"It can start innocently as making your first cast, tying your first fly or just an excuse to be out on the water on a beautiful summer's day. Then, it suddenly turns into a lifelong obsession and you're hooked."
So says John Fox (no relation), who chairs this year's Canadian Fly Fishing Forum to be held Saturday and Sunday at the Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel and Conference Centre.
Fly-fishing aficionados are out to lure you to the event sponsored by volunteers from the Izaak Walton Fly Fishing Club.
Forum publicist Mario Carr said this is a "great place to learn about fly fishing" from the experts while helping to support conservation measures.
This is "no longer just a sport but a lifestyle," Fox said, noting that getting started is not as easy as it looks.
"From tying your first fly to casting techniques, the forum has a beginner's program that has been tailor-made to teach people how to start in this fascinating hobby," he said.
The forum is not just for beginners as there are also more advanced programs as well.
It will feature speakers from the sport, including Ian Collin James, Bill Spicer, Colin McKeown and Phil Rowley.
They'll share their tips at 32 seminars designed for both beginners and the expert fly "fisherpersons" as many women have taken up the sport.
Topics include Fly Tying and Casting for Beginners; Tricks for Trout; Graphite and Bamboo Rod Building; Ontario Destinations; Fly Fishing for Gar; Tackle Basics; Designing the Fly You Need; and Knots and Leaders for Beginners.
Booths at the Exhibit Hall will feature International Showcase Fly Tyers, guides, equipment manufacturers, artists, lodges and more.
As well, next Saturday the club will hold its annual award and fundraising banquet starting at 6:30 p.m. with raffles and a silent auction to support conservation measures.
Guest speaker at the banquet will be Phil Rowley.
Money raised at the non-profit forum will aid fisheries conservation, with the club over 32 years donating more than $200,000 for habitat improvements, education, scholarships and other activities.
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Here are some other upcoming opportunities to fall "hook, line and sinker" for fishing:
* The 28th Annual Orillia Perch Festival takes place at Tudhope Park (Highway 12 South and Atherley Road) from April 18 to May 9 on Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching. The family-fun derby has dozens of prizes for catching tagged fish in adult and children's categories in the live-release program. There's one tagged perch worth $5,000 and more than 60 that will return $500 each. Entry fees are $15; $6, children, $30, family package. For more, go to www.orillia.com/perchfestival or call 1-888-326-4424.
* The Tim Horton Trout Derby is at Springwater Pond (8079 Springwater Rd.) in Aylmer April 25 to May 3. The final day will include a children's derby. Rainbow trout are stocked each year to create a safe and easily accessible fishing opportunity. It costs $7.50 a person; no charge to children to age 14. www.catfishcreek.ca; (519) 773-9037.
* A Trout Derby runs from April 25 to May 3 at the Falls Reserve Conservation Area in Benmiller, near Goderich. "Bring your fishing tackle and tie into a tagged trout at our stock fish pond to claim your prize," say the organizers, the Huron Fish and Game Conservation Association of Clinton. Park entry fee applies. www.mvca.on.ca; 1-877-325-5722.
* Greensville Optimist Club's Fishing Derby at Christie Lake Conservation Area in Dundas is May 9, 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tagged fish are worth $50 each and anglers will be given an opportunity to win a Hamilton Conservation Authority family prize package. Registration is $5; $2, children to age 16 plus park admission. www.conservationhamilton.ca; (905) 628-3060.
Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
IF YOU GO
The Canadian Fly Fishing Forum is at the Holiday Inn Burlington, 3063 South Service Rd. (off the Queen Elizabeth Way east of Guelph Line). Tickets are $10 a day (no charge for children to age 16 with an adult) and $12 each for seminars. Pre-register for a two-day package at $75 that includes entry both days and all seminars.
Details: www.iwffc.com; 905-276-6345. The Holiday Inn offers special rates for show-goers: www.holiday-inn/burlingtoncan; (905) 639-4443.
