Articles - Staff Inflections
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on fly fishing related topics. Articles on where anglers have fished (near and far),
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Not Always About The Catching
While we were fishing the Bow during the summer of 2007, my good friend Charles indicated he would like to join me for a scheduled trip to the Babine River later that fall. I was excited at this prospect for different reasons: first, Charles is one of the most pleasant individuals I have ever spent time with and second, he had fished for steelhead in British Columbia’s rivers for about 25 years, but had never experienced the Babine. 
The Babine River has become one of my favorite places; it is one of the truly great and beautiful fisheries that exist on earth. Its wild steelhead will create an addiction for those that experience their power and beauty. However, there is much more that makes this river unique. Awesome scenery, wildlife, and complete removal from the “developed” world add to the allure of this destination.
Charles is a sportsman that often leaves me in awe. Having hunted and fished all over the world for many decades, he has tales of his travels and exploits that amaze all that know him. He is a truly superb fly fisher and I have not seen any angling challenges that he does not quickly overcome. As a man in his seventies, a pair of hip replacements pose the only limitation to his angling exploits. I think this was Charles’s only concern as the trip neared closer, bringing second thoughts on a few occasions when he heard stories of the dark bottom, tea colored water, and more difficult wading found on the Babine (not what he was used to on other rivers he has fished for years). With my assurances and promise “to bring every man home” we headed out on our trip.
Upon arrival at Babine Norlakes Lodge we were met with milder than normal weather, great water conditions, and hard-pulling steelhead awaiting our offerings. After a hot meal and organizing our gear we headed to the boats for our first day’s fishing.
The next nine days comprised one of the best trips I have ever had, not because of the fishing I experienced (that helped) but due to Charles’s experiences. 
The first day saw him land three steelhead, one of which was a beautiful “hen” that brought a sparkle to his eye when he described her capture and subsequent release. It quickly became apparent that all of the guides and me enjoyed our days, but spent our nights looking forward to hearing Charles’ adventures from the previous nine hours. Each day provided us with new tales of his exploits: interesting stories and obvious excitement after times of both good and slow fishing. Those that know him understand that Charles is very humble and not prone to advertising his successes but, when prodded, his stories entertain and his eyes infect you with their sparkle of excitement.
Mid-week offered up another pleasant surprise. Upon our return to camp at day’s end we were met by Shawn, Charles’s guide for the day, telling of three fish “boiled” and one caught on the dry fly. Most will tell you a steelhead caught on the dry fly in November is unlikely, but not for the Babine or Charles on that day.
Late week presented angling success ranging from good to great with our Babine rookie continuing to be one of the first out and always last in to the lodge every day. He never seemed to notice the long days, cooler weather, or snow. His last day on the river had the proverbial storybook ending. With less than an hour left in the day, Charles and his guide decided to fish a gravel bar that rewarded them with streamer caught fish earlier in the week. Changing to the dry line and one of his guides’ Mega Bombers, Charles proceeded to work the shallow bar with the dry fly. Very quickly his efforts were met with a “bathtub” sized boil under the fly. Experience kicked in at this point and Charles paused, changed to a smaller Bomber style fly, and presented the new fly. What concluded the week for Charles proved to be a beautiful, sixteen pound hen steelhead hooked on the dry and played to hand.
I am sure that all anglers present had a wonderful week on this trip as did Pierce Clegg and his guides. As for me, I was again reminded that some of my fondest memories have not come from personal angling rewards, but the successes and excitement experienced by friends who have shared their days with me.
Thanks to Charles for the days past and future.
Mike Gifford
