Fly fishing seems easy, but in reality...

While talking with fishing friends, I realize that perhaps on this blog I've made it seem easy to catch big fish on this river.

I should state very clearly that fishing here is tough! On most days we hook and land rainbow and brown trout. They are usually beautiful, big, healthy fish. But there have been many hours spent just trying to hook a fish. There are many reasons we catch fish here, one being persistence.

Perhaps it's because we've fished here for 5 years and know the river.

Perhaps it's because each day we know the flow of the water. And how it's changed overnight.

Perhaps it's because we've tried fly after fly to find the one that works. Different color, different size, different pattern.

Perhaps it's because we walk the length of the accessible river, over and over again.

Perhaps it's because we study the fish and know what they are eating. Eating right now, today.

Perhaps it's because Rick is a great fly tyer and able to create new flies each afternoon and morning. (An understanding of entomology helps a great deal.)

Perhaps it's because we've been fly fishing for more than 30 years.

Perhaps it's because our fishing friends share their knowledge with us.

Perhaps it's because we're patient. And we're here to have fun!

We've seen many fishermen arrive at the river and fish their hearts out, but walk away without a single hook-up. We've seen many fishing guides with clients try their best to catch fish. Some do, many don't. Sorry if I've made this seem like an easy task. It takes time and hard work to be a successful fly fisher, but this is the kind of work we like.