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Jacklake

Member Since 26 May 2013
Offline Last Active Aug 24 2014 09:32 AM
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Topics I've Started

Information for the new f'fishers on the East side of TO

25 March 2014 - 04:28 PM

Hi folks,

Two points I'd like to mention, especially since there seem to be a number of new or newish fly fishers popping up in Pikering, Ajax and Oshawa.

 

1) A member of the West Hill Anglers Casting Club works part-time at Gagnon's and is more than happy to chat about set-ups and direct you to solutions on equipment and materials.  Of course if Gagnon's has what you need, fine, but his interest is as a fly fisher who wants to help people get involved and improve, so drop in.  One OFF member has visited him a couple of times and may add to this suggestion.  In any event phone ahead and ask when Dave is working - he is always there Sundays.

 

2) A charter member of the Club (and former Canadian casting champion) has retired to the Georgian Bay area and is downsizing his equipment.  Some of it is pricey (Sage rods), and some of it is quite reasonable, especially for someone starting out.  If you send me a PM I will provide the list of items for sale.  He will have his stuff at the next meeting of WHACC on Monday the 31st.  It is an excellent opportunity to check out some nice new and used gear, try it out, and also meet the club to see if you want to continue.  We already have an Ajax member and a Pickering member, plus one from Greenwood, so if they can make it, so can you.

 

Let me know,

JL


Coments for novice fly fishers interested in getting into the sport.

10 March 2014 - 11:36 PM

Since last year when I started to visit the site, there have been a number of fishers interested in getting into fly fishing.  Correct me if I am wrong, but most of them seem to be looking on the 'net for info and reviews on equipment, especially rods.  When I started, a novice bought books, which would hold a comprehensive over-view of what was needed.  IMO, internet searches are comparatively spotty or do not provide a cohesive discussion of the subject.

 

I suggest the two links below be read by those excited to start this year.

 

http://www.flyangler...n/101/part1.php

 

http://www.flyangler...n/101/part3.php

 

One of the first questions is, "What do you plan to fish for, and how big is the water you plan to fish most of the time?"  Once that is settled, you can start to narrow your search to appropriate tools within you budget.

 

My intention with the next info is not to brag, but to make a point.  I have 15 fly rods and belong to a casting club so I can try several others.  I have 3 4wts, 4 5wts, 4 6wts, 3 7wts and a 9wt ... and they are all different!

And they are all different than the Loomises, Sages, Loops and bamboo rods at the club.  Members of the club are all shapes and sizes, male and female.  Most of them have several rods and settled on ones that match their size, style and energy.

 

Which one is right for you?

 

Generally a novice does better with a well-balanced, moderately priced rod such as a StCroix Imperial or Avid because they lack the timing, appropriate application of power, and sensitivity to the flex of the rod and the pull of the line, that experience and practice provide.  As well, because they have a whole lifetime of throwing objects (and Rapalas) forward with a motion that is not fly casting, they have in fact the completely wrong muscle memory.  Fortunately less expensive, slower/softer rods are forgiving of this, whereas stiffer rods will react to every twitch (and error) and be harder to manage as a beginning caster.

 

So as the season begins, I implore new casters to connect with someone who can let you try a couple of rods - and cast for about 1/2 an hour.  Don't buy a rod just because of recommendations or what you read.  If you read the descriptions by rod manufactures they are: not always accurate and; sometimes self-contradictory. 

 

In the club we say you won't know very much about your first rod until you get your second one ('cause only then can you compare).    Like shoes, clothes and most tools, one size does not fit all and only a 'test drive' will let you know what feels best for you.

 

I just don't want you to start off on a path of unnecessary compromise and frustration.

 

 


Toronto Sportmen's Show & Fly Fishing

04 February 2014 - 10:41 AM

Over the past few months there have been a number of OFFers expressing interest in fly fishing and fly tying.

The Sportsmen's Show will have a section on the west wall for informally coaching both casting and tying.

 

In particular, the Winter Hatches Fly Fishing Club and the West Hill Anglers Casting Club will share a booth next to the TSA Archery and Pellet Gun Range (south end of the casting pool).

Winter Hatches will have brochures and information on the upcoming Tying Symposium and will be tying flies to attract your attention.  The Casting Club will have demonstration and practice rods for you to try.

 

My slot is all day Saturday and I would like to meet any OFFers who stop to say hello.

 

At the other end of the pool is the Isaac Walton Fly Fishing Club - I know one prominent member of OFF plans to be there much of the time.

 

So if you have an interest in fly fishing, come on over and spend some time getting introduced to the sport, or that tune-up tip you feel you need.  Cheers.


Winter Hatches 20th Annual Fly Tying Symposium

03 January 2014 - 09:38 PM

 

OK!

The director-in-charge has published the opening page for the Symposium, showing the date, and the instructors.

The event works like this:

  • There is an all-day beginners' class where you learn about tools, techniques and tying methods. You will leave with 5 different flies that incorporate the basic routines for creating almost all typical flies. Everything is provided for beginners; tools, materials, instruction book. Each novice is at a table with 3 others and an experienced coach.
  • If you are more advanced (intermediate), you will choose 4 classes of the 5 available, kind of like high school.  You can choose to stay with the same coach for the day (or morning/afternoon), or pick up your stuff and move to a different coach for the next session. Bring your own tools and thread (per information to be shown later), everything else is provided to tie the flies. There is a full-colour instruction book for all flies demonstrated during the day. These sessions are limited to 20 participants, although only Ian James usually commands that audience. Each of these classes has an experienced assistant. The classes work like this; the coach demonstrates the fly (and explains how to fish it) and then you tie it. Both the coach and assistant move about the room ensuring you are not missing a step.
  • Coffee breaks are provided, lunch is provided, and parking is provided.
  • There will be a fly shop on site for purchase of additional materials.
  • There will be a bucket raffle for goodies and a silent auction of more special items.

I have been a coach at this Symposium once, and lead assistant often.  Everyone has a great time and learns more than they expect.  It is a bargain, and an especially wonderful time to be with other fly fishers when it is not fly fishing season.

 

Shortly the website will outline the specific flies each coach is demonstrating, and will have the downloadable sheet for registration.  With a number of new and also younger fly fishers and fly tiers joining OFF, I have been impatient for this announcement because I REALLY want you guys to improve and to enjoy fly fishing to the fullest.

Cheers,

Greg


OK, I am making and offer/contribution

02 October 2013 - 04:04 PM

I have been thinking of this idea for about a month as I have been reading and responding to the threads on this board. It is my impression that there are a number of new/novice fly fishers joining the ranks - perhaps more than usual. I remember those days myself, and of course have met some beginners on the stream over the years.

 

It seems most of the new flyfishers are on the west side of Toronto - although I am not restricting this suggestion to only them.

 

I am offering to review equipment (and proper set-up), and teach casting for (almost) free at a location within one hour of Toronto for a session of about 2 hours.  I will bring the targets, some simple handouts, a couple of rod examples, and the extra leader & fly stuff needed for practice casting.  I can do this on the weekend of October 19 - details to be arranged by the participants.

 

Why would I do this?

I enjoy teaching and seeing the Ah-ha reaction in new casters - or those who need to overcome a casting challenge.

By practicing teaching I become a better teacher - and if I hope to become a FFF Master Instructor I could use the practice.

I really become disturbed/disappointed/sorry when I see a newbie casting poorly and thus reducing his/her enjoyment and possibly giving up. Flyfishing is so much fun, and generates so many good conservation citizens, that I want more people to find it easy and to encourage others.

 

This is what I would like from the participants:

Someone in the area from Burlington to Guelph to maybe Alliston to take the lead to organize the place and time.

I think it is fair to have a central location so everyone (including me from Toronto) drives an hour or less.

The place should be a park or football field - water is not necessary.

A picnic table for equipment set-up and as a focus would be nice but not essential.

All casters will have their own (or borrowed) equipment.

This will not happen if the date is rainy or has winds above 20KM/hour - too hard to teach.

3 or 4 ‘students’ would be fine, if there are more than 6 I will see if I can get another ‘coach’ to come along.

The (almost) part is that I am happy to provide the time but would like the participants to each contribute enough that I can cover gas costs - like $30-$35 total.

 

I had mentioned to MadRiver that I might come to the Steelhead outing, but that is a long way for one day, and who wants to stop for a lesson when there are steelhead to be caught?  I think some practice ahead of time is a better idea.

 

I hope I am not stepping on any toes here - I don't mean to poach on any guide's territory for instance.  Let the discussion begin, whatever happens (or doesn't) is OK with me.

Greg