mainly to remove nutrients from the river water to decrease the nutrient load to the estuary, which suffers from eutrophication, but also to restore a large wetland to the benefit of birds, amphibians and fish. The project costs were 280 million DKK (46 million USD). The public in general see this project as a success and one of the spin-offs has been increased focus on the migratory fish in the Skjern River. The area that has been restored may not have been crucial salmon spawning habitat, these are found further up the river, but for the anglers the river has certainly become more interesting. Now, a decade after the restoration project was finished, it is very hard to find anyone who still thinks it was an expensive and â&#x20AC;&#x153;romanticâ&#x20AC;? idea to restore the river.

The Old river looked like a highway

The NEW Skjern Ă&#x2026; is taking shape

Entrance to the Skjern Ă&#x2026; Nature Center

he fishing T Like in the famous Scottish rivers Dee, Tweed and Spey, the traditional salmon fishing started in late win-

ter/early spring and a century ago it was quite common that nobilities and well-off folks from Copenhagen travelled to the poor rural West-Jutland to try to catch a spring salmon. Now the season starts at April 1st in order to protect the salmon and sea-trout kelts, which are important components of the population because some of these will return to spawn after another season in the sea. It is quite amazing that during a time, where we have seen the proportion of large spring or multi-sea-winter salmon decline dramatically in Scandinavian and UK rivers, many of the salmon that return to the Danish Rivers are large, early running fish. The last seasons have produced many 15+ kg fish and even several 20+ kg salmon.

he future T With a management plan based on the best available scientific knowledge, we are well equipped to fight

for the preservation of our three remaining salmon populations as well as to reintroduce salmon in rivers where they have disappeared. The immediate goal of the plan is to achieve populations of 1000 returning adults in each river without stocking. We judge this to be possible by just removing most of the artificial migration barriers and let the fish reclaim spawning and rearing habitat lost decades or even centuries ago. However, additional efforts to actively improve the habitat by increasing the physical variation can increase the natural production in some of the rivers to several thousand returning salmon every year. If the size composition and timing of future runs remains as they are now, we can expect excellent salmon fishing opportunities in the near future. The most recent estimate of the total spawning run in Skjern Ă&#x2026; is from 2008 and showed that 3300 salmon returned that year, in Ribe Ă&#x2026; the estimate from 2009 was 1200 salmon and in StorĂĽ in 2010 we are likely ending at around 1500 fish. Unfortunately, we are not able to determine the proportion of wild vs. hatchery reared fish, so the goal of 1000 naturally produced spawners cannot yet be said to be met. Despite the great returns lately, there are major problems to be solved. Firstly, there are still many weirs and other migration obstacles in most rivers; these must be removed as all investigations show that fish ladders and bypass-streams do not ensure free passage for migratory fish.

Early morning by the riverbank

Another threat is the high number of cormorants nesting in the estuaries, where they have been shown to eat up to 50% of the smolt-run (Skjern River). Finally, we must work hard to introduce stream buffer-zones where farming is prohibited. All the rivers run through farm land and buffer-zones would greatly increase the physical variation and habitat quality in the rivers and reduce the problems with siltation that restrict the suitable spawning areas. However, there is focus on these problems and as more salmon return; more politicians may acknowledge the importance of maintaining good river conditions.

A radio mounted Salmon

Radio equipment has been installed to follow the Salmon behaviour closely

In conclusion you could say that the Skjern River is still a long way from being better than Orkla, but after having been at rock bottom, we are seeing a surprisingly fast recovery of original salmon stocks in response to the recent changes in management. In addition, the last years have shown fair numbers of returning salmon in a handful of smaller rivers, where they were recently reintroduced. This story could encourage others to keep fighting for decent watershed management, even when you may think it is too late. The key words for this success have been very close communication and cooperation between science, management and users (anglers).

act box F In the season of 2010, according to the catch statistics, 1148 salmon were reported from Skjern and 519 from Varde. Of these only 482 were killed, so 2/3 of the fish are C&R. Many of these fish were caught before mid-summer and the average weight was close to 6 kg in both rivers. There are only few gear restrictions and most salmon are caught on plugs and spinners, but about 40 % are caught on flies. Popular flies include traditional patterns like Green Highlander, but also local favourites like the “wool-sock” are often used. Despite the modest size of the rivers, many anglers use twohand rods, but during summer flows, a light rod with floating line, will be most effective. In Skjern and Varde Rivers there is an annual bag limit of 1salmon. Most of the best water is privately owned, but managed by angling clubs and thus accessible for anyone holding a licence. These are typically about 800 DKK/year or 100 DKK/day. The season runs from April through September.

urther information F Niels Jepsen

Senior researcher, PhD, DTU-Aqua, Sektion for Ferskvandsfiskeri og –økologi Section for Freshwater Fisheries Ecology Vejlsøvej 39, 8600 Silkeborg, Ph: +4535883131 - Mail: nj@aqua.dtu.dk

Estimates of the number of adult salmon in Skjern River.

Annual catches of adult salmon from 5 rivers.

R elevant links MiljĂ¸ og vandpleje (Danish) General info on salmon (Danish) Fishing licences are available at Korsholm Tackle shop - Phone: 0045 9680 2020

ccommodation A For travelling fishermen Skarrild Hus is an excellent choice (following 4 pictures).

This place is surrounded by beautiful nature and offers a brilliant fishing packaged including licence to a 4-5 km. beautiful beat of Skjern Ă&#x2026; for a really fair prize. Use this direct link to Skarrild Hus for further information.

A view of the park area surrounding Skarrild Hus

A small part of the Skarrild Hus beat

Early morning walk down to the Skarrild Hus beat

Fisherman from the annual public Skjern Ă&#x2026; fishing event, interviewed by the news

8.2 kg fresh Sea Trout caught in Skjern Ă&#x2026;

Skjern Ă&#x2026; meadows and weatlands

Alexandra Morton the voice of a true salmon warrior Dear Readers Alexandra Morton and her fantastic effort to help and preserve the wild salmon stocks in all of the North American region, is a true hero. This amazing woman needs all the support she can get, and I can honestly say that if she were in charge on a political level, we would for sure see some changes for better. But so far itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an uphill struggle so I therefor urge you Dear Reader to visit her website and Facebook. Read some of her very scary but also interesting articles, showing how thing really are, describing the negative environmental impact, from fish farming industry. Here is one of her latest articles which Pool 32 Mag are honoured to bring - hope you will find it interesting - I sure did! M. Wengler Pool 32 Mag.

BC - This is My Job Application By Alexandra Morton

After watching DFO’s Director General of Science, Pacific Region on the stand at the Cohen Commission March 17 - this is my job application. If I was Director General of DFO Pacific Region, I could straighten this mess out and put our wild fish first. DFO policy has already driven one of earth’s most generous fish stocks to extinction (the east coast cod stocks) by ignoring their own scientist. They are doing exactly this again today. On March 17 we heard DFO did not inform the public that one of their scientists found what looks like a virus is killing the majority some runs of Fraser sockeye. DFO did not tell us that this virus has been epidemic in salmon farms on the Fraser migration route. I doubt DFO has any idea how widespread this virus is in farm salmon. I don’t think they have a handle on the situation If we allow this type of mismanagement and secrecy we will lose wild salmon, one of our most valuable public resources Number one DFO must recognize there are four types of salmon in BC; wild, enhanced, hatchery and farmed and there is no evidence they can co-exist. Fishery Managers have to give one type of salmon top priority. I would choose wild salmon because they are the least expensive, most likely to survive climate change, most prolific, greatest benefit to humanity and have a 10,000 year successful trackrecord. Salmon wear spectacular regalia at spawning time to allow the females to make the best choice for their species. The males are saying, “hey, look at me I went to the North Pacific and back and have THIS much to show for it!”

As climates change female choice tunes each population, honing them into the best fish possible for the environment of the moment. When humans take that choice away from the salmon in hatcheries, we might as well cut off their tails as we release them. We destroy their most powerful survival mechanism. Enhanced salmon in spawning channels require expensive cleaning regularly and this costs more and more money as fuel costs rise. In 2010, I saw a spawning channel choked with carcasses. Any eggs under them were smothered by the massive rotting it was a death trap! Farm salmon break all the natural laws, are unsustainable with rapacious shareholders demanding continuous growth and they privately owned. If I were Director General of the DFO Pacific Region I would work for Canadians, not salmon farming corporations. The wild salmon that swims all the way back from the open Pacific and chooses a site to spawn without our help â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is THE most valuable salmon there is. I would honour the needs of this fish in every way possible - it is the only salmon with a future. * I would establish the premise that wild fish manage themselves â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we simply need to decide how much we are going to get out of their way and allow them to do what they do best make more salmon. * I would enact a Follow the Fish course of action using state of the art science to understand exactly where they are prospering and failing. This will equip us to debate what roadblocks we want to remove or keep.

* I would put a number of DFO people somewhere where that they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hurt anything further and I would hand the reins to others. * I would meet with every First Nation Fisheries Manager and stream-keeper group to understand what needs to be done in each unique situation and then I would meet with those who disagree with them before making any decision. * I would ensure every significant watershed has people trained in disease sampling and outfit them with the tools to immediately capture information on the epidemics that are flashing out of control killing BC wild salmon, so we can track and deal with this. * I would form small, efficient roving teams combining dedicated First Nations, biologists and the people who know the area best to walk these watersheds continuously and task them to report on where the salmon are and how they are doing. In this way we would learn what is working, what is not and what we need to maximize the fishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own potential to thrive. * I would thread together the people spread across BC who are working for salmon. The people on the grounds and the leading scientists need to talk. The fishermen need to meet the Fishery Managers on the spawning grounds. Every meeting would be structured to produce or tune a plan of action. No wasted effort or bafflegab allowed.

* I would reinstate local DFO offices as much as I was able, populate them with local experts and make sure the folks on the grounds have clear channels of communication between themselves and head office, so when problems arise we would have an all hands on deck immediate response. * I would offer opportunity and attention to the Canadians who think they can conduct aquaculture without soiling our province. I would promote farming at the bottom of the food chain, not the top. I would invite the open net industry to leave, suggesting the courts might offer leniency if they voluntarily removed themselves in the face of mounting evidence that they are the source of lethal fish diseases and thus enormous losses to Canadians. * I would apply this approach to all fisheries. It is not that I know what needs to be done in all cases, but I can figure out who is sincere and knowledgeable and encourage these people to come forward to begin a new era where we work with our wild fish and not against, where policy is second to truth. My personal goal is to return to the wilderness of the Broughton Archipelago, but I would be willing to do this in hopes that I could go home in a year or so and watch the wild salmon and all they feed return to us. Alexandra Morton

If you, after reading this article, want to follow Alexandra Morton and her fantastic work then use these two direct links.

Sign up or send to a fishing bud - use these links. We have received some fantastic photos from all over the world, like the ones from New Zealand you will find on the next couple of pages - if you have something you want to share with the world then send us a mail. PS. We will of course give you all the credits and link it all up. PS. This

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Photo & Story : Craig Somerville

NewZealand

New Zealand as a destination

A dream dreamt by fly fishers world-wide where fish are wild, flawless, large and plentiful was shared too by me.

Turquoise Pools full of dreams

The idea of New Zealand infected me as a boy growing up in bonny Scotland and when the time came to drop everything and take the plunge I was fishing rivers like the Greenstone & Tongariro but also able to fish limitless waterways on one single cheap annual fishing licence.

Before I knew it I was living here, setting up a heli-fly fishing business, buying a house, meeting the girl of my dreams(who also fly fishes) having a babyâ&#x20AC;Ś living the dream!.

“It isn’t exactly a 9 - 5 life”

You could say that expectations were exceeded. Castabroad ensures these expectations of international fly fishers are met and exceeded. Careful, you may not ever want to leave, believe me!

New Zealand Weather

Four distinct seasons quite evenly spread over the year, though sometimes those seasons can converge on a single day.

In summer November-March temps rise to mid 30â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Celcius and winter can drop to as low as -10 on occasion. This pattern spans both Islands North and South though the North Island is the more tropical of the two.

The South being a little more temperate is lessly populated but has arguably more fly fishing opportunities related to the weather difference - I have not made up my mind which I prefer.

A cold South wind from the Antarctic is regularly interupted by warm North winds. A thinner than usual area of the ozone layer lies over NZ so the suns rays are far more intense than that of the rest of the planet meaning a careful attention to headwear and sun screen is a must.

Gradual snow melt and in some areas glacial melt keeps the rivers flowing through the summer and speradic rainfall saturates the basins every so often to keep things fresh and the country as green as it is.

Good or bad weather, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always somewhere good to fish.

Fishing in January

One word – “Cicada” When driving through the rainforests of the South Island’s West Coast and through to Wanaka even with the windows closed you can hear the millions of cicadas singing in every tree you pass like formula one cars would scream by a microphone cicuit-side. These alien creatures replicted as a fly on the end of your fishing line prove for some of the best fishing I’ve ever experienced. There is nothing quite like throwing big terrestrial flies at big trout!!!

Getting hungry for some New Zealand dreams? - then click on this logo itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a direct link to Castabroadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website

Castabroard

I don’t think anyone who follow the news, have any doubt that things are changing rapidly in our oceans and rivers world wide. And it’s defiantly not for the better. When I was a boy we could easy catch 100 - 150 cods every evening along the coastline, today they are more or less gone. Same situation with the eel. Sad but very true. If this is the case right now - then how will things develop within the next 5 - 10 years?. That is a scary thought. Imagine a world without any wild salmon or tuna for that matter!! I’m sure that’s a scenario which seems too surreal for any rational thinking individual. Catch & Release is obviously a way of helping stocks world wide, but it’s also a very sensitive and debated issues, which I don’t quite understand. To me it’s very simple - if there is no fish to catch, there will be no reason to practice our beloved sport - end of story. Here is a great little article about this very important issue written by Mr. Nigel Griffiths, Chairman of the Morrum Fishing Association (MFA), exclusively for Pool 32 Mag. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. M.Wengler Editor Pool 32 Mag.

Laying siege to those that against catch and release

eing a Brit with an historical enemy just miles away from our shores….who else but the French. Our siege mentality is now finely tuned……………well it would be after laying siege to the French Nation for hundreds of years. One of our wars with the French lasted a hundred years. The problem with having a siege mentality is its OK to lay siege to a castle or battlements for a couple of days……its fun giving the Frenchies some stick. Anyhow, after a few days of laying siege one is running out of patience, with the idea of catch and release of the local inhabitants. And if it goes’ on for more than a week, some tend to think that the guys who wrote up the Geneva Convention were a bunch of wossies. Now we are at the stage, where many of you are saying………..what the hell. Now don’t get your waders in a twist, we are almost there with the main topic... The “Sport of Kings” is not horse racing, or continually giving the French a hard time…………No, it’s something else, because fishing for the king of fish the…… Salmon represents the true “Sport of Kings” Assuming now, that we have come to terms that salmon fishers are the Kings amongst sport fishers, and Kings can set good examples. Unlike the politicians who never come out of their dark holes of complacency, except of course to punish us all, for being mentally more stable, strong and intelligent enough to know that there are many good and honest reasons for not being a politician. They could help for example, by not contributing to Global warming, by not breathing and giving out “hot air” all the time in their excuses for not doing anything. And it’s for sure, that when it comes to our sport fishing interests and we want something done, all we get is “hot air” Well, its natural to have someone to blame, let’s make sure its not us the sport fishermen. If there are some still here reading this, then you are the ones that will make a difference to the future of our sport. This is not another piece about how to practice catch and release, as there are many good people out there that have given good examples of “how to”.

his is about why we should practice catch and release. But for those that are interested in making that cross-over to C&R, this might help: http://morrumfa.com/pages/catch-andrelease.php I feel privileged to be personally amongst a large group of sport fishermen……….lets not forget the ladies here as well. (Otherwise, I am going to find pee stains on this document before it hits the public domain) That is intelligent, and now more informed and are genuine in their concerns for the environment today, and who are deeply concerned about the declining numbers of native salmon to our rivers. Yes, there are out there, many good and successful C&R examples that are now in-place. That continues to be a benefit to the health and welfare of the respective rivers, and most defiantly helped in slowing the declines of salmon trying to reach their breeding areas. However, in most cases, the proactive approach to C&R has been one of a mandate imposed by the river mangers. For many river managers in the beginning, it was not an easy process as there were cultural divides and opposition to compulsory C&R. But over time, most anglers have seen the benefits and results for themselves and the “common sense” logic for C&R. Even the mighty Tay river in Scotland this year, has followed the same course as the Dee and many other rivers in UK. In the Pacific North West of America, British Columbia and some rivers in eastern part of Canada now all have compulsory C&R. And the results are gratifying to see, and pleasure to know, that for many of us, and even if it’s been an uphill journey……..C&R does without a doubt produce positive results. I have for many years lived in Sweden, (I must be mad) and only the Danes in this “block of ice” I call Scandinavia have shown us “the way forward” with what they have done and continue to do so with some of their rivers. The Danish sport fishermen, the river managers and authorities should be very proud of themselves…….well done. As for Iceland, that for me has been down to one man…….Orri Vigfusson of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASF) What a really great guy he is, an inspiration to us all………if he was a good looking woman, I’d give him a big kiss.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some tend to think that the guys who wrote up the Geneva Convention were a bunch of wossiesâ&#x20AC;?

ometimes it’s good to give credit to those that do the right thing and never give up doing so. Even Russia has compulsory C&R, and this is a country that has only just come out from the dark side of communism. Then in the face of all the positives, we are faced with the bloody clumsy actions of the German politicians, by making C&R in Germany Illegal. It’s no wonder they don’t have any salmon rivers left. Let’s get back on track here

Just how long do we have left before the once endless supply of the king of fish, Salmon and Sea Trout ends, and how does C&R help. Listening to the politicians and the so called experts, is like “picking worms out of bullshit” and only the uninformed and the foolhardy will venture into that field of mediocrity to pick the worms. As we are the Kings amongst fishers, we can make more informed decisions regarding our sport. Well, I would hope so as the way things are going............ we don’t have too much time left to correct things. And why it is that C&R in some countries is still such an emotive issue. Expand your emotions in playing the salmon, use your head and release it. Why is it; much still talk about the endless slaughter of salmon as a tradition. I am all for maintaining some traditions like the one we still have in the UK. Whereas, if one is the “Lord of the Manor” one gets to “have ones way” and have first pick of all the sweet young maidens on the estate before they get married. But we live in the 21st century, and yet, we have only come a little way in saving a resource that is still in continuous decline. In some counties the issues are not the declines of Salmon and Sea Trout as such, but of maintaining a tradition whatever the case. Have we come no further than primeval man with the endless photographs of dead fish, and in some cases very old fish............do we kill our dear old grannies because they are too old and then pose for the photograph. And why is it, when we go to other rivers where there is mandatory C&R, we then head back to our local rivers and knock everything on the head without thought of the consequence of our actions. Some will say, who the hell is this guy to preach about C&R..................pompous git, does he practice what he preaches.............yes I do.

nd every time I go fishing, I still worry what I would do if I was fortunate enough to catch a trophy fish that could go on the toilet wall. Why the toilet, that’s another story. For me it’s a continuous battle with myself every time I catch a Salmon or Sea trout........ Or do I like others after an unnecessary long fight playing to the audience, parade the salmon around for all to see what a fine fishermen I am. Or, as the family sits around the dinner table, the angler beams with pride at the salmon to be served, as the family mutters into their wine………..not another bloody salmon. I think about what so little we have left and I still want to go fishing for few years to come. Yet, I wonder what the hell we can do more to save this beautiful fish from extinction. But even so, the choices are still not easy to make, and in most of the cases I release the fish. But I’m still not sure about that potential trophy fish. The most prized possession we have sits on top…….our heads, so let’s start using it in what we think and what we can do. These days, it is somewhat easier to release the fish because there are some distinct advantages to doing so, and they are as follows; The pleasure of releasing a salmon or sea trout, knowing we are helping to maintain a balance, while others are still hell bent on destroying the balance. Having fought “the good fight” with salmon, then being gracious and respectfully to this great fish by releasing it. By showing to all those that should be doing something. That we the sport fishermen are prepared to set a good example. Thus giving those that are afraid “a helping hand” and incentive and courage to help negate the problems we face today. Knowing by our C&R actions, that they, the estuary and commercial nets men, authorities and politicians can no longer continue to blame us, as being part of the problem. And what of the salmon itself, this King of fish, this beautiful shiny silver showcase of survival. The main reason we go to these rivers is because the salmon give the rivers……….life, a real presence that all is one with nature.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caughtâ&#x20AC;?

he early morning splash in the mist hovering over the river. The slight tremble in the hands as we tie on the fly. The cast, the presentation to where we think the salmon is, and all the feelings that goes with being on the river. Are we then going to give all that up, by not taking care of what little we have left……….I think not Hold on there, I’ve got something in my eye. No, its no tear of sentimentality. It was the damn swivel stick in my drink that poked me in the eye. As I come to the end of this article, I’m reminded, of my own home river, and the potential catastrophe we are faced with today. Because voluntary C&R took too long to take hold, and the authorities when faced with continual declines of salmon, did not implement mandatory C&R amongst other measures that could and should have been taken sooner rather than later. I am talking about the Morrum River, many of you will know of the river and many will have fished the river, and all of us, now know what is happened to this once mighty river. Once home to the large salmon and sea trout, what a shame we are at that stage we are at today. My own thoughts on the matter, and the root causes are; relying on out-dated experience, pandering to a small minority who want to keep the “status quo” for fear of change, and a political bureaucracy that has “lost its way” And still the voices of reason and “common sense” are drowned out by the so called experts and their followers with their resistance to change. So lastly, it has to be the responsibility of the sport fishermen who must set the example. To exercise their social conscience and to show all others that we are better than they, and that we will no longer tolerate anymore nonsense we hear for not practicing C&R. I’m off now, to share some ice cream with my dogs and leave you all with a little prose ….not of, wine, candles, chocolates and soppy songs, and pretty things with knobs on…….dream on……….. “The canting politicians with cast iron balls clanging against their emaciated platforms of reform. Selling to senile souls, one-way tickets to ever lasting life. And the voices of reason laughed in the distance as the thunder clapped in the ears of meritocracy” Nigel Griffiths

Chairman Morrum Fishing Association (MFA)

MFA website

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The Golden River Gaula / Norway Photo & Story: M. Wengler

The famous Bridge pool

Every fly fisher with a bit of self respect must have heard the name Gaula mentioned, it means The Golden river and it’s located in Norway. This river is famous for it’s huge salmon, and the catch rapports speak for it self, Gaula never really disappoints, every year some amazing fish are caught in this fascinating and very beautiful river. Even though the Norwegian salmon scene in general have been hit hard by a wide range of problems (parasites, bag nets, sea lice, over fishing and fish farming in general) Gaula seems to have it’s own way of dealing with these problems, and somehow Gaula manage to produce a serious amount of fabulous catches year after year. But a lot has been done to preserve and protect this river. 2005 was the first year after the historical buy-out of the bag nets (drift nets) in Trondheim fjord. The reduced net activity instantly brought good results since the total annual catch on the Gaula increased by almost 10 tons (to 37,5 tons) compared to the year before. When the official catch statistic for the 2010 season was released a couple of weeks ago by the Gaula Fishery Administration, it showed a total annual catch of impressing 40984 kg. /90370 lb. which is an excellent catch for an angling season only lasting 3 month. It also makes 2010 the 3rd best salmon season ever, since the registration of catches began more than 100 years ago.

When focusing on the river Gaula, there is one person who really stand out and live the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gaula lifestyleâ&#x20AC;? to the fullest - Mr. Manfred Raguse. Manfred was one of the cofounders of the NFC (the Norwegian Flyfisher Club) back in 1988 and you can without doubt say that Mr. Raguse is one of the key figures around the Gaula fly fishing scene. Manfred came to Norway as a youngster for more than 40 years ago the Gaula was the first river he fished and he immediately fell in love with this fascinating river and some of the magnificent and seductive pools in the Storen area. During the first years on the Gaula Manfred loved to fish a fly only section where he lived in a tent pitched in a little forest close to the river.

The fishing was run by the local fishing association and only two day tickets were sold to visitors. As the tickets were sold on a first come, first served basis one had to be at the front of the queue when the kiosk opened in the morning. For a number of years Manfred achieved this by sleeping in front of the kiosk after his nights of fishing. After a few years this rule was changed and the two nonresident cards were sold to the winners of a daily lottery.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The fabulous Salmon brothersâ&#x20AC;?

Tim and Bruce, two great guys from the UK, getting ready for a night session.

Manfred Raguse in front of the charming old NFC farm

“The first time I tried to get one of these tickets there were 42 other hopeful anglers – and I seem to never win in games like this. I went away in a bitter mood telling myself that the only answer was to have my own water. This was the basis for my leases, which a few years later became a reality”. Manfred Raguse

Typical Norwegian back country

Manfred got his first lease at the Gaula in 1985 it was only a small piece of river but the beginning of a lifelong adventure. From there through 1988 Manfred expanded the operation by adding selective fly waters to the portfolio, which all ended up in the foundation of the NFC. Things has changed a lot since then and today the NFC arranges exclusive private fly fishing for a maximum of 26 to 30 rods on approximately 40 pools in Gaula, some of which exceed 350 yards in length. Which has resulted in salmon enthusiasts from over 22 countries around the globe come every year to fish the NFC beats.

Arne Henning GrĂ¸nlien, the author of several sovereign Norwegian fishing books, shoot this photo of me one morning after 7- 8 hours night fishing, deeply concentrated and very tired.

Like any other serious fly fishing organisation the NFC encourage C & R on all the NFC beats and it makes the NCF the operation which releases more fish than anyone else in this river, and maybe in all of Norway. The total release quota in 2010 on the Gaula increased to 25 % which is very impressive compared to recent years release quota and is clearly indicating a change in the attitude of many fishermen. The release quota on the water of the Norwegian Fly fishers Club, considered the spearhead of catch & release in Norway, was 62,5%.The average weight of all salmon caught throughout the whole season on the Gaula was 5,25kg (11lb), including grilse. The average weight of the 10 largest salmon caught was 19,7kg / 43 1/2lb. This shows the Gaula is still a big fish river!

Besides managing the NCF clients, Manfred also find time working closely with the North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASF) and Orri Vigfusson since its early days, plus other conservation project such as the German Salmon Conservation organisation “LMS”, which is working for the reintroduction of salmon into the historic German salmon rivers. Manfred has always been a strong advocate of C & R not only on the NFC beats, but also in a variety of national media. It was the British - but of course!! - who two centuries ago were the first to develop angling for salmon fishers in Norway. Back in 1820 it all began when a good portion of the “titled”, the Royal and the rest of the wealthy English upper class began their annual pilgrim adventures across the North Sea in pursuit of the “Norwegian silver”. The leading British tackle manufacturers soon began to develop equipment designed especially for the “demanding Norwegian angling” scene. The British expeditions to Gaula seriously began around 1825. At that time a journey from England to this remote region of Norway, must have been a demanding experience of over 200 miles of horse drawn carriage. Even then salmon fishing was an addictive sport. Stories of unbelievable catches back in the 1840‘s began to spread. Stories telling about a salmon paradise beyond everybody’s fantasy. On of the many stories were telling about how one of these salmon pilgrims caught 266 salmon in 26 days. Salmon fishing became a major annual summer trend, and the local community began to benefit from leasing out fishing and properties all over the river region. Later in the 19th century the new railway made further access to the whole river region much easier and the annual “British invasion” peeked and continued until the beginning of the first World War, then it more or less stopped. It stayed like this until the second World War and in the aftermath of 1945’s, few anglers returned, which created an economically vacuum true out the local region. Today it’s still a high end angling river, but with the chance of catching one of the huge Gaula silver monsters, it will probably stay like that for generations to come.

The Eggafall blocks for any further progress upstream.

Here’s a couple of “Gaula beauties”

Daniel Goze shoot these two pictures of NFC founder Manfred Raguse with a couple of nice fish.

With itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impressing 90 miles of length, Gaula drains over 1400 square miles of land, and migrating fish have to access more than 60 miles before they reach the Eggafall.

Gaulfossen separates the lower section, from the middle reaches and with half a mile of raging withe water, you suddenly understand why these fish are so strong. It’s an impressing sight even in low water conditions. And it is exactly the size of the Gaula salmon which for sure is one of the main attractions, but it is also a remarkably natural river without any hydro dams. Besides that the river was previously stocked but now probably only 5% of the Gaula salmon are descendants of a hatchery programme. The future perspective for the “Golden River” will as so many other rivers world wide, be facing some serious challenges from a rapidly environmental changing world, but so far with the statistically given numbers it’s hard to ague against the fact, that Gaula is currently one of the best angling rivers in Europe, especially when taken in consideration that the season only lasts for 3 months. So if you ever get the chance of spending a week fishing in Gaula then don’t hesitate Go for it!!

Gaula Link

NFC website

Clean Ocean Project world ocean environment

“The ocean makes life on Earth possible, and it needs our help. Most people don’t realize the long list of benefits the ocean provides us with, nor how much we are connected and dependent on it. If we keep on destroying it we will destroy our own exsistence. Since the ocean produces 70 to 80% of the oxygen we breath - it’s simply the foundation of our beautiful blue planet ”

used to be a very passionate windsurfer, but a traffic accident put an end to my surfing lifestyle, and in a split second my life was totally changed. But deep inside of me, the surfer still lives and through my contacts within the surfing community I heard about the Clean Ocean Project which made me very curious. It showed out to be an amazing project, where people on a voluntary basis clean up beaches from all the trash dumped in our fragile oceans, and washed up on shores worldwide. Even though this isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a direct fly fishing related issue, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still something we all could learn a lot from, simply because it shows that it indeed does matter, what we as single individuals do on our everyday basis. I hope you will be inspired and enjoy this interview with the founder of the Clean Ocean Project, a great project that needs all the support it can get.

Wim, welcome to Pool 32 Mag. I have invited you to do this interview, because I really like the great work you and the Clean Ocean project are doing. But also because we want to support you guy’s in your fantastic effort to keep our very fragile and beautiful oceans clean.

Where are you from, what are your background Wim?

I’m from Belgium, and I have lived in the Canary Islands for the last 20 years. I’m a graphic designer and worked in the clothing industry and graphic design, where I owned a company producing clothes with 10-15 employees, but I have chosen to quit this business and spend all my time working on the Clean Ocean Project. Its difficult some times but that is okay.

Are you the founder of the Clean Ocean?

Yes, I founded the Clean Ocean Project 10 years ago.

How did it all began for the Clean Ocean project?

I love the ocean and I’m surrounded by it, living on an island in the north atlantic. The beaches where I spend my time surfing or windsurfing where full with all kinds of litter, bizar things like bridges, plastics, old car wheels, glass,.. you name it and you could find it. It was really sad to see this, especially because most of the stuff was drumped there or left behind by people who live on the island. So I wanted to do something about that and I organized our first beach cleaning on a sunday, here we removed tons of litter and in the evening we all sat together, tired but happy. The Clean Ocean Project was born.

Are you a self-motivated environmentalist or do you have an educational background for this great initiative?

I´m self motivated - I want to do give something back to the environment, because I get so many great mo ments from the ocean.

How do you finance everything behind the Clean Ocean project?

I have a background in production and design of clothing so I have created a clothing line not only to finance the project but also used to spread our philosophy, our logo simply explain what this is all about. Some people support us by helping on a beach cleaning, others buy a t-shirt to say....hey, I´m against littering and trashing up our oceans and beaches ... On our website people can buy one of our t-shirts in our online shop and that way they support our project economically, which we of course really appreciate.

If someone want’s to donate financially to the Clean Ocean project, could then advise how it’s done?

We have plenty of ideas which we need money for, like producing shopping bags to give out at supermarkets instead of using all the plastic bags which often end up in the ocean. But we have and all kinds of environmen tal campaigns which have to be paid for, so money donation are very welcome, and through our website it’s possible to donate money for our project. Also a support / sponsorship from a bigger company’s for one of our projects would help us and the ocean environment a lot. For example if a company has a green and environmental profile and strategy, we could join up and make a special targeted campaign, against a certain environmental problem.

What are your future goals for the Clean Ocean project? We have many pending projects where we need more manpower and money, but meanwhile we continue to be pre sent on beaches and shores wherever and whenever we can. Of course our main goal is to clean beaches and here on our little island we are getting closer to that goal. We also want to keep on helping others to start up a Clean Ocean Project in their local community, and through our website people can find relevant information or contact us for any further advices.v

You must have seen a lot of damaged beaches, in you position cleaning up all these places - What have been your worst experience so far?

The worst is oil which is very difficult to remove, some beaches in remote or poor areas which have never been cleaned before are sometimes impossible to clean by hand power... it’s simply too big a job, you need special machines and a lot of money. Sadly we are talking about a lot of beaches - It is too many to name it, it never stops...

Here on the islands you can clean up everything and one month later it’s full again, not from people littering on beaches but by the current of the ocean...often I´m wondering where it all comes from again and the an swer is, well, from us people.

How many countries are you established in right now?

Right now we are doing clean ups and events where ever we can, on the mainland in Spain and in the Canary Islands which is our home, but we have also been to Morocco and across the Atlantic to Brazil, where we have had success with our beach cleaning events.

You inspire a lot of people for sure, but if someone wishes to establish a Clean Ocean project in their own country, do you have any good advise you want to share?

We have a lot demands from interested people so this year we have added CLEAN YOUR BELOVED BEACH on our webpages where we explain how easy it is to organize your own beach cleaning on your favorite beach, and if someone want’s to do something more, they are always welcome to contact us through our website.

It must be a tuff job to clean up after others all the time - how do you keep your people motivated?

We try to motivate people however we can, we give out t-shirts on the cleanings and organize our now famous BBQ after the cleaning, its not always easy. People often feel uncomfortable cleaning up others trash. They think: the government should do this, its not my trash or I don´t litter,..... But when I see the difference we make on the beaches we clean, and get all the positive comments of people I meet - that’s what keep me going.

BP has shown the world how wrong things can go - what are your experiences when it comes to oil pollution?

It’s not only the big mess BP created recently, its all the small pollutions created every day and left behind, for ex ample on the Canary Islands beaches are full of small balls of oil or pieces of dried oil sticking to the cliffs and stones. It comes from boats cleaning up their tanks in the ocean instead of doing it in harbors just to save money... Very sad!

Are Clean Ocean able to handle oil and chemical pollutions?

No, not at all, we only clean up visible stuff and try to change peoples attitude towards the ocean and it’s fragile environment.

From your experience what is the most common and general kind of pollution you see on the beaches you clean up?

Most of it is plastic and it’ws also the worst of it. It ends up in the food chain, in the fish you eat...

“Most of it is plastic and it’s also the worst of it. It ends up in the food chain, in the fish you eat...”

If you could get one wish full filled - what would it be?

I wish that people would look after the environment as if it were their own living room..

Since Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a fly fisher, I have to ask you if you ever tried to catch a fish on a fly?

No, never done that but it looks like a fair fishing game.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Each year the strong winds from the Atlantic bring a trap load of trash, like plastic, old fishing nets etc. Turtles sometimes get trapped and drift around like that for months.v A slow and very pain full death, but this one on the photos was luckily saved and She only lost her left leg!â&#x20AC;?

Wim Geirnaert

Clean Ocean Project

Do you have anything you want to say to the readers - then here is a chance - we will bring your answer totally “unsweetened and raw” - so feel free to speak from you heart Wim. I think changes start at home so if each of us reduce plastic use, remove some trash from the beach, river or lake side it will make a big change in the end, the answer to the whole pollution problem is in our own hands, that’s the way I started the project and thanks to all the big and small efforts from friends and volunteers, we have made a huge change over the years...so lets all do something for the environment we enjoy so much in most of our free time wave riding, fishing, sailing, diving or just relaxing by the oceanside...for me personally it feels really good to give something back to the ocean. Thank you for you time and kindness regarding this interview Wim, I of course wish you and the Clean Ocean Project all the best for the future. Photo credits: Clean Ocean Project - various pictures Veronika Strachova - Noth Shore Fuerteventura Francias Perezn- Underwater pictures. Teo Lucas - Marine wildlife trashed.

LINKS to Clean Ocean Project: Webite - click on black logo Blog - click on blue logo Facebook - click on green logo

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Diversity as Testament to Bristol Bay

Story: Samuel Snyder, PhD Director, Bristol Bay Fisheries and Watershed Protection Campaign

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

So far the salmon still come. They come to a respectful people, a protective people, conditioned by ten thousand years to count on them . . . So long as the rivers flow clean from the snows, so long as the lakes are clean, the river gravels are clean and the rivers are unobstructed, the ten thousand year trust can be honored for as far into the future as the human mind can reach (Roderick Haig-Brown, The Salmon, 1974: 33)

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

The

Bristol Bay watershed is a place of dreams. Water, water everywhere, caribou, moose, some of the largest brown bears in the world, and amazing pulses of piscatorial life. For the fly fisher, trophy rainbow trout swim the famed waters of the Nushagak, Kvichack, Koktuli Upper Talarik Creek, their tributaries, and countless other streams flowing down toward Bristol Bay, the lifeblood of Pacific salmon fisheries. These trout stalk the eggs and smolt of all five species of pacific salmon. These salmon also haunt the minds of avid fly fishers who dream of the tug of a Chinook or Coho at the end of their swing. Over generations we’ve watched salmon ecosystem after salmon ecosystem plummet and die around the Northern Hemisphere. Yet, Bristol Bay’s waters still teem with salmon runs as strong as they have ever been. With annual returns averaging 30 - 40 million, Bristol Bay’s rivers provide the genetic portfolio for ecological resilience, economic support, and cultural livelihood. In such places, scientists have demonstrated that the sheer genetic diversity from stream to stream between separate populations of salmon create an inherent stability in the system – a stability threatened by North America’s largest openpit copper and gold mine: Pebble Mine.

This massive mine has brought the attention of concerned anglers from around the world, many of whom have never or may never fish in Bristol Bay. Yet, they understand the importance of such places for even the imaginations of their angling brethren. The fly fishing crowd, however, is hardly the only set of groups concerned with protecting Bristol Bay. A close look at the waters of resistance reveals a uniquely diverse set of constituents working together to protect common waters, though often for very different reasons. Alaska Natives have fished these waters for as many as ten thousand years subsisting off of the salmon, moose, caribou, bears, and berries. As much as the ecosystem is supported by annual returns of salmon, the cultural identities of Yup’ik, Alutiiq, and Dena’ina revolve around the migrations of the majestic salmon. Dating back to the days of wooden sailboats, which were actually fished up until 1953, commercial fishermen have pursued the red fleshed sockeye. Bristol Bay’s waters remain so prolific that they provide over 50 % of the annual global sockeye salmon catch.

Most recently, thanks to the visions and hard work of Ray Petersen, the “Father of Alaskan Sports Lodge”, Bristol Bay is home to a thriving sport fishing economy – one we all look to and dream of when we think of places to swing flies at monster trout, salmon, not to mention grayling or char.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Minerals and salts from the dead salmon, soak into the ground and are vital elements for the ecosystem in the whole regionâ&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Francis Lam, food writer for Salon.com gives thanks to the harvest of salmonâ&#x20AC;?

Historically around fisheries issues, the relationships between subsistence communities, commercial fishermen, and sport anglers have not always been collaborative. In this context, however, as a multi-billion dollar industry plans one of the largest copper and gold mines of its kind, these groups have joined forces to face this common threat. They are joined by a long list of traditional environmental groups whose interests range from preservation of biological diversity to securing fishing opportunities for generations to come. While some might want to protect Bristol Bay because it is the most genetically diverse salmon ecosystem on the planet others hope their future children can subsist on these waters just as their ancestors have done for generations. Collectively, they all recognize the potential impacts of the Pebble Mine. From over 10 billion tons of waste, the potential for tailings dam failure in a seismically active region of Alaska, the detrimental impacts of copper on migrating and spawning salmon, to loss of habitat to roads, pipelines and industrial development. The list of threats posed by North Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest mine are too many to list. Yet, all one needs to know is that the list of reasons to protect Bristol Bay are equally infinite. The diversity of the coalition fighting for the future of Bristol Bay is a testament to the importance of the region. If you too are concerned with the fate and future of these waters, join your voice to the chorus of concerns and take a moment to write the EPA, your elected officials, and let them know why Bristol Bay must be protected from large scale mining.

Use this direct link to the pre-made message to the EPA

Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo

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Drying Fish Tails – Lauren Oakes. Red Gold of Drying Salmon – Bob Waldrop Cleaning Fish under no pebble mine sign - Bob Waldrop Old fishing boat - Unknown Pulling in the Nets – Bob Waldrop Fishing boat coming home - Bob Waldrop Releasing a rainbow - Justin Crump Repairing nets - Bob Waldrop Low tide in Bristol Bay - Bob Waldrop Death fish - Mark Hieronymus Giving thanks - Bob Waldrop Blessed Assurance - Bob Waldrop The Coalition Rallies in the Cold - Sam Snyder

Sam Snyder, PhD is the Director of the Bristol Bay Watershed and Fisheries Protection Campaign for the Alaska Conservation Foundation. As an avid fly fisher, he studied the politics of trout and salmon conservation for his doctoral work. Sam has published in a variety of magazines and journals, including American Fly Fisher. He runs the blog Headwaters of History. Bob Waldrop is the Executive Director of the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association. For more of Bob’s photos from Bristol Bay, visit his Website Lauren Oakes, currently a graduate student in Stanford University’s School of Earth Sciences, was the Conservation Programs Officer for Trout Unlimited – Alaska. She worked with Felt Soul Media in the research and production of Red Gold. Her photo is from her time working with Trout Unlimited on the protection of Bristol Bay. Mark Hieronymus is involved in the Social Outreach program of the Save Bristol Bay campaign, and spends his winters travelling to outdoor sports shows up and down the West Coast to spread the word about the jewel that is Bristol Bay. You can follow his musings about fish, fish life, fishing, and other things related to fish on both Buster Wants To Fish and The Neil Creek Chronicles. In a previous life, Justin Crump spent most of his “fishing” time behind a video camera as one of the rag-tag dirt bags of the AEG Media Crew. Nowadays you can find him behind the tiller of a jet boat on some of the great rivers of Bristol Bay, where he spends his summers guiding for Alaska Sportsman’s Bear Trail Lodge.

“Apayo Moore helps rally the coalition on a cold Alaskan winter day.”

THE

Land of fire Photo & Story: Chip Drozenski

Argentina is a country that offers many venues for outdoor adventure, eco, hunting, fishing and touring. Rich in history and tradition with the gauchos alive and well in a landscape thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as good as it gets.

Most of the fishing articles are about Tierra del Fuego with its big winds and sea run browns and recently the new emerging rainbow fishery called Jurassic Lake, but I will show a small photo esay from some the best that Patagonia has to offer. Bariloche/ San Martin de los Andes, Esquel/ Rio Pico and theâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;River of Monstersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Names like the Chimehuin, Alumine, Malleo, Collon Cura, Limay, Arroyo Pescado, Rivadavia, Lago Tres just for starters begin an endless list of possibilities.

Big rivers, small rivers, spring creeks, famous bocas, lagoons and still waters abound and offer the angler all the trout fishing one could do in a lifetime.

Bows on steroids chasing the floating minnows on the Calefu, big brook trout on the Corcovado and really bigggggg browns give the angler a shot at trip and lifetime fish!!

I really enjoy some camping experiences as well. Sitting by the camp fire with a sky glittering with stars, single malt in hand and recalling the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experiences is hard to beat.

If you are “hungry” for some more informations about fly fishing in Argentina, the check out Chip’s website by clicking on the logo unterneath. This is one of these places I simply have to explore before I get to old and grumpy, so who knows maybe we meet on a riverbank in the “Land of Fire” one day.

Paul Vecsei Fisheries Biologist

Drawing Char Chars and my purpose Char are, what researchers call, “plasticky”, in other words, they can show tremendous variation in their morphology and life history. In fact, that is why they are a problem for taxonomists; because of interspecific (within species) and intraspecific (between species) variability. Variation in chars has received much attention in recent years as shown by books such as Trout of the World by James Prosak and Trout and salmon of North America by Robert Behnke. Of particular interest to researchers are ‘forms’ that coexist within watershed or even a single lake. Such sympatric (co-existing) morphs, are often found worldwide in postglacial lakes. I found this out first hand on Great Bear Lake with biologist Craig Blackie. The objective of my illustrations (my ‘raison d’être’) was to document through scientific renderings, some of the the morphological variations observed in Dolly Varden, Bull trout, Arctic char and lake trout in northwestern Canada. Some examples demonstrate sexual differences other examples highlight the morphologies attributed with species or merely regional variations within species. The fundamental goal of such detailed illustrations is to permit both biologists and fish enthusiasts to have a blue-print of an individual that best represents each of these levels of differentiation. This can help in correct identification of chars. Interest for such detailed morphological aspects of biology may also aid in clarification of the taxonomic status of charrs.

Fish illustration Typically, scientific illustration is a term to decribe an art that services science. It based on some form of cooperation and discussion between the srtist and the scientist. When successful, it is a visual explanation of scientific studies and findings, nothing more. As once noted by the eminent Chicago Field Museum science illustrator Z.T. Jaberstenzi: “Scientific illustration is a love of art combined with the desire for knowledge”.

Long-Finned Char (Salvethymus svetovidovi) 270 mm. Lake Elâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;gygytgyn, Northern Siberia, Russia

Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus) 650 mm.

Anadromous form, spawning male, Hope Bay, Nunavut, Canada

Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush), 885 mm

Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada

Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) 546 mm.

Spawning male, Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada

Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) 310 mm

Resident form, Gayna River, Northwest Territories, Canada

Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) 300 mm

Resident form, Vittrekwa River, Northwest Territories, Canada

Arctic Char (Salvelinus Alpinus) taxonomic status unclear. 630 mm. Anadromous form, Spawning male, Coppermine River, Canada

Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) 861 mm.

Anadromous form, Spawning male, Tree River, Nunavut, Canada

Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) 870 mm.

Anadromous form, Female, Tree River, Nunavut, Canada

Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) 530 mm.

Lacustrine form, Spawning male, Oshawa Creek, Lake Ontario tributary, Canada

So what advantage does my char drawing have over a photograph? According to Jaberstenzi; ”the photograph will present a tangled, hard-to-decipher image, an image where everything is noted indiscriminately, torn tissues as well as reflections of light.” So my job is to clean it all up and present just what you should be seeing. I sort the wanted from the unwanted features. What you see is better than a photograph because it speaks to you in an unclutered, clear and consice manner.

Love of Art I love char, I love fish, even carp. I even love to eat carp. But I do not love drawing. In fact, I get no enjoyment or “high” as I once did when drawing in my youth. Why? Because it now takes so long that the so called ‘progress’ of an individual illustration is inperceptible on a daily basis. But it gets worse. As the illustration progresses, it goes through many stages and can look so bad for an extended period that I may give up. This is what i call the critical stage. If I can push myself to keep going, knowing that near the end, it will all come together and form an amazing final picture, then, the battle is won. Unfortunately, the wreck of many half-finished char side views strewn on the floor of my 3 year old daughter’s room attest to the significant degree of self doubt. On top of all this bad news, hate, and not love, enters the equation. I usually hate the result and have no idea what i’m doing. A real pro would have a vision of what the illustration will look like, even before he/she picks up a pencil. A real pro would also know the technique required to get to that vision he/she has. Well i’m no pro and i simply ‘wing it’ each time. That’s right, I invent a technique that I consider best suited for that illustration, as i’m doing it. That means more time spent thinking, taking Tylenol and having coffees than actually drawing. So a 50 hour illustration really means 2 or 3 weeks of real time.

My secret So how does a self-professed fraud like myself pull it off? Willpower. I have such willpower to succede in this endevor that I become capable of great things. Granted, I posess by now, a rudementary understanding of some drawing techniques, but something else takes over. So I wish I could say I had a secret, or at least tallent and years of art class experience. But that’s not what this is all about. If anything, take my story as a lesson in setting priorities, onetrack-mindedness and trying really hard at something you feel unqualified to do. You may surprise yourself.

Methods Short of having access to a fresh specimen, photographing the charr intended for scientific rendering was the crucial first step. For charr captured on the Tree River, a rudimentary fish cradle was constructed using wood as the outer frame with condura 3mm mesh stapled to the frame. The areas where the head and tail would lie, the mesh was tightened so that when laid down, the fishes’ mid section would sink slightly, while the anterior and posterior region would remain slightly elevated. In such a manner, the entire lateral view photographed would be a more flat perspective relative to the camera “eye” than if the fish was simply laid down on the ground or on a measuring board. Close up images were made of head and all fins in extension. While acting as the primary source for the illustration, the photograph did not -and could not show necessary details. As once noted by the eminent Chicago Field Museum science illustrator Z.T. Jaberstenzi; ”the photograph will present a tangled, hard-to-decipher image, an image where everything is noted indiscriminately, torn tissues as well as reflections of light.” For the purpose of my work, the primary advantage of technicaly good photographs were the capture of life colours and proportions. Fish were photographed immediately upon capture. In order to avoid glare on the wet shean surface of the charr, a polarizer was used. Even so, the slime covering of the fish often severely distorts the true darkness of colours by producing glare. All photos were made using a Nikon D 200 digital SLR camera with a 17-55 mm ED zoom lens set at 55mm. Because of the 1.5 conversion rate on the camera sensor, the 55 mm lens acted as an 80 mm lens furthering increasing focal length and reducing even further the effects of parallax distortion. Fisheries personel rarely consider this critical distortion factor and simply lean over close to the fish and snap a lateral view photo. Using the methods outlined herein, a 60 cm charr requires the working space (distance) between lens and subject to be over 200cm.

Link to Paul Vecsei’s website If you want to enjoy some more of these fantastic drawings, then click this on this direct link to Paul’s Flickr site.

Paul Vecsei

flickr

The one and only - Alenco Franolic

Every fly-tier who has used tungsten material, will be really stoked about this new tungsten material developed by Alenco. It’s is super flexible and it is absolutely a dream to work with. When I meet Alenco in his workshop, I was completely blown away. His place was full of all kinds of “magic machines” which could create what ever custom made part you need. Alenco is simply the type of guy who can make everything with his hands, a true genius. And if you are looking for a really special fly fishing reel for a gift, or just to give yourself a “superb treat” Alenco has made some fantastic wooden reels - these reels are “absolute beauties” - true collectors items. But the new tungsten material he has developed, comes in a wide range of shapes and sizes so it’s easy to get creative in front of your “stick. Besides the fantastic flexible tungsten materials, Alenco also offer a lot of other interesting materials, such as floating mayfly body materials, weight adjustable tungsten heads, different kinds of eyes for shrimp flies etc. If I had a fly fishing store, I certainly would offer some of these flexible tungsten materials, they are a must for every fly tier. If you want to get in touch with Alenco Franolic - then hit this button, and you will get directly to his website.

Alenco Franolic website

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