Discover Fly Fishing at WILSON’S

On January 31st Old Crow elder Edith Josie died of natural causes in her 88th year. Born in Eagle, Alaska on December 8, 1921 Ms. Josie wrote a column for decades entitled “Here are the News” in the Whitehorse Star that brought her community and culture to the rest of the world. Welcomed into the Order of Canada in 1995, Ms. Josie had a love of the north and a desire to share it with the world. When I read of her passing this week I fondly recalled my two fly fishing trips to the Yukon I have taken over the years, my stays in Whitehorse and the people I met there. One of the true privileges of being in fly fishing retail are the occasional opportunities to visit lodges across Canada and around the world and my visits to the Yukon rank as some of the most memorable. The Yukon is a special place because of its scenery and the fishing that is available but what makes it that much more spectacular are the people.

There are innumerable places in the world to fly fish and we all have ‘trips of a lifetime’ on our bucket lists but every list in my mind should include the Yukon. What I have learned over the years is that if you want to have a great trip, take the time to speak with the people you are with. That includes of course other guests at the lodges at which you may be a guest but those are not the people to whom I am referring. More importantly, take time to speak with the staff behind the counter and the people in the kitchen because their smiles and their stories are what will make your trip a memorable experience. I enjoyed reading Edith Josie’s column when I visited Whitehorse and am sorry I didn’t get to meet her because it would have made my stays in Whitehorse that much more special. The people make the place.

www.oldcrow.ca/edith.htm

Tags:   Alaska · Beginner · Canada · Coumnist · Eagle · Edith · Fishing · Fly · Guide · here are the news · Josie · Ontario · Order of Canada · Outfitter · reels · Retail · rods · School · shop · Star · Toronto · Tying · waders · Whitehorse · Wilson's · YukonNo Comments