“Fly Fishing – Experience the Passion ”

Perhaps no other sport invokes such reverence for tradition as fly fishing. The consummate grace of casting, the delicate charm of hand-tied flies and the excitement of the take is the ideal pursuit for men and women who are looking to enjoy themselves.

Many people today are taking to fly fishing like, well, trout to a fly! Wanting to remain outdoors but no longer willing to get bruised on the soccer pitch or the baseball diamond, men - and women in particular - have turned to fly fishing to such a degree that the sport has become one of the fastest growing in North America. Easier to learn than golf and much less expensive, until recently fly fishing has been viewed as an exclusive sport seemingly reserved for senior executives. However, today fly fishing is attracting both men and women who are searching for an upscale pursuit to balance their fast-paced lifestyle. Indeed, the cadence of casting and the meditative nature of the sport is the perfect release for stress-filled days.

To be successful a fly fisher cannot think about anything except the tasks at hand: studying a river; choosing a fly; casting the line; concentrating on the drift and enjoying the thrill of the take. Unlike other sports where a high score or an errant shot leads to embarrassment and/or frustration, fly fishing is truly a pursuit where the act (fishing) is the main benefit while the result (catching a fish) is the bonus!

Our goal at Wilson’s is twofold: first we hope to introduce as many people as possible to the relaxing and meditative benefits of fly fishing. Secondly, we want to be the best fly fish shop in Canada. Our friendly staff are known for their product knowledge and we provide one of the best selections of gear, fresh and salt water flies, technical clothing, instruction, corporate events, and fly fishing trips available in the country. If you are new to the sport or are interested in refining your skills, Wilson’s, "Toronto’s Fly Fishing Centre", is your first and only stop!

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FAMILY HISTORY

The Wilson family has been on the Miramichi since 1803 and has been involved in fly fishing in New Brunswick for over 150 years. Family records indicate that Thomas Wilson started bringing "sports" to the Miramichi River valley in 1855 and his son, John Wilson, continued this business into the late nineteenth century.

One of the first published references to Wilson’s Sporting Camps is from Robert Barnwell Roosevelt, the uncle of President Theodore Roosevelt, who wrote of his fishing expedition to Wilson's on the Miramichi River in 1862. Wilson’s at that time was located in Bloomfield Ridge, 18 miles upstream from McNamee. In 1928 Willard Wilson relocated the camp from the south bank of the Miramichi River at the Priceville footbridge to its present location to escape the annual spring freshette (flood).

As the sport of fly fishing grew into the twentieth century, so too did the reputation of Miramichi salmon and that of Wilson’s Camps as one of the pre-eminent fishing destinations. This reputation is due in no small part to Willard’s foresight in buying land along 7 miles of the river that included riparian rights to no less than 16 salmon pools. These pools remain the property of the Lodge and Wilson’s is to this day the only fishing camp on the Miramichi with as much private water.

Upon Willard Wilson’s passing in 1949 his 3rd son, Murray, took over the Camp and ran the business until the 1960’s. Murray continued to improve the facilities at Wilson’s that were then inherited by his son Carl who passed the business on to his second son Keith. Keith Wilson and his wife Bonnie have continued the Wilson family history on the Miramichi River and help make visiting this lodge a memorable fly fishing experience.

The owner of WILSON’S in Toronto, Jim Wilson, is the son of Murray’s brother Laurence. Jim began fly fishing on the Miramichi in 1993 and his immediate love for the sport lead him to open "Toronto’s Fly Fishing Centre" in 1998.

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STORE HISTORY

Shortly after taking up fly fishing in the early 1990s, our owner, Jim Wilson, was fishing his favorite stretch of water on the Upper Credit River near Toronto. A Vice President in the Office Leasing Division of a commercial real estate brokerage firm in Toronto, Jim was with two friends in the industry, one of whom was from Phoenix. This person had been instrumental in Jim landing some recent business and Jim wanted to thank him for his assistance. Midway through dinner after their evening of fishing on the Credit, Jim's friend mentioned that one of his life's dreams was to catch an Atlantic Salmon. Seizing on the idea, Jim asked if he would like to join him at his family's lodge on the Miramichi River in New Brunswick. With this question, Jim's friend reached across the table and in a reverential voice asked, "are you a Wilson of the Wilson's?" and a trip to New Brunswick was booked the following day.

Upon returning from the Miramichi to Toronto, Jim began searching for a local fly shop that had friendly and knowledgeable staff and a good selection of equipment. After discovering that he couldn't find the right combination he wanted Jim asked some friends "If I can't find what I'm looking for as someone new to the sport, how many others are in a similar position?" Thus began a journey for the youngest member of the Ontario branch of the Wilson's back to the family's roots in the sport.

Our store has been in business since April 1998 and has quickly become known as the place to go for friendly staff, excellent product choice and good advice. We look forward to seeing you in our store and hope that we can introduce you to the best sport in the world - fly fishing!

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