Shooting and Fly Fishing at Glendorn

Post #101 and thanks for the last two years of reading my posts! ​This week I would like to share more about the activities we signed up for on-site at Glendorn. You may have seen a few of my pictures from our Glendorn getaway last week (if you didn’t, you should check ‘em out), so this week, I’m highlighting the fun experiences we had with Jim and Charles learning about shooting, as well as fly fishing!

​The afternoon that we arrived, I had signed us up for skeet/trap shooting, as well as pistol shooting. We met Jim at the shooting range and he gave us an intro to the shotguns, the station set up and how the rounds disperse when shot (and safety of course). 

​We then took the smallest shotgun, a .410, out to practice our stance and aim using single shots. Then we tried the next size up (a 28 gauge I believe), as well as the 12 gauge just to experience the kick-back difference. I liked the .410 best and Dan chose to shoot with the 12 gauge (because – big gun!). 

​We practiced hitting a few free-standing clay pigeons and as we got more comfortable and accurate with the guns, Jim introduced trap shooting and eventually skeet shooting, adding in the double shot option later. We both had a good eye and aim and Jim was quite pleased at how quickly we caught on (I hit my first airborne target dead on the first try). ​

​I struggled a bit with the skeet shooting, as the targets seem to move quicker and you have to follow them with the barrel before you take the shot. The doubles (which cross paths in the center when each is released from the box) were particularly challenging. Dan had more success than I did hitting the high clay pigeons when they came out of the box. 

​We also tried pistol shooting, which was surprisingly not as much fun as skeet shooting (perhaps because the target is stationary and the clip of 9 bullets runs out much faster). Though, we both hit the target with nearly each shot, with me aiming at the head most of the time and Dan at the chest. Jim commented that we definitely did a number on the poor guy. 

​We both really enjoyed the shooting (particularly the trap/skeet shooting) and I'm pretty sure Dan has never had more fun IRL in one afternoon (I’m sure practice via gaming helped). Jim was professional and approachable, and a good instructor – we’ll definitely have to do this again!!

​The following morning, I had signed us up for a half day (4 hours) of fly fishing because that’s one of the highlights of the Bradford area, and although rain was expected and showered us for part of the morning, the activity did not disappoint! We were introduced to Charles during breakfast and met him shortly afterwards to begin our lesson. He drove us to Skipper Lake in the Jeep to practice our cast.

We first learned how to put the rod together, then about the line, how to tie it an add the lure/sinker. We then learned how to hold the rod and practiced the ‘spaghetti’ technique to get the line taut before starting our cast. The roll cast was the first cast we learned (and the one I stuck with for most of the morning), with Dan favouring an overhead cast style and me preferring a side arm cast style. Charles worked with both of our styles and gave us lots of good tips for improvement, even through the bouts of rain showers.

​We discussed how to reel in a fish as well and it wasn’t long before I caught my fish rainbow trout, followed by the release. 

We spent the morning practicing and also learning and practicing the famed back cast (see  ‘A River Runs Through It’ movie clip for more scenic visuals). Dan caught and released his first rainbow trout too before we headed off to another location – Jill Lake. 

​Here, I caught a few fish and listened intently to Charles’ instruction and direction. Dan decided to focus more on taking photos and watching us, including capturing me getting my line stuck in the tree. I caught a few more fish before we headed out to another spot – the stream this time. 

​Charles took the liberty of showing us several spots on the property, which also gave me several opportunities to practice in a different setting (in small waterfalls, through fast-moving streams, under bridges and riverside trees, and on calm lakes).

​Charles was so patient, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the sport – it was so much fun and I would highly recommend trying it if you have the opportunity (even in the rain 😉)! 

Time and money well spent enjoying these two highlights and making memories of our time at Glendorn. It was such a pleasure to try something new in such a beautiful location.