Fun Things to Do

As far as I am aware there is no another sport, pastime or hobby that can be enjoyed almost anywhere in the World in landscapes varied from deep blue oceans to high mountains and in between them thousands of beautiful places. Fly fishing is a truly international pursuit with millions of passionate participants around the globe. The enthusiasm of its exponents has extended into art, not just the balletic moves for the fly caster but also to fine literature, poetry, songs, paintings, sketches and sculptures that demonstrate a degree of engagement rarely exhibited by other interests. The late Sir Alex Douglas-Home is credited with a saying that fly fishing is a disease and fortunately for the inflicted there is no cure!

Joan Wulff is one of the finest fly fishers in the World her other great skills include being an expert ballroom dancer hardly you might think a natural association and yet the delicacy and precision of the fly rod, its tempo and rhythm are every bit as exhilarating and demanding as the intricacies of the dance floor. I asked Joan how she would encourage someone to try fly fishing. “Well I would say that if you like the out of doors and are comfortable in heat, cold, wind, can deal with biting insects without some problems you will love fly fishing! It gets you to the most beautiful places in the world and fly fishing has so many levels of focus for you. You can tailor it, you know, if you want to know the Latin names of all the insects you can do that and if you don’t want to do it you just say it’s yellow and it’s this shape and this size and do it that way so it’s a life time sport and its got all kinds of depth if you want it.”

"Yes you can look sexy in waders ..."

Many of today’s recruits to fly fishing are middle-aged people who either had no inclination to try fishing during their younger years or due to the demands of careers and family temporarily set it aside and eventually due to changing circumstances they realise that now the time is right to visit beautiful places with the purpose of a wonderful engagement with this fascinating hobby. Time does not permit the grey brigade to spend many years learning the hard way like kids of my generation did. They don’t need to settle for second hand and discarded tackle of doubtful reliability or spend long hours experimenting trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear as they learn the skills! Fly fishing tackle has never been more affordable or of better quality than we have nowadays. Clothing has evolved from the worn sports jacket or tweed suit to smart casual wear that looks great on the high street, in the country and of course on the water. Waders are not the colossal encumbrance of PVC or latex, they are now lightweight breathable garments with a variety of shapes and sizes available to suit all forms of the male and female figure. Yes ladies you can look sexy in waders and I couldn’t have said that a few years ago.

The off putting mysteries of fly casting and the frustrations of learning to fly fish have also been dissolved by the availability of professional instruction and fly fishing courses. More of the ingredients for success can be learnt during a weekend course from expert tutors than can be achieved in a season on the water. This fast track approach allows those who adopt fly fishing later in life to quickly become conversant with the sport, consequently their enjoyment is rapidly enhanced and enthusiasm bolstered. Typically these courses will include safety, tackle choices, fly casting skills, methods of fishing in rivers and lakes, entomology and the selection of flies, fly tying and conservation. My residential courses have been developed and continually improved over twenty years and have been successfully delivered in many countries.

The number of places on them is limited to ensure that all the participants have lots of personal attention from the instructors, usually me and my son who in addition to being a very good instructor is also an expert fishery biologist. If preferred tuition private can be arranged for individuals and groups. This is a great way to sample fly fishing without investment in tackle or waders and most of those who have a lesson find the experience absorbing and relaxing. Fly fishing provides you with your own space, it can be enjoyed at your pace and indulged in almost any place. Small wonder why its appeal is universal. The fantastic world of fly fishing awaits you!

Ally Gowans

Images on this page are the copyright of Ally Gowans and used with permission.