- Practice casting. The sooner you get proficient the sooner you can actually think about fishing.
- A very fast action rod like the Redington CPS is easier to learn with.
- Get a rod with at least 4 pieces and a tube so you can take it anywhere. Start with a 5 or 6 wt. Get a floating line and a SA Stillwater sinking line.
- Buy a good reel like a Ross from the get go. You wont regret it. Get an extra spool.
- Nail knot your leader on your line and follow through with super glue. (For fish up to 12 lbs.) It hangs up less and collects less muck.
- Get someone who is experienced to watch you cast and make corrections.
- Find a more experienced friend to follow and learn from. You will save a lot of agravation.
- Start out fishing with small flies (12, 14,16) Big fish eat small flies, but small fish cant eat the bigger ones, so you are more likely to catch.
- Stay quiet and as invisible as possible near the water. Stealth is parmount!
- Learn to enjoy the whole process from the moment you wake early in the morning until you start heading home. Fishing is a journey not a destination.
- Don’t kill fish you arent going to eat. Try and put most back ASAP.
12.Fish size is irrelevant. If you fooled him into taking your fly that is all that matters. - Fish eat mostly underwater.
- Read as much as you can.
- It will take you about 4 years to get proficient, so enjoy the years.
- Wear polarized glasses. You dont want a hook in your eye, and they enable you to see into the water. (Wear sun block too)
- Hip waders are more comfortable than full waders.
- Fly tying is fun. Get a kit and have someone teach you to get you started.
- Trout spend 90% of their time near the bottom and look for food within less than a foot of their face. Concentrate your efforts there. Get your fly in close or you don’t stand a chance.
- 75% of your effort should be in presentation. It should look natural. That’s why beginners have such a tough time.
[This message has been edited by Migs (edited 24 February 2006).]
[This message has been edited by Migs (edited 24 February 2006).]
