Opening Day Dreams

Hey to all you opening day fanatics! What are the two things you can pretty much count on when it comes to opening day for trout in southern ontario?

1.  Rain - It always has rained on opening day, and always will. That the universe shitting on us for being the way we are, which if you are a die-hard, is fine by all means

2. Crowds - They are unavoidable unless you fish for something other than steelhead, or have access to private land, but in these glory days we live in,
nothing is truly private anymore!

So how do we avoid both of these? Well the rain one is easy! Don't go out if it's raining or invest in good quality rain gear. Problem solved, but unfortunitely we can't do anything about the blown out river you are wasting you time fishing....sorry.

Now that we've taken care of issue #1, lets move on to #2.

Crowds...what a pain in the ass! Nobody likes them, and they're like that rash you got after a night of hard drinking with your buddies down at the club, and ended up taking that girl home.. and payed her in the morning....It's everywhere!

How do we avoid crowds? Tough question to answer...There is two ways of looking at this. Do you want to really avoid crowds, or CLEAR a crowd? If you're looking to clear one, nothing says " get the hell out of my run!" better than firing some warning shots into the air from down the bank. No need to send anyone home in a gortex body bag, but a few rounds aimed at the heavens will clear a run quicker than anything.

WARNING: BTC is not responsible for the imprisonment of any of its readers. Consult your local law enforcement before firing single shot, semi auto, or fully automatic weapons streamside.

To avoid crowds, we simply recommend taking a look at streams that are empty of steelhead, but perhaps have resident populations of brook trout or brown trout. They are a fun change of pace and take you to some beautiful rustic places. Sure, they're not steehead, but they usually come "crowd - free " which is nice.

Mike Fitzgerald

Mike Fitzgerald

Age: 22
Sex: Yes Please
Height: 5'7''
Weight: 154lbs.


When most people talk about all around nice guys, usually they are referring to Mike Fitzgerald. Known fly angling fanatic, he has accomplished more at the youthful age of 22 than most can in a lifetime. Visually stunning, charming, and clever, this magnificant specimen knows how to fish. He is credited with introducing Catch And Release to Northern Vietnam, teaching the Pope how to double haul, as well as being the record holder for the biggest fly-caught coho salmon on 10lb tippet, while casting from the wing of a C-47 in flight, just to name a few.

What Mike isn't recognized for, is being the Head Of Directors for the Heinz Skitzvelvet Invitation - the event which BTC has been following for the last week. Behind The Cast was able to get an interview with Mike before he dropped off the charts on another wild adventure.

BTC: Mike, we cannot thank you enough for sitting down for this interview with BTC. You're a truly incredible guy and the followers of Behind The Cast cannot get enough of you!

MF: Hey, it's really no problem. I've always got time to talk fishing with anyone. Just the other day, I was out on the water and I got a call on the ol' cellular telephone. It was my buddy Montel Williams. He wanted to know if the steelhead were on the bite. Such a classy guy!

BTC: So, you hold quite the incredible record. Care to tell us how it all came about?

MF: Oh, that whole C-47 thing? Meh, it was nothing really. The coho just happened to be in around the same time I was doing a Demo on casting from vintage world war 2 aircraft wings, and everything just sort of came together. Definitely wasn't expecting it though.

BTC: Incredible, simply outstanding! You're a national treasure sir!

MF: Really...it was no big deal.

BTC:  Good lord you are impressive.......(extended silence) So, you are also the head of Heinz Skitzvelvet Invitational. What are your hopes for this years 3 day event. Do you have certain expectations for yourself and the guests?

MF: Well personally, I don't know any of the other guests and when I decided that I to would compete, It was more of a public relations scheme than anything. I'm sure the guests attending are good guys, regardless of what I've read about them on your blog profiles. That Nick Dono...dono....that Nick, he seems kind of stuck up and close minded...but like I said, he's probably different. Never judge a book by it's cover kids!

BTC: Well on behalf of the blog, we'd like to wish you all the best at the first competition. How did you go about choosing the venue for the H.S.i

MF: My drinking buddy, Kieth Richards and myself chose it. We were throwing empties at strippers and wherever the first stripper to be knocked unconsious was originally born, that's where is was to be held. Veronica was born in Perth, Ontario, and although she's no longer able to use the left side of her body due to an unfortunite bottle accident, our thoughts are with her.

BTC: Dear lord, you always have the funniest stories!  Well Mike, that's all the time we have, but again, thank you for taking the time to talk with us! Good luck!

MF: No problem! Peace be with you.


Stay tuned to Behind The Cast as we reveil the rules about the Heinz Skitzvelvet Invitational!

Peter Louis Garcia

Peter Louis Garcia
43 yrs old
Business Analyst
170 lbs.

   Peter is a mad man. I fishing freak hell bent on causing chaos to anything with gills. This fishing machine from the Phillipines is committed to the chase of all things fly fishing, and an excellent addition to the roster of the Hienz Skitzvelvet Invitational. While getting an interview from him was next to impossible, what with Peter being so busy analyzing things and whatnot, BTC was lucky enough to get a few quick words over a phonecall. Here's that short interview...

BTW: Peter, this is Behind The Cast Blog calling, We'd
           like to ask you a couple questions about your
           participation in the upcoming Hienz Skitzvelvet
          Invitational!

PLG: I'm eating dinner with my family! I've asked you not to call here
           6 times, so PLEASE, stop calling this number! I've never even
          heard of your stupid blog! Leave me alone!!!

BTC: Thanks again Peter! Good luck at the Invitational!


 Wow folks! What a class act! If this is any indication of what's coming at the H.S.I, we can honestly say this is going to be an event of epic moments and a life-changing experience!

Nick " Gunny " Donovan

Enter Nick Donovan.

This east coast transplant is nothing but solid fisherman, cleverly disguised as a 9-5 working parent. While he admits openingly to loving his wife and kids, he will also admit that in his list of priorities, they come second to trout. BTC asked around the angling community about stories and tales of Nick on the water, and the feedback was shocking. One such angler reported that Nick once gave mouth to mouth to a dying coho salmon, and before outings, may or may not sacrifice live chickens to the fish gods for good luck. We don't see the connection.

Either way you cut it, with a resume like that, it's no wonder he's been invited to what is undoubtly the greatest fly fishing tournament known to man. The gear he uses is completely secretive and said to have been made by the same man who makes the pope's hats. Only time will tell where Nick ends up on the scoreboard at the First Annual Hienz Skitzvelvet Invitational folks!

 Stay up to parr with more info and profiles in the next week!

BTC

The Heinz Skitzvelvet Invitational

This May will mark the first ever Annual Heinz Skitzvelvet Invitational Fly Fishing Challenge which will be held in Perth, Ontario. The theatre of battle? Christie Lake, where six of the worlds best secret fly guys get together for 3 days of epic fly fishing nirvana.


The name itself is enough to draw attention! "Heinz Skitzvelvet" What, or who, the hell is that? Well, here's a little history behind the name. Heinz skitzvelvet was a world famous trainer of dolphins. His training techniques were as controversial and bizzare as his personality, but he got the job done. He was qouted as once saying " To train the dolphin, you must think like the dolphin. You must get inside his head!" and those are words to live by for both dolphin trainers and fly fishermen! Thus the name was born.


In the next few posts, BTC will feature profiles on the anglers who are lucky enough to be competing this year, such as this fellow.

Name: Pat Fitzgerald
Age: 56
Occupation: Discipal Of Produce

  Weighing in at 178lbs, Pat is not to be taken lightly. He's nothing short of a fly fishing machine and uses his time on the water wisely. His preferred tool is his trusty Sage 8wt outfit, but when it comes to putting an uptown beatdown on the panfish, he goes with a G-loomis 5wt Experience matched with an Abel TR 2 reel. Once qouted saying " I'll fish for anything at least once. Anyone who says fishing isn't about catching fish needs to step away from the rod." He's definitely a force not to be triffled with.


Keep following along, as the H.S.I is only a month away!

Blue Around The Gills

Bluegills


   Now here's a species that doesn't get the respect they deserve!
   A fishless day can be saved, and has so on many occasions, by
   rigging up a 3wt with some #10 nymphs and going to town on a
   bunch of unsuspecting Bluegill. They might be the perfect light
   rod quarry too. They are willing to eat just about anything that
  fits into their dime-sized mouth. They, on the right occasion
  are surface feeders, not to mention that Bluegill fight hard when
  targeted with a lighter fly rod!

 Fact is, Bluegill on the fly is a fun way to spend a day and without a word of a doubt, they're a great boost to an ego. Nothing makes you feel quite as good as a day of fishing and putting the number of fish caught up in the double digits, no matter what the
species is, but with bluegill, once you're into a school of them, you're REALLY in them. For their aggressive nature, and sheer spunk once hooked, you gotta hand it to these little fish. A day saver, a connection to early childhood excursions, and to times shared in the present. Our hats are off to the Bluegill.

Editors Note: Folks, make sure you take part in " Bluegill Appreciation Day" on Sunday May 15th! Hit up that spot you know they sit in with light gear and show your appreciation!


 

Jesus

  Recently, BTC had come across information that Jesus was not only a brilliant man, but also an avid fly fisherman as well and, infact, fly fishes almost religiously! Upon aquiring this knowledge, an interview with the famed character was a must!


BTC: Freshwater, or saltwater?
JC : Oh, Salwater without a doubt! The fish, no matter       
     what species, fight like mad! How could I not?!
BTC: You're a well known being, from way back in your biblical
     career, which has carried you right up to the modern day,
     so we assume you must get noticed while out on the water.
     How does someone like you go about dealing with that sort
     of situation?
JC : To be truthful, in my line of work, I get the chance to go
     to some pretty remote locations. Belize, Alaska, Iceland,
     Egypt, just to name a few, so I don't run into too many
     folks, but on the few occasions I have, they're usually
     pretty cool about it. A handshake and a blessing later
     and im usually right back casting.
BTC: Any cool fishing trip coming up?

JC : Funny you should mention that, I'm planning a trip to the
     Kanektak River in June to swing flies for Chinook Salmon.
     It's something I thoroughly enjoy, and it's truly epic
     scenery out there!
BTC: That's awesome! Flipping through the Simms catalogue, there
     is always a guide from that region repping one product
     or another. Do you use Simms gear at all?
JC : I do. Lately, I seem to be using their G4 Jacket alot. 
     Its a really nice fit, it really keeps out 
     the elements. I had their G3 Waders for awhile,but wouldn't
     you know it, I can walk on water,so I ended up selling them
     to a friend. Great waders though!
BTC: That whole "walking on water" trick.  It
     must really come in handy when looking for new water to
     fish, right?
JC : Oh, 100%! Actually, funny story. I was down in Marathon
     florida, fly fishing Tarpon, and the wind was just howling!
     The guide, a guy named Paul, who I will credit as being
     one the finest tarpon guides, was simply having difficulty
     keeping up with the tarpon, which were cruising into the
     wind. Well dont I walk right out of the skiff onto the
     water, run up and get into position to intercept the
     lead fish! The look on his face was priceless! I wish
     I had a camera for that one! Anyways, we ended up
     boating 4 Poons' that day, one which was over 125lbs. Epic!

For more interviews with celebraties, and fly fishing icons, keep yourself up-to-date with Behind The Cast folks!