ANYONE CAN DO THIS!
This isn’t really a rant, and if it is, Deanna lets me get away with it about twice a year:-)
I am always amazed that many folks believe that fly fishing is difficult or out of reach or simply for the rich and professionals. For those of you, who are looking to get into the sport, know that it fly fishing is as simple or as complicated as you want to make it.
A few days ago I was at a regional fly fishing get-together. The conference I gave was targeted at newcomers and I tried to show how fly fishing for Atlantic salmon can be truly simple.
At the wrap-up banquet, one of the invited guests gave a nice speech thanking the organizers (all volunteers) but then ran on about how it is instructive to see how well the “experts” and “specialists” present have mastered all the technical intricacies of the sport (bugs, casting, techniques etc). She also sort of put fly fishing up on some sort of intellectual or social pedestal, implying that the sport is more complicated or refined or accomplished than other forms of fishing.
Strangely enough, over half of those present seemed to glow in the limelight of elitism that was shining down upon them! For a handful of us in the back (closest to the bar), our table fell a bit silent. I guess the message is a bit slow getting out!
Here’s a little secret for those of you who believe that you are really good at your fly fishing: “There is someone else out there somewhere better than you”!
Ok, that said, what must we do about it???
Well, for one thing, start at home (on your home waters). Look back in your mind’s eye. You’re stringing up, getting ready for a nice morning of fly fishing. You’re in a picnic pull-out off the highway. There is a family (tourists) having breakfast at the picnic table next to you. It is pretty obvious that the kids are intrigued by your stuff.
Do you prepare your gear, making a big show of the thousands of flies in your boxes (99% of which you don’t use), pulling on your waders, hat, glasses and boots as if you’re #1 in a stick going to HALO jump over Afghanistan?
Or,
Do you nod a hello and smile, ask them where they’re from and show the kids the difference between an artificial fly that floats and one which doesn’t?
There is a whole lot of myth, legend and mystique surrounding fly fishing in North America. Maybe “the Film” had something to do with it. Maybe it’s a cultural thing. All I know is that it is up to each and every one of us to try to spread the word that fly fishing is really quite simple and easily learnable by anyone who cares to give it a try.
So I’ll quit ranting and tell you some of the things I do:
- I often give casting demos and classes at lunch hour next to the office.
- I encourage youngsters to try fishing and especially fly fishing when I speak on any subject
- I invite friends, associates and family fishing!
- I am humble (at least in my mind).
Lastly, I hope you all realize that we are a community. Because of our gear, (waders, glasses, hat and long rod), fly fishers do stand out in a crowd. As a member of any “group”, you, me, we have a certain responsibility to act as ambassadors for that group.
So the next time you’re out on the water, at a shop or just napping by the river, remember that we are all representatives of our respective town, region, club and sport.
Try to leave a (positive) lasting impression!
Last spring at the Sherbrooke Spey Clinic, the local Scouts were there at the same time by pure chance to get some their fishing badges. We easily found some spare gear and they soon put aside the spoons and tried some fly fishing!
And with DH rods at that!
Christopher Chin, Proulxville Quebec