I know, I know! Crack, Heroin, alcohol, nicotine…..The list goes on and on, but wait until the first time you step in that stream, look around and there is nothing but beauty surrounding you. Doubt me? Check out this picture taken by Beth.
So there I am, the first time on running water with a fly rod. Oh, I had cast and cast and cast some more at home in the yard, but this was to no avail. I learned a lot but was really having a problem applying the knowledge I had gained. What was wrong? Well when you fish with a spinning rod or baitcasting rod you are casting the lure out onto or into the water, but with fly fishing you are casting the line and not the fly. This revelation came to me as Beth and I drove up to the fishing spot.
On our way I decided to stop at a spot I knew of that overlooked the gorge we’d be fishing in so Beth could take some pictures.
We proceeded down the hilly road and across the covered bridge to meet up with a friend of mine named Bill who offered to play guide for the day. I’d been to this location a couple times but never to fish in this manner!
Me, styling and profiling in my wading/stirrup pants that are worn underneath your chest waders.
Honestly the beauty of that day was breathtaking and it took me a few moments to really realize it was show time. I went back to the car, sorted out who’s waders and boots belonged to who and got dressed. It was time to see if I had any clue what I was doing!
I’m in the red hat and Bill is in the distance
Somebody had picked the flies for me, told me how to work them, but it was I who had to execute that day. I was so at peace with nature I didn’t over think for once and it paid off in spades.
My first Brown Trout!
It was amazing to bring in that first fish. Speckled golden brown. I remember my teachings and only took him from the water long enough to take his picture. Then I turned upstream and held him loosely in the current until he swam away. It was cloud nine and the addiction was born. I started trying different flies to learn how the trout would respond and they did!
My new habitat
Not a trout. Thought it was a hognose sucker but now I have doubts.
Brown Trout pattern and coloring
I learned a lot that weekend about myself. It’s not about the fish you catch. Anything that ends up in your net is a bonus without a doubt. But being out there with nature and realizing that what you see there is special, you become a little more humble about everything that is going on in real life.