By Len Piggin
If you are continually searching for fly fishing knowledge like myself, read on? Have you ever used a guide?
I was employed at Wholesale Sports in Kamloops for many years, and because I worked the fishing department counter, customers thought I was an expert on all fishing-related matters. Knowing and connecting with staff in your local fly shop is an excellent way to learn local knowledge, but I also learned a lot from my customers. So, how do we get better as an angler, or should I say how do we learn?
In 2017 Al McLean and I wanted to try a different type of fishing, so we took our first guided trip to the East Kootenay’s to fish for Westslope Cutthroat. This was going to be dry-fly fishing at its finest, and we usually fished nymphs in the Kamloops area. We have both fished the Thompson & Adams rivers, but this was going to be different as we were going to learn river dry-fly fishing! The proper leader length, how to put fly floatant on your fly and what is the best brand are a couple of things we learned from our guides.
First, we did a float trip down the Elk River with Brennan Lund of St. Mary’s Angler Fly Shop. After our float trip Al & I fished on our own, but that initial guide trip set us up for success. A drag-free drift of your fly was very important information, as well as putting it in the right location: in and around obstructions and structure such as rocks and logs, and picking up the habit of fishing near shore. You don’t need to boom out long casts; rather, they should be placed in the right spots. We also learned techniques, and were provided information regarding other rivers we could fish.
On our most recent trip in 2024 Rueben Breitkreutz was our guide, and what a wealth of knowledge! Selecting a top quality fly shop with top notch guides such as Rueben was a great move, and I highly recommend doing so.
Surfing the internet through websites, Facebook and You Tube are other ways to gain knowledge, but I’ve found joining a fly-fishing club such as ours (KamloopsFlyFishers.org) is the best way to get local fishing knowledge, and the bonus is the friendships which I have made for life through the Kamloops Fly Fishers.
I am currently President of the Kamloops Fly Fishers Association. My fishing buddy, the late Gord Bacon was a wealth of information, and more recently I fished with Todd Oishi on Heffley Lake, fishing Loch Style with drogues. Traditionally, we would double-anchor at a location we’ve been successful at before, or use fish finders or other techniques to locate fish, and then anchor. With this type of fishing, you are casting to the same trout, and if you’re not successful you move to another location. Fish finders are a boon for this type of fishing. With Loch-Style fishing, you are constantly drifting towards active trout, and they are seeing your fly first. You are always casting to different and fresh, new trout. There are two types of drogues, cone and para- drogues.
When you troll a fly, you are disturbing the trout with your boat and then your line(s) proceed through the disturbed trout.
Our fly club holds lessons throughout the year. For our Fly-Tying 101/Method Session, you will note we use the numbers “101”, because there is no prerequisite: we are always learning. These sessions usually use club members to present them, but you don’t just learn how to tie the fly, you gain the knowledge on how to fish it, what line to use, where to fish it, and even what lakes the presenter uses it on.
In recent years I’ve been fishing not only with the standard floating fly line, but also a type one or two sinking fly line. I have been using nymphs such as the Prince Nymph and Hare Ear’s to great success. These fly lines allow me to move the nymph right along the weeds (actually ticking the weeds), which is just one of the methods that I have learned that makes me a better fisherman. I don’t want to sit and watch an indicator all day; there’s a time for every type of fishing.
Another way to learn is to volunteer your time. I was Sector Judge at Sullivan Lake for the 8th FIPS-Mouche Masters World Fly Fishing Championship. Prior to the Championship I took two members of Team England fishing to Jacko Lake. I found their fishing techniques and styles including their fly selections were very different than mine—another learning curve to follow when needed.
One thing I have learned about fishing is that you are always learning. My quest for knowledge is never-ending as I am not an expert, and I believe in our “101”.
I recommend joining a club in your area, which can be found by talking to your local fly shop, or by searching the internet. Fishing with different members can boost your learning, as they will have different techniques that will interest you. Taking a guide while on a fishing trip to new water is another excellent way to learn more.
I am always open to learn new fishing techniques.
Tight lines.
Leonard P. Piggin
President KFFA
Director BCFFF
