For Beginners Only

When I look back over my own development as a fly fisher, my success was handicapped by a faulty mindset. I didn’t challenge myself to grow and learn. Early on, I had experienced a certain degree of success Rainbow: Small brookies and rainbows are easy dry fly prey(and a lot of satisfaction), catching a few small brookies and rainbows on dry flies.

I loved the back and forth casting motion. I loved the way the line settled to the water. And, I loved to witness the rise and take. So, whenever I could get away to do some fishing, I’d end up fishing with dry flies. It didn’t matter what season of the year, what time of day or what stream I stepped into, I put on a dry fly. I had fallen into a rut.

The trouble with that, is that I wasn’t all that successful. I was certainly enjoying the “act” of fly fishing; I just wasn’t getting into much of the “catching”.

My thought process has changed dramatically over the years. It’s this change in thought process that has raised my sights and broadened my horizons. It is this change in thought process that has given me a genuine HUNGER for knowledge and information concerning the sport and the quarry. This change in thought process has lead to new friendships and a deeper respect for the sport and its intricacies.

Rather than thinking, “I’m gonna head out fly fishing”, I now find myself saying, “What do I have to do to trick a trout, today?” There is a world of difference between those two mindsets.

Brown on a dry: Large browns like this will take dry flies, but mostly at night.Trout go through daily, seasonal and life cycle changes. Their habits, food preferences, activity levels and “catch-ability” change based on many, many factors. The challenge (and the satisfaction) is in learning how those various factors are effecting the trout “today”.

There are many different and successful fly fishing techniques available for catching trout. NONE of those techniques are appropriate or successful all the time. Some techniques will be successful in catching trout during certain times of the year, and yet, will be utterly worthless during other times. Some techniques are geared for jumbo trout, but will actually scare away smaller trout. Yet, techniques that will catch spawning steelhead, will be totally senseless if pursing spawning brown trout.

Novice fly fishermen would be well-served to define their focus, then begin their quest for information. Over the years, and yes this will take years, you’ll be amazed at the depth of knowledge you’ll accumulate . . . and at the level of success and satisfaction you’ll achieve. Here’s a “starter list” of areas to focus on during your apprenticeship: 1. I’d like to catch trout during a mayfly hatch or spinner fall.
2. A trout’s diet is about 90% submerged food items (and only 10% floating food items). What’s an effective way to catch trout on nymphs?
3. Catching trout on dry fly terrestrial imitations (grasshoppers, ants, etc.) during the summer.
4. How do I use streamers to catch bigger trout?
5. I’ve heard that big browns can be caught at night. How/when is that done?

By the time you’ve accumulated this knowledge, your approach to fly fishing will be much more sophisticated, and a whole lot more satisfying. During your quest, you will meet people that share your common interest, and are happy to share acquired knowledge. They will become life-long friends. Who knows? You may even be compelled to start your own website. Good luck.