Flying High

[Jet]

Ever since I've moved to the east Kootenay's it's been nothing but work, work, work! I relocated to Kimberley, BC back in October 2010 to open up a restaurant (www.kinbari.ca). I took a building from the 1930's and fully renovated it, then added a new two-story addition to house the kitchen and expand the living area upstairs. It took nearly six months of non-stop construction (renos are always full of surprises, and often not good ones), with myself in the trenches every day to try and get it all done. When our goal of being open for ski-season was clearly not going to be achieved, we all just put our heads down, stopped setting an opening date and just got 'er done.

 

 

 

In the trenches literally

 

 

And the results of blood, sweat and the occasional tear!

 

 

 

Before

 

 

 

After

 

 

 

Before

 

 

 

After

 

 

 

Kinbari officially opened on April 23, 2011. I thought I knew busy during the construction and planning stage. Now busy is an understatement!

 

 

While I'm now surrounded by some of the most pristine fishing waters available to man, I actually fish less than I did living in Toronto - 15 hour work days will do that to ya. However, every free chance I'd exploit to the fullest with a fully packed SUV, Google Maps and a lot of driving, walking and bush whacking. As some of you may know from my last few reports it started all with Bull Trout.

 

Armed with a centerpin, I tried desperately to fill the void created by the absence of Steelhead. Little did I know there was something likely far greater on the horizon.

 

Though I came here with a small arsenal of fly fishing gear, I never really got into it fishing in Ontario. And despite living here, I quietly convinced myself that I'd stick more to the pin. Tapered leaders. Double haul casting. Sinking tips. It all sounded overwhelming and it didn't help that the pin was producing a lot of Bull Trout and big ones like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then came spring and for the first time since I moved here out came the fly rod (as back up to my pin of course). Though free time was even more at a premium with the restaurant open, every spare moment was spent on a river somewhere. Luckily out here I can be on a prime river in 20 minutes or less.

 

The first few handful of trips as the river levels dropped started peaking my curiosity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

But every time I saw a deep pool, I couldn't help busting out the pin. And again it produced.

 

 

 

Lovely colours too!

 

 

 

 

Still something inside pushed me to keep on fly fishing, to give it more of a chance. So I started exploring more and more.

 

 

Potential in the distance.

 

 

It was a long, steep walk down. Even longer going up!

 

 

But it was worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And as I dedicated more time to the fly, the more fish I found on the end of my line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another free day found me venturing further away from home. To get to this river, you had to drive over 40km down narrow logging roads like this going deep into the Kootenay valleys.

 

 

 

I had to bush whack a ton to find places to fish. On a map the river looked easy to explore. More often than not they were always teasing me from the top of a steep cliff.

 

 

 

It was here that I can say that I was converted to fly fishing. The other fish I caught were fun, but not anything I didn't expect. In this remote river the scenery was near perfect, the isolation surreal and rises spectacular. When a massive Westslope Cutthroat leaped out of the water like a humpback whale to smash my dry fly, I finally realized what all the fuss was about. It was truly one of the greatest things I have witnessed in my fishing career.

 

Unfortunately I was alone and this epic Cutty slipped away before I could get a picture. But many more would follow that day like these.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ever since I've been building up my fly fishing closet. A new Sage reel, St. Croix Rod and Rio Sinking tip line have been added to the line-up and the next target is my first Bull Trout on the fly - and I already have the perfect place in mind (yes for its beauty but mostly because here I don't have to cast as far! Learning to cast heavy streamers can be very frustrating!)

 

 

 

 

But for now it's back to work. I can't wait for the next free day.

 

Sushi anyone??? (This is our best-selling roll called the Dynamiters, not to be confused with the Dynamite Roll)

 

 

 

Thanks for reading!

Edited August 12, 2011 by Jet

[okumasheffield]

do you do delivery to Toronto?

 

Cheers

[Roy]

Well that morning read just blew me away. You deserve every fish you get and every minute of peace on the rivers. Thanks for the great report.

[Rich Clemens]

Great job on fixing up the place. sure looks like a ton of work and glad to see you're "busy". Lots of nice virgin-looking territory to fish there too. Congrats on your success.

[mercman]

A wonderful success story,AND bonus fishing. Congrats Jet Good luck on all your endeavours

 

 

Paul

[fishindevil]

WOW !!!! amazing report man...some incredible fish you caught for sure the colors are stunning !!! good luck with the new place as well...cheers !!!!

[Terry]

great stuff

[woodenboater]

Great photos Jet and congrats on opening your sushi restaurant, looks like a must visit ! Can't get enough of sushi and one of my Toronto favorites changed hands not too long ago. More importantly, it's good to see that you're making the time to hit the streams, life balance is good

[grimsbylander]

So much success! Congrats! Your restaurant, the food and those fish look amazing! Not to mention the scenery and rivers. That one pic showing the deep pool on the outside bend screams fishing. Have fun.

[Joey]

Wow, great reno and some beauty scenery and fish. Great read, thanks!!!

[dannyboy]

Thanks for sharing this, the scenery and fish just blow me away - great pictures and the sushi looks awesome.

All the best.

 

Dan

[danbouck]

The place looks amazing, well done

 

Some great looking fish there too!

[corvette1]

awesome view awesome fish and what a job on the restaurant congrats

 

 

[Joeytier]

Fantastic report. Those cutty's look like an absolute blast!

[Headhunter]

Awesome report!

The restaurant looks killer!

Trout on the menu!?

HH

[Rod Caster]

Those waters look amazing! ...and the fish species...and the restaurant..and the food!! wow!

 

Are those cutthroat eggs on that sushi

[Leecher]

Excellent report, fish and pics Jet

The restaurant looks great... the food and fishes too Congrats

Thanks for sharing

Leechman

[fishnsled]

Fantastic report!! Congrats on the new business, renos are outstanding, and the fly fishing! Some very nice fish there.

[asdve23rveavwa]

Great post!! Some beautiful fish, scenery and the restaurant looks fantastic!!

The better half and I love sushi, if we make it out your way, we'll be sure to stop in!

[jimmer]

You have something special going on there! I'm envious of those river opportunties that you shared with us.

I love sushi and that looks so good.

[Jds63]

wow amazing report and pictures, congrats on the new restaraunt, looks like you put in a lot of hard work

[irishfield]

Wonderful post Jet !!! I certainly can appreciate the hard work in that reno !

[blaque]

It takes alot to get me to read thru the narration of a report and not just skip to the eye candy..... lol, But you had me interested from the word Go. Great story, great report, great visuals. You should be beaming with pride for sure.

[craigdritchie]

Pretty fishies. Love the cutts in particular.

[Live2fish85]

Great report. You did a amazing job on the resturaunt and you live in the most beautiful part of the world IMO. Thanks for sharing. I am hoping to get out there sometime soon to do some fishing, travelling and relaxing.