I've thought about getting into fly fishing for a long time and last winter I finally started pursuing it. Well I suck at it! Casting is akward as hell and tying some of the knots makes me just crazy.
Any members here care to mentor a newbie?
My goal is to fish small rivers & streams (ie, Black River).
I don't think anything is off topic in this section. ( where is that mod
there is a dude on this site with a fly fishing avatar... you might get more of a response in the chit chat section....
Lars, Started FF about a year ago and know what you are going thru. I now have and can catch fish but not a lot.
FF is a VERY humbling to a previous worm dunker. I fished for 6 months (with help) before I caught my first Trout. But it was like catching my first fish ever - what a thrill!
I started FF for my love of rivers and streams but I will tell you it is the hardest water to catch fish with a fly rod. Learning to read the water is just as challenging as learning to cast. A trout will VERY quickly mouth your fly once it realizes that its artificial it spits it out. You have a microsecond to set the hook and knowing when is the art.
For knot tying you NEED a knot tying tool and you will quickly master it - the ez part of FF.
As for casting forget what you have learned in the past. There is NO wrist action involved; you are throwing line not bait. The rod does all the work with little strength from you. Arizona Fly Fishing Club is a good way to learn they have a lot of helpful people.
Last thing - Buy a copy of "A river runs through" so while you are learning you can remind yourself why you are putting yourself thru this.
I still have zero days but walking the rivers and streams make it all worth it for me.
My dad and mom used to go flyfishing all the time before she got sick.
Now my brother has stepped in and is learning to love it.
I used to tie flies as a teen to keep myself somewhat sane. Made em into
jewelry for the girl I was with at the time.
I've always wanted to try using the flies as bait, but ther interests have
kept it a thought. Maybe this year will be my year to try it out. Especially if
I can borrow someone else's gear.
I'm going to give it another try at Oak Creek this coming weekend but I'm not too interested in catching trout right now... especially the stocked variety. I have a 9ft 6wt because my target species is river smallmouths and I want to be able to cast larger terrestrial immitations to them.
I've got a knot tying tool but am have difficulty tying on new tippit matierial. Im sure like with anything else I just need more practice, more exposure.
6wt on Oak Creek is gettin' a little big. I use a 3 wt. on most of the small trout streams I enjoy fishing. Try some poppers for small mouth on the Verde with that rod too....fun, fun, fun!
Sounds like there will be some dead time Sat. between Broken Arrow and DD get together. If there is any fishable water near by I can send my girls off on a hike and do some fishing. Anyone game?
[quote author=Hltoppr link=board=27;threadid=16020;start=msg156497#msg156497 date=1084483685]
You'll get it with time.
6wt on Oak Creek is gettin' a little big. I use a 3 wt. on most of the small trout streams I enjoy fishing. Try some poppers for small mouth on the Verde with that rod too....fun, fun, fun!
-H-
[/quote]
Thanks. I tried the Verde last year by the Hatchery. Too many people. I need to find some place a little less accessible. The Black has me spoiled I suppose.
[quote author=LandCruiserPhil link=board=27;threadid=16020;start=msg156517#msg156517 date=1084484761]
Sounds like there will be some dead time Sat. between Broken Arrow and DD get together. If there is any fishable water near by I can send my girls off on a hike and do some fishing. Anyone game?
Phil
[/quote]
I'd be game but I'll probably be heading back home as you are getting done with the trail ride.
Here is some info I got from someone who frequents the area...
"Last week I caught fish on a Hares Ear dropper sz 16 With a big Stimulator dry on top. The Browns loved the nymph but two Browns nailed the dry so hard it made my heart about pop out of my chest. I use Phesant tails most of the time but the thing about OC is about any of the favoriates work. Try the dropper set up and see what happens. I would suggest above Slide Rock all the way up a little ways by Cave Springs campground. A favorite of mine is park at Half Way picnic area, hike down in the center of the parking lot . Do not hike to the left because it is steep . You will fine a trail at the bottom and hike to the left until you can not go any further because of a big rock wall and start fishing back up. Lots of fish in this section some small some big. You will find most of the fish in the small holes where you think the fish will not be. "
If you see a gunmetal blue 80 series (bone-stock) waving - it's me.
Not that I'm a fly fisher but have any of you guys ever tried Haegler creek up off the rim? I haven't been there since Iwas a little kid but I remember thtere were tons of speckled and some rainbow trout up there. The water was always so clear that you could see them and they could see you and fishing with corn just wouldn't do it. Maybe a fly from some distance would do the trick. We've been thinking about heading up there for some camping and fishing. MAybe we could do a long weekend. Like i said... it's been years but I know it was a 4x4 mandatory trail to get back there. I'll check into it.
