François Boulet has been fly fishing and fly tying for over 40 years. He has been a certified fly fishing instructor for the last 30 years, and has introduced more than 2,000 anglers to the sport of fly fishing. And, one of his many passions is fly tying.
François has been the editor and publisher of a French language magazine, ‘’Pêche à la Mouche Destinations,’’ (translates to ‘’Fly Fishing Destinations’’ in English) for 16 years, and is the managing partner of Camps Bohier, a remote fly fishing lodge in Québec, Canada. The lodge is a fly fishing and catch and release fishing lodge focused on Brook Trout (Speckled Trout), Landlocked Salmon (Ouananiche) and Lake Arctic Char.
To say that François is immersed in the fly fishing industry is an understatement. From instructor to fly tier, François’ passion lies here.
Fly tying has been around for a while. When were your interests peaked?
My interest in fly tying started 40 years ago. I am still learning and experimenting 40 years later. Generally, that would be called a passion.
What are some of the fish species you tie flies for?
I tie flies mainly for trout and bass. Eight years ago, I acquired a fishing camp on Québec Lower North Shore, accessible only by floatplane. The main species up there is landlocked salmon known in French as ouananiche (oua·na·niche /ˌwänəˈnēSH/). Nice challenge.
What was your first fishing experience/When did you begin fly fishing?
Spring 1982. I was lucky to be coached by experienced fly fishers and fly tiers when I was introduced to the sport. They took me to a nice stream and showed me how it was done, and the rest is history. Since then, you can find me on the water at least 40 to 50 days per year.
What is currently on your vise?
A size #2 and 6x long Tiemco streamer hook, en route to tie a black, orange and white streamer fly that, I hope, will seduce a large ouananiche.
Tell us about any flies that you’ve designed yourself.
I usually start looking at patterns in one of the 25+ books in my fly fishing library that I have acquired over the years. Then the fun starts in selecting materials.
I have learned at least one thing about tying flies… If the fly looks good it’s okay, but if it catches fish, it’s even better. That’s mainly what’s on my mind when I tie and modify existing patterns.
What is it that draws you to fly fishing and fly tying?
The uncertainty of it all. One day you’re the hero because you hook and release many fish and the next day Mother Nature shows you that you are a zero. It keeps me humble and creative at the same time.
Who is your biggest inspiration/mentor
It’s hard to name only one.
From USA: To name just a few, Dave Whitlock, Randall Kaufmann and certainly Carrie G. Stevens.
On the Québec scene: Claude H. Bernard, Wayne Taylor, Yvon Gendron, Jean-Guy Côté and Denys Poirier.
What is your favorite book about fly tying? Why?
Guide to Aquatic Trout Foods by Dave Whitlock. The book is easy to understand for beginners like me, at the time, and still up to date and as relevant, 40 years later.
What are some favorite fly tying resources that you direct others to?
Of course you can Google it just about anything. But, if you really want to learn fast and furious, join your local fly fishing club or Trout Unlimited chapter. Face to face is still hard to beat for quick learning the basics.
What was the first fly pattern you tied?
An ugly olive Wooly Bugger… but I caught two Yellow Perch with it!
Is there a fly style that you are still interested in learning about?
Seriously, I am still interested in learning all kinds of styles.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about beginning fly tying?
Don’t try alone, join a group or a club.
What’s the first fly you typically recommend a beginner to learn to tie?
A Wooly Bugger, then a trout nymph and a streamer. Keep the dry flies for last.
What fly tying technique took you the longest to learn?
It is still trimming a nice head, to my liking, on a Muddler Minnow.
Let’s talk about fly tying equipment and materials:
Tell us about your scissors. Do you use a generic brand or specific style, and why?
Generic straight and curved scissors.
What about bobbins: tension or no tension?
Tension for me.
Your tying vise is practically sacred. What is your go-to, and why?
I have had the same tying vise for 20 years. Michel Villeneuve, a GE aeronautical engineer from Shefford, Québec, designed and produced 150 units of the “MV tying Vise.” Perfect for me.
Where do you source your fly-tying supplies? Why do you choose these resources over others?
I buy from different sources, in Québec, we are happy to have a half a dozen quality fly tying suppliers and stores.
Do you have a particular type of hackle that you prefer over others?
Whiting Hackles and Saddles are hard to beat.
Do you prefer synthetic or natural materials when you use it?
A good mix of both is a good recipe for most of the flies I tie.
What brand of hooks do you prefer to tie on?
I use Tiemco, Daiichi and Partridge hooks.
What is your preference in head cement and resin?
Shore Fishing products.
Let’s talk about thread… How should a tier approach choosing the right thread for their fly?
UNI products, threads, tinsel etc. is the only brand I use.
What’s the one fly tying material you can’t live without? What’s so special about it?
Deer Hair, natural, dyed or else, I don’t tie many flies without it.
Do you tie for personal use, or do you sell your flies?
I tie for my own pleasure and give away to my friends some of those flies to field test them.
What is your favorite fly pattern to tie? What is the intended species for the fly?
Large and colorful streamers for Landlocked Salmon.
For the past 8 years, I’ve owned a fly fishing camp in Northern Québec, Bohier Camps, and we fish half a dozen lakes and 3 rivers for the enigmatic ouananiche.
Where can people find your work? (Retail store, online store, social media handles, etc)
My flies are available at no charge at my fishing camp. If you want to experience a different fly fishing adventure, go take a look at : www.campsbohier.ca.
My partner Paul Benoit and I will be happy to provide exciting ‘’connections’’ with the acrobatic ouananiche.
