TXRR, great write up. I am new to fly fishing and have yet to catch my first fish on my set up. Here is one thing I think might be nice to see if you put this thread or your first post as a sticky...

What do you do when you catch a fish.

This may seem simple but I was really confused until I watched a few videos on youtube. I have fished all my life and when I catch a fish I yank the rod tip up and crank on the handle as fast as I can. Even though I have a good idea of what to do from reading a little and watching youtube, I still have some blanks to fill in that may not get filled in until I get one on the line.

Example: If I catch a big enough one that I would like to use the reel to bring in, do I let him run until all my slack is out and then reel him in or do I hold the line and reel up my slack? Of course, this could just be preference.

Just a bit of my two cents from a newb's perspective.

Again, thanks for the write up.

The roll cast gave you shoulder pain? That shouldn't happen unless you have a very unusual shoulder injury! A proper roll cast is an extremely low-impact fly cast.

The next time we're in the same place, come talk to me.

If you can't visit Ken - visit Lefty...
Lefty Kreh's DVD "Lessons with Lefty"
Excelent roll cast instruction as well as a bunch of other good stuff ...

ok....I talked to LHD about it too and he showed me another way of doing it, I just never use that cast...that was a long time ago though...this is when I was just starting out with my casting...I do need to learn some new casts, false casting can be a pain if you do it all the time like I do

I like Lefty's lessons I saw on You Tube. I do need to do a bit more practice on some different type casts.

Confessions of a fisherman

I have had a fly pole in my bag of equipment since I was 9 years old using the 9' split bamboo rod inherited from and Uncle I never met.
You would think that after 54 years of fishing I might have learned something.
After reading up on the literature available on this site and a lot of the links, posing questions and getting answers I find that I know next to nothing.

If any of you have followed my posts you know that I am learning how to catch bream on Big Cyprus Bayou out of Jefferson. Blue gill and Red Breasts are numerous in this water and a ball to catch. I am still learning as I go along. I am also learning more about fishing from a boat in current, casting short distances at the base of trees, underneath overhanging vegetation, and into laydowns trying not to get hung up.
I have learned some things, but each one I learn points out to something else I need to learn.

Just like in golf I reached a certain level of ineptitude and finally realized I was not going to get any better. That is when golf started to be fun. I knew what I could do, was satisfied with it, and relaxed in that realization.

I expect learning more about fly fishing will follow the same pattern. I will fumble along learning by the trial and error method, getting frustrated to the point of wanting to quit and go back to a spinning reel and worms. Eventually I will reach a level of skill that is satisfying and rewarding to me and I will then have more fun.

That's all I got to say about that.

(for now at least)

TXRR stoped short of comparing the fly fishing learning curve to that of golfing. Made me wonder if that connection was why casts favor the righ of my aim.

Grandpa sometime I will head out that way and fish with you. Maybe I could give you some pointers. This weather stinks because it is raining it seems everyday. I am about to get cabin fever. I am not one of the more experienced fly folks here, but I probably know a little more than you. I would be glad to help ya out.

kd5gje, thanks for your kind words. I think you're right about what to do with your first fish with regard to the line and the reel. When we get this thing all cleaned up for publication, we'll just use your words.

Grashpr, I didn't compare fly flinging to g**f because this is a family site and I didn't want to use that sort of foul language.

TXRR, I understand. If my electric broom hadn't broke down a few months back, I'd be rolling on the floor.

I will add this. If you are new to fly fishing, start by targeting sunfish. It will let you grasp the mechanics of fly fishing with almost guaranteed success. You will learn from your mistakes and not get skunked in the process. And a #10 woolly bugger is your friend in Texas streams and creeks.

+2

los tres

That implies that more experience would lead one to STOP targeting sunfish. I'd hate to see that happen.

Oh no, don't do that (drop the sunfishes). One expands out into more and more angling areas while keeping all the good stuff!

Hawgs like this can be fun no matter where you are in your fly fishing journey. Pretty sure that was a #10 woolly bugger as suggested.

Green sunfish are mean no matter what their size and outward appearance.

To the OP Nice Thread

I recently moved to Central Texas after spending the last 30 years in Colorado, fishing for fun and a little guiding on the side.

Got tired of the cold and bought a bass boat a few years ago hence I wound up here, that and I got tendenitis in my elbows so bad looking at a fly rod makes them swell up.

Spent many a day in Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Alberta & BC. Fishing mostly trout, but my share of Steelhead, Salmon and Pike.

I would be happy to answer any questions, tell some of my old sweet spots, flies used, time of year and so on.

Just ask

Tight Lines

Im from Az I used to fly fish for trout and had a blast at it. I also targeted sunfish esp when the trout were not biting. I still am an amatuer by all means but now I live near college station and my mouth is watering at getting the chance to go after some bass with my fly rod. In my experience I have found that the easiest way to start is go to a shop ask their opinion they will tell you. In my case they handed me a 4ft rod tip with a 5-6ft piece of knitting thread to it and showed me how to "cast" it back and forth and I did it and popped it foward and backward and he said keep doing it til it doesn't make that pop noise any more. that was the most valuable lesson I learned about the finnese of fly casting, you cant force the line out. It is addicting and will keep you yearning for more. In my experience the sunfish actually honed my skills cause the bite is so soft you really have to pay attention. The biggest thing is dont get discouraged it will frustrate you beyond belief sometimes but is so rewarding. One of the best drills for casting is put a target in the grass about 15 to 20 yds away and tie a piece of that knitting yarn pref a bright color to simulate a fly and cast to that target over and over again til you can land that fly right on it every time. Then back up and repeat. Thats my tip for what its worth. Happy fishin

For Bass I used an 9 Ft 8Wt. Throwing Hula poppers with it was a blast. I use to fish with Shane Stallcup on occasion and he ties a craw pattern that bass really like.

Good summary. I wouldn't worry too much about length - getting the important information in it is of most importance.

I have a fellow backpacker that just got into fly fishing. Probably because of all the trout I caught in the Cascades a year ago. It took the longest time just to get the nomenclature down and it would have helped if I had your article to have pointed him to.

The cool thing is that we assembled his backing, line, etc. while on the trail in Yosemite this September. Before the trip was over, he caught his first trout on a dry fly! He's hooked for life.

Thanks for the compliments, I'm glad y'all found it useful.

Hey kelkay,

Thoseflies look like they would be killers with White Bass!!

If you would like to get rid of some, shoot me a PM.....

Somnipod, you might want to send Kelkay a private message so that you know she sees it.

1-18-10 seems you need to hold your flies up to the light and make sure you see hues of pink