Heyyyyyy TTH - Since winning a few trout derbies on the big interior lakes of central British Columbia; being wrote up in several fishing magazines; featured on several websites and newspapers as well as catching one of the largest 'bows' ever taken from Okanagan Lake, I've been swamped with emails, phone calls, and dock talk from fellow fishermen and reporters, including some TTH members all wondering - "Where's the Magic coming from?"

When my reply is "I'm a lucky son-of-a-gun to have some close knowledgeable friends" most look at me with disbelief.

So, Brian and fellow TTH members - here's my story and my tribute to some very close friends.

A number of years ago, while fishing Kootenay Lake with Rick Arnold and John Weire, John told me of a father/son team by the name of 'Hahn' out of California that had been setting the Trophy Trout world abuzz with their abilities to produce serious fish. A short time later the original 'Making of a Trophy Wall' was published on the Trophy Trout Guide website. Almost mesmerized I read and reread the article until I could nearly quote it verbatim. In that article Gordon states "If they could only get to know the Brownbaggers, they would be on their way." People - I was so taken with that article my attitude became "if I could only get to know the Hawns, I'd be on my way." Fortunately Allan Cole (Allan is another inspiration and close friend) knew them quite well and arranged an introduction while I was in California that Winter. If any two families bonded faster than the Hahns and my wife and me it would be amazing. Staring up at the Trophy Trout Wall for the first time with either Gordon or Pops telling the story of each individual fish, well those stories that the two of them took together almost came alive. Later the talk turned to what it takes to consistently take Trophy Trout including 1 - Set your goals, 2 - put together a game plan and 3 - have faith in yourself. Over the last few years, whenever I put on a seminar, I always preach: If you want to be a better fisherman or individual you had better read and heed 'Making of a Trophy Trout Wall.'

In 1999 the wife and I moved from Calgary Alberta to Kelowna, BC. For the first couple of years, like most fishing transplants, I kept tying into 'run-of-the-mill' sized trout but I soon became disenchanted catching dinks when I knew there were biguns out there. A local writer who was just starting to make a name for himself happened to introduce himself to me at the dock one day. David Kimble who has since become one of Canada's best known outdoor writers was the man who started me on my quest for trophy trout when he took the time to explain to a novice just what it would take to target the bigger trout in BC's larger lakes. He was a new 'true friend' in my time of need. As I improved my abilities to catch bigger fish Dave would remind me of Opera Winfry's definition of luck, "That exact moment when total preparedness meets opportunity." Opera meant the definition for business and life but it is every bit as true when you're fishing for trophy sized trout.

Mike Thompson: love him or hate him he's still Mike and in my opinion, the greatest trophy trout fisherman alive today. In my quest for larger trout, an old walleye fishing friend from Alberta suggested that a friend of his who guided on Kootenay Lake BC under the business name Split-Shot Charters (www.splitshotcharters.com.) Once again I lucked out meeting an icon of the trophy trout world, 'Split Shot Mike.' Mike did not take me under his wing as Mike takes nobody under his wing. But, due to some common bond, whenever I have a problem catching big fish, Mike's always there for me usually telling me "Just go ahead and try it" or "Just do it." A more positive attitude in a fisherman you'll never see but, when you've taken more than 254 rainbow trout over 20-pounds like Mike Thompson has, I guess a little conceit can be tolerated.

So - Brian and fellow TTH members, there's certainly many more out there that I have the honour of calling friends but the above have shown me what true friendship is all about. As for the 'Magic?' That has come from the sharing of knowledge between true angling friends.