Translation: English
By: Ann Bounds
“Scales and Tales” promotes communication among women flyfishers world wide in their native language. Every woman flyfishers has the ability to publish small articles (of 500 words or less with a picture or two), poems, or drawings in your native language. If you have access to translate your article into another language that would be helpful, send them both. Please send all translations to: Kate Blubaugh, IWFF CLC Chair and IWFF CLC Goodwill Ambassador at blubaughk@mindspring.com
“Scales and Tales” publications will be displayed every four months then new material will be displayed and the old material placed in the Achieves. CLC is eager to share your experiences with everyone and we encourage your members to send in articles for publication.
IWFF’s CLC has their "Best Entry" Contest going on! The Author who receives the most votes for their Story/Entry/Drawing, etc, will be the Winner! All members are eligible to vote. Vote for your favorite entry! Only one entry per name. The Deadline is 30 November 2009. Email your "Best Entry" to: Kate Blubaugh, IWFF CLC Chair and IWFF CLC Goodwill Ambassador at blubaughk@mindspring.com
The prize will go to the Author who receives the most votes for their Entry. |
The Fly Fishing Goddess
New Zealand, March 2009
Beth Sterten
Club: The Fly Fishing Foxes; Carmel, CA, USA
Translation: English
To have the man who has written seven books on stalking brown trout in New Zealand as your first-ever fishing guide on your first-ever trip to this Fly Fishing Mecca was quite an exciting surprise. Our “farmstay” host, Bill Clayton and his wife made the arrangements and proudly offered my husband and me, a copy of Graeme's latest book. I am sorry, but I could hardly wait to meet Graeme to thank him for his book and also to point out to him that it had NO women fly fishers pictured in it.
Graeme Marshall is a gentle, intense professional who at 59 has spent a lifetime at guiding New Zealand's pristine and challenging waters. He would be our guide on the Grey River located in New Zealand's buggy west side.
At our introductory meeting, after a glass of wine, I offered my observations after reading his book. Well, he acknowledged the lack of any women, but suggested that the responsibility was partly due his photographer. No matter. I now had a challenge - to catch a BIG fish and get into Graeme Marshall's next book.
I guess, in fishing, your motives should be more pure because the Fishing Goddess was not shining on me; and she told me so right away. Casting to sighted fish is just the way they do it in New Zealand; and Graeme is a Master Hunter. It didn't take long before he spotted one. Pointing it out, he said, "Go for it, Beth!" I did and on the FIRST cast of the day, I was on - for a few seconds anyway. I swear, I never catch a fish on the first cast - who does, I'd like to know!
Well, certainly, there would be other opportunities. In addition, yes, after trekking for a good bit longer, a blur of brown in the rippling water spelled big fish to Graeme and just another blur of brown in the rippling water close to me. I held my breath and cast hopefully in the direction he wanted. I was a bit short and prepared to pull my line back when Graeme cried out, "he's going for it!" Where? Where? I thought, and then - bam! I caught the MONSTER and it took off like a bullet, powering directly away from me with the wake of a submarine. Then, horrifyingly, my line caught on the butt of my rod and SNAP! GONE! It happened in an instant; I was Stunned. I swear, it must have been a seven or eight pounder - may be 10 pounder! Graeme had to take a moment to recover. So did me.
Two misses, two glorious fish gone, two chances to be immortalized in his book - kaput. I wish I could end this story happily but this was just the humiliating way it went for me that day. So, do not look for me in Graeme Marshall's next book on catching big browns in New Zealand. I leave that prize for you.
P.S. On another day, on another river, with another guide, my fishing Goddess finally smiled on me! |
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rev.05/19/2009
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