OK, after my busted trip to Beavers Bend for trout because of missing strikes,what type of fish should I try for, around here, that is closest to the bite of a trout.

I want to hone my skills a little before I head back up there and try again.

Also I am wondering if anyone would be interested in splitting a guide trip with Tarponfly later this year, after it cools off some. Figure we could do a whole or half day and split the cost of going up.

Any ideas, I know I need to STILL work on my casting, especially my roll cast, but hate missing all the bites I was.

Hey man, I know what you mean. If you have a slow moving stream, or even a pond/lake near you the best thing you can do is go for some bluegill/sunfish. They have almost the same diet as trout and will readily take most any nymphs, dries, and hoppers. The best thing about it is, they will hold on to the fly a little bit longer than a smart trout, giving you ample time to set the hook, and it will make you really good at detecting strikes. The LMF can be tough for a beginner, especially with the cover/trees and the fast water.

Take a planned trip to the Paluxy. Its very broken bowish, shallow, fast, and the fish there feed selectively in ambush fashion much like trout. It's also loaded with carp which will be sure to tax your skills.

Any ideas on places to start, what type of fly? Is it wadable? Looked online but didnt find a lot of info

Trout are some of the most difficult freshwater species to catch, period. Part of the allure, I suppose.

You are definitely on the right track, considering hiring a guide for your next trip. I am willing to bet you will learn 2/3's of everything you need to know about catching trout after 1 day on the water with a good teacher. Keep in mind that last Third can last a lifetime. Again, that's part of the magic.

Keep at it. Everything worthwhile in life requires the expenditure of at least some effort.

J.

do find a smal stream and fish for panfish. on my first trout outing, i missed 13 strikes. now i consider myself very efficient. be patient. takes a little time. don't give up, or you will miss out on a wonderful game fish. trout live in the most beautiful places, so its a fish i will never give up on. keep going back to broken bow. closest thing we have as a trout habitat. you will get it, soon.

i am not claiming to have "cat like" reflexes, but I have to remind myself to slow down when I make the switch to fly fishing
can't wait to rehone those skills in October

I definitely wont give up, we decided to start fly fishing after a trip to Colorado and the fly guys were out fishing us 8 to 1, so will keep it up.
Thanks for the encouragement.

Never thought about that, thanks

Haven't been to Paluxy in this heat but my bet is it is booooone dry. Spring fed. Maybe be shallow pools but not what you are looking for.

My buddy and I fish trout together regularly and he is a whiz at catching on the dry. He'll out catch me 5-1 on topwater dries. It's tough. Panfish(bluegills and the like) are quick to strike like a trout but they , in my opinion, won't much hone your skill because they usually inhale the fly. Keying on smaller bluegill or greenies, palm size or smaller, with a disproportionally large fly may be your best bet. They can get the fly in their mouths but can't inhale it so it's up to you to set the hook and play the fish.

Paluxy is almost dry. No flow -- just pools here and there.

Thanks for the heads up, I was thinking about going down.

Still some fish -- just no flow. If you consider coming down PM me and I will meet up with you and help you out. Could even hit the Brazos or take the boat out on Granbury.

Sounds good, the wife and son will probably do the dinosaur park while I fish as they aren't into fly fishing as much as I am

Thanks for the offer of help