Archive for the ‘atlantic salmon’ Category

Recently, I’ve written a couple of posts about where I’ve found errors in fact by so called “experts” in regard to fly fishing. In “Free Fly Fishing Advice,” I wrote about reading where an “expert” had answered a question about tippets and suggested you matched your tippet to the type of fish you were pursuing. In “Fly Fishing Giggles,” I reported on some absolute rubbish that was written by someone named “Markus Debra.” Debra talked suggested halibut was a freshwater species, and that bamboo rods were “common,” while graphite or carbon fiber rods are mainly used for catching “coarse” fish. It’s all kind of funny and a little sad to read stuff like that.

I was browsing the Wikipedia entry on fly fishing this morning and came across this in the first paragraph:

“Fly fishing is a distinct and ancient angling method, most renowned as a method for catching trout and salmon, but employed today for a wide variety of species including pike, bass, panfish, grayling and carp, as well as marine species, such as redfish, snook, tarpon, bonefish and striped bass. There are many reports of fly anglers taking unintended species such as chub, bream and rudd while fishing for ‘main target’ species such as trout. There is a growing population of anglers whose aim is to catch as many different species as possible with the fly.”

I don’t know who writes this stuff, and perhaps I’ve missed something, but it seems to me from the reading that I’ve done, focusing on trout and salmon is a fairly modern thing among fly anglers. The above paragraph is written in such a way that some folk might not realize that fly fishing in Izaak Walton’s day included pursuing a number of different fish species, including gudgeons, sprats, bleaks, herns, tench, roach, umber, loach, and sticklebag. Walton also provides a recipe for cooking eel.

It’s kind of funny – if Brown Trout were being introduced to North America today, there would be a hue and cry from many fly anglers about this “invasive” species that voraciously competes with the naturals of North America. Perhaps many still don’t realize that Brown Trout are not native to North America and were imported from Europe. And indeed, they have competed with natural species. In some watersheds, there is evidence that the browns feast upon the brook trout, and have lowered their numbers.

If we’re going to give fish “respect,” then perhaps we should take another look at Izaak Walton’s attitude. Many consider him the “father of fly fishing,” and use his name in all sorts of ways to promote businesses, clubs and associations. Let’s dispel those salmon and trout myths – and let’s remember that Atlantic Salmon were once “so respected and revered” that they were pitchforked during their runs up rivers from the Great Lakes by folk who wanted to make a meal of them.

By the way, there’s a copy of The Compleat Angler by Walton on this site.

Arrived back in Ontario, Canada yesterday afternoon after spending just under a week in Northern Ireland.   The weather was awesome if you’re into sunshine and tanning your skin – but not great if you wanted to fly fish. A very non-typical week of bright sunshine without a single drop of rain.   In fact, I came back home with more of a sun tan than when I had left Canada!

Even so, I did get to spend a day fly fishing the Six Mile Water River with Stevie Munn near Templepatrick and Antrim town – and although we had to contend with low water levels and practically zero cloud cover, it was a great experience!  Stevie promised we’d catch some fish – and sure enough we did even under the not so good weather conditions for fly fishing.

I’m going to write a full article on the experience later – but for now, let me say this:   Stevie is one heck of a fly angler and great company as a fly fishing guide too. If you’re thinking of heading to Northern Ireland and want to get in some fly fishing while you are there, Stevie Munn is probably your man to contact for guiding services.

I’m getting more excited! I’ve finally managed to firm up a date for fishing with Stevie Munn when I’m in Northern Ireland. The day will be the last full day that I am visiting Northern Ireland – so I hope nothing goes wrong – and I’m wondering how I will have the patience to wait for it while I’m visiting and doing other things.

I don’t subscribe to Trout & Salmon magazine but one of my acquaintances does, and mentioned he had seen Stevie’s name mentioned in relation to some Irish angling articles and/or reports.

I’m also hoping he knows I’m not expecting a “typical” guided experience, where the guide bites his tongue while the client screws up the possibility of a fish – instead, I hope he elbows his way right in there if need be, and shows me how to catch the fish while not worrying about making sure the client caught more fish – some guides seldom do any fishing at all when they are “working.”

I prefer a guide who is of the sort that is willing to say, “Here, let me show you how it’s done here…” and I can learn from observation as well as my own experience. If he wants to tie on my tippet and flies, that’s fine – most of them have time saving tricks that ensure the fly gets into or onto the water faster – but I like a guide that will have fun as well.

Anyhow – wow – time flies. Won’t be long until I’m there!