Welcome to our Website

The Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club is a non-profit society formed in 1996 by a group of anglers located on beautiful British Columbia's Vancouver Island, in the Parksville / Qualicum area. All are welcome to the meetings which are held at 7 PM the 3rd Tuesdays of every month except July , August & December .

It is an art ...

Doors open 7 pm and meeting starts at 7:30 with timely topics and/or speakers . Meetings are held at Qualicum Civic Centre located at 737 Jones Street, Qualicum Beach, B.C. next to Ravensong Swimming Pool.

The purposes of the club are:

• To practice & promote the sport of fishing with artificial flies.
• To practice and promote the research, conservation and enhancement of all sport fish in British Columbia.
• To support and encourage the preservation and enhancement of lakes, streams and beaches and the access hereto for the practice of fishing with artificial flies.
• To encourage fellowship, ethics and sportsmanship amongst anglers.

We hope to see you there.

About Us

Executive 2009/10
President	Dennis Fuhrman info@midislandcastaways.com 250-468-2790
Vice President	John Beaton 250-752-1162
Secretary	Carolyn Dodd 250-468-5437
Treasurer	Bob McInnes 250-752-5354
Past President	Chris Lee 250-752-7358
Director	Rich Ronyecz 250-594-4422.
Director	Doug Arbo 250-752-6753
Director	Ken Curdie 250-738-0755
Director	John Phillips 250-752-3402
Committee Chairs
Membership	Carolyn Dodd 468-5437 ron-cardodd@shaw.ca
BCFFF	Rich Ronyecz 594-4422 vipcare@shaw.ca
Clothing	Bill Mucklow 248-9166 bsamorton@shaw.ca
Library	Ken Curdie 738-0755 klcurdie@shaw.ca
50/50 Draws	Ron Dodd , Bill Rattray , & Bill Burton
Coffee	Bill Rattray & Bill Burton
Fly Tying Co-ordinator	Bill Morton 248-9166 bsamorton@shaw.ca
Learn-A-Water Co-ordinator	John Beaton 752-1162  jabeaton@gmail.com
Fund Raising/Volunteers	Doug Arbo 752-6753 darbo@shaw.ca
Program/Education Co-ordinator	Bill Burton 468-0226 jbburton@shaw.ca
Fishing Reports	Ken Curdie 738-0755 Email to: reportfish@midislandcastaways.com
Website	Chris Lee 250-752-6461 Email to: info@midislandcastaways.com
We encourage each and every member to participate in one or more of these committees. Please - if you wish to assist please call any one of the executive.

Our Events Page

Date	Event	Location
Every Thursday 5:30 - 8:30 PM	Nile Creek Fly Shop	We have fly tying at Nile Creek fly shop every Thursday evening from 5:30 to 8:30 PM...Dates are listed on our web site or please call for details..250-757-2095. There is a weekly fee of $10 ... all you need to bring is yourself and your vice if you choose. Keep the flies you tie and have a great time. Courtney and Val
2nd Monday each month - 7 pm	Teddy's Tackle Fly Tying Night	Shelly Road Centre in Parksville, BC For further information please go to www.teddystackle.com
Tuesday, September 7, 2010	Learn A Water	Fish the Upper Stamp River for steelhead and coho. Attendance:  Please email John (jabeaton@gmail.com) by Saturday night (Sep 4) to indicate your interest in attending. If the trip is oversubscribed, we’ll admit people on a first-come, first-served basis. When we see the response, we’ll confirm the trip and the attendance on Monday morning.  The Fishing:  The Stamp is one of the best accessible bets for summer steelhead in the area, but it takes skill and know-how to succeed there.   Come and learn the ropes of this type of fishing or, for those with experience, to hone your skills.  Getting there:  Subject to Courtney’s confirmation, the group will meet at Tim Horton’s in Port Alberni and leave from there for the river at 8 a.m  Come early if you want to eat there first.  Collaborate on car-pooling or contact Courtney if you want help with it.  Getting back: The group will leave the water at about 3.30.  At the water: Group introductions and education about the water, the fish and their habits, the best fishing methods, flies and tackle, access points, and reading the water.  Then Courtney will demonstrate and you’ll fish with him coaching.  Price for Courtney’s services: $50 per person (to be paid on the day) More Information (pdf) .... INTERESTED: Contact John Beaton at jabeaton@gmail.com
Sep 8th - Wednesday 7 - 9 PM	Fly Tying	Vancouver Island University - Room 265 - Parksville, BC   Courtney will tie salt and fresh water minnow patterns. INTERESTED: Contact  Bill Morton at mailto:bsamorton @shaw.ca
September 14th - Tuesday @ 4 PM	Regular Meeting (Format Change)	FORMAT CHANGE FOR THIS DATE ONLY A social gathering with beach fishing at Nile Creek, under the direction of Frank Dalziel.   For the guests of Castaways who wish to attend, they are welcome to either beach fish or take an organized walk along the Nile Creek trail finishing with a tour of the Nile Creek Fish Hatchery.  Following the 4pm events and for those interested, evening repas will be available at the Sandbar Café located just south of Nile Creek. Time:  4:00 pm gathering at the Parking Lot of the Sandbar Cafe, just south of Nile Creek What's Happening:  Hike/Fish/Eat.   Wrap Up gathering and evening repas at the Sandbar Cafe. INTERESTED:  Contact info@midislandcastaways.com

Note:

MEMBERSHIP GENERAL MEETINGS are held monthly, every third Tuesday of each month at Qualicum Civic Centre, Qualicum Beach, BC. They start at 7 pm and usually run to approx. 10 pm. All guests welcome so come out and enjoy our timely Speakers, + 50/50 Draw and other activities.

FLY TYING NIGHTS are held every 2nd Wednesday of each month from September to June held at - Malaspina College facilities in Parksville Town Hall - upstairs. Contact Directors for details.

The Art of Fly Fishing

Catch and Release Tips

• Use tackle appropriate for the size and strength of the fish being angled for and play fish as quickly as possible.

• A fish out of water is suffocating and can suffer permanent damage: leave fish in the water as much as possible.

• Use soft, knotless nets or, better yet, no net at all. If the fish must be handled, wetted bare hands under its belly, the other at the tail.

• Needle-nose pliers or hemostats are valuable tools for effective hook removal. Never force a hook out. If the fish is deeply hooked, or the hook can't easily be removed, leave it in the fish to rust away.

• To release fish, hold upright in the water, or point it into the current. Gently move the fish back and forth until its gills are functioning normally and it maintains balance. Once the fish recovers adequately, allow it to swim from your hands.

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The Do and Don't of Lake Fishing

• Do not motor up onto a shoal-cut the motor well short of the shoal and either drift or row in.

• Do leave at least 200 feet between boats - this allows each angler to cast 100 feet in any direction without tangling lines.

• Do not motor, or row directly through moving fish - anchor on the periphery and cast into them.

• Do show others your fellow angler some courtesy, often one will be rewarded for the consideration with helpful advice.

• Do help others when you're having success and they are not - there will be days when the reverse is true.

• Do not cut in between an angler (who is working the shallows) and the shoreline.

• Do keep noise to a minimum - ship oars and deploy anchors quietly.

• Do not carry on loud conversations.

• Do not tie up a launch site if others are waiting.

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 Rotational Angling

The Basic Rules are:

• Avoid entering the water downstream of another angler who is already fishing, unless invited to do so.

• Leave adequate room between the angler and yourself, but do not remain stationary unless no one is following you.

• After catching a fish, step out of the line and return to the head of the pool, or start of the line.

• If you are not sure about local etiquette, avoid problems by first inquiring about procedures from anglers already on the water.

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   Code of Conduct

   For Recreational Fishing in B.C.

   Responsible anglers respect the environment.
   As ethical anglers:

• We do not spill or dump gasoline, oil, or other pollutants on land or into the water.

• When fishing, we never leave trash behind, including worn or discarded line, old hooks and bait.

• We leave our fishing our fishing site as clean or cleaner than we found it.

• We report environmental damage and pollution to the relevant authorities.

• When boating or anchoring, we take care to avoid damaging sensitive areas.

• We do our best to prevent the spread of exotic plants and animals.

• We never use, as live  bait, fish that do not normally reside in the waters we are fishing, nor do we introduce exotic species that may survive and reproduce into fishing waters. (Tidal waters ONLY)

• We use only legal tackle, attend to our gear and value our catch.

• We keep no more fish than needed for consumption and legally allowed and we never wastefully discard fish that are retained.

• We practice conservation and use proper release methods for fish not retained.

• We use tackle and techniques that avoid the capture of, or minimize the harm to, unwanted fish or fish prohibited from retention.

• We learn and comply with all angling regulations.

• We report any illegal fishing activities we observe to the proper authorities.

• We treat other anglers, boaters and other people we might meet in the field with courtesy and respect.

• We obtain permission from landowners and never trespass on private lands or waters.

• We respect the space of other anglers when fishing from the shore or in a boat and give room to all anglers playing a fish.

• We observe all operator and safety regulations.

• We watch our speed and our wash and  keep a safe distance from shore-based anglers, jetties and other boats.

• We promote ethical behavior in the use of aquatic resources through education and example.

• We maintain and promote public awareness and understanding of the issues surrounding responsible fishing.

• We promote public awareness of the measures taken by anglers to conserve the resources and protect the environment.

BC Federation of Fly Fishers - For more information go to: www.bcfff.bc.ca

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Fly Tying

Alevin

 

Teddy Brookman took us through a couple of basic patterns and demonstrated several variations of the basic patterns.  The flies are up on his website, teddystackle.com, along with several other interesting patterns.  Here is the Alevin with a couple of variations:

Hook – Mustad 9672 #6 or #8

Thread – 6/0 black and mono

Body – flat silver tinsel/or Larva Lace

Throat -  optional red yarn

Tail – gray ultra chenille / or clear plastic tubing with pearl crystal flash

Head –  optional 1/8 silver bead

Thread bead on the hook and using black 6/0 thread lay down a wrap to the bend of the hook.  Tie in silver tinsel  ( or Larva Lace in Variation 2)  and move the thread up to the head.  Wrap the tinsel up to the head overlapping the wraps and tie off.

Variation 1: Tie in two small pieces of red yarn for a throat and whip finish.  Heat the end of a small piece of gray ultra chenille until the end melts and forms a point.  Take care not to singe the tip.  Tie in the chenille from the head to the back – the pointed end being the tail with mono.  Slip one wrap of the mono under the tail to raise it slightly.  Wind the mono back up to the head and whip finish.

Variation 2 For a high tech look, use Larva Lace for the body and instead of chenille take a small piece of hollow tubing and insert 1 or 2 pieces of pearl crystal flash into the tube.  Lay the tubing along the back of the hook and tie down with mono.  Slip one wrap of the mono under the end of the tubing to raise it slightly.  Wind the mono back up to the head and whip finish.

Son of Alevin

 

Hook – Mustad 9672 #6 or #8

Thread – 6/0 black and mono

Body – flat silver tinsel or silver braid

Tail – gray ultra chenille / or clear plastic tubing with pearl crystal flash

Head –   1/8 silver bead optional with peacock herl

Wing – sliver crystal flash amd natural squirrel/ or turquoise mallard flank

Variation 1 Thread bead on the hook and using black 6/0 thread lay down a wrap to the bend of the hook.  Tie in silver tinsel and move thread up to the head.  Wrap tinsel up to the head and tie off.  Tie in several strands of silver crystal flash along with a small amount of natural squirrel hair for the wings.  Place a small amount of peacock herl just past the bead.  Tie off and whip finish.

 Variation 2 Lay down a base of black 6/0 thread from the eye of the hook to the bend.  Tie in the silver braid and mono thread at the tail and then wrap the black thread up to the eye.  Wrap the silver braid up to the head and tie off  Wrap mono on top of the silver braid to eye and tie off.   Make a V in the mallard flank and loose wrap on top of the hook.  Pull the flank through the loose wrap to adjust the  length of the wing and then tie down securely.  Whip finish.

Please note that the March fly tying session will be on THURSDAY  EVENING , MARCH 11, at VIU.  We were unable to book a room on our usual Wednesday evening.  Courtney Ogilvie will be tying for us.

 

 

Bob McInnes
250-752-5354 
r.j.mcinnes@shaw.ca

Videos and DVDs

 

The following is a complete listing of all Club Videos and DVDs:

VHS

Basic Fly Fishing Techniques 

Fly Fishing Video Magazine Vol. 1

Fly Fishing Video Magazine Vol. 2

Fly Fishing Video Magazine Vol. 3

Fly Fishing Success

Fly Fishing Still Waters

Fly Fishing Strategies for Still Waters

On the Bench. Series 14 (Freschl)

On the Bench, Series #7 (Freschi)

On the Bench, Series $8 (Freschi)

On the Bench, Series #9 (Freschi)

On the Bench, Series 110 (Freschl)

Guatemala Sailfish on Fly

Saltwater Flyrod Sampler

Christmas Island  Bonefishing

Successful Fly Fishing Techniques #1

Successful Fly Fishing Techniques #2

Skeena Steelhead

Matching the Hatch

Sportfishing B.C. #1-6

DVD

Fly Tying, The Anglers Art #1

Fly Tying, The Anglers Art #2

Fly Tying, The Anglers Art #3

Fly Tying, The Anglers Art #4

Fly Tying, The Anglers ART #5

Fly Tying, The Anglers Art $6

Fly Tying, The Anglers Art #7

Fly Tying, The Anglers Art #8

Fly Tying, The Anglers Art #9

Fly Tying, The Anglers Art #10

Fly Tying, The Anglers Art #11

Fly Tying, The Anglers Art #12

Tying Flies for Lakes and Streams

Tying and Fishing Brents Top 10 Lake Flies

Sportfishing TV River Shows Vol. 1 (2 DVD)

Sportfishing TV Lake Shows

Chironomid Techniques (Chan & Freschi)

Shrimp & Leeches (Chan & Freschi)

Techniques for Still Water (Chan)

Still Water Techniques (Rowley)

Favorite Fishing Flies (Jorgenson)

Fly Fish Lakes (Longard)

Fly Fishing Pink Salmon

Dynamics of Fly Casting (Wulff)

Fly Casting (Kreh)

Spey Pages

Modem Spey Casting/ more steelhead

International Spey Casting

Trout-Grass-Bamboo Rods

Any of the above items are available free to members for thirty days. See Ken Curdie

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Membership Page

Would you like to become a member of the Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club? We welcome all interested members to attend any of our general meetings - please return to our events page to view our meeting dates.

Membership is open to all persons who are prepared to accept and practice the ethics implied in our Society's Constitution and Bylaws. Annual membership dues are collected to assist the club in meeting it's mandate and goals. Membership dues provide you immediate membership into the British Columbia Federation of Fly Fishers which provides insurance coverage to you when you are engaged in club and/or fly fishing activities.

Would you like more information ? Please contact us at info@midislandcastaways.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible.  We look forward to meeting you.

Latest News

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Our Newsletter(s)

On this page you will be able to view our latest news letter and review previous newsletters.  Click on the newsletter which you are interested in - please note that these documents are saved in .pdf format so you will need the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Oue 2009 Newsletters (Click to Download):

May, 2009 Newsletter
April, 2009 Newsletter
March, 2009 Newsletter
February, 2009 Newsletter
January, 2009 Newsletter

 

 Our 2008 Newsletters (click to download): 

April, 2008  Newsletter
May, 2008 Newsletter
October, 2008 Newsletter
November 2008 Newsletter

2005 Newsletters 2006 Newsletters 2007 Newsletters Select One January, 2005 February, 2005 March, 2005 April, 2005 May, 2005 June, 2005 July, 2005 August, 2005 September, 2005 October, 2005 November, 2005 December, 2005 Select One January, 2006 February, 2006 March, 2006 April, 2006 May, 2006 June, 2006 July, 2006 August, 2006 September, 2006 October, 2006 November, 2006 December, 2006 Select One January, 2007 February, 2007 March, 2007 April, 2007 May, 2007 Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these issues of our newsletter. This reader is a free download. WARNING These are large files which require downloading. Older computers may have difficulty.

Our Links

How to Prevent Breaking Your Fly Rod!

"The vast majority of broken rods are caused by angler error. Here’s what you can do to avoid shattering your fly-fishing dreams. "

... full article.

Here are some instruction videos on basic knots you will need to know:

Arbor Knot for Reel:

Nail Knot for Leader

Needle Knot

Surgeon's Knot

Fly Fishing Loops:

Blood Knot

Here are some links to web sites you may find of value:

FISHING CLUBS

http://www.iwff.ca
http://www.bcfff.bc.ca
http://www.kalflyfishers.ca

FISHING STORES

Teddy's Tackle - Chemainus - open from 1-5 from Tuesday to Friday and all day Saturday from 9-5.
Nile Creek Fly Shop  - Bowser
http://www.screamingfishfly.com ( NANAIMO )
Gone Fishing (Nanaimo)

** Note** Many of the above businesses provide a 10% discount for members of the Castaways - present your membership card to receive your discount.

RELATED ARTICLES OF INTEREST

http://www.islandfishermanmagazine.com
http://www.salmonfarmers.org
http://www.anglingbc.com
http://www.bcfishingreports .com
http://www.gov.bc.ca/env/
http://www.gofishbc.com/reg_note.htm#access
http://www.hardyusa.com/
http://www.beckfisher.co.uk/

Contacting Us Page

Address: Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club
394 Palm Drive
Qualicum Beach, BC
V9K 2H3
Phone: (250) 468-2790
Email Address: info@midislandcastaways.com

General Contact Information:

Please feel free to contact the following club representatives:

General Inquiries:  info@midislandcastaways.com

President: Dennis Fuhrman  - Phone: 250-468-2790

We look forward to hearing from you.

Your Privacy

Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club is committed to protecting your personal privacy.

This Statement explains the data collection, and use practices of Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club (Club).  The statement applies to Club Newsletters and the website.  The statement does not apply to other Non-Club "on" or "off line" Internet sites, print publications, associated websites or product suppliers or services.

PERSONAL INFORMATION:  The personal information collected by Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club will be used only to operate the business of the Club and to provide the service(s) or carry out the transaction(s) a Member has requested or authorized. Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club may follow up, either by surface or other mail, telephone, electronic mail or personal contact with members, and others, who have completed forms or provided Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club with any personal information.  Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club may use electronic mail or surface mail addresses voluntarily provided to periodically send Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club related promotional and informational material such as the notices, newsletters, and information regarding upcoming and special events.

COLLECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION:  Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club, will ask you to provide personal information that identifies you as a Member of Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club and which allows the Club to contact you, to track your membership for Club administration purposes.  Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club will not distribute any mailing lists externally.  Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club will not distribute any personal information to any person or company, other than as required by Legislation or Legal Order.  The only exception is the current Club affiliation with the British Columbia Fly Fishing Federation and then, only for the purposes of reconciling Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club membership dues and for your personal Insurance.

SHARING OF INFORMATION:  Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club does not, and will not release or sell personal information to outside 3^rd parties.  Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club is not responsible for the content or the Privacy Policies of Web sites to which it might link on the Internet.

ELECTRONIC MAIL:  If voluntarily provided, your email address will be placed on the Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club web site, and may be used by Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club to send you information, newsletters, and other information directly related to the business of the Club.

CONTROL OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION:  By submitting your name, nickname, photograph, biographical material, partner's name, family member name, your address, your phone number, fax number, e-mail, etc. to Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club, you consent to providing this personal information which may be published in Club publications.

 ACCESS TO YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION:  At any time you may review, edit, and request changes to, or removal of your personal information.  If you have any questions or directions in this regard they should be directed to the Mid-Island Castaways Fly Fishing Club, Secretary.