Mont-Tremblant is again hosting the Canadian Fly-fishing Championships on July 6, 7 and 8. Competitors will be fishing on the Diable River in the section reserved for this activity, as well as at the Pourvoirie Baroux. It’s an opportunity to meet with Mont-Tremblant flyfisher Jim Iredale, holder of several championship victories.

This is the third national championship to be held at Mont-Tremblant. In 2016, Mont-Tremblant also hosted the Commonwealth Championships.

“We are known for having the capacity to host significant championships,” Jim Iredale emphasizes. “People don’t realize just how ideal our facilities are for fly-fishing, particularly for developing new talents and competitors. We have everything that’s needed, and I’m not just talking about the rivers and lakes. Thanks to the Moucheurs EnDiablés, we have expertise, and we’re there to share to help others get started,” he states.

World Masters Championship

In May 2022, Jim took home the silver medal from the Canadian Fly-Fishing Championship held in Kamloops, British Columbia. “It was a lovely championship which ended up very well for me,” says the fisher, who managed to take that second place in the very last minute of the competition. “I didn’t give up. I knew there was a fish there. It was 30 seconds before the whistle. Then I succeeded as the fish struck and it worked. Two teams witnessed the catch. It was quite the moment,” he confides.

This major competition had the goal of preparing the ground for the illustrious Women’s World Championships, as well as the Masters in which Jim will participate in September.

“I’m going there to win, ” Jim states. “That’s why it’s important for me to do as many competitions as possible to prepare properly. In competition, there a luck factor, because the place where the teams are to fish is established by a draw. It’s possible that the fish won’t be in the section in which you’re fishing. On the other hand, if the opportunity presents itself, you have to know how to grab it. That’s where experience comes in.”

The release

Jim Iredale’s passion for fly-fishing is undeniable. Humble and quiet, he spends hours exploring the country’s rivers and perfecting his largely proven technique. However, Jim doesn’t head for home with a cooler full of fish. Like many flyfishers, he releases his catches, particularly to benefit other fishers.

“It often happens that I catch the same fish several times in a river. I end up giving them names,” he says, smiling.

An organization we must protect

The local, completely volunteer organization called the Moucheurs EnDiables, which could formerly benefit from the support of the Fondation de la faune, now works with a minimal budget. “We hope to get that support back in the future,” Jim explains. “Recently, we have depended solely on donations. And unfortunately, these are not compulsory. The section of the Diable River where we fish is the only one in Québec to which there’s free access and which is reserved solely for flyfishing. People have to understand that it costs money to stock a river,” he concludes.

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