For those of you that picked up this magazine because you have interest in fly fishing but can’t get started, this article is for you.
Before July 2005, I 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 Hunter’s Bank 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 5 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 6th 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….