Welcome to Week CXCI of 鈥楩ishing Parkland Shorelines鈥�. Like most of us I am a novice fisherman, loving to fish, but far from an expert. In the following weeks I鈥檒l attempt to give those anglers who love to fish but just don鈥檛 have access to a boat, a look at some of the options in the Yorkton area where you can fish from shore, and hopefully catch some fish.
Given that the past few days have been Saskatchewan frigid, even thinking of heading out to 鈥榟ard water鈥� fish is the sort of idea which scurries away the moment you stuck your nose out the door and realized you were about 90-seconds from frostbite, you need other avenues to fishing fun.
I use the term fun here, because this week is about side-spitting humour.
And there is nothing better than laughter to get through a cold winter day.
In this case the humour is courtesy one of my good buds, and it is totally related to our shared passion of fishing.
Patrick Thomson is a fly fishing nut, and while I have not succumbed to that condition as completely as he has, I have found it an aspect of fishing you can catch.
Patrick has tried hard to teach me to cast a fly rod, a task he has failed rather miserably at, although one rainbow at the water treatment plant pond in the city did feel sorry for me and took a fly, much to the fish鈥檚 surprise I am sure. It was even a bigger surprise for Patrick and myself.
Then there have been lessons at a fly tying vice, another effort where this old dog is not learning the new trick all that well.
While watching me cast a fly, all right feebly attempt to cast a fly, would be rather humorous, as would watching me try to tie a fly with two left hands and apparently three thumbs, would also be something to smile at, Patrick has gone for even bigger laughs.
A few weeks back this fly fisherman apparently succumbed to a rather severe case of cabin fever, and self-medicated by digging out his one-man float boat, and heading to Patrick Park in the city where he spent time casting in search of the fabled 鈥楽askatchewan Salmon鈥�.
Now I am sure at this point many readers are thinking this is becoming one of those tall tales which fisherfolk are prone to tell, but I assure this is as true as anything else written here over the weeks.
And, to add to the validity, there is video evidence of Patrick鈥檚 little excursion. Just head to www.YouTube.com and search Ambition Outdoors.
So what really inspired Patrick to create such a funny video and share it with those seeking a laugh?
鈥淚 love fly fishing but the winters in Saskatchewan are not conducive to my hobby. We decided that the video was as good as it may get,鈥� he told me. 鈥淲hy not have fun and drive awareness to the sport at the same time? Maybe awareness to Yorkton as well.鈥�
The legend of the Saskatchewan Salmon also drew Patrick out, or at least inspired him to create the legend.
鈥淲hen I first moved to Saskatchewan six year ago I missed salmon fishing and we happened to buy a salmon at superstore,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 posted a picture of the salmon claiming that I caught it here in Saskatchewan and watched the reaction. Those that fish new that the coho salmon in the picture did not exist in our province but many were fooled and it started to make me think 鈥� five-years later 鈥� Viola! Saskatchewan Salmon video.鈥�
While Patrick was looking for laughs, he didn鈥檛 want to go too far either.
鈥淭he greatest challenge in the video was not making a mockery out of my favourite hobby,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 wanted it to be funny but still allow people to see how much we love the sport of fly fishing.鈥�
Of course Patrick had help.
Ethan Thomson, his son was the camera man.
鈥淗e was also the sound tech and the 鈥榮almon chucker鈥� in the video,鈥� said Patrick.
鈥淢ore than that, he is my fishing partner. He is awesome! I couldn鈥檛 have done it without him.鈥�
The video actually came together more easily than one might think from viewing it.
鈥淎mazingly, with some knowledge of cinematography we were able to shoot all but one scene in one take each,鈥� said Patrick. 鈥淭hat was crazy! The scene we had to do over was the one where I am trying to reel the salmon in. The fish wouldn鈥檛 move! It was stuck and eventually the hook came out and rocketed straight for us! It shot between Ethan and I and almost hit Ethan. We laughed so hard and then took the scene over.鈥�
It seems the video is tickling the funny fishbones of viewers too.
鈥淭he response has been awesome,鈥� he said. 鈥淓veryone has been very responsive and shown their enjoyment. One morning I was in the local McDonald鈥檚 and we heard people talking about the video and that was pretty cool for me.
鈥淟aughter is truly the best medicine, especially when combined with fly fishing.鈥�
And Patrick has more ideas percolating to inspire a love of fishing, or to simply cause fits of laughter.
鈥淲e have plans for a series of funny videos but it is also the kick-off of a YouTube channel that caters to fly fishing in this region and beyond,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here will be instruction in equipment, casting, fly tying and of course coverage of fishing trips.鈥�
Who knows, maybe readers who begin following Patrick on YouTube might even catch a glimpse of this humble scribe and fisherman, if Patrick can offer a lucrative enough contract. I鈥檓 holding out for at least a half dozen flies (and not the house variety either).
