Al Simson

How many years have you been fly fishing?

47+

How many years have you been guiding?

20+

Who introduced you to fly fishing?

It was a progression of fishing with a spinning rod and a bobber with a Royal Coachman fly, to one day seeing a gentleman named Mr. McBean, the proper pipe smoking English chalk stream fly fisherman who was fly casting at the local lake. I thought that was the coolest thing ever, so I used my paper route money to buy a fly set up at the local Amy and Navy store for $22 and with help from Mr. McBean and moldy old fly books from the library the addiction was born. This would have been the mid 70’s in British Columbia.

Can you tell us a little about your home waters and the fish you pursue there?

The Home waters that I grew up on were the wild rivers, estuaries and remote lakes of British Columbia chasing Steelhead, Salmon, Trout, Pike, and Grayling. I now live in Cairns, Northern Australia and I have the Great Barrier Reef at my doorstep with its gin clear flats, sandy beaches, saltwater rivers and clear rainforest streams. To the north is Cape York Peninsula with its endless flats and beaches and is truly a fly fishers wonderland. I love catching anything big or small, but out on the local flats I love fishing for Permit and GT’s. I also catch various Trigger, Emperor, and small Trevally species as bycatch.  The saltwater rivers and estuaries are fun to throw flies at the Mangroves for the iconic Barramundi, Tarpon, Mangrove Jacks, Queenfish, and Cods. The clear cold Rainforest streams are home to Jungle Perch and Sooty Grunters that love to smash a dry fly off the top. 

What's the height of the season for you? 

September to January, with other small windows of good weather opportunities throughout the entire year. Up north on Cape York is April through to October. 

What time of year is your personal favorite?

Whenever the wind is down!!

What are your favorite travel destinations? What's on the bucket list?

Favorite – New Zealand, Bahamas, Baja, Southern Africa, Northern Canada and Yukon
Bucket List – Amazon, Norway, Greenland, Seychelles, Cuba, Gabon, Argentina  

What do you like most about Thomas and Thomas rods? 

The build is first class all the way, they cast beautifully and have the stopping power when it’s needed. Just a real joy to fish.

Which T&T rods do you fish and why?

For my salt work I use the range of Sextant’s and Zone’s in different weights depending on the species I’m targeting. Freshwater, I use the nicest rod I’ve ever cast the Avantt II.

What's your current go-to fly?

- Coyote Shrimp for Blochii Permit and most of the other flats species I target
- Flexo Crab and Mekin style flies for Anak Permit 
- Flatwings for GT’s
- Barra Bunny for Barramundi and other estuary/mangrove species
- Small White Clouser

Other than fly tackle, what piece of gear do you find indispensable?

Gloves, SunSmart Clothing, Waterproof camera box and a good pair of polarized sun glasses.

My favorite thing about guiding is:

Being on the water, showing clients the fishing and wildlife of the area, forming lasting friendships, and seeing the true happiness of someone catching their first Permit or big GT.

From the angler’s point of view, what do you see as the main value of going on a guided trip?

For the local knowledge and the guide’s experience of fishery.

My favorite thing to teach a client/new angler is... 

How to cast better, the double haul is your friend, it’s not all about catching boat loads of fish or the biggest fish, also proper handling and releasing of fish.

What’s your ideal lunch when on the water? What do you actually pack?

I usually pack a peanut butter & jam sandwich, cookies, bananas just to prove the myth is wrong, a bag of BBQ chips and a couple of beers. Typically, I’m so fixated on fishing that nothing gets eaten or dunk till the run home.

What fly fishing blogs/magazines do you read regularly?

The Mission and The Drake

The most important thing I've learned about fly fishing is...

It’s not all about the catching, but the whole package. The travel, the wildlife, scenery, local people, food, culture and all the great minded folks you met out there on the water.

When I'm not fishing you'll find me:

In my studio - tying flies, screen printing apparel, creating art or printing fish.