Fly Fishing from not an expert view

1

I remember when I started to take up fly fishing way back in 96, it was quite difficult here in Malaysia to get the source, maybe I didn’t know the right place to find it. I got a book, magazine anything related to fly fishing. Don’t know internet back then.

Then there were Berita Harian Joran section with Mr. Irhamy weekly pancing laying section. Really thankful for that. The explanation fly fishing is easy to understand. I still keep it until know, and together with some of the emails that I wrote to him. Ha ha what to do, I am a sentimental guy. Then went to his class in Banting in 97 if I am not mistaken, together with Mr. Aznir Malek and Mr. Larry from Kanada. The first time casting with fly rod. Soon after that, bought my first rod and reel. It was Okuma Scierra and Okuma Air Stream reel, RM150 set which I still keep until now. And got the RM30 Berkley Fly Line from Tacklebox. Learnt a lot of thing from Nick also. Without Nick’s place it’s really difficult for us fly fisherman.

You know what, I don’t even bother to ask them whether they are certified instructor. When people are willing to share their knowledge on fly fishing for free, you should be thankfull for that. So I must say Irhamy and Nick got a lot of contribution of fly fishing in this country and they did a lot of effort to introduce fly fishing in Malaysia. Then came along Dr.Ling which I think have a share amount of contribution. I don’t know Pak Amin back than or maybe like I said, I don’t look at the right place. First time I heard about Pak Amin was in 2001. At that time I was regularly went down to Singapore for work purpose and most of the time will hang out at Henry’s place. The place in front of beach road before they change the name to Coho and move to Bali Lane. I will spent few hours listening Henry’s story and tips, he’s great guy.

Back than, I normally fly fishing alone, because of no kaki and people perception about fly fishing, elite and expensive, and hey after 10 years, people still have same perception. That the reason why, I want to change what people think about fly fishing in Malaysia. Last year, the U5 competition, team “lalat basah” was a last minute decision. We participate not because so much of the competition, but because some people from casting community said that fly fishing is so elite and no “class” for fly fishermen to participate. So we participate just to show that their perception was wrong. But when we announced as champion, and 2 years before Hairi, Novice and the gang was a runner up, some people started to look different way about fly fishing I guess.

I know, there are many experienced fly fisherman in Malaysia who wish not to be identified. Doesn’t mean they are not a member of any forum or we don’t see them fishing they can’t contribute their knowledge. I believe if we know something we should share it and it’s good for or fly fishing community in Malaysia . After all in this internet era most of the thing you can get from internet. Just because somebody said we don’t have any casting certification or what ever we can’t give our contributions. Since when fly fishing become regulated industry in Malaysia. This is not US or Europe my friends. Over there if you are certified instructor, you can teach casting, form your own school, make a living out of it. In here even you have PhD in fly fishing doesn’t lead you to any where.

I strongly believe there’s no hard rule in fly fishing. Just because you learn something from other people, you are right and other people are wrong. How you hold a fly rod for example. You got thumb on top, use index finger, V-grip, extended grip and the way you cast. Not all wrong. Just because you learn one way, the other is wrong. When somebody ask me and want my not an expert opinion, I will always tell them all the option that I know, but this is how I do it. I am not sure whether it’s right or wrong, but I feel suitable and comfortable about it and it’s work for me. You are all big boy, if you feel not suitable for you, you can always find other method that suit you. You can get many experienced fly fishermen here in Malaysia.

If they ask what flies to use and whether their flies is OK or not, I always tell them this is my flies and it works for me. Your flies looks OK but I am not a fish to judge it. Put it on the water. If fish takes it, your flies works, not matter how bad it looks.

Beginner will always think to many restriction and to many thing to understand in fly fishing. From rod selection, reel, to many line to choose, leader and tippet. And then the flies selection. And the the cast, no thight loop no cast, cast only 40 feet enough, have to cast 100 feet, cast using clock face, cast using arc and lot of stuff. Some times all of this stuff make them more confusing. If we can find some easy way for them to understand it easier.

Most of the guys who interested in fly fishing is not from high income group. Just imagine you have to spend RM500-700 for complete fishable set up. For high income guys, that amount is nothing. But for low and middle income, it’s a lot of amount of money.

For me fly fishing is what I enjoy doing. This is the only thing that can still connect me with my childhood memory. I remember when I was a kid, can’t afford a spinning rod and reel. We will make our self rod from Chinese bamboo, a guide from hair pin and spool thread for a reel, exactly like fly reel. We will fight the fish and prawn with hand. Just like fly fishing. Only we used mono and sinker. Fly fishing also something that can balance with our every day life. Work during the day, Spent time with our family on Saturday, fishing trip on Sunday.. When we get more people take up fly fishing, we get more fishing buddies that we can spent time during our fishing trips, drinking session. Share stories, joke, laughter, fishing spot and knowledge. There’s no more about fish at all sometimes. I do what I feel right and suitable for me, whatever work and make sense to me and I feel good about it. Whether I am good or not doesn’t really matter to me. I don’t mind people think I am “syok sendiri”

Getting to long already guys. This is my inexpert view only , afterall everybody have their own view to share. An mind my English, no time to check speeling and grammar.

2

well written article bro. a very good perspective & scope. hope to add on later!

WAR: it’s not about who’s RIGHT, it’s about who’s LEFT

3

Bro Alpocot,

For me as a beginner, whether it’s FF, jigging, trolling etc…it is still fishing…i just love fishing and that why i learn FF to gain more knowledge + make new friends[:D][:D][:D]…not to show who’s better or who’s the best…just simple reason, to share knowledge, share jokes & laughter.

IkAnBuLaN</font id=“red”>


[/img]

4

What is Flyfishing? Well I think for all of us here in Singapore and Malaysia, we do have a common factor. Please bear with me if i am a bit long winded.

Over the course of my time flyfishing (roughly 15years, I think) I progressed from various stages of fishing skills, methods, likes and dislikes. During that times I fished for anything that swim using prawn rod, pole rod, spinning, baitcaster, Iso and of course flyrod. In flyfishing, we only had Anglers Supply to shop for our tackles, and in those days were the Orvis Tridents. No, I don’t have them any more, I sold all my fly tackles away to go back to the basic, bait on a hook.

It wasn’t a number of years ago, when I was in Coho and one of the so called elite derided me for using breadflies (it not “real” flyfishing) at the now long-gone dairy farm. I , of course was pissed for someone trying to label something as flyfishing. I remembered asking him if ever caught a milkfish using a flyrod. Guess not. This so-called elite went to spend the next few months at the lagoon, trying every day until he got one.

Yes, on a bread fly too. So much for elitism.

This pond became a mecca for distance casting. To reach the milkfish, you have to able to cast far. Wadding close was not an option. This fat shorty would have done it if the lagoon wasn’t deep enough and he can’t swim too. A lot flyfishermen got to pick up distance casting in a hurry to catch this milkfish. It too became competitive as well as only those who were able to cast far could catch a milkfish. Size mattered too.

This snob went to the lagoon every day and sat by the bank smoking his pipe while keeping an eye on the size of the milkfish caught and landed. He will only goes in to fish when his last fish is beat by size of weigh by another flyfisherman. To make sure the others would not have a equal chance of catching a milkfish. He would buy up all the furry foams from Coho and I heard that he even snapped up the stock from Nick as well. Sound familiar?

Without furry foams, fewer chaps went down to fish, those who did had no choice but to buy bread flies from at him at ripped prices too. Ahh, all coming back to you too, so how much were the crab flies you have to pay standing on a flat in Maldives?

Rather than to buy the breadflies at cutthroat price, Some of us switched to using bread on a hook and released those milkfish into sea. He came to hear about it and in no time cursed me behind my back for using un-gentlemen fishing method. Un-sporting he called it. Soon, the whole of Beach Road and I think probably in KL came to know about it. What we realized is that he felt threatened that the milkfish population is getting smaller and he had to work harder to catch one.

Eventually, this pond was drained and the milkfish carted away in gunnysack to make way for a water skiing park. Years after this closure, his stories about the milkfish still reeked Beach Road where he is known as the Grand Master and as each day went by the milkfish that he caught got bigger and bigger. Of course he would and will always claimed “credit when credit is due” .

So, who got the biggest milkfish there? No not him, not by a rolled cast. We think is a pilot who is so modest that he will say that those caught by others are bigger. By the way, remembered distance casting, we all, including the old man got to learn from him. This guy would share all he knows about casting and anything about flyfishing. There is no air about him, and like many of those pioneers (a term he does not wish to be label) often come forward to share with the flyfishing communities without asking for recognition or monetary rewards. Credit where credit is due? The credit should goes to two young boys, Nicholas and Matthew for their adventurism and sharing the place and the method with the flyfishing communities.

To be continued.

BTW, Alpocot thanks for sharing.

Sim

5

i remembered a passer-by taught me fly casting in subang jaya pond. every evening he used to go there jogging. now i don’t see hime anymore

6

Being the analytical nerd that I am, I thought about the definition of flyfishing and think back to the origins of the sport (now, that a term that been spinning around in KL too) and compare some of the methods and materials are used today to those back then.

We have come a long way, from the humble fiberglass rod to the modern graphite stick that many of us are waving about. Some of us start with bamboo and are still fishing with them today. Like Yong, there a few are making their own bamboo rods here in Singapore. Did the new boron turn all of us in morons? No. Many of us are happy waving whatever we have in our hands. Do we look down on the next guy just because he cannot cast beyond 50ft or that he holding a fiberglass rod or that he is old fashion for using a boo. You do not have to be a master to cast into a head on wind or across a big lake to be able to teach the next fellow. We don’t have to show what we can do. We just share what we know, not spewing about distance and accuracy in the same sentence.

Flyfishing is not all fishing in large waters like the open sea or big lakes, nor do we all need to be able cast into the headwind. Not been able doesn’t mean we don not have the experience and that doesn’t mean we cannot share that experience with our fellow flyfishermen. Many of us are happy casting little nymph in little steam for lampam or sikang.

To each his own, I say. Let me cast to where the fish is within my ability and not a hundred feet beyond the fish and stripped all the way back where the fish once was. End result is a fish tugging at the end of the line and not a jerk at the other end.

There is a favourite tea-time story here in Singapore. A very proud casting instructor who was recently got his official appointment after so many attempts came to show off his new skills to the local flyshop staff. They got across the road to the open fields with some spectators tagging along. This guy then start to show off all the creative casts he learned for his certification. He spiraled left and right, snaked here and there. Waving his line all over the place. To some of the spectators it was impressive but not to the shop staff and some of the spectators.

Let us us called the new instructor as “A” and the shopstaff as “H”

H: ‘Great, so what are these for”.
This new instructor A, was visibly shock, “what you mean what for! This is what a qualified instructor must be able to cast!”
H :“So what, I also can cast like that, but what are they for, can you describe the situation when and where you need to perform such a cast.”
A, losing his cool.” Are you saying I don’t know what I am doing, I can also cast 120 feet also as required”
H then said” Ok show me”
“NO” said A, “you challenged me then I show that I can cast 120 feet”
A: “What for, you don’t even know what these casts are for and you want me challenged you to cast 120 feet!”

Peter Morse must be rolling on the floor laughing his head off down under.

H, here is a easy going person and many here guys from Malaysia like alpocot, has the honour to learn from him. A no-nonsense guy, who will not hesitate to call a spade a spade. H always say that one need to be able to walk before one can run and reminds us to forget about distance casting if you are not able to cast at all. What is the point of having experience if you do not have the knowledge to share.

To be continued…

CHEERS

7

this going to be fly fisherman’s Chicken Soup for the Soul

8

i’ve always been amazed by fly-fishing, ever since i browsed through Cabela’s catalogues, and other overseas mags as i was kid. my dad was an avid angler himself. dad used to have many ABU catalogues thrown around, and books on fishing written by English, American and Aussie anglers. the fly-fishing sections was the only part i never understood. how do we cast a hook with no sinkers? i was amazed. pictures of anglers in waders, half-submerged in crystal clear streams, loop(s) of fly lines hovering above the head, oak, pine & redwood trees of the sierras, pictures of trout, salmon…looked really calming. my uncle said it was an “old man’s excercise”, somewhat like tai chi. graceful, harmonious, synchronized movements of the body, except that you get fish at the end of the day. tai chi only gives u a sweaty attire…

shopping was an integral part of my family, even though most of the time it’s just the window type. and my favorite section of any shopping centre would the the AV section. Sony trinitrons were the class act of those days. one of the most beautiful videos they love to use for demos are fly-fishing videos. somehow, the natural backdrop, the contrasting colour of the flies, and the graceful old man in funny clothes waving his rod back and forth who released his fish after a good fight, captured my attention and imagination.

i was 10 at that time and learning the baitcaster. although i spin & baitcast most of the time, i’ve always had a place for fly fishing in my heart. but sadly, i didn’t have the chance to cross paths with a fly fisho. i would open up my encyclopedia britannica and search for fly fishing & related topics. my dad bought me more books like ‘The complete book of fishing’ & ‘encyclopedia of fishing’ which had a good half of the book dedicated to fly fishing including how to tie flies, only to be left with more questions at the end of the day as i stumbled upon new terminologies, and materials which are not available to me.

i had always had the perception that fly fishing is synonymous with ‘old’, ‘costly’ and ‘rare’ since i was young.

‘old’ because of famous fly fishers like bob clouser, lee wulff, mel krieger who are already in their golden years. old family physicians would tell stories of fly-fishing. old grandfather-aged friends of my father would recite tales of fishes caught on flies. but none of them had any direct connection with fly fishing. it was always 'heard from a friend’s friend who used to study in the states/UK sort of thing.

‘costly’ because i do not understand why a simple/drab fly reel with fewer parts, say when compared to a baitcaster or a spinning reel, cost so much( i’m referring to Hardy, Orvis, Abu Diplomats back in the 80s & 90s catalogues) when it’s function is just to store line. and fly rods were priced higher than other rods!(i assumed that since most fly rods are 9-footers & above, hence the extra cost)

‘rare’ as i have only stumbled upon fly rods in Penang’s Siow Chiang which carry Penn’s Gold Medal fly rods.
and so, it did not materialize till i finally stumbled upon MFN(hurray!), and met a bunch of crazy fishos from Penang who would call themselves The Longkang Gang.

hmmm…to cut long story shorter only by a bit, i think i started fly-fishing in 2006. i had just graduated then, and had time to spare. used to frequent a certain Tarpon Longkang in Penang, till they recognized all the lures in my box and refused to be fooled by hardbodied lures. decided to fly fish then for a change of taste.

was at another Longkanger’s office one fine day, and he had a fly setup in his car. he’s none other than Cikgu Dolah. Sild then came for lunch, and after a heavy lunch, it was off to the school padang for some exercise. a few strokes later and i was able to let line out, albeit being unable to ‘shoot’ the line out properly. i felt that i had mastered the art of fly fishing finally! yes! i am the mannn!(well, at least i thought i was, until after meeting pak amin i was totally demoralized and wanted to commit suicide, hehehehe)

one phonecall to Lannun later, and i managed to borrow his fly setup, and in the process picked up some free flies. it was back to Tarpon Haven again the next morning, registering 20+ tarpons on my virgin fly fishing trip. i was hooked for life! and in the process i learned by trial and error. the fish, the wind, the time, the trees, the snags, the water & the overhanging power cables soon became my teacher, lecturing me all the way until today.

so here i am, fishing with a fly rod,reel,line & my own flies. somehow, i know that i am not a fly fisherman. i am an angler who loves to fly fish. for a true fly fisherman, years of experience & many factors inconceivable by words come into play. i do not know how to describe it, but i know a fly fisherman when i come across one without a doubt!

now my hands really gatal for some fly-action…it’s almost 5. i can smell the water already hehehheheheh

WAR: it’s not about who’s RIGHT, it’s about who’s LEFT

9

Alpocot,
Nice write-up! [;)]

FT,
We had the same fate.
But I guess now u’re luckier - because KAKILAI is only at ur doorsteps!
Argh…! [:(!]

Delongsim sir,
Please please please keep up your stories here.
We really really love to read them. [:D]

People Say I Look Like Jack Black,
People Say I Look Bad In Slacks,
Oh Well, People Do Say A Lot Of Things About Me…</font id=“black”>

10

EXCUSE ME…!!! this is a topic about ‘Fly Fishing from not an expert view’… not for bad mouthing people… if wanna talk bad about other people… please show your face, tell us your name… do it like a MAN please…or else get out…!!!

bros… we had just manage to cleared things out and wanna stop all this bad mouthing culture…!!! please think twice before you write anything about others… or else stick to the topic…

11
quote:
Originally posted by dron.fly
EXCUSE ME...!!!! this is a topic about 'Fly Fishing from not an expert view'.... not for bad mouthing people... if wanna talk bad about other people... please show your face, tell us your name.... do it like a MAN please....or else get out...!!!

bros… we had just manage to cleared things out and wanna stop all this bad mouthing culture…!!! please think twice before you write anything about others… or else stick to the topic…

Chill chill, Cikgu… [:D]

Mr. Sim, personally I think your articles does have some significant relations to Alpocot’s above. But if your intention is to convey some message to any person in this forum, better for you to email him or her personally. Eventho (technically) there’s no valid bad-mouthing appears in ur writings because you didn’t mention any name but we here more or less know who u’re talking about. But if u still insist to tell the stories, I will read it without prejudice, bias or enjoyment. Cheers… [;)]

People Say I Look Like Jack Black,
People Say I Look Bad In Slacks,
Oh Well, People Do Say A Lot Of Things About Me…</font id=“black”></font id=“Georgia”>

12
quote:
Originally posted by riki_rahman
Alpocot, Nice write-up! [;)]

FT,
We had the same fate.
But I guess now u’re luckier - because KAKILAI is only at ur doorsteps!
Argh…! [:(!]

Delongsim sir,
Please please please keep up your stories here.
We really really love to read them. [:D]

People Say I Look Like Jack Black,
People Say I Look Bad In Slacks,
Oh Well, People Do Say A Lot Of Things About Me…</font id=“black”>

riki bro,
got a wee bit carried away there reading Alpocot’s write-up. when i go back to Penang this weekend i’m bringing my books over! totally forgot about them books! i remembered the dry flies,nymphs and especially the salmon flies…freaking complicated flies with almost every color under the sun!

hmmm..it’s been a while now since i went for them ladies at Bedong. waiting for some rain 1st, and then try out my Kelkatu flies heheheh. worse comes to worst, pellet flies lahhh…

so, bila coming again? heheheh

WAR: it’s not about who’s RIGHT, it’s about who’s LEFT

13

am agreeing with dron,
non of us here are certified experts,so we spin a tale of our own experience but to shoot/back stab people,thats real bad,

Fishing & Dogs

14
quote:
Originally posted by dron.fly
EXCUSE ME...!!!! this is a topic about 'Fly Fishing from not an expert view'.... not for bad mouthing people... if wanna talk bad about other people... please show your face, tell us your name.... do it like a MAN please....or else get out...!!!

bros… we had just manage to cleared things out and wanna stop all this bad mouthing culture…!!! please think twice before you write anything about others… or else stick to the topic…

Dron what you say is right about 'not bad mouthing people' in this forum. But I want to say something .... Though no names have been mentioned, it Seems like delongsim is taking a stab at me but have no guts to say to my face. Because what he is implying is BS. I like him to prove what he has said. Unlike him I dont hide behind a nickname. But I will track him down.

SO to delongsim:Yes I learned how to fly fish but with a qualified instructor on a one-to-one basis, because my belief and principal is that I want to learn and master something that I am passionate about and I want to learn from a qualified professional so that I don’t pick up bad habits and look like a fool.
You spend money to study, to be an educated person and qualify for a certain profession. Does that mean you will work and share your knowledge free of charge? Dont be a parrot who know how to talk but dont know what that it is saying or the meaning.
Again I say, if you have the guts come and meet me personally. You should have no problem contacting me. My contact details is in this profile, in Rod & Line, or you can even ask any staff in Coho and Tacklebox. I do not hide behind a nickname and I don’t use this forum to back stab or bad mouth people.

Pak Amin

Flyfishing With Amin

15

The BIG MATCH

                 EGO 1 vs FLY FISHING 0
16
quote:
Originally posted by IkAnBuLaN
Bro Alpocot,

For me as a beginner, whether it’s FF, jigging, trolling etc…it is still fishing…i just love fishing and that why i learn FF to gain more knowledge + make new friends[:D][:D][:D]…not to show who’s better or who’s the best…just simple reason, to share knowledge, share jokes & laughter.

IkAnBuLaN</font id=“red”>


[/img]

I am totally aggree with IkanBulan, share knowledge, joke and laughter. Like I said, I enjoy doing FF, really not good with other method, beside prawn fishing. BTW maybe some other time you can bring us to your ladyfish lubuk[;)]

Bro FT,

Enjoy your story. I guess most of us have same reason why we start fly fishing. Whenever I go down to Penang, I will spend some times at Beach Road. Last time every time I went there, most of the fly rod in Siow Chiang was still there, but now is getting less.
BTW thanks for sharing.

Mr.Sim

Yes, Angler Supplies. I am having hard time to remember the shop’s name. I remember last time every time I went down there, I will take 1 day extra, just to browse through beach road. Coincidently, same road name with the one in Penang also. Oh..don’t forget Murtabak Singapore Arab street. My saliva is dropping already [:p] But don’t worry, now we have one in Keramat, that’s going to be my lunch today he he
BTW thanks for sharing

17

Bro alpocot,

sure can if u come down to Taiping, and the weather permits us to go..why not?i think with ur fibreglass rod u 'll have a good time with the ladies & tarpons.

IkAnBuLaN</font id=“red”>


[/img]

18
quote:
Originally posted by delongsim
Being the analytical nerd that I am.......

There is a favourite tea-time story here in Singapore. A very proud casting instructor who was recently got his official appointment after so many attempts came to show off his new skills to the local flyshop staff. They got across the road to the open fields with some spectators tagging along. This guy then start to show off all the creative casts he learned for his certification. He spiraled left and right, snaked here and there. Waving his line all over the place. To some of the spectators it was impressive but not to the shop staff and some of the spectators.

Let us us called the new instructor as “A” and the shopstaff as “H”

H: ‘Great, so what are these for”.
This new instructor A, was visibly shock, “what you mean what for! This is what a qualified instructor must be able to cast!”
H :“So what, I also can cast like that, but what are they for, can you describe the situation when and where you need to perform such a cast.”
A, losing his cool.” Are you saying I don’t know what I am doing, I can also cast 120 feet also as required”
H then said” Ok show me”
“NO” said A, “you challenged me then I show that I can cast 120 feet”
A: “What for, you don’t even know what these casts are for and you want me challenged you to cast 120 feet!”

Peter Morse must be rolling on the floor laughing his head off down under.

H, here is a easy going person and many here guys from Malaysia like alpocot, has the honour to learn from him. A no-nonsense guy, who will not hesitate to call a spade a spade. H always say that one need to be able to walk before one can run and reminds us to forget about distance casting if you are not able to cast at all. What is the point of having experience if you do not have the knowledge to share.

To be continued…

CHEERS

YOU WERE GLORIFYING PBS AND GOING ON TO SAY THAT FLY FISHING IN MALAYSIA OWES ITS GROWTH TO RON LOOI AND PAK AMIN AND NOW YOU ARE GOING AROUND SHOOTING YOUR MOUTH BY IMPLYING THAT PAK AMIN IS THE BIGGEST SNOB AND SHOW OFF IN SINGAPORE AND SOME SAY IN MALAYSIA. QUESTION IS, THIS FORUM IS ABOUT FLY FISHING NOT ABOUT BAD MOUTHING PEOPLE WHO HAD DONE GOOD AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE FISHING COMMUNITY IS PARTICULARY FLY FISHING.

AS FAR AS I AM CONCERN , there’s nothing wrong in him showing off his certification since he had to earn it the hard way and my question to you is this, what have you got to show with your so call 15 years of fishing experience . Bad mouthing people is your qualification i would say after all ROn Looi is your idol, right .after all being an analytical nerd is what you really are.

until then

19

First it’s Delongsim.
Now it’s LOOI PA.
I’m wondering what other ‘ghosts’ would come out after this. Creepy… [:p] [:D]

People Say I Look Like Jack Black,
People Say I Look Bad In Slacks,
Oh Well, People Do Say A Lot Of Things About Me…</font id=“black”></font id=“Georgia”>

20
quote:
Originally posted by riki_rahman
First it's Delongsim. Now it's LOOI PA. I'm wondering what other 'ghosts' would come out after this. Creepy................. [:p] [:D]

People Say I Look Like Jack Black,
People Say I Look Bad In Slacks,
Oh Well, People Do Say A Lot Of Things About Me…</font id=“black”></font id=“Georgia”>

Whoever the ghosts are…bottom line is…we don’t agree with the forum being used to bad mouth others.

"The fishing was good; it was the catching that was bad." ~A.K. Best~