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Todd Kennedy didn’t play hockey, football or baseball when he was growing up.

Instead, his passion was flyfishing.

He comes by his love of it honestly - the Hardwood Lands, N.S. man is the son of Thomas Kennedy, the first master guide in the province, and he's followed in his dad's footsteps to become a master guide and guide instructor.

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“We owned Lansdowne Lodge and were the biggest outfitters in the province," Kennedy says, listing his dad's accomplishments, which include sitting on the advisory board to revise the Nova Scotia Wildlife Act, creating the provincial Professional Outfitters Association, the Professional Guide’s Association, and the Hunting and Fishing Guides Association.

“Growing up as an outfitter's son, I didn’t do things that most youths my age did," he says

He started fishing around age four, and by age seven, he was flyfishing and tying flies.

“I used to watch fishing guests at our lodge tie flies, and that inspired me to start tying,” he says. "My father gave me a fly tying vise that Christmas, and then I supplied all the flies for the lodge from that point on."

Growing up, Kennedy hunted and fished every moment he could.

“I grew up glued to my father’s side, learning everything I could about the outdoors and the guiding industry," he says.

When Kennedy graduated from high school, he went straight into the business to work as a guide.

“I got certified as a master guide, this is the highest guiding certification you can have, and there are very few of us left in the province with this designation,” he says.

Growing up in the industry, Kennedy has been fortunate to have guided many editors of outdoor magazines, as well as Johnny Morris, owner of Bass Pro Shops (for salmon on the Stewiacke River). Currently, Kennedy works with Semperfli and Norvise as a pro staff member.

And he's also known world wide for his flytying abilities and has many world competitions under his belt. He's been featured in Outdoor Life magazine on brown trout fishing at night and Fly Fisherman magazine on salmon fishing the Northumberland Strait rivers.

Kennedy says flyfishing is by far his favourite type of fishing.

"If possible, I try to catch my fish using this method. It is more challenging to learn in the beginning - it's a never-ending skill - but when you hone your skill, it is more effective than terminal tackle," he explains.

Fly fishing, he adds, helps you bond more with the environment.

“You see and feel the water as you fish it. It's peaceful and calming as you work the water seeking a fish,” he says.

"Casting a fly you made, on a rod you made, and solving the mystery to catching a fish is what makes it so rewarding.”

Although Mary Atkinson only began flyfishing in 2011, she can’t imagine it not being apart of her life.

Atkinson resides on the Stewiacke River in Colchester County, N.S. and says there are many amazing people in the local fly fishing community.

“What grew from an occasional fun outing has become a big part of my life," she says. "Women in the industry, such as Heather Hodson, have played a huge role in my goals as a woman in flyfishing."

Atkinson now spends many days on the river with her four-year-old daughter.

“Sometimes fishing, sometimes tossing rocks, looking for bugs - whatever her direction is. I love that she loves the rivers as much as I do,” she says.

"It takes you to great places, it’s elegant. Zen - yet technical. That moment of connection when a fish grabs your line - it’s like no other. And the release is just as good."

She wants to share that joy with other women through a group she founded earlier this year, Atlantic Women on the Fly (AWOTF), which is “influenced by the United Women on the Fly (UWOTF) organization in the United States.”

Atkinson's goal is to have annual events and workshops in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland.

“Bringing women anglers together to further their fly fishing journey, while showcasing each province, with a collaboration of experts and its beautiful fishery is what it will have to offer,” she says.

“I’m excited to see AWOTF grow and how it’s received in the years to come,” says Atkinson.

Keith Roche is from Souris, but travels across Prince Edward Island to fish.

He started flyfishing in his 20s and credits his brother-in-law, Alison McLeod, for getting him started.

"There’s probably nothing quite as relaxing as standing by a river and spending the day casting your line in hopes of reeling in a big one," Roche says.

"You have to work for the fish. Learning the art of casting was very challenging and worth learning.”

Roche spends many days on riverbanks and flats teaching friends the art.

With the encouragement of his family and friends, he decided to take it to a whole new level, launching PEI Fly King.

“I enrolled myself in numerous courses and now act as a P.E.I. certified flyfishing guide and instructor for the sport that I love,” he says.

"When you can turn a passion into a career, you are going to enjoy going to work every day, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. I have pretty much been to every fishing spot in the province and fished most of them.”

Flyfishing differs from typical hook and worm with a sinker-type angling in that it uses carefully tied flies, he explains.

“I have taken out people from all over the world, families and some celebrities pretty much anyone that is wanting to learn how to fly fish,” he says.

Roche has a network of guides in related areas including bar clamming, softshell clams, trout, salmon or steel heads.

"Together, we can develop a day or even weekend of numerous excursions for clients to take in,” he adds, including a trip to some of his own secret fishing spots.

If you want to try fly fishing, Kennedy recommends finding a fly fishing friend who has patience and ask them to show you, as well as stopping in to your local fly shop as they will be able to offer advice.

"Most fly fishing guides will teach you how to cast, or hire one and they will take you out on the water for a day fishing," he adds.

His tip? Casting is better learned on dry land, and one has to learn to cast before learning to fly fish.

Fly fishing is an important skill to have if you hope to fish for Atlantic salmon - it's the only way you can angle for them in Atlantic Canada, which is known for its salmon rivers. There are now many other species of fish now targetted with a fly rod, including stripe bass, American shad, brown trout, rainbow trout, small mouth bass and chain pickerel.

For women interested in fly fishing, Atkinson encourages them to give it a try.

“Jump in and try it - after all, women are the leading dynamic in the industry,” she says, adding there are many great resources online, including the UWOTF.

A post shared by United Women On The Fly LLC ®️ (@unitedwomenonthefly)

She adds that women can reach out via UWOTF's social media.

“We can share with you some great instructors and guides to help get you started. And with more events coming down the pipes, we’d love to have you join us.”

In terms of gear, Roche says the necessary equipment includes a rod, reel, backing line and fly line.

For someone just getting into the sport and is looking for a set up, Roche recommends a basic set up, including a nine-foot rod.

"Probably a six weight, with weight forward line," he says.

· Leader (attached to fly line, must match the weight the fish you are fishing for)

· Line (must match the weight of the rod)

· A fly vest with a couple fly boxes holding your flies you will be using

· Waders or boots that will keep you dry

· Glasses (very important to wear while flyfishing)

· Nail clippers (to change flies, keeps your line knot free)

· A single hand rod around eight to nine feet long made of graphite material

· A four or five weight rod is good for small trout and dry fly fishing

· An eight or nine weight rod is great for salmon fishing or throwing heavy flies

· Two hand and switch rods have become very popular over the last few years

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