When we were 7, on a fishing trip, we hooked ourselves in the nose. Colliers’ Cindy Dorland tells us about a similar happening, after three long days and nights fly fishing on Black Lake in the Okanagan. Up until that point, she and her friend Russ had nothing to show—“except swollen, itchy bug bites and severely sore bottoms from the seemingly endless hours parked on those rigid undersized seats.” Finally, Russ decides to take the bull by the horns (or the salmon by the gill) and cast off with elegance and precision, Cindy says.

“I then hear a peculiar cry,” Cindy explains. Russ had hooked himself on the back of his scalp (pictured... ouch). Out came the pliers as Cindy attempted the surgical procedure. Unsuccessful, Russ took the pliers into his own hands, with Cindy laughing and taking photos all the time. Hook removed, and with nightfall bearing down, they took one more pass along the lake. That’s when Cindy says she feels a strong pull, then another. The fight is on. Drinks are spilled. Moments later, a 27-inch, plump rainbow trout is in the boat. “I showed her off proudly, trying not to gloat,” she says.