The 20th annual Fly Fishing Symposium is set to tie one on in Castlegar this weekend, followed up by a fly-fishing film festival the following week.
The popular symposium will see the fly-fishing industry’s top suppliers bringing in their best rods, reels, and fly-fishing gear, and sharing their most recent innovations with local anglers.
Trail’s Don Freschi from ‘Sport Fishing on the Fly’ brings a lifetime of expertise to the event, along with Master fly tyers Ruben Breitkreutz and Ed Smith. East Kootenay Fly Shop owner and guide Kelly Laastch, Kellen Busenius from Vission Fly Rod, and Trail resident Matt Guiguet, who is a local owner and guide that also runs Rocky Point Lodge on the west coast, will also be on hand to answer questions and offer free seminars on the hour.
Expert local and guest fly-tyers will break out their fly-tying vices, and create a variety of patterns for local rivers and lakes.
The family orientated event will also highlight a Jr. fly-tying table for young enthusiasts, a plethora of door prizes and raffles, and a variety of demonstrations that will offer something for both beginners and veteran fly-anglers.
The Fly Fishing Symposium goes Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Castlegar Rec Complex.
• Fly anglers will be treated to a visual feast on April 5, when the 2019 annual International Fly-Fishing Film Festival lands in the Old Castle Theatre in Castlegar.
The Festival will premiere worldwide fly-fishing adventures from Alaska’s barren Kuskokwim River drainage to lush South American jungles.
The festival will showcase a series of intriguing screenings including The Midnight Mission, Aniak, Bigotry to Brook Trout, One Day, 104 Years, One Path, and The Road Home.
The total running time for all presentations to be shown is one hour, 36 minutes.
Additionally, there will be product give-aways and other promotions.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with the film screening at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Castlegar Sports Centre and Fly Shop, the Old Castle Theatre and, if available, at the door.
sports@trailtimes.ca
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