On the whole, 2010 hasn't been a very prosperous flyfishing year for me and my hubby D., due to circumstances that needn't be mentioned here, but also for a great part due to unfavorable weather (see below).

Whenever we did find the time and/or energy to take our flyfishing rods outside, we had to deal with either too cold or too windy weather. What also did not exactly help is the lack of privacy in our densly populated area. Any fishing spot is often overrun with recreating people. Of course they all have a right to be there, but it is certainly not conducive to the flyfisher's concentration or peaceful state of being. Having said all that, we still managed a few outings, and though my casting skills leave much to be desired and I would have done well spending more time practicing I preferred to use the time making photo's and short movies of D.'s casting and our surroundings, using my trusted Sony Ericsson Z770i camera phone.

Before embarking on another - and hopefully much better - flyfishing season I thought I should at least for the sake of completeness post all those photo's here. 

I posted the movies to my Vimeo flyfishing album.

OK, it's official: I love fly fishing - and fly binding! I started a course with my father-in-law last Saturday and actually enjoyed it - even though I can't cast worth a damn yet and I didn't relish the thought of being stuck in a training facility for an entire day. To be honest, as we had the bad luck that it had been raining all morning, I wasn't exactly looking forward to the announced outdoor excersises either. As it happened, the day flew by and I greedily soaked up all information on offer - it looks as if this might turn out to be an interesting new hobby, one I can share with my hubby. Something to do for the both of us, wherever we are.

Fly fishing is fascinating! Finally, something more to do at the waterfront except reading a book - though I love reading it's not exactly the same as joining in and enjoying hubby's passion with him. Though he's not a fly fisher himself, he's been fishing for most of his life and knows everything about handling a rod and bait, and where to find the best spots for fishing.

Since I was never an outdoorsy kind of girl, all this is new to me. And though there's certainly something to be said for sharing each other's interests, it can be quite a hassle to always be the one trailing behind and always be the "student" so to speak. The technique of fly fishing appealed most to me - and not because one does not have to handle actual bait, I'm not very squeamish so I wouldn't mind that so much. It's a very active way of fishing, as one does not merely sit and wait for the fish to present itself, but go out to where the fish is and try to entice him with a home-made lure made to look as close as possible to its live counterpart. Another advantage in it for me was that it's a technique hubby doesn't actually know - something somebody else would have to teach me. It's my opinion the balance gets a bit upset once your partner has to teach you stuff all the time.

In the course, I learned the basics of fly binding (never thought I'd have the patience) and actually managed to make the best "palmer" in my group, but then I did get a lot of help.

Being one of two women in the course I can hardly complain about a lack of attention - instructors practically falling over themselves to help me out, while, truthfully, I wouldn't mind figuring out some stuff for myself. I can't say I always agree with my instructors, but that's stubborn old me. After the course is done and I hopefully mastered some base techniques, I can develop my own style.

I'm having fun and enjoying my father-in-law's company, who I get on with very well. He can be stubborn - like his son - but also very sweet. Since hubby's not the course following kind (too obstinate) he suggested I join his father and I haven't regretted it one minute. Father-in-law registered me and paid for this course and I have to admit: it's a great gift! I never thought I'd say this, but I'm actually looking forward to hooking my first fish! All of a sudden I'm a member of a club as well - the VNV (Dutch Association of Fly Fishers) - which, for me, is pretty unique. I've never been the club joining kind, in spite of my Mom's fruitless efforts to convince me otherwise.

This week no course, unfortunately... I plan to use my time wisely though by studying the extensive information in my book, getting my own fly rod ready, find a nice spot with hubby and try to improve my casting. Looking forward to next week!

[previously posted on Yahoo! on May 22, 2008]