The Eyes Tell A Story Too

Photos Of Fish Speak Many Words
But The Photos Generally Should
Revolve Around The Fish, More
So Than The Fisherman.

Sometimes A Picture Can Be Worth
More Than A Thousand Words.
Many People Underestimate The
Power A Fish Adds To A Photo.

The Eyes Are Often Enough.

But A Bad Ass Mugshot Doesn't Hurt Either!

The End Of The Season

Another Season Done


 Behind The Cast Would Like To Thank All Its Staff For Their
Help In Making This Blog Happen. Here's A Quick Look
At Some Of The Memories For The Past Season

Cheers To The Upcoming New Year.
2012 Will See BTC Invade The Bahamas As
Well As The Usual Ontario Haunts. Our
Goals Are As Followed:

- More Humor
- More Video

Not Asking Too Much Of Ourselves, Right?

International Panfish Appreciation Day

Well, it's been finalized. The second saturday of May will now be a holiday to all who are employed by the federal, provincial, and municipal goverments. Knows internationally as Panfish Appreciation Day or P.A.D for short  2012 will be the first year for this historic and well thought-out event.

And just look at this little guy! So bright and hopeful. It's truly a damn shame this holiday wasn't put into place years ago. BTC is a firm believer in promoting the active targeting of panfish because as some of you may know, they fight hard on light gear ( fly guys, give it a shot!) and they taste wonderful. Don't knock it until you've tried it

 

So whether you are in southern ontario, planning to put the hurt on some black crappie, or maybe high up in the muskoka's taking those springtime blues out on the local perch population, enjoy the day set aside for these worthy adversaries! And don't be afraid to put a meals worth in the livewell either!

Float Tube Blues.

Float Tubes. What a great friggin idea! Whoever came up with those excellent devices was a genius and we seriously owe some respect to that said individual! You get a good ol' fashion workout and can sneak into some out-of-the-way places with the fly rod that most people cannot.


The float tube can be used virtually anywhere. As the gentlemen that made the fly fishing film " Tampum " have clearly proven, the float tube is an under-rated weapon in the arsenal available to fly guys and conventional junkies alike. Check out Panfish Pat's bucketmouth below. This fish was caught on a lake where gas powered motors are prohibited and thus, the fish do not recieve much pressure from anglers other than around public access areas. The rewards for a 15 minute leg workout are well worth it.

If you haven't gotten an opportunity to fish from one of these, we here at BTC recommend it. It'll be some of the most fun you've had fishing in quite some time. We're willing to bank on it!

Until Next Year

As most of you probably know, BTC has been following the First Annual Heinz Skitzvelvet Invitational, which took place this past weekend from Friday 13th until Monday 16th. The Competition was fierce, as was the weather but the four anglers that made it to the event battled hard none the less.

Friday saw anglers duke it out for big panfish on light fly rods as walleye/pike season did not open until the following day. All four anglers found good numbers of big fish, some of fish were close to a pound in wieght. Dries, Nymphs, and small streamers - they couldn't go wrong!

Come saturday and sunday, the weather took a nose-dive. Cold temperatures and driving rain kept the fish down deep and scarce but our four competitors wastes no time changing tactics to keep bends in the rods. 

   " It was really tough out there on those two particular days. The wind was driving in from the north east, the temps plummeted, and the fish just weren't on the bite. I resorted to using Crystal Meth.....and I don't mean the fly pattern either.."  Said Mikey Fitzgerald in a recent interview with Forbes Magazine.

Monday was the last shot the four anglers had to get in some last minute fishing, and while only two of them made it out and no fish were caught, the damage had been done. Nick Donovan, from Trenton Ontario, was awarded the prize money and title as Heinz Skitzvelvet Invitational Angler Of The Year for his outstanding angling abilities, as well as number of differet species caught throughout the weekend. Behind The Cast cannot congratulate you enough Nick!

White Suckers

                                  Slender White Suckers, All In A Row
Slender White Suckers, Look At Them Go
Swimming Upstream With Sex On The Mind
Watch Them Closely And You Might Find
That They'll Take A Fly Among The Rocks And Roots
And Can Be Squashed Quite Quickly Under The Studs On Your Boots

Slender White Suckers, Spawning In Redds
Slender White Suckers, With Those Nasty Looking Heads
Sucking Up Steelhead Eggs Just Previously Laid
And Staying Quite True To Your Given Name
We Catch You And Hurdle You Into The Woods
Learn How To Fight, And Give Us The Goods!

Slender White Suckers Won't Give You Your Licks
Slender White Suckers Can Sometimes Be Pricks.
So Start Ripping Those Suckers Out Of Their Beds
And Start Smashing Those Suckers In Their Strange Heads.
Don't Be Afraid And Don't Have Any Doubts
When  It Comes To A Super Sucker Knock-Out

It's A Game That, As Anglers, We Can Readily Play
So Mash And Mangle Your White Suckers Today!


 WARNING: Consult your local conservation officer or ministry of natural resourses before conducting a super sucker slaughter fest.Check local bylaws and regulations. BTC does not embrace violence against white suckers. If you have violent tendancies towards white suckers, consult your family physician about your anger issues. Practice Catch And Release.

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!

Call Us Crazy

Fly Fishing generally allows people to fish beautiful fish ( define beauty...highly opinionated, isn't it? ) in scenic places. Not always is the weather nice, or the bite fast and furious, but it's not about catching now is it?.....i mean sure, sometimes it helps.


In some cases though, fly fishers take it to the next level and raise the risk factor and physical abuse to extremes. Ever fished for steelhead that probably weren't there, in a snow storm that you probably shouldn't have been in? Not exactly pleasant, but if you're genuinely fish-crazed, you probably wouldn't think twice about doing it again.

But to the crazy ones, it's simply another day at the office, doing what you love most. Your willingness to fish right through severe thunderstorms makes your loved ones worried, but not you, because the lightning seems to be more concentrated over to the west and besides, when was the last time you heard someone get struck by lightning while using a 7'6" 4wt anyways? Exactly! Can't argue with logic!

 Putting yourself through fierce phyisical abuse is your way of being individual! Nobody wants to hear about something you didn't do, right?

In the end, it's the crazy ones who have the most fun, have the most success, not to mention the best stories! When someone tells you about the amazing day steelheading after having to outrun pot farmers with shotguns all the while running into the pope in their favourite run ( " What do you mean the pope uses fenwick!?") and showing him how to preform a proper snap-t. . . and they've got the pictures to prove it, without even so much as breaking a smile, you'll know the kind of person you are dealing with.

 Here's to not stepping in the bullshit folks!

Top Water

   Are you lonely? Feeling as though there is a void in your life that simply cannot be filled? Try Topwater!


   Topwater is a healthy way to keep your life fun, exciting and exhilerating!

  Topwater is a proven way to relieve stress, headaches, pain, suffering, hangovers, and nausea! Just tie on a popper and go to "Topwater Town!"

  Bass, Pike, Panfish, Muskie, Barricuda, Jacks, Cobia, Sailfish, Striped Bass, just to name a few, ALL love topwater! Simply get your favourite (fly) fishing outfit rigged up, tie on a ( deer hair ) popper or the like, and start casting to that downed tree just off the point, or that patch of lilly pads that just screams " fish!"

  WARNING: Topwater might not be suitable for everyone. Topwater has been known to cause Severe Mental Trauma, Depression, Migranes, Erectile Disfunction, Increases In Violent Behavior, Lost Jobs, Broken Marriages, Broken Gear, Broken Hearts, Heart Attacks, A.D.D, A.D.H.D, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Tunnel Vision, Nightmares, Day Dreams, Empty Wallets, Loss Of Appetite, Increase In Appetite, Nausea, Heartburn Blurred Vision, Loss Of Jobs, Minds, Rationality, and Personality. Topwater may be dangerous for pregnant women or mothers nursing. Do not partake in Topwater fishing if you have Epilepsy. Topwater has been known to also cause involuntary swimming, Involuntary peirced body parts, collapse of lungs, and friendships. Broken arm, clogged arteries, infertility, deformities of new borns, and cannibalism. If trying Topwater for the first time and feel any of the previously mentioned symptoms, talk to your family physician as soon as possible.


       TOPWATER!  IT'LL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

Urban Water

  What defines a good angler? Highly opinionated question isn't it? Don't feel bad about not having a definitive answer either, it just means you're human ( as opposed to a vegetable. ) Well to one point, an angler can focus all energy and time into one species, and become intimatey aware of that species' way of life from season to season, perhaps on one or two bodies of water ( Bass-car racers for instance!) yet to another, being able to openly diversify and with a willingness to seek out any opportunites to wet a (fly) line can bring on a whole new challenge to anglers as well.


  Lets face it, not all locations are National Geographic material. There's plently of places in Canada and the United States that anglers would easily be able to fish and just as easily score Acid in one outing. Flood control ponds, channels, harbours, and the like, all present urban angling opportunities for locals


 In most cases, there's only a handful of species to be encountered. Carp, Panfish, Bullheads, Largeouth Bass, and in some cases, Pike. How do you locate these places?. .   (COUGH) Google Earth (COUGH). A little research goes a long way. Area-Depending: Usually late spring is the best time to start scoping out potential "local water" as most species will be post spawn, and on the feed.

 

  Editors Note: Sometimes these places have thick shoreline brush, which, if you're fly fishing, makes backcasting damn near impossible. Depending on what species is found in said local ponds, a float tube can be a valuble resource as well. For the sake of an all-too-short fishing season, don't limit yourself to a handful of opportunities folks! Sometimes the next big one cruises just behind the Futureshop!

Dear Spring

Dear Spring

 
  Glad to see you made it back to our area safely, and frankly, in perfect time too. Don't get me wrong, I dont mind winter, but he's like that guy everyone can only tolerate so much of. You know the one im talking about. He shows up early to your party, drinks way too much, doesn't want to leave, and hits on your wife...Needless to say, winter really knows how to push our buttons.

  You on the other hand, you're usually good to us. Sure, you rain, but without it, the steelhead can't run. You have your warm spells which are the greatest thing since George Carlin. Without those, that heat the shallow bottoms of the tribs, there'd be no sprig carp, no pike, and no fun.

  But truth be told, you know how to be a little bit of a bitch sometimes too. That's right, you're not exactly the pope. You shouldn't be afraid of winter, cause sure, he talks big talk, but to qoute the great abraham lincoln " Rock beats Scissors, and Rain beats Snow " . . . Now the legitimacy of that qoute might not be historically accurate, but he seemed ( from what's been wrote about him ) a pretty cool dude. Needless to say, if winter is hanging on by its fangs, take him to the denist.

  Well, as mentioned earlier, we're glad you're here buddy! Love to stay and catch up, but there's pike that need an uptown beatdown, and carp filtering into the lower ends of the tribs. It's nothing personal...

 Sincerely

 " Us "

An Ode To Pike

Here's To You, The Northern Pike

   You, the spotted predator, lurking in the weeds, timber, rocky points, sandbar edges, and anywhere else that conceals your whereabouts. You, the surprise that rips up that 16 inch walleye boatside. No doubt you owe many anglers a new pair of underwear.

  To you, who can grow to wicked sizes, preying on anything and everything. From baitfish to frogs, ducklings, muskrats, mice, and occasionally, feet. You're appetite knows no boundries.

  To you, you toothy son of a bitch. Those hollow brown eyes taunting, waiting for a single finger to get within biting reach. The creator of many scars and interesting shore-side stories. You won't hesitate to shred skin and digits, and we salute you for it

  For your spring time aggression, your fall time action. Your speed, intensity, and beauty. For the line you've cut, and the photo opps you make possible on days when maybe the bass are just a little too cold ( or still spawning - Poachers, im looking at you.) and the steelhead are dropping back, you can save the day.

  For gving us a reason to use 4/0 hooks, 30lb mono, 9wt rods, and rabbit strips. For the shore lunches you've provided ( because REAL men know that pike tastes delicious), and the sleepless nights you have caused.

 An Ode For You, The Pike

Behind The Cast

   Well....if there's one thing that's for sure, its that there's way too many blogs out there. Some are great, dont get me wrong, but i'd be lying if i said the number of shitty blogs out there wasn't mind-blowing. Maybe, since this blog is a newborn ( and hopefully not a dumpster baby ) it won't fall into the "shitty" category. Time will tell.  


 In Other News...

  It's day one of " Behind The Cast " and I truly wish I had some hopes or expectations for this puppy, but again, I'd be lying to you...whoever you are...which don't think for one moment I have a problem lying to you because I don't. Besides, you'll never find me anyways!

   I'll just keep this blog nice and simple and most importantly, about the fish. What makes a good blog? That question has stumped mankind since biblical times (seriously, its in the bible. Check out page 376 of the new testiment where jesus tries to change his header....), and unfortunitely I don't have the answer for that question anyways. A great blog oughta keep followers stimulated, that's for sure.. NO! not stimulated like you're 11th grade whore of a highschool sweetheart! I meant more along the lines of interested in what's going on around the world of angling - provided it's a fishing blog of course. One thing is for sure, this blogs knows one thing. Fly Fishing.

  Spring is here folks, and whether we like it or not, so is this blog. Lets try to keep the goods behind the cast.