The fly's designer recommends a full sensory delivery: "In lakes, or slack water, you can strip him, but do it fast. Making high pitched mouse sounds and talking as though you're the mouse frantically swimming in the water, also helps."

Photo: Elam

Indeed amigo. Nobody hooks lakers on the fly in the middle of the summer. But I’m a dumb American, so I’ll take that bet and raise you a half rack of LaBatt’s with a back of Crown, eh?

Photo: Rob Elam

"Chalk one up for the girl."

Old "bluenose" tuna eating from the prop wash. Pensive moments with an angler named George and his partner Phyllis throwing down.

I must be simpleminded because it continues to fascinate and challenge me--everchanging and unpredictable and breaks you down little by little as you get older.

Cartoon: Greg Keeler.

He looked to be in his late 40s or early 50s. His grey hair was pulled back in a pony tail and partially hidden under the bill of a worn out Moose Drool cap that he had turned around backwards.

Stick it, wrap around the mono; stick it, wrap around the mono; then stick it a final time so a small alluring portion quivers off the stern like a rabbit strip flickering off a streamer’s posterior.

Photo: Ben Romans