Fly Fishing Book Review - The Orvis Guide to Prospecting for Trout

The Orvis Guide to Prospecting for Trout. How to Catch Fish When There's No Hatch to Match (New and Revised) by Tom Rosenbauer.

Inspiring Cover

If you are living in Ottawa, or somewhere in the rest of Eastern Ontario you may think that a book on trout fishing strategies just isn't for you.  There are not a lot of natural trout streams and rivers in the Ottawa area.

What we do have are many rivers and streams that hold fish and many, many species of warmwater fish that can behave very similar to trout in the right water conditions.  In our rivers and streams there are smallmouth bass that relate to 'trout' structure, creek chub and fallfish that feed heavily on insects on the surface, and pike, walleye and musky that chase streamers in tailouts and riffles.

This book has information for everyone that enjoys fishing in moving water.

Fly Casting Lessons

I have to hand it to the guys at Orvis.  They really know how to make fly fishing accessible.

First off, they sell everything anyone could ever need for fly fishing. Second, they have dozens of books and videos, the such as Orvis Guide to Prospecting for Trout (which I am thoroughly enjoying, expect a review in about a week) which cover the full spectrum of fly fishing.  They have an instructional TV show on WFN.  And last but not least, they have a series of informational videos on the web, some are on youtube and can be found on the Orvis News blog, and some on the Orvis Learning Centre.

The Ask a Casting Instructor series of videos has been crucial to improving my casts.  From tips and tricks, to a few little drills that Orvis Instructor Pete Kutzer adds to the videos, they have changed the way I look at casting, and tailing loops.

Be sure to check all of them out here. And find a patch of water or grass and get some practice in before opening day.

My Fly Gear

I figure I will take some time to show you my gear.  It isn't the coolest/newest gear, but it is always there and has never let me down.  I will hopefully keep this page up to date as I get new stuff throughout the next couple of years.

Konic Reel by Waterworks/Lamson 

St Croix Premier Rod 9' 6wt