"Game fish are too valuable to be caught only once." (Lee Wulff, 1939)

Lee Wulff was a flyfishing legend. A true pioneer, he was responsible for a number of flyfishing innovations including the fishing vest. Wulff was also one of the first anglers to advocate Catch & Release, and he pioneered the development of lightweight tackle for Atlantic Salmon. Piloting his bush plane during the early 1950's, he explored Newfoundland and Labrador looking for new angling opportunities. He was a giant among fly fishers during the golden age of American angling.

The short film below is a gem. Pay attention to the skill exhibited by Wulff as he steps into the canoe and sits down (about 1 minute in) - just after he loses a fish. He does it with a natural ease that reveals a superb athlete. Later he coaxes a saimon to swim between his legs, and follows it with the rod. Equally impressive is the guide who shows expert command of the canoe in fast water with a 14-foot spruce pole.

See Lee Wulff in action on the Miramichi. This is Part 1 of 2.

More of Lee Wulff on the Miramichi. Part 2 of 2.

Fishing for Nourishment?

I've been thinking about the sport of fishing - how it originated, how it has evolved, what could be next... Obviously, fishing was originally all about food. Somewhere along the way, at least for some of us, it became more than that - a hobby, an art form, an obsession, a religion? Beyond the need to provide sustenance in a physical sense, fishing has come to provide a kind of spiritual nourishment, especially for the urban dweller. It's a way of relaxing, of reconnecting with nature, and it provides the time and the framework for reflection - an essential ingredient in professional and personal growth.

With the growing popularity of Catch and Release, thanks to pioneers like Lee Wulff, many Atlantic Salmon anglers are becoming actively involved in conservation measures. One organization that is worthy of support is the Atlantic Salmon Federation. Aside from the satisfaction of making a contribution towards sustaining wild Atlantic Salmon, membership has other advantages, notably their superb quarterly publication, The Atlantic Salmon Journal.

Photo by Dave Dobson: October on the River Philip.