Friends, fly fishers,
Friends, fly fishers,My name is Bart Reitsma and I live in the middle of the Netherlands, in Harderwijk. In the early 90s I came into contact with fly fishing and fly tying, and it has never let go of me. I'm an all-round fly fisher and have fished in many countries.
My latest adventure was catching peacock bass in the Rio Aracá (Amazon). In the Netherlands I fish with the fly for roach, ide, asp, pike and perch, for example.
I enjoy fishing in streams and rivers; trout and grayling are my favourites. I like tying different flies and making (and enjoy making) variations on patterns. My interest is broad when it comes to types of flies, so I don't limit myself to one kind. Flies should above all be functional. Of course the eye wants something too, so I also tie flies in a more imaginative way. I like to alter existing patterns to make them easier to tie and/or more effective.
The pro teams of Chevron, Marc Petitjean, The Fly Emporium, Veniard and Renomed, of which I am a member, help me improve my fly-tying skills. My fellow fly tiers also give me new ideas, and of course we also explore the use of new and rediscovered materials.
I like to share my knowledge and the tips & tricks I've picked up over the years; I give fly-tying demonstrations at fairs and, on request, at clubs. Many materials that other fly tiers would throw in the bin, I gladly use. With adapted techniques I manage to work these materials into my flies.
What will I show you at the Danish Fly Fair in Kolding? My enthusiasm for the sport of fly fishing, of course. I'd love to tell you about my adventures in Brazil, Suriname and Norway. In terms of fly tying, I will certainly show you how to twist and hackle different materials.
See you at the Fly Fair!
