Why Do You Fly Fish?

Kendall Kerr - Northern Waters Fly Fishers - President

As a young boy growing up in Swift Current, I spent countless hours playing with the McRae boys whose father disappeared every late spring to camp and fish somewhere in the Cypress Hills.  When we were allowed to play inside, my attention was always drawn to a corner of the house where laid a collection of feathers and furs. Unfortunately, this was quickly met with a stern warning from their mother to not dare touch anything on the table.  As a result, I was only able to stare in awe of Mr. McRae’s collection of hooks which he had decorated with yarn, feathers and fur.  With Hot Wheels cars to race, I quickly lost interest and forgot about these fishing hooks until the next visit.

Kendall Kerr with a Brook Trout (Whitegull Creek, SK)

My next introduction to fly fishing was eight years later while attending the summer Scout camp, Wilderness Rendezvous in the West Block of the Cypress Hills.  Within a very short time after arriving, fish were discovered in the Battle Creek and excitement abounded throughout camp with hopes of catching them for supper.  With hook and fishing line retrieved from my survival kit, I joined the other eager fishermen in the hope of catching the first fish.  After a few unsuccessful hours, everyone including myself turned our attention to other endeavours.  For the remainder of the camp, the rainbow trout were left in peace to go about their business.

After graduating from university in 1981, my early adult years were devoted to establishing a career and raising a family.  In 1992 my curiosity about fly fishing once again resurfaced momentarily after watching the movie, “A River Runs Through It.”  However, it was not for another 14 years before I made the conscious decision to follow up on this childhood fascination.  While attending a hobby show in Prince Albert, I became captivated by a fly-casting demonstration and an invitation was extended to attend a meeting of the Northern Waters Flyfishers.  After attending this meeting and a fly-fishing workshop in the Cypress Hills, I have been an active fly-fisher for the past 17 years.  During this timeframe I have made many good friends and have been fortunate to not only fly fish in various locations within Canada but also in the United States and England.  

Fishing Access to River Wylye (Salisbury, UK)

Many of the non-fly-fishing people I know are aware that my success with catching fish can at times be best descried as dismal.  This often results in being asked why than do I fly fish.  Over the years I have come up with a variety of responses to explain as to why I fly fish.   To begin with I explain that physically, fly fishing is a low impact activity that can help you remain active and fit.  This can range from kicking with waders in a float tube to cross a lake to attempting to traverse a creek without falling in.   Besides fly fishing is a great way to get outside to enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and natural beauty of our province.  Unfortunately for many, this is accomplished from the comfort a chair placed in front of a television.  If these reasons have not yet convinced the cynics, I proceed to inform them that mentally fly fishing can be a meditative and calming activity.  It requires concentration and mindfulness to remain focused on your casting and ability to read the water as to where the fish are.  Besides the physical and mental benefits of fly fishing, it is an excellent way to connect with the environment.  What other activity allows you quietly wade past a riverbank while a bison does not acknowledge your presence.  While fly fishing can be a solitary activity, it does provide opportunities for social connection and community building.  I inform the doubters that the best way to achieve this is by joining a local fly-fishing club.  By doing so, you will discover that fly fishing can be enjoyed by people of all ages and ability.  As an added bonus you also learn that fly fishing can be adapted to meet the needs and experience of anyone.  

Despite my effort to explain why I fly fish, I still have the unconvinced who continue to ask, “Than why do you fly fish?”  When this occurs, I smile and quietly remind myself “Piscator non solum piscatur”, (There is more to fishing than catching fish.)

Arctic Grayling (Fond du Lac River, SK)