Elliott Deighton, The Deer hair specialist will be teaching a class using deer hair and the appropriate materials for Muddlers,

Deer hair Sculpins and Minnow patterns for Trout and Bass. Elliott, a long time member of the Izaak Walton fly fishing club has been teaching and demonstrating his skills in fly tying for many years and has specialized in the use of deer hair for much of his creative work. For those of you who have some time at the vice and would love to learn the art of spinning deer hair, this class and Elliott’s instruction will be a rewarding experience. Grindstone will supply all materials and tools if required. Please call or e-mail the shop for cost information and to hold your spot in the class.

Upcoming Fly tying classes for Feb, 2010

February 13^th. Mark this date on your Calendar. We will have a panel of fly tying experts at the shop to demonstrate methods and techniques answering all of your questions about fly-tying and any problems you are having applying material to a hook. Please come out with your notebook in hand.

February 20^th- Introduction to fly-tying

February 27^th- Jim Wenger, Tying saltwater flies. Jim will take you through the process of tying some great saltwater patterns for fly fishing in the tropics and fishing the east coast of North America. The patterns will include Crazy Charlies to the Tabory snake. A great pattern for Stripers on the east coast but also can be used for Barracuda and Permit.

If you are interested in any of these classes please e-mail or call the shop for more information

905-689-0880 or email flyshop@grindstoneangling.com

Fly fishing instructions for beginners in fly fishing techniques and basics

Beginning on Saturday January 30^th 2010, we have acquired an Indoor sports facility with ample room for indoor fly-casting instruction. Grindstone will offer classes through the balance of the winter months to teach and improve your skills as a fly angler by honing your fly casting technique. The classes will run from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each Saturday until April 3^rd.

We will schedule a series of clinics through this time for all aspects of fly-casting. The clinics will include:

Introduction to fly casting: This class is based on the new angler or those who have never taken an instructional course from a professional instructor.  We will start with a brief breakdown of the components of a flyrod and reel, how and why everything matches and work together to give the angler a balanced outfit.  As well, understanding the mechanics of how the rod and line work to perform a well executed fly-cast. We will be performing a series of casts in this program, the pickup and lay down cast, false casting, mending fly line and the reach cast. Anglers will be ready to advance to the next skill levels of fly-casting once you have completed this program.

Casting Tune-ups: This Class is for the individual who is striving to become a better fly caster. The instructors are going to concentrate on your skill level and work with you and the mechanics of your cast to make you more efficient. You will have a better understanding of the proper load of the flyrod to execute a better cast with greater accuracy and also allowing you to achieve control with greater distance in your cast.

Casting for distance: This is for the angler who has some experience fly-casting and wants to achieve greater distance with control of the cast. We will work on the single and double haul. These casts maximize the load of the flyrod with increased line speed and timing to present a fly while achieving greater distance from your fly-line. This clinic is great for the angler who wants to cover a-lot of water and still maintain control of their cast for those wary fish that will often spook on a sloppy presentation. The instructor will work with the skill level of each angler advancing your level to achieve the required goal.

John Valk has been fly fishing and guiding for more than 30 years and can teach you anything from the beginner levels of casting to advanced stages of double hauling. He has the ability to work any casting situation to produce a positive outcome for his clients or students.  If you like destination fishing or travel abroad and are planning to go fly rod in hand, John’s expertise can help make your trip a success by covering some of the casting situations you will encounter. 

FLY TYING PATTERNS AND INSTRUCTIONS

Learn how to tie trout flies.

Saturday November 21^st at 9:30 a.m. John Hoffmann, Well known fly angler and tyer, will be at the podium demonstrating some new variations of the old traditional soft hackle patterns. John is using the tying methods for soft hackles to tie patterns to match the hatches of our local trout streams and rivers. He will also share with you the methods of fishing these flies for trout on our home waters.

Fly tying tips for beginners and experts.

All are welcome; Coffee is on at 9:00 a.m.

In The classroom

Saturday, November 21^st 9:30-1:00

Rob Heal, Well known guide and fly-tyer with Grindstone Outfitters will be teaching a class, “Tying Flies for Steelhead”. The patterns for the class will consist of a collection of Rob’s favorite guide patterns that are proven to hook and land some of these great fish. The flies for the class will consist of Rob’s Simplified Egg pattern, a highly productive fly, a couple of his great Steelhead Nymph patterns, the “Well Healed Wet Fly” and Rob’s Steelhead Leach for those of you who love to swing flies.

If you prefer to tie on your own tools please bring them along or if you need tools we can set them up for you.

Grindstone will supply all the materials needed for this class. Seating is limited. Please call or e-mail the shop for cost information and to reserve your spot.

905-689-0880

email flyshop@grindstoneangling.com

Saturday November 28^th, Bill Spicer will be teaching a class on tying the Hairwing salmon flies.

Learn the art of fly-tying with Rob Heal of Grindstone Angling

The  fly-tying season starts on Saturday. We will do our best to offer as many classes and programs this season to cover all aspects of the art. If you have any requests for classes or demonstrations please ask.

Saturday March 6th 9:30 am

Tom Crawford – Tom is a unique and innovative tyer. We rely on some of his flies to help us through the guiding season. Come this Saturday and be surprised at what you can learn about his flies and the techniques for tying and fishing them.

Introduction to Fly-tying

Saturday, March 6th 9:30-1:30

Learn the art of fly-tying with Rob Heal of Grindstone Angling                                                        

The introductory course is for those who are just starting, we will cover the basics, teaching all aspects of fly-tying and the tools needed. You will begin tying simple patterns and learn the techniques of applying materials to the hook. By the end of the course you will have progressed to tying a dry fly for trout and will be ready to move into all levels of intermediate fly tying. Grindstone will supply all tools and materials needed for this class. Seating is limited. Please call or e-mail the shop for cost information and to reserve your spot.

905-689-0880 or email flyshop@grindstoneangling.com

Saturday

Rob Heal will be teaching a Steelhead fly tying class with the patterns you can use for the fall and spring season.

Saturday March 6^th is our last Saturday for indoor fly-casting which we have dedicated for women only. This class will run from 2pm-4pm, hosted by Bill Spicer and we still have a few spots available. This is an excellent opportunity for beginners and experienced casters alike. Wednesday morning clinics (9:30am-noon) are running until the end of the month and we have some space available for the remaining sessions

Grindstone Angling will be gathering once again to discuss tips and strategies for fall steelhead.

2009 Open House / Steelhead Primer Saturday October 17^th (9:30am-4:00pm)

All are welcome in joining us and participating with their insight, questions and success stories. With all this talk about steelhead, we’ll of course have to fire up the Weber grill to satisfy the hungry crowd. A complimentary bbq lunch will be served at noon.

Also joining us on this day will be representatives from some the best brands in fly fishing tackle & gear, along with some television & magazine personalities.  The Grindstone cast of characters will be around as usual, conducting tying demo’s and offering expert advice on single-handed & two-handed outfits for migratory fishing.

For the early Christmas shopper or individual looking for a deal, we will have special select items on sale. All in all, this is a great way to get revved up for the fall steelhead season, novice or expert alike, and we look forward to seeing you!

Please note from 2pm will be hosting a special tribute to the late John Ponsford.  John was a caring and compassionate individual and a great ambassador to flyfishing. He has and will be sorely missed and we are looking forward to holding a toast in his honour.

We will be hosting a special tribute to the late John Ponsford.  John was a caring and compassionate individual a great friend and great ambassador to fly-fishing and fly-tying. Johns expertise in the art of fly-tying exceeded the industry, not only the innovative patterns he tied but also in the re birth of the old traditional with his own style. John has taught thousands the art of fly-tying and ran the classes at the shop since the first year Grindstone was in business. He is sorely missed and we are looking forward to holding a toast in his honour. For all friends of John, please join us and share with us some of your great memories.

Grindstone Angling & Outfitters

www.grindstoneanlgling.com

24Mill St. N. Waterdown, Ont.

905-689-0880