TroutLegend

Terence Courtoreille has been a perennial performer for Fly Fishing Canada with multiple medals to his name. In the following interview Terence gives us a unique look inside Canada’s competitive approach at both the national and international level. He also reminds us that you don’t have to live directly on a Class A trout stream to be a top level angler.

Interview with Terence Courtoreille by Dejon Hamann

Hamann: You’ve competed in every single Canadian National Championship since they began in 2003. Let’s go back a little further though to when you made the switch to “comp” style fishing. What was the impetus? Were there some influential sources for you in those first years?

Courtoreille: The ‘switch’ really wasn’t much more than a group of anglers from the Northwest Territories wanting to attend the 2003 Nationals as a fishing trip. At that time, we knew nothing about competition fishing however we were eager to see what it was all about. Our original team back then was organized by Mac Stark, who is a NWT resident and veteran with Fly Fishing Canada. Under Mac’s tutelage, surprisingly enough, we finished second, earning a silver medal. Individually, we had two members medal and I recall finishing 10th. Needless to say, we were immediately hooked. I continue to fish with one of those original teammates today (John Nishi) and Mac continues to be a very good angling friend and mentor to me.

Hamann: Now a decade later and five world championships under your belt how do you continue to evolve your game? What are some of the sources that help you keep your edge and improving your technique?

Courtoreille: Firstly, I try to practice as much as I possibly can. Given where I live this isn’t as often as I like, so I use every opportunity to practice competition techniques. Secondly, I’m not afraid to ask questions. Over the years, I have befriended a number of teammates, fellow competitors and ex-competitors who are always willing to exchange information. Within Fly Fishing Canada, I look to individuals such as Randy Taylor, John Beaven and Donald Thom for guidance and advice. The transfer of information is simple. When these guys are talking, I shut up and listen.

Hamann: Every country organizes its world team a bit different. Could you tell us a little about how some of the teams you’ve been on have prepared for World play and approached the Fips Championships?

Courtoreille: The Canadian approach in preparing for a World Championship really hasn’t changed since I’ve been a member. We usually try to arrive 10 days prior to the official practice. As with other teams, we will use this time to sort out our flies and techniques so that when the official practices comes, we’re all fishing confidently with a plan. At the end of our unofficial practice, every venue will have a specific fly box equipped with the flies only to be used for that venue. Our goal with this approach is to discourage teammates from prospecting with new flies during the competition sessions. Remember this is a timed event. The last thing we want is a competitor scratching his head, while staring at his fly box trying to figure out what to use.

I usually organize this box into 3 row combinations of casts (top, middle, point). This allows me to change flies and fly combinations quickly without thinking about what to use. All of this is thought out in advance so that when the competition comes all you have to do is execute. Sounds easy eh?
Interestingly enough, Canada’s top placings at the Worlds were in 2008 in New Zealand and 2009 in Scotland. At both events, we had a contingency travel to the competition venues one year in advance for reconnaissance. I truly believe this is another piece to being successful on the World stage. However in Canada’s case, all travel is self financed by the team members, so this isn’t possible every year.

Hamann: What about at the National level? Canada uses an interesting system for organizing its team members.

Courtoreille: Originally, I believe the intentions were to have provincial representation at our National Championships. However, we haven’t quite evolved to that point yet. As a result, our National events are open and anglers are free to organize themselves into teams. My teammates are all past National members who are from all over Canada and we approach the National events very similar to that of an international event…we try to arrive early, work as team to sort out our flies and techniques and stick to the game plan.

Hamann: What difficulties have you experienced in your career living in the Northwest Territories? Are you attacked by Polar Bears often while fishing? Do you guys have an endless supply of seals fur? Just kidding of course. Seriously though, that’s quite a remote area. Other anglers stranded by “geography” might be able to draw from your experience.

Courtoreille: Fortunately, we don’t have polar bears or seals to contend with, but geography is definitely a challenge. We do have a few options to fish grayling where I live, but nothing for trout. I have a 4 ½ hour drive to the nearest trout lake and approximately 11 hours to the nearest trout stream. This by far is my biggest challenge as it limits my time on the water. In dealing with this, every session I get on the water, whether recreational or not is FIPS Mouche compliant. This ensures I get as much practice as possible given my geographical limitations.

Hamann: All right. Let’s do the obligatory: what 12 trusted flies would you take into battle? 6 for rivers, 6 for lakes? Little background or detail on lesser known patterns is always appreciated but not required.

Courtoreille: Admittedly my list of favorite competition patterns has been influenced by fellow competitors over the years. Let’s face it, the Czech’s and French are better at fishing rivers and the English are better at fishing lakes than we are. So it makes sense to not only copy their techniques but also their patterns. So here’s my list as it stands this month.
For Rivers, don’t leave home without variations of a Pheasant Tail Nymph, Hares Ear Nymph, Czech Nymph and Pheasant Tail Nymph (hint, hint); my ‘go to’ dry is a standard Elk Hair Caddis and the March Brown soft hackle is my preferred wet. For Lakes, the Booby and Blob are an absolute. I wouldn’t step into a boat without these two patterns in my box. The Cormorant, Cruncher and Snatcher cover off the ‘small’ stuff and are always somewhere on my cast. Finally, make sure you always have a black Wolly Bugger in the quiver.
In general, I always tie a hot spot and use UV wherever I can and don’t forget to downsize your patterns as much as possible.

Hamann: Speaking of loch style. You’ve medaled gold at both an all river national and an all lake national. What are some of your keys to being successful at the loch game? Are you a man of many lines? Local intel? Just straight practice time on the water? I know it’s a vast subject, but maybe you could elucidate a few facets of your technique or philosophy for us?

Courtoreille: I’ve always considered myself to be stronger on rivers than lakes. So the success I had last summer was a pleasant surprise. In evaluating this it’s important to remember that competitive fly fishing is a team sport. 5 anglers working together will always out perform the individual. As such, I listen and contribute to our team discussions as much as possible and I never waiver from the team strategy. I think this above all was the key to success last summer. I had one other teammate medal at this competition (Todd Oishi) and believe 2 others finished within or close to the top ten, so being well organized and sharing information as a team has paid off.

Hamann: Let’s be honest. Most fly fisher-people are serious gear junkies – especially “comp” fly fisher-people. What are some of the pieces of gear you just couldn’t do without in the last few years? Anything from a hook to a boat is game.

Courtoreille: Funny you mention hooks. I think this is one area that anglers often over look or take for granted. If there’s one piece of equipment to not cheap out on, it’s hooks. After all, it’s the only point of contact you have with the fish. I’m not necessarily brand loyal, but I am model loyal. I am constantly migrating to the TMC 2499, Hanak 260 BL and of course the B175…it’s an oldie but a goodie.
Everyone has their preferences for rods, reels and lines and all will vary according to the conditions so I won’t go into that. I will say however, the one area that has changed significantly over the last 7 years since I’ve been competing is tying materials. Not to criticize our North American manufacturers, but the dyed colours and types of materials that we’re getting from across the pond are truly cutting edge.

Hamann: Why do you do this? This sport can be so taxing emotionally not to mention the great draw on personal funds with travel and gear. Especially for Canadian anglers who must fund their own way to every World Championship with an average cost of seven grand a piece. At the root, what drives you to be a perennial part of Fly Fishing Team Canada and compete on the International stage?

Courtoreille: Fly fishing is an easy sport to engage, but I find competitive fly fishing purely addictive. Perhaps this is due to my personality. I am competitive by nature and love to be challenged. If I wasn’t fishing, I’d probably be competing in some other sport/hobby so it’s a matter of prioritizing. For now, this is what I enjoy doing and probably will continue to do so as long as I can contribute to the team.

Hamann: Thank you for the interview. Do you have any closing thoughts for new comers to the sport or those that might be considering giving competitive fly fishing a try?

Courtoreille: My first tip to anybody considering a competition is to read the rules. I don’t mean this from an enforcement point of view, but rather to change people’s fishing mentality. As an example, North American anglers are infamous for trying to catch the ‘big one’. However in competition, a lot of little fish produces more points. In reading the rules, think outside your ‘fishing box’ and make the rules work to your advantage.

Finally, fly fishing is one of those sports that appeals to so many people. If competition fly fishing is something that vaguely tweaks your interest, I’d highly recommend it. The networking and learning opportunities are staggering. If you’re still on the fence, volunteering at a competition is another way to get involved and learn more about the sport.

Courtoreille’s Track Record:
-Competitor at every Canada National Fly Fishing Championship since the events inaugural year in 2003. During that 8 year period he won 5 team medals (2 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze) and 2 individual medals (both gold) and have finished in the top 10 five of the eight years. The first individual gold was in 2006, Grand River Ontario and the 2nd gold was (2010) in Roblin Manitoba.
-9th Place Finish US National Championship 2007, Boulder Colorado.
-6 time Canadian National team member attending one Commonwealth Championship and 5 World Championships.

In its inaugural year, the Winter Stonefly Classic drew top competitive anglers from across the states of Georgia, Tennesee, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Competitors tested their skills in four rounds of fishing on the notoriously difficult Davidson River, with adverse weather conditions adding to the challenge. FIPS Mouche International Rules were in effect.

1. Chris Smith – Team Stonefly
2. Josh McFadden – Team NC
3. Chris Lee – Team NC
4. Josh Stephens – Team USA
5. Michael Yelton – Team Stonefly
6. Michael Sprouse – Team Stonefly
7. Jason Buffkin – Team Stonefly
8. Seth Gerring – Team NC
9. David Woody – Team Stonefly
10. Bill Strickland – Independent
11. Tim Fisk – Team NC
12. Andrew Brown – Team NC
13. Dell Neighbors – Team NC

Devin Olsen has been on fire this year with two consecutive gold medals and a 4th place finish rocketing him to a comfortable position atop the leader board. Devin divulges more than a few secrets to his success in this great interview.

Interview with Devin Olsen by Dejon Hamann

Hamann: Devin, I know it’s cliché’ but let’s start with your age. What did it take to get on Fly Fishing Team USA before the age of 21?

Olsen: To become a team member it takes a lot of experience with the sport of fly fishing itself. It requires a level of talent and skill surrounding the techniques of the sport of fly fishing and also an understanding of the fish you are pursuing. Most importantly, it requires a drive and desire to dedicate your self to getting better at fly fishing and a commitment to spend every bit of available time on the water or at the tying vise. Luckily, my father introduced me to fishing as a young child and by about the 6th grade I was becoming fairly proficient with a fly rod. Throughout my life I’ve always had a competitive nature and desire to be the best at what I pursue so it was perfectly natural for me to combine that competitive nature with the sport I love so much. In 2005 I started working with Ryan Barnes and Lance Egan in the new Cabelas fly shop and the rest is basically history. From them, I learned more about what the team was and how they were personally fishing and I decided I wanted to become a member. So I put my indicators and split shot away and started focusing on getting better at legal competition techniques and things just came together for me from that point.

Hamann: Most people don’t understand the physical requirements of competitive fly fishing. Do you prepare for competition in this respect? Do you believe your age may be a great asset? Looking ahead, do you think the sport may eventually be dominated by the 20 something demographic?

Olsen: Fly fishing may not be the most physical sport around but there are definitely benefits to being fit. When it comes to competition, any edge you can get makes a vital difference. If you can add a few seconds of fishing time by sprinting up and down your beat or by having stamina throughout your session than you are bettering your chances of success. Competitions are exhausting affairs with early morning rises, late night tying sessions, long bus rides, and 6 hours a day of adrenaline pumping fishing sessions. Anybody who thinks that it doesn’t take stamina and mental toughness to stay sharp and motivated through the entire process is kidding themselves. I believe in trying to stay physically fit to begin with so I don’t really change my normal cardio and strength training regimen for competition. When it comes time for competition, I definitely believe the hard hours at the gym beforehand benefit my time on the water. I don’t really think my youth helps me all that much as far as my fishing goes. What has helped me was starting to fish and study fishing at a young age because it has given me a lot of experience that I wouldn’t have otherwise to this point. I also don’t really think that the sport will become dominated by younger guys like myself in the coming years. Most kids these days are focusing on video games, other sports, or the opposite sex in their grade school years so the ones that do become serious about fly fishing often don’t do so until college. At that point it takes most of them a few years to gain enough experience to become successful on the competition stage.

Hamann: I know it’s a big subject, but let’s talk about how you prepare for competition by breaking it down a little. First, do you differentiate between “Everyday Practice” and “Competition Specific Practice”?

Olsen: I do change my practice prior to competitions. Most of my practice until about a month before a competition is just fishing with a specific focus for the day. I usually try and think of something I want to work on and then just implement as I fish that day. I try and spend equitable time on still and moving water when lakes aren’t frozen. If I know in advance where I’ll be fishing in a future competition then I’ll try to start fishing waters that are somewhat similar. Once a competition is about a month away, that’s when I try and pour the heat on. I try and get as much information on the waters I’ll be fishing as I can and then I try to replicate those conditions as much as possible by matching water types and fishing conditions accordingly. This isn’t easy though as no two waters are exactly alike. The major difference though is that I start fishing mock 3 hour sessions where I try to mentally recreate an actual competition session and fishing beat. If can get a fishing partner to help, we’ll set up beats and make a mini competition between ourselves.

Hamann: Now you’re at the venue. What is your practice schedule or approach towards training within the days you have on site?

Olsen: When I’m at the venue I try to take things as easily as possible. In general, my goal is to get confident about the waters I’ll be fishing without expending too much energy that I’ll need later. I survey the competition water and try and find water that is similar for my practice. Then I simply fish and try to develop a sense of the flies and techniques that I believe will work. Once I’m feeling confident that I’ve got flies and a general plan than I try to spend the rest of the time scouting beats, if I know them in time, and forming a detailed game plan for each session. I usually try to write down time allotments for sections of water within a beat so that I can stay calm and confident in what I’m doing throughout the session.

Hamann: What does “attention to detail” mean to you?

Olsen: Paying attention to details for me is one of the most important aspects of competition. Many of the conversations you’ll hear among competition fisherman center on having confidence in what you’re doing. For me, the best way to have that confidence is to make sure that every detail surrounding my fishing approach is covered. I constantly scrutinize every piece of gear in my arsenal and every technique that I’m using. The practice time immediately before a competition is not the time to be trying a bunch new things so I try to tinker with all of the details beforehand. When it comes down to it, one fish can make the difference between success and disappointment so if I can better my chances of hooking and landing that fish through what I’m using and exactly how I’m using it I’m going try and analyze every part of the process to make sure that happens.

Hamann: How do you decide what flies to use in competition?

Olsen: I decide what flies to use just like any other fisherman would decide what flies to use. I survey the water, take some bug samples, and use my basic knowledge of entomology to match any hatches there are. As much as anything though, I try and fish as many flies as possible during practice so that I can experiment and see what works. I also rely a lot on the findings of my teammates to find any other flies that might be important.

Hamann: Do you find that being a guide or working in a fly shop helps your competition game?

Olsen: Any time that you can spend theorizing about techniques or watching others fish is time well spent pertaining to competition. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been lucky to work with Ryan and Lance in a situation where we can bounce a lot of ideas around that we might not have thought of ourselves. Those ideas can always lead to epiphanies and breakthroughs on the water. As far as guiding goes, it’s basically a teaching job spent on the water. Often the best way to help your self understand something is to teach it to someone else. Being able to put fish in the net for a client with little skill or in tough conditions only helps you understand things further when it’s time to put fish in your own net.

Hamann: What were some of the keys to placing 5th in the 2007 Oceania Games in Tasmania?

Olsen: I think I went about Tasmania just like I would any other competition. The main factor contributing to my success and the team’s bronze medal was the way we worked together as a team. It was awesome to have Scott, Riley, Kurt, and Loren there and we really did our best to solve every situation. We spent a lot of time strategizing and sharing patterns. Most of us got very sick during practice with the stomach flu and if we hadn’t been able to rely on each other for help we certainly wouldn’t have had the success that we did.

Hamann: You’ve competed against some of the best nations in the world. What have you learned from watching teams like the French or Poland?

Olsen: Most of what I’ve learned from them has come from footage I’ve religiously dissected from the 2004 championships in Slovakia. I’ve tried to break that footage down just like a coach scouting an upcoming opposing team and I’ve learned a lot about the techniques and little details that set them apart. I’ve also gleaned a few bits of information from books they’ve written, internet sites that relate to them, and secondhand knowledge from other team members who competed against them.

Hamann: I know it’s cheesy, but if you had to go to the finals with only 6 patterns what would you carry?

Olsen: I can’t break it down to six patterns but I can probably go 6 for rivers and 6 for lakes. Obviously this would defer by season and venue.
For the rivers I’d choose a Frenchie Nymph (a variation on a pheasant tail),a Krystal Flash Hare’s Ear, my Biot-backed stonefly nymph, a basic Czech/Polish Nymph, a Stimulator, and a Parachute Adams. For the lakes I’d have a Black Wooly Bugger/leech, a Chromie Chironomid, my Blue Wonder (soft hackle nymph), a Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail, Damsel Nymph, and a Pregnant Scud.

Hamann: What drives you? I mean, at the root, why do you want to get on Fly Fish Team USA and compete on the International stage?

Olsen: I think every person wants to find something that they excel at because that’s a natural human desire. For me fly fishing is one of those things. Every time I go to a competition I come back wanting more. I love the adrenaline rush each session brings, the comradery of the other competitors, and the feeling of accomplishment when I achieve success. My dream is to stand on the podium at the World Championships for a personal and a team medal. Keeping that vision in mind keeps me driven to fish hard every time I’m on the water.

Olsen’s Track Record:
International Experience
• World Fly Fishing Championships 2010 Poland June 2010, Placed highest among team USA competitors
• World Fly Fishing Championships 2009 Scotland June 2009, Placed 1st and 4th in the two sessions fished
• Oceania Fly Fishing Championship, 5th Place Tasmania, February, 2007 (Team Bronze Medal)
• America Cup International Fly Fishing Tournament 1st Place September 2010 (Individual Gold Medal) (Team Gold Medal)
• America Cup International Fly Fishing Tournament 2nd Place September 2008 (Individual Silver Medal) (Team Gold Medal)
National Experience
• Fly Fishing Team USA National Championships, PA 2009 (Individual 5th place) (Team Bronze Medal)
• Santa Fe Team USA Regional Trial, November 2010 1st Place
• Durango Regional Trial, May 2010 3rd Place
• Bozeman Regional Trial, September 2009 1st Place
• Pagosa Lakes Competition, May, 2008 5th Place
• Salt Lake Competition, July, 2008 1st Place
• Cody Regional Trial, April, 2007 2nd Place