Casting about Lennoxville for young fly fishing recruits

The Lennoxville Cub scouts were in for a treat when the Lendemain de Trôle fishing crew decided to share their passion with them. Close to 30 kids were able to learn the finer points of the sport with a half-dozen seasoned anglers.

Among them was Quentin Condo, who's son Chaimber is a member of the Scout group in Lennoxville.

"I was for it right away and I contacted some friends in order to make this happen," Condo said.

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Condo learned how to fish at a very young age, as members of the coastal Gesgapegiag Mi'kmaq community usually do. His father, former Gesgapegiag chief Guy Condo, taught him the traditional style of fishing.

"My mom and dad opened Micmac Camp 20 years ago on the Cascapédia River. Even before then, I had learned how to fish with my dad, my grandfather, my aunts, uncles, everybody in the family," said Condo.

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But fly fishing would quickly become his favourite way to fish.

"It brings so much joy to someone's life," he said. "And if you can find joy and happiness, all the better. You'll definitely find it on the side of the river."

Lendemain de Trôle

Condo recently joined Lendemain de Trôle, a group of avid fishermen who also produce videos of their fishing expeditions.

The crew came out in full support of the Scout activity, providing material and expertise to make the lesson possible.

The founder of the group, François Lambert, is originally from Sherbrooke, but now lives in Quebec City, where he runs a production company.

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He nevertheless made the trip to both teach the kids, and film the activity for a future video.

Lambert and his crew have been producing videos for many years. They started as teens when they produced videos of themselves riding skateboards or snowboards.

Lured by love of the sport

"We are all coming from the skateboard and snowboard community. There is a resemblance. It's the same kind of movie," says Lambert.

But he insists he and his crew aren't professionals and don't want to be perceived as such. "We are not professionals and we don't want to be acting like professionals, but we are passionate about it. That's all."

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Several of the children from the Lennoxville Scouts had been fishing before, but only one had tried their hand at fly fishing. 

"It was pretty good and nice," said scout Liam McIver after his first time fly fishing.

"I really liked learning how to fish, but I wish we could've caught a fish," said scout Xavier Francis.