I have been fishing since before I can remember. As a young child my family would rent cottages every summer in either Renfrew County Ontario or the Gatineaus in Quebec and fishing is what I remember most. Jigging worms or spin-casting top water lures like the BIG-O for bass is what originally go me into activity. I continued fishing this style to the same types of fish when we bought our own cottage in Quebec until my early twenties.
So if I have been fishing since I was a weasel then why am I the "Greenhorn" Angler?
When I moved across the country from Ottawa, Ontario to Calgary AB I started hearing stories of the famous Bow River. Everything I read about involved Rainbow and Brown trout, neither of which I had ever seen or fished. Lucky for me it turns out my new landlord was a part-time guide. I thought I was set but then I showed him my fishing gear.
After many beers and heated discussions it was decided that we would go fishing together but I was not to bring any of my spin gear. After a few trips that left me frustrated and wanting to snap the rod in half I begin to get the hang of casting and presenting the fly.
One of the outings we got to the river at dark thirty on a late June morning. After finishing our Egg McMuffins and bullshitting a bit we pulled on our waders and walked a half hour to the fishing spot. My borrowed 4wt rod was outfitted with a tapered leader and a Stimulator, could have been anything and I wouldn't have known the difference. A couple casts in to the riffle, a big splash and some one yelled "Fish on". That is when I realized I had a fish on.
Got the fish to the bank, nice 20"+ Bow River rainbow and I was hooked. I decided right there that fly fishing was for me and probably for the same reason a lot of you out there keep coming back... the take.
.JPG) |
| First Trout on the Fly. A Dry at That! |
I invite you to join me as I wade through the details and demystify one of the greatest pastimes out there, ripping lips and crushing beers along the way.
