This series was originally inspired by my son Gord Vickers, who is also my flyfishing teacher. We live in a beautiful part of the world in the Pacific Northwest and many of us love to fish. My favourite way of fishing is now with a fly rod and I always find myself wondering which flies to choose. Gord and I settled on the basic four flies to use for this country: the Midge, Caddis, Damsel and Mayfly.

Last fall I was in the east Kootenays on an elk hunting trip and dropped in a local fly shop, Elk River Guiding Co Ltd. in Fernie, B.C., to browse a bit. I was asked by the owner Paul if I had ever considered doing a series of flies in the distinctly unique style of the First Nations peoples of the Pacific Northwest. Inspiration comes in many ways and the question that day inspired me to get this series done. Paul didn’t realize it, but his question reminded me of my son Gord’s suggestion a year earlier.

I’ve just returned from a fishing trip with Gord and our friend Jay Mohl. Both Gord and Jay are excellent flyfishermen and our discussion of including the Stonefly has brought this late addition to the series. We now have the five most popular Pacific Northwest flies.

The sale of this edition of prints will allow me to donate a sum of money to support the Whonnock Fish Hatchery in Rivers Inlet. This will insure the ongoing reproduction of these magnificent fish for future generations.

Roy Henry Vickers
May 2012