Fly Fishing

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

Curious what everyone looks for in a fly fishing trip? What does fly fishing represent for you? And, what do you search for in a day trip, weekend trip, week long trip, etc? Like everyone else, I encounter many types of fly fisherman with all sorts of agendas. Some love to catch a lot of fish, some a few fish, some satisfied with just one quality fish. Some folks like great food and lots of it .. and others only want the bare bone minimum. Some like cabins, while others like to throw their sleeping bag in the dirt or crawl into the back of their truck to sleep. Some fish alone and some never fish alone etc.... I enjoy a balance of all of it these days. But, if I had to define the "perfect" trip as of this point in time - it would include equal amounts of alone fishing time and fishing with friends. Exploration and the sense of adventure and discovery are paramount to even wanting to fish at all. The "hunt" for fish or the knowledge to find and catch fish is a big part of the fun. As far as meals go .. I personally love to get up super early have coffee and very limited food until dark (when i can't see my flies anymore) - then, its nice to have a big meal and hang out with friends. So, whether its a day trip, weekend or weeklong trip .. I like to try to have a little bit of everything as part of the trip (relaxation, alone fishing time, fishing with friends, etc...) .. One thing for sure, I always like to catch fish or at least try my hardest ... It seems that this year I am more into quality than quantity. Its interesting how the dynamics and complexities of any one species of fish change dramatically when you apply a different approach to tricking the fish. So, with species of fish that I have caught before .. I try to change up the "game" by changing the approach ... for example, instead of matching the hatch on a river that I know well .. I may try to target a fish holding in more technical and very fast pocket water using a huge stonefly or terrestrial pattern or even enticing that fish to take a streamer when he really wants bugs .. Anyway, I wonder what you guys like about fly fishing these days ... what constitutes a "great trip" and what are some things that you do to keep yourself as passionate as ever about fishing? .... Thanks. Hope everyone is well ...

Austin · Posted: Fri 07/09/10 9:00 am Post subject:

This is a great topic, for me, its taken time to truly realize what I like the most about fly fishing. College, work, family, and friends have all set me back from fly fishing this past year. I can't even remember the last fish I caught! But in a way, I believe this long break from fly fishing has made me appreciate what I used to have more. Recently, I went down to the ocean with my family here in Maine. I looked out and saw boats, birds, endless water and sunshine. I felt the cool summer breeze and smelt that great smell of lobster bait anyone who lives in Maine loves. And I realized, it's not the practice of catching fish that I like most (even though I enjoy that greatly!), but instead, it's getting away and seeing these amazing places most people will never see! I quickly am realizing how privileged I am to have visited and fished in so many beautiful places such as Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Florida, Rhode Island, and so much of Maine, and I will never forget the experiences I had! I love catching fish on flies, and the camaraderie that goes along with my fishing is so special! But in the end, getting out of my house and away from my regular teenage lifestyle is most important to me. Big fish and great people always add more to the trip, but from now on when i'm on a fly fishing trip, I will enjoy just going out and enjoying another day on the water.
I'm interested in hearing what everyone else looks for in their fly fishing trips! Tight lines!!

JZambrano201 · Posted: Sat 07/10/10 4:48 pm Post subject:

This is an interesting question. To me, a perfect day fishing includes waking before the sun rises, meeting my friends, and then driving with them to the location of our choice. Of course durring this time we discuss the tactics we are going to try and where we think the fish are holding, not to mention typical goofing off that teenagers tend to do. Then comes the fishing and whether we do well or not, the opportunity to enjoy ourselves in the beautiful destinations fly fishing tends to bring people is what makes it great.

dax · Posted: Thu 07/15/10 10:16 pm Post subject:

im glad u asked us that question becouse now i can actually think about what i love in fly fishing,and what i love is the solitude and freedom to do whatever whenever. being out there,exploring and taking in the beauty that everyone around me ignores is perfect. the perfect day for me would be waking up in a tent in the middle of no where with a bunch of friends befor the sun rises. we would get up and ready and just spend the day exploring the rivers and creeks. i dont need to catch much (though it makes the trip a lot more exciting) its more about being out there and relaxing with friends.good luck to everyone with getting your perfect day of fishing in someday!

snowkid17 · Location: central florida

I like how different it is from spin fishing. I really get a rush from me hand stripping a fly from a fish that is ready to murder my fly. In fly fishing you can be very creative too. You can really switch things up when it comes to casting, stripping, hooking the fish, and also when you are making a fly. You have complete freedom to what you want to do in almost any situation. In a way I also feel that it is an even fight when i come across a fish because you can feel every ounce of fight that the fish gives. I also like how versitile a fly rod and reel can be. You can use a fly rod on just about any fish besides pelagic fish. Probably the best part about fly fishing is when you meet other fly fisherman from different areas. You experience a lot when you meet with another fly fisherman from a different area. It is a great way to meet new and interesting people across the world.

carnivor9595 · Posted: Thu 07/29/10 1:12 pm Post subject:

They use fly on pelagic fish too.

Fisherone · Location: The Big Apple/ Catskills NY

I think what has me really obsessed with fly fishing is the focus it brings me. When I'm on the water, either alone OR with another angler or guide, I'm just totally focused on reading the water, the sky, the wind, what's hatching... I'm paying such close attention to my immediate surroundings... that everything else just melts away. Any stress: Gone. Any doubts: Gone. It's only when I'm fly fishing that my whole being is so focused! And the reason why is because fly fishing is HARD. Unless you're casting into a huge pod of busting bluefish who are striking at everything that moves! And that's just fun! Ha ha!
But seriously, most times I like to fish alone. The connection that I feel (to myself and my thoughts AND to the natural world around) me is a feeling that I have not found in any other aspect of my life. I've come to some great realizations while on the water. I've found answers when, at that moment, I wasn't even asking any questions! I've written some great tunes in my head.
On my home water on the Beaverkill river in NY there have been times when I find myself HOWLING out loud from just having gotten a nice trout to hand. I'll look around expecting to get a look from another angler just to find that I'm only accompanied by a heron and a mink. ( They make sure to give me a look too! ) That's just priceless. It's pretty crazy and maybe I'm waxing just a bit poetic here but I can get the chills just thinking about that solitude and focus. Damn I need to get out there and FISH!!!!