By Ian Scott

Sometimes, life just gets too busy. Fly fishing is a past time and hobby of mine that I love, but there are periods of time that I am simply unable to endulge myself, as I need to pay the bills, spend time with clients, and then there are times when even fly fishing carries a much lower priority than family.

Yeah, I'd love to spend time on rivers with those I love, but not all of those I love appreciate standing in a river with waders, and tossing hand tied flies to fish. This past year has been one of the most interesting for me for a number of personal reasons - but at the same time, has sorely limited my time on the water. And my time on this site.

Not that I regret the personal and business issues - they've all added a degree of joy to my life, and sometimes, one must choose between priorities. For me this past year, my priorities have been in a direction I never ever thought was possible. Withouth getting into much detail, let's just say that it's been quite awesome personally speaking.

Nevertheless, I have missed my fly fishing and my about-flyfishing site too. But I have more plans to rectify that. In about a month from now, the Opening Day of trout season will be upon us here where I live, and my 13 year old son Colin has already elicited a promise that I will be taking him out and teaching him more about fly fishing on that day. He'll be travelling from Ottawa, about 5 hours away from me, to spend the day wading streams and rivers, and perhaps stopping by some small lakes and ponds and working out the kinks after a long winter.

This past winter has been good to me in other respects as well. I've got a few more fly fishing related clients and have come across some interesting new products I'd like to tell you about. I'm not sure where to start, so I shall start with what I am personally looking forward to the most.

For years, I have fished with a vest. Yet my father used to carry around an awesome canvas bag - but I could never find a really nice bag that I liked. So I stuck with my vest. My friend Dave Moore, picked up a really nice canvas bag on a trip to Scotland once, and I've admired it. I've looked for a canvas bag myself that I would feel comfortable with, so I could ditch the vest but have never found anything of the quality that I've been looking for.

About a month ago, I received a phone call from Robert Cochrane of Alberta, who was looking for help with website maintenance. Seems Robert does some wonderful work in making beautiful leather cases - as well as a canvas bag! Robert and I have done some talking, and I'm looking forward to my own top quality canvas bag that I'm sure I'll be able to pass on to Colin some day. Robert has some skills that are fairly specialized and rare in the 21st century, but I'm glad he gave me a call and introduced me to his work. Perhaps one day, I'll be able to have one of his fly tying cases as well, but for now, I'll settle for a lovely canvas bag holding all my gear for the day, out on the river. And I know Colin will be envious - but like all fishing we do together, we'll share.

Another great product I'd love to introduce you to, if you are into Drift Boats: Orion Drift Boats. Sean, the owner of Orion is a great guy, and I hope one day to be able to head out to Oregon and meet with him. We've had a number of phone calls, each one a pleasure for me and of course, Sean knows how envious I am as he relates his most recent fishing trip on the Rogue River. I'd love to fish the Rogue someday, along with a R.B. Meiser Fly Rod and Sean at the helm of one of his driftboats.

If you're seriously interested in a drift boat, please give Orion some consideration. Sean has written a funny but at the same time very educational guide to Drifting which I think you should read. Sean pulls no punches, tells you how it is, and his guide could save your life sometime. Forget about the ego.. do it right, do it safe, enjoy, and do it again another day.

Another fine product I've come across, but know nothing about from personal experience, are the wonderful looking landing nets made by Chris Rasmussen. I'm going to tell you straight up that personally, I seldom use a landing net ever. The only time I use a landing net is when I'm after some kind of fish that I plan on keeping, cleaning, filletting, and frying in the pan. Which DOES happen from time to time.. but most often, not.

Nevertheless, Chris sent me some pictures of his own personal design of landing nets, and they appear to be gorgeous works of art! Chris writes to me that his nets are unlike anything I've seen before, and he is right. And these nets do look pretty.. yet at the same time, also appear to be quite functional.

I've not seen Chris' nets in person, nor have I evaluated them. But from what I've seen, I thought they were special enough to bring your attention to them and perhaps if you want to tell me what you think, that would be great. No matter what, they certainly do appear to be works of art. And yeah.. sometimes us fly fishers spend a little more money on aesthetics, and the idea of art - and could enjoy the sport without all the accoutrements - on the other hand, you only live once - this life is not a dress rehearsal for something else, so let's indulge from time to time.

Of course, let's also remember what's really important! I've got a 2 1/2 year son that I'm sure will not be into the finer points of fly fishing come this summer... but I'll sure as hell love to be taking him out and hand him a rod with a worm on his hook just so he can know and experience.. and have time with Daddy.

At the same time, if you've got time to check out the works of Robert Cochrane, the boats of Orion, or the wonderful looking nets by Rasmussen, then take your pick - and don't forget: You only live once. Art, whether it is the handicraft of a canvas bag, the uniqueness of a well designed net, or the beauty of a wooden drift boat will be appreciated for years - and shall live far beyond the money that you paid for it. in giving pleasure to those that come after you, as they remember your values of fine quality stuff.

That's it. Suff. We all like our stuff. But imagine that your stuff is also appreciated by those you love, and handed down. It's just stuff. But a few pieces of GOOD STUFF is always nice to have. Will it make your fly fishing experiences better? Hmmm.. I dunno. But having good stuff makes me feel good. I'll admit to that.

Happy Easter. Enjoy your stuff. Enjoy the craftsmanship of others. And enjoy your ways of fishing on your favorite rivers.

Previous Features

From The Bench: The Muncher is a favorite of Ian James for carp, smallies, more.    Tie This!

The Doc's Rx: Thoughts of a Chicken Rancher. Doc tells it like it is.    The Doc's Rx