Our friend Steve has his sister and brother-in-law visiting with them for a short while and he wanted to share the thrill of fly fishing with them. He asked Rick and I if we would share our knowledge with them and we enthusiastically agreed. We love to share our love of fly fishing with anyone who wants to learn. They both have fished with lures before and had been fly fishing once before so they were "quick studies." The dry flies have not started to hatch yet, so we have been nymph (wet flies) fishing since mid-June. Dry fly fishing is totally different than nymph fishing.
With a little practice they both were able to cast the nymphs upstream to get a natural drift of the flies. They both were able to mend the line so it didn't drag the flies across the surface like water skiers. Most of the time they were able to keep a tight line (helps to hook the fish.) And with good sunglasses it's easy for them to see the 20+ trout that stack up behind you in the water. They were amazed at the size of the numerous fish all around us. (The fish tend to stack up behind you because you are stirring up the gravel and insects, which they eat. Just like chumming, but that's for another post.)
What was more difficult, and something we could not easily simulate, was what to do the instant a fish takes the fly. The fly is under water, dragging on the river bottom, and you are supposed to be watching the strike indicator that is floating on the surface. Nymph fishing is a reactionary type of fishing - meaning you react when you see the strike indicator stop, bump, or go in another direction. That means a fish has taken your fly and you need to set the hook.
Getting the timing and reflexes just right when the strike indicator moves is something that takes lots of practice. They both hooked a number of fish and we told them how difficult even that can be on this river. Steve walked across the river with his sister and she was able to hook and land a few nice trout. It was a pleasure to share our love of fly fishing with them and we hope to be able to fish with them again.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Sharing Fly Fishing With Others
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Rick and Mic, it's been a treat to hang out with you a bit on the Beaverhead River and to share in the fun of fishing. I know you're modest, but please accept my opinion that the two of you are exceptionally nice people, and, perhaps more importantly, expert fishermen. My sister and brother-in-law were the lucky recipients of your expertise, and today I got to rag on them pretty good since they already had learned the basics from you and could offer no excuses about not knowing what to do. They've come a mighty way in just two days. Your readers should also know that the pictures of you with large trout are not the result of wading into a river brimming with fish anxious to be caught. The Beaverhead takes much skill and some luck, along with persistence. It's nice to see two people with your abilities so willing to share with others. And Clover thinks you're cool too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words. It was our pleasure to fish with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you - perhaps I've made it sound like the Beaverhead is easy. It is not so easy to catch fish here, especially if you're new to fly fishing and you've never fished here before. I have to remember that we've fished here for 5 years. And a key factor in us catching fish is that Rick is an expert fly tyer, and each day he is able to modify and create flies according to what we see. I think I need to create another post and let everyone know it's not so easy. Thanks!
Hello.
ReplyDeleteMy wife (Marie) and I have just gone full time this month, 12/2010. We also have a 2008 Cayman. With all your travels and driving, was wondering if you have had any problems with your rig worthy of note that might be of interest to me.
We have only taken 2 long trips to Northern California since we bought the rig (new), but will be taking off for months starting next year.
Your blog is very interesting, thanks. Thanks in advance also for any info on your experiences with the rig.
Wes
wdayen@ca.rr.com