FINALLY gave it a whirl

[BobcatSteve]

2 years ago I got my rod, but haven't used it since I haven't found time to take a class and I've always stuck to bank fishing so I can help my 2 young boys fix their lines. Wednesday I said the heck with it, and jumped in the river. The night before, I read back through all the beginner's info on this site (read it all 2 years ago), wound my reel with the help of the knot section, and was ready to go.

Got to the river and put on my $10 garage sale neoprene waders (Streamline is the name on the tag- if anybody has any info on them, I'd appreciate it. None found on the innerweb), and climbed in the water.

My first impression was the temperature. I've been in rivers before many times, and although I'm used to 65 degree water, it's not exactly comfortable. In my waders, it was like taking a dip in a swimming pool that was the perfect temperature. Between that and the noise of the water, it was a very pleasant experience before I even tried casting.

Casting- well, obviously that didn't go so smoothly for a while. I was amazed that the tiny little #20 hook could travel the full length of my backcast, return, and get caught on the line going through my guides more than half the time at first. I wrapped my line around my head 2 or 3 times, and discovered the art of tying overhand knots without trying. I remember that used to be on the knot page , and it's the one thing I got down pat. Next in line was my ability to get snagged in the grass on the bank behind me. What's the secret there? The only thing I could come up with was to make sure I was farther away from the bank behind me than what I needed for my backcast.

After a half hour or so, I wrestled the beast into submission, and was able to lay the fly out where I wanted it, without any more trouble. I tried numerous flies that were suggested by the fly shop guy a mile or so from where I fished and never got a bite, but I was still very happy with the day.

I removed much of the cloud of mystery around fly fishing in my mind, and converted several concepts from theory to practical use. "A bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work" comes to mind . I'll still do classes as soon as I can, but it's sure nice to know I don't have to just watch my stuff rot in the corner if I don't want to.

Thanks to JC and others responsible for the info on this site. Now that I have a point of reference, I can put more of the advice to good use.

Thank you,
Steve.

[MontanaMoose]

You remind me of me BobCatSteve ! Only difference is it's been a few years. Enjoyed the post, thank you. Looking forward to hearing of progress in your trout-laden state.

Cheers,

MontanaMoose

[nighthawk]

Bravo, Steve! Keep up the wonderful work and let things fall where they may. I am very happy for you!

[snowranch]

Congrats Steve!! Welcome to the world of the insane.

[DShock]

Steve,
Thanks for your story! Some of the people comment to me how beautiful fly casting looks! I wonder how beautiful they would think it is after they lose half their flies in the trees, a few close calls with the fly almost penetrating their heads. You made the most important step by diving in head first, damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead! Don't worry about catching fish! The first trout I caught actually surrendered because it felt sorry for me!
Doug P.S. I almost forgot, PINCH YOUR BARBS DOWN!!!!!!!!!! unless you like getting laughed at in the ER.

[PA Dave]

Doug P.S. I almost forgot, PINCH YOUR BARBS DOWN!!!!!!!!!! unless you like getting laughed at in the ER.

Oh yes, don't forget this...on a recent outing I had a gust of wind hit on a false cast and had a #6 wooley bugger come singing in and straight into my finger! This was about 2 casts after I remembered to smash down the barb, which meant I got to keep fishing...

[Steven]

Sounds great. To deal with the bank, make sure you keep your back cast up. If the bank is really high, learn to roll cast.

[BobcatSteve]

Thanks for the replies, folks. Yes, the bank was fairly high and I was fairly deep in the water. The grass was about 2-1/2 feet tall, and if my backcast was just above my head, it was right in the middle of the grass. Should I be trying to keep it higher than that? I eventually just moved out into the middle of the river, but thought I ought to be avle to do it from where I started. I was trying to stay away from the rolling cast, thought that would be bad until I figured out the straight cast.

As soon as I got my stuff, we promptly moved out of a house (within a week) where I could have practiced in the back yard with plenty of room and good privacy fences to a house on a hill with a narrow back yard and nothing blocking the view of neighbors and strangers laughing at me for 200 yards . I guess it would do me some good to get in an open space with no grass behind me and plenty of room to practice.

Steve.

[MontanaMoose]

Hello again Bobcat, I neglected to mention being sure to wear eye protection.

Cheers,

MontanaMoose

[Steven]

You gotta do both. Keep your backcast high and when not possible, roll cast.

Generally, I think most people learn how to roll cast first. Learning to roll cast won't take long and won't interfere with your development.