Writing the story and posting yesterday’s blog is a blur. I was exhausted from a month of hardcore fishing in Canada including two weeks in Manitoba, a week of practice here in Kamloops, British Columbia and then the hard fought battle in the World Masters Fly Fishing Competition itself. But I’m smiling. The marathon was an amazing success. Though we are no longer the “Gold Medal” World Champs, we are still one of the elite fly fishing teams of all time. Everyone on this team can proudly head home with a Team Silver Medal and hang it with our hardware from previous years. And our Teammate Pete Erickson is the new World Masters Champion!
Getting up wasn’t easy. But when we did, the event fed us one last meal – a huge Huevo Ranchero breakfast that was dearly needed. We sipped pints of coffee. We said our goodbyes to our foreign friends. Then we sat back and realized what a special event this is. We have been so lucky to participate in many of these. A special thanks goes to our dear friend and sponsor, Jerry Arnold. Was this the last? Nobody knows.
Pete and Bret loaded their vehicle and headed for Boise. They drove. Loren, Mike, Jerry and I don’t fly till tomorrow so we met up with Scott and Sarah Robertson and after breakfast – of all things – went fishing. Right back to the South Thompson River where Loren and I practiced on whitefish over a week ago.
I’ll be honest, I’ve blogged enough of late and I’m closing the books on the Worlds and Canada in general. But we had a fantastic and relaxing last day on the water amongst leaping king salmon and a few nice fish. Next cast will be for musky on a cool fall day in Wisconsin. Oh man I can’t wait. . . . . . . . . . .
0 Comments