CHRISTIANA WIENS

SKEENA: ANGLER.
ROB BROWN

a is
arly this summer I got a call from
Hans VanKlinken of Holland. He
was given my name by Henk Melse.
I'd met Henk and his partner Patrick

summer of 1987. Gentle young fellows with a
passion for fishing, I.showed them spots where
they caught many salmon and a few memorable
steelhead.

“You have heard of the Van Klinkhammer Spe-
cial?” asked VanKlinken in a tone that suggested
he’d be surprised if I hadn’t. When I said no,
VanKlinken guffawed then told me how it was all
the rage. overseas. ‘‘Everyone in Europe uses it
for salmon and sea trout,’’ he pronounced. ‘'You
invented jt?’’ I guessed. ‘“Yes, of course,” he
replied in a tone that made me feel a little like a
‘country bumpkin. I was quickly tiring of the con-
versation. ‘Yeah, uh, OK,”’ F said. ‘'Be sure to
call us when you’re up this way.’’ Then ] prompt-
ly forgot ali about the call, the Klinkhammer Spe-
cial and ‘its inventor.

“There are some people on the lawn,’ said
Karen. ‘‘Are you expecting somebody?” I looked
out. Two people were prowling around under the
weeping willow peering around like rescuers at
crash site looking for signs of life. I opened the
door and offered a hello with a shrug in it. The
man dropped his cigarette on the lawn, and bec-
koned his partner over, ‘‘Rob Brown, I am Hans
VanKlinken,”? be announced. I noticed he was
wearing a T-shirt. that had a large picture of a
parachute dry fly hovering over the words *‘Van
Klinkhammer Speciai.”’

The light in my head illuminated the awkward
conversation of two months before. ‘‘Uh...ob
yeah...sure,..pleased to meet you come on in,’’ I
awkwardly waved them in the direction of the
door. ‘‘A minute,” said VanKlinken, Tushing toa
Ford Taurus rent-a-car and returning in seconds
with a bulging briefcase and a yellow plastic
shopping bag.

“Coffee, tea?’' I offered when we were all
seated in the living room, and the hasty introduc-
tions had been made, “No, ** they said in unison,
‘‘Beer?’? ‘“Yes,’’ said Ms, VanKlinken then she
disappeazed outside for a sinoke,

Meanwhile Hans VanKlinken had pulled a trio
of glossy Dutch fly fishing magazines from his
valise. He pointed to his name in-a couple of
them, then put them back. It became clear that
Hans VanKlinken was a famous guy in Eurofish-
ing circles. In the hour we spent with him he

_ mentioned the many famous names. I'd heard of
some of them. When I said that I hadn’t heard of
some, Hans VanKlinken quickly assured me that
they were indeed big names.

Dumping an assortment of Richard Wheatley fly
boxes onto the table, VanKlinken opened cach as
if he were splitting a pomegranate. Every box was
plugged; every clip an aluminum ear adorned
with a sparkling carring of a wet fly. ‘With
these,”’ announced VanKlinken, ‘‘I owt-fished the
locals on the salmon streams in eastern Canada.”
F noticed that none of these flies had been
chewed, and assumed that this was a new batch
assembled for this trip. ‘“You tie a pretty Ay,’’ I
observed, thinking at the same time they were a
little too thick, uniform, and smoolh for my
liking.

Hans VanKlinken then pulled out boxes of

: floaters, skaters, nymphs and leeches, all neat as

pins. ‘‘What ones should I use for steelhead?” he
asked. ‘'All of them,’ I answered. My honest
reply seemed to irritate him. ‘How many grains

for a sinking line,’? he asked. When I told him I

don’t know anything about sinking lines since I

use a floater most of the time, he looked piqued.

I’m sure the famous Hans thought I was a fish-

ing rube. He retumed with topographical maps. |

again, left shortly and did not return.

During ny time with the famous Dutchman, I'd
eyeballed the Klinkhammer Special. Later I
wrapped up a few and tock them up the Zymoetz
on a trip wilh Art Lingren. Art, who has written
‘three books on fly patterns, has researched the
subject for thirly years, and knows more about
B.C. fly patterns than anyone living, looked at the
Klinkhammer Special, and said it looked like an
interesting dressing.

We took it to a sharp looking pool where I fished
it over all the wrinkles on the surface that said
structure and stcclhcad were below. J watched
its white wing bob dlong for over an hour. Then I
changed to a scruffy bee with a moose hair wing
and hooked seven steelhead on my first pass
through the pool with it, —

Art took four fish from the other side of the same
run, Over sandwiches I held up the Klinkhammer
Special, the best fly ever hatched, according to its
illustrious inventor. “Et doesn’t work, Art. This
pool is brimming with steelhead,’’ Art shrugged
then smiled. “Maybe we're not fishing it proper-
ly,”’ he said in that quict unassuming way of his.

Mersey on. the Copper River in the.

prestigious

pointed out the major rivers. He looked bugged |

- sible

TERRACE STANDARD

Coach of the Year Sy

Bring us your best

Tell us about Terrace’s best coach

EVER WANTED to
reward that special coach
that helped you score
your first home nan?

Maybe you want to |

thank that special some-
one that taught you how
shoot straight or swim
faster.

Well
chance.

now’s our
¥

* That’s right, it’s time to

reward your — favourite
coach by nominating
them in the Terrace Stan-
dard’s, fourth annual
Coach of the year con-
test.

Last —-year, Dick
Springer, a Cassie Hall
elementary school teacher
won the competition out
of a whopping number of
entries,

Springer won for his
dedication and versatility
after teaching school by
day. and coaching
weekends and evenings

for 20 years straight.

But some of the runners
up, like Randy Latimer,
Nick Kolias, Lisa Hamer
and Gary Fuller gave him
tough competition.

The question is who
will be nominated this
year?

It's up to you so watch
for entry forms in next
week’s Terrace Standard.

And remember, the
judges are looking for
many outstanding
qualities including:

W@ Respect for players,
officials and parents and

promoting the philosophy
of fair play.

g@ Concem for the all-
around development for
athletes and  ieaching
guideline for responsible
conduct both on and off

_ the playing field.

Wi Setting an example of
positive coaching.

@ Showing the ability to
improve both individual
and team performance.

We know itll be tough
to find a winner because
of some stiff competition
out there, but we’re sure
our judges will be ready.

Pick your winner and
tell us why on our
nomination forms avail-
able here next week.

Then mail, fax or email
your entry to us at: 3210
Clinton St., Terrace, B.C.,
V8G SR2. Our fax num-
ber is 638-8432 and our
email is stan-
dard@kermode.net. .

Dick Springer

The deadline for entry
forms will be Nov. 18,
The winner will be an-
nounced in the Nov, 25
issue. And nomination
forms will be printed in
each issue.

So what are you waiting
for? Get thinking about
that special coach that’s
helped you get to where
you are today. —

Northmen hand out hardware >

By DAVID D. HULL

THE: TERRACE, Northmen .

Rugby Footbalf Club
wrapped up the 1998 season
with an awards dinner and
dance Saturday, Oct, 10,

Under -swaying palms
(fake cnes) with the strains
of the steel guitar wafting
through the Terrace Inn, the
Hawaiian theme banquet
was a huge success capping
off a very successful year of
Rugby in Terrace.

The south seas theme was
chosen as the kick off for
the planning of the
Northmen’s 1999 ‘End of
the Millennium Tour’’ to
Hawaii next October.

Some of the significant
successes of the year were
outlined in a brief opening
address from club president,
Malcolm Smith.

“The foundation of
women’s ragby in Terrace

club to have them become
part of the Northmen pro-
gram. was momentous and
very gratifying’? said
Smith,

“The men’s club had a
great year on the field win-
ning the league. and the
Smither’s
Seven-a-Side Tournament
and putting up a very strong
showing at the William’s
Lake Stampede Tourna-
ment?” Smith said,

“The women’s progress
for the year was nothing
short of remarkable, from
their grass roots start to

competing in two tourna- ”

ments with great results and
playing very well against
much more expericuced and
larger competition from,
Rupert (Swallows) and
Smithers (Humpies), during
exhibition games,”

I presented men’s team
captain George DaCosta
with the Dr. R.D. “Dale”
Greenwood Cup,
blematic of. supremacy in
the North Coast Rugby
Union. ‘The cup had a hor-
experience having
spent a year in Prince
Rupert in the hands of the
Seamen after their rare
Icague victory in 1997, but
now it has been retumed to

‘its more traditional home,”
‘commented DaCosta in ac-

cepting the trophy on behalf
of the men’s side.

As usual the highlight of
the evening was the award-

em- .

HANGING ON: The Narthmen hit the Northwest College field this summer during
a successful rugby season.

ing of Ihe Club trophies and
awards commemorating the
conclusion of another sea-

. SON,
and the acceptance of the —

The playing awards were
handed out first, Ben
Soucie was presented with
the American Express Elan
Travel Most Valuable
Player trophy.

Ben had a tremendous
year on the field and the
award is most deserving.
He played hard, lead by ex-
ample and really made the
difference,

The Most Improved
Player award went to a
veteran player Pedro Rego
who experienced
tremendous resurgence on
the field in all aspects of the
game.

The Rookie of the Year
award is presented to the
cream of the crop playing in
his first year with the senior
men’s side, Neil Hailey,

who is currently away at ..

University in the U.S, was
named this year’s winner,
The Under 19 Most Im-

proved Player Award went

to Dylan R.A. Wolnowski,
Dylan came out as the
youngest and one of the
smallest players of all the
high school boys and im-
proved greatly through out
the season.

Dylan’s future in rugby
looks very proralsing.

The. first-ever awards for
the women’s side were pre-
sented with great emotion
and enthusiasm from the
crowd.

The first award was the
Most Valuable Player pre-
sented to Terri "Truck" Gor-

don. Terri, as all the women
were this year, came out a
Taw rookie and quickly de-
veloped good basic skills
and leadership on the ficld
which made her an invalu-
able assct to the women’s
team.

Gordon stayed on stage to
help present the balance of
the women’s awards.

The Most Improved
Player award went to Bar-
bara ‘Barb E, Dall’? Essay.

Barb. improved at a rapid
pace during the season and
showed a great rugby spirit.

All the women players
present then came, forward
to thank a number of the
men who helped them get
Started this ycar with coach-
ing and instructing,

The balance of the team
were thanked for helping
and making the women feel
welcome and part of the
team, The women then bad
a special gift and thank you
for their “rugby mentor"
who took them under his
wing and guided them
through their first year,
Willie McCleary. was pre-
sented with a gift for ali his
efforts.

The most coveted and
emotional presentation of

_ the evening was the award-
‘ing of the "Brian Kormendy

Memorial Trophy", This
year the Northmen recog-
nized Doug "Mookie" Wil-

‘son for his help and devo-

tion to the Northmen Rugby
Club.

The Brian Kormendy
Memorial Trophy is pre-
sented each year to an indi-
vidual who bas shown a

consistent and unwavering
devotion to the club and has
exuded that passion with
demonstrative efforts. - This
was the contribution Brian
Kormendy gave to the club
and Doug has in the past,
and continues to offer, of
himself to the club. For that
the club is truly thankful.
Wilson accepted the award
from Marianne and Derek
Kormendy to a standing
ovation.

The final bit of the formai-
ities wrapped up with clos-
ing remarks from president
Smith thanking everyone
who has helped make rugby

‘possible for the last 28 years

in Terrace,

The support of the com-
munity, the media,
businesses , who never

hesitate to help us out, and
the club members, players,
alumni and supporters is
what continues to make our
club one of the most suc-
cessful sporting groups in
the Northwest. For that we
are truly thankful and deep-
ly indebted,”’

The Northmen wrapped

up the evening with merri- ,
ment and frivolity and dane: ’

ing to the wee hours. The
Northmen will take a hiatus
for a few months and will
resume activity with the
Christmas Day ‘Snow
Bow!’ at noon at Skeena
fleld. .

The annual general meet-
ing will be held Super Bowl
Sunday just prior to the
game at a site to be an-
nounced. Spring training
and rookie camps will begin
in March.

Sports
Scope |

Drag racing

THE TERRACE Drag
Race Association will be
holding its annual gener-
al meeting and election
of officers on at 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 25 at Elks
Hall,

For more information
contact Dennis at 635-
7726 or Emie at 635-
7220.

Ski swap

SHAMES
MOUNTAIN ski club
and the Canadian Ski
Patrol are co-sponsoring
the annual ski swap Oct,
23-24.

Drop off your equip-
ment on Friday from 7
to 10 p.m. at the arena
banquet room. There
will be no sales on Fri-
day night.

The doors open Satur-
day moming at 9 a.m.
and Cash or cheques will
be accepted.

Pick up your unsold
equipment at 3 p.m. Sat-
urday. A 20 per cent fee
will be charged on all
sales.

Curlers

wanted

GRAB YOUR broom
and curling gear this

winter and sign up tof -

curl on Sundays.

The Sunday Mixed
Curling League is
registrating individuals
or teams for their fun
curling league.

Beginners or experi-
enced curlers are wel-
come. Contact Lynn
Tryon at 638-2044 or the
curling rink at 635-5583
for more information.

Water-polo

plans

THE TERRACE Water
Polo Association is
holding their annual
general meeting tomor-
row at 8 p.m in the
Aquatic Centre meeting
room.

All members and for-
mer players or anyone
interested in the sport
are invited to elect of-
ficers and make plans
for the ypcoming season,
Call Steve Dotto at 638-
1395 for more informa-
lion.

Special
Olympics
REGISTER for special
olympics Friday at the
Skeena Mall between

6:30 and 8:45 p.m.

For more information
call Jo at 635-7936,

He shoots,

he scores

HOCKEY . LEGENDS
Guy Lafleur and Tiger
Williams will battle
Kitimat’s Allstars hock-
cy team at Tamitik
Arena Thursday, Nov.
12 at 7 p.m. as part of
the Oldtimers’ Hockey
Challenge,

The challenge is part
of 60-cily North Amer-
ican tour All proceeds
for the Oldtimers’ Hock-
cy Challenge go to the
Kitimat/Terrace
Crimestoppers program.
Single and  family-of
four tickets are available
now for $16 or $48 by
calling 1-800-661-0178.

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