MASSEY DRIVE, N.L. — Colby House was between three and four years old when he climbed into his dad’s lap to watch as he tied salmon flies.
He was five when he tied his first fly.
The 15-year-old doesn’t remember the design of the first fly and doesn’t think it worked very well, but by then he was hooked. He has been tying flies ever since.
It’s not a typical hobby for someone so young, but the son of Jason and Janet House enjoys the pastime just as much as he enjoys fishing with the flies he ties. He started fishing probably around the same time as he got interested in fly tying and caught his first salmon when he was five.
He didn’t have a lot to say as he worked on a Portland Creek fly in the rec room of his home, in a space he shares with his dad. They’ll start around May or June to make the flies they’ll need for the fishing season.
He said he can spend hours tying flies.
While they share the space, they don’t share supplies and two tackle boxes filled with everything needed to create a variety of flies sits on either side of the bar.
“The thought of getting back fishing again,” he said, excites him when he’s working on a fly.
And when he’s out on the water he finds it relaxing.
“There’s not really one thing more than anything,” he said, about what he finds enjoyable. “It’s just everything.”
He’s become skilled at the craft and can turn out Blue Charms or Undertakers in five minutes. They’re common flies that are tied all over the world.
House follows his dad's patterns, but will add a few special touches – if requested, to some he ties to sell.
But the Portland Creek fly is a little different. That one, with its black and blue throat and hints of red and yellow floss, can take up to 15 to 20 minutes to tie. It’s the hardest fly he’s ever tied and it’s his own design.
The Portland Creek won him designer’s choice honours in this year’s provincial salmon fly contest to commemorate the International Year of the Salmon.
“It just came to me,” he said, when asked about the design.
“I was just tying trying to figure something out to tie for the contest, and put a bunch of stuff together.”
He said he entered “to win,” and doing so was satisfying.
While the fly has earned him an award and a $500 voucher from Loop Tackle, it hasn’t gotten him any salmon.
“It’s never been fished before,” he said. Besides the one he tied during this interview he’s only made the one he submitted for the contest.
After spending two weeks earlier this summer fishing around Daniel’s Harbour, House is now getting ready to turn his attention to other sports — hockey and snowmobiling — until the time comes to start tying flies again and maybe try out that Portland Creek himself.
Fishing for facts
Favourite spot to fish — Portland Creek
Favourite fly — Undertaker
How much does he spend on supplies — A lot
What did he do with his contest winnings — Bought a new rod
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Twitter: WS_DianeCrocker
