Mike Venhuis

How long have you been fishing? I've been spin fishing since I was 2. 

How long have you been fly fishing? I was 11 when I started fly fishing. 

How did you get started in fly fishing? My Dad got me in to fly fishing. After seeing my first cutthroat trout come up and eat a Tom Thumb I cast out there.... That was it. 

Favorite species? I don't really have a favourite species. It's more technique that I like. If the fish pulls hard - I like it. 

Favorite water? My favorite waters are rivers at home in Alberta. I love swinging flies into places you know there are fish and having them grab it. When traveling to fish I love to sight cast to hard-pulling fish in shallow ocean water.  

Favorite technique? My favorite and ultimate technique is waking dry flies at home for trout (not always effective but targets special fish.) 

Favorite flies? My favorite fly is a skid bitch. I love swinging them on the surface and also dead drifting. I have caught fish everywhere I have used them.  

Favorite fishing book or DVD – A story book I enjoyed was "Of Wind and Tides" by Stu Apte. As for entertainment and learning, I think there is so much great stuff on YouTube now. The "GeoBass" series was quite good and the info you can get on tying and techniques is endless. I wish that was around when I was in my early years of learning. 

Favorite Vise (as in the tool.) I use the Norvise for tying all my flies. It is all I know and have ever used. 

Favorite pattern to tie? I don't think I have a specific favorite pattern to tie. I love tying steelhead and saltwater flies because you can use your imagination. It is probably also because I am traveling to catch them and I'm usually pretty excited for the trips. 

Most interesting (remote, distant, crowded, etc.) location you’ve fished. I would have to say Brazil was one of the coolest places I have fished. So many species of fish and animals was interesting for me. And also just something a little crazy about flying into the middle of a rainforest and being dropped off for a week. 

Your destination/species wishlist: There are many places I want to fish and species I want to catch. Seychelles is probably at the top of my list. I would want to target the milkfish and parrotfish they have there. There's a lot more exploring I want to do in the Amazon as well; airapama and payara are on my species lest there as well. 

Given the opportunity who would you choose to fish with? Or someone who has inspired you as an angler/tyer/teacher/guide. I can't pick one person I would love to fish with. I love to fish with different people for different reasons. First reason is fun experiences (that's what it's all about.) Second reason is learning. You can learn from everyone who has experience; you just have to open up to it. 


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