Let's Get Started

For those of you who may have interest in fly fishing but can’t get started, this article is for you.

Before July 2005, I had only tried fly fishing a couple of times by myself. Because I didn’t have any luck, I lost interest. Then in July of 2005, while looking for a log cabin to buy in Bryson City, my wife and I made a side trip to Asheville. While there, I can across Hunters Banks Fly Shop. I went in and said I wanted to fish the Davidson River. I mentioned that I had very little experience. The owner said, “That’s ok, I will set you up with Forrest Marshall. He knows the Davidson real well."

I met Forrest at the fly shop two days later. We proceeded to the Pisgah Forest in Brevard, NC. Once we got there, we started to fish next to a bridge. Right away I started catching fish in the 12"-14" range. I was having a great time. While this was going on, Forrest kept looking up the river where two other guys were fishing. He said, when they leave, we’re going to take that spot. A half hour later, they left and we moved up.

We fished that spot for approximately 45 minutes and I didn’t catch a thing. (I was happy where we started, why move?) Forrest changed the fly to a smaller size. In fact, he changed the fly five times. I was a little frustrated, but he was the guide. I really got nervous when he said, “we are not leaving here until I make the fish eat.”

(What fish?) He changed the fly again, for the 6^th time, and on my first drift I caught and landed a 18” Brown Trout. I was excited, surprised, and impressed. That fish made my day! Forrest said, “what are you waiting for, there’s another one in there. Well, I was a believer so I made my cast and drifted in the same spot and SMASH! Another fish, this time it was a 22” Rainbow Trout. (I didn’t get a photo of it because while holding it up for the picture, it flipped out of my hands. ~ the one that got away .)

So, a few things I want to share with you about that day:

• If you ever wanted to try fly fishing, give it a try ~ SOONER than later
• If you are inexperienced, hire a guide that knows the local waters, it makes all the difference
• Once you get “hooked” and start to fish on your own, experiment with different size flies, tippets, etc.
• Share your fly fishing experience with a son, daughter, or a friend.

I’ve been guiding for 5 years. I love what I do, especially when I have new people that have never fly fished before, have a great time, and want to come back and do it again ~ next time even better. HOWEVER – you must start...