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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance Times, 1995-05-10, Page 6• Forever Fishin' has r With the arrival of spring, many a man's fancy turns to thoughts of water and honeyholes. It's fishing season. Just two short weeks ago, the trout season opened and hundreds of anglers ventured forth in quest of the trophy trout. For Bill Tolton, a life long. angler and world. class fly- tier, fishing season means serious business. Tolton is the owner of Wing - ham's Forever Fishin', a local fish- ing store. Open for business since July 1994, the operation has been attracting serious steelhead fishers from places like Hamilton, Toronto and Chatham. "It's been really good," he said of the business. Located in the ren- ovated Currie Building across from the Post Office, Forever Fishin' has pretty well everything the serious or hobby fisher could want. But for Tolton, the real catch is the flies. That is, the flies that an- glers use to land big steelhead, brookies or brown trout. His most recent credit was given by a Sage representative. Sage is the premier rod for fly fishing, and the rep told Tolton that he felt he was one of the world class fly -tiers. In fact, Tolton has won over the fly fishing enthusiasts and has heard from several clients .who have landed some trophy fish with his flies. As for the sport of fly fishing, Tolton said it is the fastest growing sport in Canada. The serenity and challenge of landing a 12 to 14 inch trout with a tiny fly adds to the pas- sion many feel. "You wonder at it. It's always learning...the study of streams, the insects, habits, finding the feeding lanes. You never stop learning." Tolton has been fly fishing him- self for about eight years and tries to get out at least a couple times per week. "It's an intriguing sport, there's a lot more to it. Fly fishing is more productive than bait or lure . fish- ing." So productive in fact, that Tolton proudly points out a 19.5 inch brown trout hanging on his wall. The taxidermed trophy was caught just 20 minutes from Wingham, but Talton won't disclose any more than that. And who can blame him. With a nice trophy, who would want the competition at a favourite hole. In addition, he talks of the feel- ing of accomplishment when one takes a fly they tied the night be- fore heading out to the water and landing a fish. "There's• not a lot to, it. It's not very difficult; even kids can do it," he said. "Compared to the chain stores," he said. " I specialize in flies." ers catching But limited Forever Fishin' is not. Talton said he prides himself on providing local service and ad- vice to the beginning angler. He teaches a little fly fishing tech- nique, as well as stocking supplies and equipment to land almost any kind of fish found in the area. He also spoke on the need to practice conservation and good ste- wardship to preserve the sport. "The water is fairly clear and people should be aware that snag- ging fish is. illegal. The hook has to be inside the mouth." He also said people should be careful where they walk when heading out into the stream or river. Avoid the clean rocks, or reds, be- cause that is prime spawning ground and intrusion can damage the eggs, thus limiting the fish stocks. "The ministry (of natural re- sources) isn't stocking the rivers like they used to, so we have to be conscious of what we're doing so there will be fish for future." Tolton loves talking fishing, and that's something consumers won't find at chain stores. Nor will they find on-site reel service, or special- ized equipping. And where else can that fish cra- zy angler find an after hours bait outlet. Tolton has a door bell in- stalled at his .back door for titose who need bait at an h y our. Local View on a Global Economy Forever Fishin' Val Any n test. Bring in reel spool OFFER EXPIRES MAY 31, 1995 294A Josephine Street, Wingham, Ontario 357-4640 Store Hours 4Nortday to Thursday/Saturday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. OFFER VALID ONLY WITH THIS ADVANCE -TIMES COUPON • elk J • Flying high...Bill Tolton's Forever Fishin' store has been attracting some avid anglers from as far away as Hamilton and Chatham. World class flies are what they're looking for and Tolton has the trophy fish to prove their effectiveness. Joe Brophy's in tune with automotive needs Happy to be 'on his own' Do you need your car or light truck looked after? Does your vehi- cle need some minor repairs. Then, the place to take it is Joe's Automotive at 611 Cedar Street in Wingham. Although in business for less than a year, Joe's Automotive has some regular customers from throughout the midwestern Ontario region. . Joe Brophy opened his business in July of 1994, after working at a local service station for 18 years. While attending high school, he worked at his dad's business — Brophy Brothers. Joe also worked there in the summer. Joe opened his own automotive repair business because he just wanted to work for himself. "I wanted to be my own boss," he said. He noted that because of his ex- perience at a local service station and with his fathers service, he sort of evolved into this business. "Business has been picking up r from week to week," he said. "People are beginning to come up from Atwood and Lucknow." As well as serving people from the immediate Wingham area, Bro- phy also has customers who come from north Perth County and south Bruce County. He said that he enjoys dealing with the people and talking with them about their vehicles. Joe's Automotive offers quality work on anything to do with auto- mobiles and light trucks — from brakes and air conditioning to ex- haust and even minor repairs. Joe's Automotive is open for business Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, and from 8 a.m. to noon on ,Saturdays. Joe also makes service calls. He is basically on call for a full 24 hour period. Although he is a qualified me- chanic, Joe is continually upgrad- ing his credentials. He said that now most of the major companies offer their own seminars. As well as working for himself, Joe also has an apprentice me- chanic — Scott Rintoul — who started last July, at the same time Joe started his business. Joe also has a co-op student from F.E. Ma- dill Secondary School, who comes every second day to help out. While Joe looks after the vehi- cles that are brought in by the cus- tomers, the bookkeeping is done by his wife, Adrienne Brophy. "I am quite happy to be on my own," said Joe. One thing about being in busi- ness for himself, Joe said some people think there is less pressure, but other people say there is more pressure. He said he wasn't sure, but not- ed that he had never had to worry about the financial side of a busi- ness before. But, he is glad that he has a bookkeeper to look after the finan- cial side .of the business. Local View on a GiobaiRconomy io akes Joe's Automotive OFFER EXPIRES MAY 31, 1995 611 Cedar Road, Wingham, Ontario 357-4527 Business Hoj Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. to Noon OFFER VALID ONLY WITH THIS ADVANCE -TIMES COUPON •.Hyr Jt.as:i'Wc 0.00040 • Joe knows cars...Joe Brophy of Joe's Autontotive has been In business for him- self since last July, and already Is attracting customers from outside the Immediate Wingham area. Joe looks at a vehicle In his shop on. Cedar Street in Wingham.