from
http://news.therecord.com/Sports/article/719070 May 28, 2010 By Robert Reid, Record staff
Fly fishing can be intimidating — especially for the beginner. You can read books, watch outdoor TV shows and videos, pick the brains of fly shop owners, enroll in instructional courses and hire professional guides.
A good place to start, however, is Grand Opportunities — a free, open-air forum devoted to all aspects of fly fishing. Although the event offers myriad tricks of the trade for seasoned fly anglers, it serves as a good introduction for those just getting their feet wet casting artificial flies on the water.
This year’s event takes place June 5, from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m., at Belwood Lake Conservation Area.
The day-long, crash-course in fly fishing fundamentals is organized by Friends of the Grand River, a non-profit organization of volunteers incorporated in 1995 to develop, promote and implement projects to preserve, conserve and enhance the ecology of the Grand River watershed.
Organizer Steve May, a professional guide, commercial fly tier and fly fishing writer who works full-time as a stewardship coordinator with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, says the event “is designed to provide a friendly and educational meeting place for fly fishers, both new and experienced.”
It offers a variety of hands-on activities. Morning seminars are conducted on land and afternoon seminars are conducted on the water.
This year’s seminars include casting for success, selecting flies to match Grand River hatches, success with dry and emerger flies, championship nymphing techniques, big flies for big fish tactics and successful drag and mending techniques.
The guest instructors, who volunteer their time, are all well-known, professional guides in southern Ontario including Ken Collins, Ian Martin and Mike Verhoof, in addition to McGratton and May.
Heather Jones and Sherri Steele, who carry on the legacy of their late, fly fishing mom Sue Robins, are back again to present their popular, introductory seminar for women. Although admission is free, female fly fishers must pre-register by emailing May at
stephen.may@ontario.ca or by calling McGratton at 519-843-3102 before June 1. Equipment is provided for participants who don’t own any.
There also will be a sale of used gear and equipment, fly tying material, books and magazines and sports wear. The paraphernalia is sold by Friends of the Grand River, which retains 20 per cent commission as a fundraiser. Anglers with stuff to sell should pre-register by downloading a form on the organization’s website.
Although Grand Opportunities is free, participants have to pay regular admission to the conservation area. An optional steak barbecue lunch is offered for $10 for Friends of the Grand River members.
Information is available at
Friends of the Grand River.
rreid@therecord.com
