Greg - I've been fly fishing for 4 years and still consider myself a "newbie". The first few big fish I hooked were a riot trying land. You say that one side has smaller Trout so what about catching those for practice. Hook a few small ones and let them run a little so you can get the feel of letting line run through your fingers. This would be good practice for getting the fish on the reel.

The only advice I can give you is let the fish run. I know that with Carp and Steelies, the first run is like hooking your fly to a passing semi, there ani't no way to control it until it slows down.