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Hi guys, I'm brand new to fly fishing. I had a pole and reel given to me for Christmas a few years ago and want to get my line wet but need lessons badly lol
Is there anyone in the Cambridge area that offers lessons? Any recommendations would be great. Thanks guys
Are you not going fishing for lack of lessons?
I didn't get any lessons and as a result I'm probably the world's worst fly caster. I'd be ashamed if anyone who knows what their doing saw me. However, I do catch fish.
There are a lot of YouTube videos on how to fly cast etc. Just go out on a good sized lawn, clip the barb off a fly and practice.
Then get out fishing! Rock bass and sunfish are great to learn on.
You could try Wilson's. Good people. Jim Wilson is a good lad and would spend all day with you in store and not make a dime. Just loves fly fishing. I don't know if the store in Toronto is still open but they had lessons out your way. https://m.facebook.com/CanadasFlyFishingOutfitter?refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww .google.ca%2F&_rdr
Also Grand river outfitters out in Fergus. I have no experience with them.
I went to Grand River Trout fitters and took a half day learn to tie and the a half day with a guide who taught me how to setup a rod and cast.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mdiddi
First on grass, then in a pond (so you can feel the rod load from the cohesion of the line and water surface) then down on the river where he showed me dry fly, nymph in and wet fly techniques and I caught a few fish. All in all it was a fun time. And I learned a lot.
Youtube will be your friend, search up casting demonstrations and watch the boring 40 minute videos they will help you in the long run. I went from doing 20ft overhead casts to being able to shoot 50ft and then moved onto single hand spey where I can roll out 60ft. It took many days of casting in my lawn and a lot of failed attempts in a river and lake. Same thing with tying flies I started out tying wooly buggers only and now I have ventured into just about every fly you can think of. Before you start realize that fly fishing is not cheap, but it is worth everything when you land your first 20+lb salmon or 5+lb rainbow.
I am mostly self taught, with pointers from several people over the years. Anyhow some years ago I went out with a small group that had secured a guide for lessons and fishing. I never rolled my eyes at the idea (knowing that the other folks in the group were new to fly fishing), but I didn't think I was going to get much out of it.
I was totally wrong. The guide was just absolutely fantastic. He helped the new guys a lot, and helped me with some things he identified about my fishing. His knowledge was great, and it was an excellent experience.
The guide's name was Larry McGratton out of Fergus.
Yes, Now that I see his name, I remeber that was the guide I was hooked up with out of Troutfitters.Quote:
Originally Posted by LeakyBoots
I have nothing but good things to say about Brian Primeau as a guide and an instructor out of the First Cast fly shop in Guelph. Great guy to learn from as very knowledgeable, friendly and patient.
Brian is a great guy, but I don't think he's been working there for years...Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Victor
To the OP~I'd offer to give you a free primer, but I'm in the Newmarket area..so not close to you at all. In Fergus, I'd HIGHLY recommend you go see Rob Heal. Great guy, and very capable. Tell him what you're hoping to do, what kind of gear you have...and ask him what he'd suggest lessons-wise.
I'd also echo what GoldenLakePete said...trout on the fly are pretty sweet, but for every trout I've ever caught...I've probably pinned 20 warm water fish. Sunfish/perch are remarkably cooperative, and I'd urge you to spend allot of time chasing those along the edges of lakes/ponds. Even if they hold less appeal, they'll prep you for the skills you need to help hook/land trout. AND...goes without saying...there is technique/skill required to catch bragging-sized sunfish and perch. I spent several summers with a fly rod attempting to do that myself. In that time, I caught tons of gar pike, bass, perch, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, bluegill, crappie...even a few carp. (inadvertently)
my fishing buddy went with his brother to furges today for a day of fly fishing lessons ,said thy had a great day on the river ,a really nice time ,I will ask him who it was ,Dutch
Ya Brian left his post as shop manager I think at least 4-5 years ago but still does guiding/lessons at the First CastQuote:
Originally Posted by GrouseWhisperer
I'm mostly self taught. We had a trout pond and I picked up basic casting on my own.
After a few years I went out with Brian from first cast and picked up some really great pointers that helped me up my game fairly quickly. Just being on the river in Fergus I ended up fishing with some guys from Troutfitters and Ian James. They all offer guiding and while it's not something I would pay for every weekend, it's amazing what a few hours with a pro can do for your technique.