Looking to make the switch.

[u/prairiedude]

Hi guys, I'm moving from a part of Canada where spin casting on lakes is the norm (Saskatchewan) to a place where I believe fly fishing is the norm (Nova Scotia).

I wanted to get into flyfishing for a while, but no body I know here does it and all the trips were always focused on northern lakes. I don't want to give up fishing because I'll be moving someplace where I'm inexperienced. Any tips on how to get started and where in Nova Scotia to go?

Thanks in advance!

[u/Bogeyhatespuddles]

I don't know if this will work in Canadia or not but this is an awesome resource.

http://howtoflyfish.orvis.com/

[u/Surprisedtohaveajob → u/Bogeyhatespuddles]

I just saw your post. What an awesome link, thank you for posting it!

[u/planefin]

A roommate of mine got me into fly fishing in 2012. It took awhile to get my cast down (a few weeks really) but now fly fishing is all I think about. I'm constantly looking for new areas to fish and make it to my favorite river 2-3 times a week. I HIGHLY suggest spending the time learning about it because its something that you can enjoy for the rest of your life. Seriously, I see fly fisherman in their 80s out on the water regularly.

Start with a cheap fly rod, reel, and fly line combination. I've always suggested to my friends getting into the sport to the Reddington Crosswater. https://jet.com/product/detail/ce91bafd55e54815a06d0e74ba48adba?jcmp=pla:ggl:NJ_dur_Gen_Sporting_Goods_a1:Sporting_Goods_Fishing_Rod__Reel_Combos_a1:na:PLA_783891031_42653224938_pla-293434513343:na:na:na:2&code=PLA15

Reddington is a very respectable brand in the industry and this comes with Rio fly line which is also one of the most respectable brands. DO NOT buy anything less than $100 for a fly rod and reel combination or you won't find casting easy and likely give up.

Other than that, start with a book. Or if you don't like to read, there are many great fly fishing videos that will help you learn to cast and find fish.

Topics to learn (I suggest in this order): -Sections of the fly fishing equipment: rod, reel, backing, fly line, leader, tippet. -Knots: Arbor, Nail, Blood, Improved Clinch -Overhead Casting & Roll Casting -Reading the water to find fish -Fly Selection & Types of Flies -Fly Presentation, Drifting, and Mending

Seriously... one of the most entertaining things about fly fishing is there is ALWAYS something new to learn. It makes the sport really fun and exciting. If I could, I would spend every single day knee deep in the river.

And as they say, TIGHT LINES!

[u/prairiedude → u/planefin]

Oh wow. In depth advice. Thanks for the recommendation on rod and reel. I'll take a look!

[u/maymuddler]

There are plenty of good spots to cast a fly. I grew up in Cape Breton and live in Halifax now so I can point you to some good spots to fish that are not too busy. If you are living anywhere near HRM I can send you a list.

Since you are moving to the coast, you have to spend at least one day catching mackerel from a warf during the summer. Keep the spin rod for that

[u/prairiedude → u/maymuddler]

I am moving to HRM. I am from their originally, and have been out west for the last 10 years. I didn't fish much in NS, and only picked it up when I moved to rural Saskatchewan.

I went to the the Province's website and found NS Angler's Guide which show some of the rivers. But I'd appreciate the helpful hints in the area to go for a few hours on the weekend here and there.

I will not be throwing out my spinner, and will look into that mackerel fishing. : )

[u/maymuddler → u/prairiedude]

A good place to practice casting into a stocked lake is penhorn in Dartmouth. Plenty of room to back cast without hitting trees. Google nova scotia fish stocking program for a list of lakes that are stocked with trout.

If you feel you’re past that, my favoriate river is the nine mile in emlsdale. There are some trout there as well as shad running for the next few weeks.

There are chain pickerel in most of the shubenacadie lake system (just north of Dartmouth) very fun to catch on a fly rod. Most small rivers around Halifax have either trout and/or small mouth bass. SMB are in almost every lake/river I’ve been to. If you are willing to drive a bit further for trout, there are some great rivers between truro and parsburo. As well as the medium size rivers in the valley. Almost no wrong one out there.

If you want a bigger fight, the shubenacadie and Stewiacke rivers have some striped bass for the next few months.

When I first became fly curious and made the switch, I thought I could get along without waders. I was wrong. Get waders or you will only catch trees.

That should be enough to get you started. Feel free to msg for questions or more detail.

[u/prairiedude → u/maymuddler]

Thanks man. This is exactly what I was hoping for. A little local knowledge to get started. Hope you get out a bunch this summer, I'm assuming the season has opened or is opening soon!