Peter Kunz

Peter Kunz, Marbach, Rhine Valley, canton St. Gall in Switzerland

Being born and raised near a Swiss nature conservation area, nature in general and water in particular have always attracted me. I have therefore been bitten by the fisher virus at an early stage. It was however an ice hockey friend who more than 40 years ago introduced me to the art of flyfishing. I have learnt and improved casting by attending courses and seminars. At the same period of time I started to tie flies by myself, a craft which meanwhile I have brought to perfection.

Tying bag as well as fly-rod have become my indispensable companions on all my travels. It is however in Gmunden that the “Traun cracks” have substantially added to my know-how.

I had the pleasure of making personal acquaintance with Hans Gebetsroither and I like to remember how he used his walking stick to show me the right position of my line hand. In Slovenia I had great pleasure in discussing so many interesting points with Marjan Fratnik. He showed me how to tie also without vise in a simple manner, namely the legendary F-Fly.

Since several years I spend the summer in the canadian Yukon Territoy. Fly fishing in this infinite vastness, rich in fish, crystal clear waters and fascinating lakes is just overwhelming. I undertake wilderness tours with my canoe and enjoy the great land and animals of northern parts, associated with many challenging adventures.

Working with my vise I take particular care with the creation of terrestrials true to nature and to "acquatic inhabitants". This is a very challenging task and leads to many surprising catches? I try to design my pattern very nature-like and yet well fishable.

      

I have been a committed fly fisherman and fly tyer since the 80s. Building a split cane rod was a long-cherished wish of mine. Now it has finally come true and I was able to build my own rod with Philipp Sicher. As the proud owner of a self-built rod, I have been studying the history of this craft. To mark the 20th anniversary of the EWF, I would like to refer to the material developments and the associated casting restrictions that the pioneers had to face at the time. How much easier we have it today! With my somewhat different demo at the casting pool, I would like to bring this interesting history closer to the audience.