Let’s work together to provide PPE for our heroic Front Line workers.
Have a look in your attic and see whether you have the makings for this fly:
Thanks, Bill:
See the full list of club videos here
24th March 2020
In case we are stuck inside for many weeks, here is a fly that we can all tie using everyday materials in our bathroom. Be aware that it doesn’t float unless you cheat and add a hackle from your fly tying bench.
Will it catch fish? Let us know.
Stay healthy and two rods lengths away from your friends.
17th March 2020
Quick tie video featuring Ian’s famous Muncher nymph. Ian was one of the first guides on the Grand River in Ontario. He remains a constant part of our lives. One of our most ardently passionate fly fisherman, he was knowledgeable, humorous and consistently approachable.
14th March 2020
OK, so we are all closeted at home, trying to get through the next month or two without going stir crazy. So we will try to fill the void with some extra ideas.
Below is a video for a Flymph.
What’s a flymph? Basically a furry wet fly.
Inspired by Polly Rosborough, author of “Tying and Fishing the Fuzzy Nymphs”.
The rabbit base for this fly gives it some floatation. Try quarter casting it UPSTREAM and fish as a dry fly with repeat upstream mends. As the fly passes it will tend to sink, then it can be fished as a wet.
If you want to fish this as a nymph, it will need some lead shot on the leader.
Note: It is tied without any weight so that it will move more freely in the current.
Cheers: David W
Update 11th March 2020
Next meeting on Tuesday 17th March has been cancelled:
Update 5th March 2020
This is the second video from last Tuesday; Sean Deighton ties a Trout Spade Fly:
This is the first video from last Tuesday; Sean Deighton ties a steelhead spider.
HAFFT club:
Meeting: At the Hamilton Police Association, Banquet Centre, 555 Upper Wellington,
Casting into Mystery by Robert Reid and Wesley W. Bates on 10th March
Casting into Mystery is a celebration of the meditative sport of fly fishing and of the camaraderie and quietude to be found not only in the gentle flow of river currents, but also in the community and culture of anglers past and present.
Writer Robert Reid and wood engraver Wesley W. Bates will be presenting their work to members. Avid anglers, both put ink to paper in homage to the venerable sport of fly fishing. Through text and image, they recall with fondness the ‘company of rivers’ that provides a glimpse inside a sporting culture rife with literature, art and music. Part memoir, part objet d’art and part field guide, Casting into Mystery will delight passionate fly fishing practitioners and armchair anglers alike.
We will have copies of the book (at a discounted price of $25) and engravings for purchase.
Guests and non members welcome.
HAFFT will be partnering with The Playhouse Cinema at 7pm on the 23rd of April for the IF4TM film festival in Hamilton at 177 Sherman Ave. N.
Update 3rd March 2020
Update 22nd Feb 2020
Thanks to all the volunteers last weekend at the Spring Fishing and Boating Show; click on the side arrows to see all the pictures.
Here’s Brians video from last Tuesday:
Update 21st February 2020
Our friends at the Hamilton Area Fly Fishers and Tyers have a great seasonal program. You can see it here.
Update 11th February 2020.
At our next club meeting on Tuesday 18th February
Brian Teal
will be “Tying, Talking, and Troubleshooting?”
Bring your bobbin and any other special tools that you have found that assist you in your tying skills. Brian will also assist you in tuning up your bobbin for easing control of your thread.
This will be an open table session where you can learn basic and advanced techniques.
Looking forward to seeing you. Bring a friend.
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Thanks to Sheldon for another memorable evening; here is his video from Tuesday night:
Update 28th January 2020
Our next scheduled meeting will be on Tuesday 4th February at 7:30 pm
Sheldon Seale
will be tying “Flies that are easy to say Goodby to”.
He will be tying really easy, and effective, flies that most everyone could tie.
So come along and bring a friend.
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HAFFT club:
Meeting: At the Hamilton Police Association, Banquet Centre, 555 Upper Wellington, Hamilton, Ontario on Tuesday 28th January 2020
The theme will be “Flies for the Bottom”. Cheap, effective, easy-to-tie, quick-to-tie, and expendable.
Nymphing requires the fies to be presented near the bottom, unfortunately that is also where the hook will find something to tangle with. So if you wish to nymph effectively expect to lose some flies. Sheldon will be showing us some great patterns that wont break the bank, and might even tempt you to put them where the fish might be.
Guests and non members welcome.
Fly Tying Mentorship
As usual we will still charge $3.00 at the door and $2 towards fly tying materials on tying nights, where we supply materials.
Pollution in the Humber River
presented by:
Rachel Giles
Rachel discusses the major pollutants in this S.W. Ontario river, with emphasis on salt runoff and particulate plastics and rubber.
Recorded at the Izaak Walton Fly Fishing Club on the 21st January 2020.
Update 10th January 2020
Make a note of our upcoming meeting on 21st January 2020:
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Here are the videos from Tuesday 7th 2020 when Chris Krysciak tied four saltwater flies:
HAFFT UPDATE:
Rod Building Panel session 14th of January 2020
Are you thinking of building your own fly rod? John will lead a show and tell on fly rod building, so please bring any fly rods you have built and the kit you used so that we can share our experience, with those thinking of building their own.
David Towers a well-respected bamboo rod builder will be present to give us some background on building Bamboo rods and answer any questions
For me I have a great memory of catching a brookie on a rod that I built with a fly that I tyed.
If you are new to fly tying we will have people who can help you get started.
Guests and non members welcome.
Meetings: Second and fourth Tuesday 7:30pm, September till May. At the Hamilton Police Association, Banquet Centre, 555 Upper Wellington, Hamilton, Ontario
Update 3rd January 2020
To kick off the new year:
Chris Krysciak
will be our guest tyer on Tuesday 7th January at 7:30 pm at the Carmen Corbasson Community Center.
He will be tying The Mantis Shrimp, The Avalon, The EP Peanut Butter, and The Coyote Spawning Shrimp.
So come along and bring a friend.
Update 28th December 2019
Happy New Year to all
Update 13th December 2019
Here’s a recent video from Rob Heal, tying a Silver Doctor streamer
Update 12th December 2019
Join us on Tuesday, 17th December at 7:30pm at the Carmen Corbasson Community Centre
Update 5th December 2019
Thanks to Dimitri for his presentation on Tuesday.
Here’s the video:
UPCOMING OTHER LOCAL CLUB MEETINGS:
HAFFT UPDATE
George will be showing the group how to tie a crane fly. This terrestrial insect is common in September. A good fly to have in your box especially when the season draws to a close and you need something different to tempt a picky trout.We will be supplying material and will have some spare vices and tools for those that need them.
If you are new to fly tying we will have people who can help you get started.
Guests and non members welcome.
Fly Tying Mentorship
In the past we had a beginners’ tying table and occasionally an intermediate tying table or guest tyer demonstrating a few flies. Over the last few years a significant change has occurred at our tying meetings. I have tried to get as many people tying as possible, rather than watching a talented tyer, and taking notes and trying to tye the fly at home. Also there were a number of outside courses where new skills could be learnt, alas they now seem to be few and far between.
From feedback the new format is popular, but there is a demand for basic tying instruction. I have received a number of suggestions from small groups learning at someone’s house to one on one tying sessions, unfortunately there is no short cut to experience. I believe hands on is the way to go.
If you are interested in attending or being available to mentor please let me know and we will try and coordinate. We can help with tying vices, tools and some materials.
Meetings: Second and fourth Tuesday 7:30pm, September till May. At the Hamilton Police Association, Banquet Centre, 555 Upper Wellington, Hamilton, Ontario
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On Dec 10th, Brant Fly Tyers will be hosting Larry Halyk.
For further details go to:
https://www.facebook.com/events/504710810135835/
Update 25th November 2019
Here is the video from our evening with Rob Voisin on the 17th November 2019
Rob gave a presentation of the Friends of the Grand; he discussed past and future ventures and give insights on the status of the Grand River, Ontario.
Update HAFFT NEWS:
Ancaster Creek Restoration a presentation by Jeff Stock 26th November 2019
Guests and non members welcome.The Hamilton Watershed Stewardship Program (HWSP) works with landowners in the Hamilton Conservation Authority watershed, providing advice on environmentally friendly ways of managing properties with natural features such as woodlots, wetlands, meadows and creeks, and where possible, develops water quality and habitat improvement projects.Jeff Stock is a Watershed Stewardship Technician with the Hamilton Watershed Stewardship Program.
If you are new to fly tying we will have people who can help you get started.
As usual we will still charge $3.00 at the door and $2 towards fly tying materials on tying nights, where we supply materials.
Meetings: Second and fourth Tuesday 7:30pm, September till May. At the Hamilton Police Association, Banquet Centre, 555 Upper Wellington, Hamilton, Ontario
UPDATE 16th November 2019.
UPDATE 10th November 2019.
Our next IWFFC meeting will be on Tuesday 19th November.
Rob Voisin, Board Chair for Friends of the Grand River will join us to discuss the Grand River Tailwater and not only how it became a world class Brown Trout fishery, but how we can all help keep it that way!
Friends of the Grand River is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the natural resources of the upper Grand River
Friends of the Grand River (FOGR) is a charitable organization which has been stewarding the upper section of the Grand River since 1995. The organization is made up of a volunteer board of directors and countless other volunteers that help us achieve our mission. We are people who believe all of us should have access to a clean and healthy river system which helps promote healthy lifestyles and economic impact.
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HAFFT NEWS. (Hamilton Fly Tyers)
On Tuesday 12th November, Rick K and Jim Fisher will be tying two of the late Ian Colin James’s renowned flies. (The Brass ass and the Muncher nymph).
As with most of Ian’s flies these flies catch fish. Bring your vices and some black thread, the brass ass is set in thick UV glue, if you have it bring it and the UV light.
We will be supplying material and will have some spare vices and tools for those that need them.
If you are new to fly tying we will have people who can help you get started.
We are also selling the next installment of T shirts Images: Carpe Caddis (CC) or Pike-Uliar (PU) in the following colours: Military Green (MG), Forest Green (FG), Black (B), White (W), Safari (S) and Charcoal Grey (CG) in a variety of sizes Size S, M, L, 1XL to 6XL
Guests and non members welcome.
Membership dues have not changed and are now payable. $30 for single and $45 for families. This can be paid either: –
- in person at a meeting or
- through Paypal on our website or
- by e transfer to hafftclub@gmail.com send the security answer to me by text to +1-289-981-0669
As usual we will still charge $3.00 at the door and $2 towards fly tying materials on tying nights, where we supply materials.
Meetings: Second and fourth Tuesday 7:30pm, September till May. At the Hamilton Police Association, Banquet Centre, 555 Upper Wellington, Hamilton, Ontario.
Update 23rd Oct 2019
Have you sent in this year’s membership dues?
Only $40 for you and your family members:
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 5th November when
Steve May
will update us on a recent fly fishing trip to Stoco Lake, fishing for Musky.
He will also be tying a couple of flies, as well as giving invaluable tips for those looking to catch some lunkers.
So come along and bring a friend. You may also be introduced to Steve’s full and half chicken dinner flies!
Here are a couple of videos from Steve’s last visit to our club:
Update 9th October 2019
Our next meeting on Tuesday 15th October will feature 
He will be discussing
Memberships are due for renewal at:
Update 24th September 2019
Our next meeting on 1st October 2019 will feature
William Gerrard.
He will be discussing and enhancing our knowledge of mayfly imitation.
Most anglers focus their dry fly fishing on imitating the just-hatched or dun stage of the mayfly’s life-cycle. William will be talking about how mayflies can offer some exciting trout action after they’ve gone through their second molt and they become spinners. He’ll also demonstrate a few useful tricks for tying mayfly spinners.
Update 4th September 2019
An exciting start to our Club Meetings will be a scintillating presentation by
Daniel Notarianni.
Daniel is both an avid fisherman and an accomplished photographer.
He will be regaling us with some of his tantalising images and will be enlightening us on improving our photography skills.
Come along on Tuesday 17th September at 7:30 at the Carmen Corbasson Community Centre, Cawthra Blvd, Mississauga, and bring a friend along as well.
Update 14th August 2019
Thanks to HAFFT for this invitation:
Douglas Outdoors will present a steelhead rod demo day
Come out for a day of demonstrations of their casting rods and reels. Optimist park on the Corner of Catherine and Creeden Street Paris
Aug 31 2019 @ 9:00 a.m
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In Fond Memory of Carl Johnston
