Learning for new ...

Extremely new to this addicting way to fish! I live here in Northern VA about 30 mins east of the Shenandoah Mountains. I absolutely love it up there and it is pretty much my second home. Now that I am into fly fishing, I might just pitch a tent and live there.

I have been very lucky to finding this site because once I did I have been on it almost everyday soaking my brain with all this rich knowledge.

With that said: If there is one piece of advice to give an enthusiast of Fly fishing...What would that be??

I love this site and thank you all for being so kind and
willing to help people like myself..

flyracer77

Welcome to the site. Hope you stay and enjoy it. My one piece of advice would be to not worry about cartching fish but rather concern yourself with learning technique and having fun. If you have fun you'll stick with it and the catching of fish will come along.

The longer I fish the more I know how much I don't know.

Good luck with your journey.

jed

Welcome to the felowship of FAOL and a greater salutation towards the addiction of fly fishing.
:D
That being said, my best move towards catching the big one was shadowing an excellent mentour. :)

Welcome flyracer, you've found the best site of it's kind in all of net.

My best advice would be to get a good wading staff and learn how to wade properly so that you don't get hurt while persuing this wonderful sport of ours. I hope you follow this advice.

Cheers,

MontanaMoose

Hi Flyracer,

This is a great place to soak up knowledge about flyfishing. It certainly shortens the learning curve by several years. Remember that this process doesn't have to be passive; if you have questions be sure to ask. There are lots of generous folks here who are always willing to lend a hand. Welcome to the group!

My major piece of advice would be something that I have to remind myself about often. Don't wade where you should be fishing. Fish first, wade later!
8T :D

Read about what to do but use common sense when fishing. Sometimes doing what YOU think will work........works.

Flyracer - the biggest advice I can give is don't get caught up in the "brand name" part of flyfishing. You don't need a $600 fly rod and reel, you don't need to learn the latin names of all of your flies, and you don't need $300 waders -- especially around here (I'm in Loudoun County, so we must be sharing some of the same waters!)

I grew up fly fishing in Central Virginia - warm water fishing on the James River or local ponds and learning to trout fish on the Moormans, Rapidan, Conway, St. Mary's, the Staunton, Devil's Ditch and dozens of "nameless" streams you could hop across along the Skyline drive / Blue Ridge Parkway.

If you haven't discovered Harry Murray's shop over in the valley, it's worth a trip.

Flyracer must have pitched a tent :))

Thank all of you guys for the advice. Montana Moose..If I wasn't getting married in April I would of gone ahead and pitched the tent..I figured once a yr into the marriage I could pitch it as a second home..hahaha
Vultere6..You in Leesburg?Great county to live in. One of the fastest growing counties in the nation!!


Thanks Guys!!

flyracer77, I just meant it like, 'you hadn't responded for a long time' and you must be off fly fishing somewhere. Oh yeah, at least once a year fellow fly fisher !

Cheers,

MontanaMoose

Yeah, Leesburg is home. My most frequent trips are to the Potomac at Point of Rocks, Goose Creek, or the Shenandoah at Rt. 7 or over at Charles Town or Harper's Ferry.

No offense taken Moose. I thought it was pretty funny.Just didn't want you to think that I had taken offense to it!

No problem flyracer77, I posted the, 'flyracer must have' post then read it a while later and it occured to me it might have been taken the differently than I meant it, so I just thought I'd clarify a little ! Think the wife will take up fly fishing?

Cheers,

MontanaMoose

Flyracer77,

Welcome to the group, I think you'll find the collective knowledge of the members here to be very extensive, and folks are very generous with their advice to any questions you might have. Check in often, and feel free to ask away--- we all benefit from the answers to each other's questions.

As far as getting started in Fly Fishing, my best advice is to seek out a local organization or club in your area--- perhaps a local Trout Unlimited chapter for example. I'm sure your local fly shop will have some suggestions and contacts.

In addition to supporting conservation efforts which will help get you into heaven, most groups are welcoming to new comers, and offer both formal and informal programs like casting clinics, fly tying classes, and fly fishing trips which can really help accelerate your learning curve. Topics at meetings may also include info on fishing local waters, fishing techniques, fish behavior etc. which can also help a great deal. As your knowledge of fly fishing grows it generally conspires to keep you out of heaven as you increasingly shirk your other responsibilities, so your involvement in conservation activities become increasingly important.

But perhaps the greatest benefit of checking out a local group is the ability to tap into the experience and fellowship of others. If my experience is any indication, you'll find some folks that willl be generous with their knowledge and become very good friends in and out of the water.

Good luck and best regards,

Mark

Welcome to the BB Flyracer!
Best Advice is DON'T get married! :lol: Just Kidding!
In flyfishing YOU are in charge of your learning.
Go to your local fly shop and form a relationship.
1. Look at expert advice on FAOL about starter rods and reels. If you have lots of money then get a mid range outfit.
2. Spend as much time fishing as possible. Be a good observer.
3. Pick up bits of info from experienced fishermen.
4. Go to a Pond and practice casting.
Have Fun!
Doug :D

Flyracer77, I would like to add a suggestion about practicing casting. Practice with a cheap, as in expendable, leader and tippet, but no hook. Wear eye protection.

Ed

While I agree with just about everything that has already been said, the one thing that continues to be of most direct benefit to me as a fly angler is simple. Im surprised only one person mentioned it earlier. Go fishing. No amount of reading, dvd's, mentorship, cast practice or anything else has helped me more than what I learn in a single day on the water. There are things that just can't be explained when it comes to fly fishing. You have to experience it time and time again to get ahold of that "x-factor." I can't even tell you if it is the same for everybody, but you can tell a well-seasoned angler from the minute he/she gets out of the car. It is almost like a sixth-sense that comes the more you do it. So fish, fish and fish. As a newly-wed myself, (2yrs) it isn't as easy as it could be:family has to come first. But a great justification I use to my wife is, "If I don't become a master fly-fisherman, how can I teach my kids to do it?" :mrgreen: Good luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EdD

Flyracer77, I would like to add a suggestion about practicing casting. Practice with a cheap, as in expendable, leader and tippet, but no hook. Wear eye protection.

Ed

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In your yard, sure no hook, but if in a pond like DShock mentioned, add a fly, catch some bluegill or bass. Then you can "practice" setting the hook too. :D

Flyracer,
PINCH down your BARBS, it will save you a trip to the Emergency Room,
Doug :D