Bill Spicer, host of The New Fly Fisher, a Canadian television show that can be seen on cable, was the guest speaker at the Michigan Fly Fishing Club and, for my money, was one the better representatives of the sport.
When I was a kid, going on a memorable fishing trip meant going to Canada. Whether on a fly-in or by train trip, Canada was the frontier where part of the experience was meeting and braving the elements and wilderness …and catching big fish and plenty of them. Bill spoke passionately about fly fishing for salmon, trout, bass, pike and musky in his native Canada.
Over the past few years it’s become popular (due to an extensive marketing campaign) when thinking about big trout in pristine waters caught on a fly, to think about Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and other western states. Don’t get me wrong, I’m on board with that, but what I’ve forgotten about are the tremendous fishing opportunities Canada has to offer: Big fish, wilderness settings and trophy species …just think about five pound brook trout. And pike and Musky too, are unequaled.
It was like being pulled back by a tether when Spicer talked about the St. Mary’s River on the Canadian side at the Soo.
Spicer made the point that fishing for big fish doesn’t have to cost an arm-and-a-leg …especially at the Soo. Though recommending a guide for at least half a day – if only to learn the safe access wading points – and brought proof of the total variety of fish that hit the St. Mary’s throughout the year.
I’m charged. Plans are being made.
TD
I enjoyed his presentation.
He rekindled what I had forgotten. And it didn’t seem like he was selling. He was good.