Serious Fun @ JFFC May 2018 | Page 26

On the 2nd of April 2018, the Page family decided to try a new trout venue to kick off the trout fishing season. Bergsig was our destination of choice, and we set off, keen for an afternoon’s reacquaintance with some trout after their summer break.

Roy and I were kitted out for fly fishing, as usual. The kids had their spinner rods, as we had tried rather unsuccessfully to teach them the rudiments of fly fishing during the previous winter. One of the nice things about Bergsig is that they do permit all styles of fishing in both their carp and bass dam, as well as in their trout dams. Now I realise that some purist fly-anglers would therefore discount this as a viable fishing venue. I understand that opinion, as we know that there is the always-ongoing “battle of the bands” between the style choices of the various anglers; Spinner and bait anglers tend to view fly-anglers as somewhat aloof and snobbish (well, aren’t we, sometimes?) though I am certain they do look at us out of the sides of their eyes with a little envy, because who can deny that fly-angling just looks awesome, and in many cases, is more successful for certain species (trout being one of them).

We have found that we appreciate those venues where all angling styles are allowed, because the kids can use their spinner rods to fish for trout, while Roy and I can fly-fish in the same dam, for the same fish, and enjoy the time spent together as a family. It allows us to keep the dream alive for the kids – to teach them that fishing is fun, that one can get the excitement of a fish on the line, and landing that fish, and posing for the photo. We are right there to help them when they are a bit overwhelmed (and to untangle them when they hook up on the weeds, or when their fishing line jumps off the spool and instantly forms that impossible-to-untangle bird’s nest on the ground – how they even accomplish that feat so regularly still eludes me…).

So, having arrived at Bergsig, we set up our and the kids’ rods, and started fishing. The fish were active and hungry. Justin had a fish on the line after only his third cast, and seeing the look of excitement and joy on his face as he yelled his success for all to hear, was as good as if that fish had been on the end of my own fly line.

Keeping the Dream Alive

26 SERIOUSFUN@JFFC MAY 2018

~Kristine Page