REFINED: Fly Fishing in Chilliwack

Discovery’s web series Refined: A Cross-Canada Search for the Finer Things in Life recently came out to BC to film a few episodes with host Patrick McMurray. Patrick is a Canadian restauranteur, a World Oyster Opening Champion, and the current Guinness World Record Oyster Shucker. In Refined, he finds people who are the masters of their own crafts and walks in their shoes for a day to explore their passions.

I was invited out to Chilliwack for their episode with April Vokey of Fly Gal Ventures as Patrick joined her on the Chilliwack River to learn about fly fishing.

Fly Gal Ventures is a unique fly-fishing company that specializes in guided/hosted trips, workshops and ladies apparel. Men, women and children, we cater to everyone in hopes that we can share our passion for the sport.

April is a Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) certified casting instructor, dedicated conservationist, and is definitely an authority when it comes to fly fishing in these parts. Together with her trusty four-legged sidekick, Colby, the production team and I followed April into the river for this episode.

“One of the things that I do this for is to be able to truly live the way that we’re supposed to,” April explains in the episode. “A lot of us get caught up in the indoor life, with the computer scene and the fluorescent lights, and fishing is one of the last final ways that human beings can really get outside and just do exactly as we were meant to do. Even though we don’t always kill our catch, we’re still able to go outside and relive what our ancestors did.”

Previous episodes of Refined include Nasser Shoes (shoemaking), Garrison Bespoke (tailors), Camellia Sinensis (specialty teas), maple syrup, cheese, and guitar making. While in the Vancouver area Patrick also filmed with Milano Coffee, which will be the next episode to be posted in this twelve-part series.