Fly Fishing: A gathering place for those who like to stand in a river waving a stick around.

[01tundra]

Currently tying like a madman, we have a 10-day camping trip to the Smoky Mtn's coming up soon and I'm getting ready to chase some Brookies.

 

[Vecman]

Currently tying like a madman, we have a 10-day camping trip to the Smoky Mtn's coming up soon and I'm getting ready to chase some Brookies.

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I think this is my next phase. I am still a beginner in fly fishing, but I sure love it. I can’t imagine catching a fish on my own fly - that would be so satisfying. All things in due time, but I think I could enjoy that.

 

[01tundra]

I think this is my next phase. I am still a beginner in fly fishing, but I sure love it. I can’t imagine catching a fish on my own fly - that would be so satisfying. All things in due time, but I think I could enjoy that.

It took my about 13 years to finally get into tying, but once my son really started getting into fly fishing it was a no-brainer for me, spending time with him with a shared hobby and good memories, something my father never took the time to do.......

Everything is different now that I'm tying, I think it's made me a better angler for sure.

 

[TRAMPER]

You know it’s funny…. That always seems like the logical progression for fisherman in this sport. I’ve been fly fishing for well over 30 years and never once considered tying a fly. I know others whose passion has even shifted to tying over fishing. It’s an incredible art and quite a skill. Maybe someday that will change. It definitely seems like it would be a fun winter activity.

 

[Vecman]

You know it’s funny…. That always seems like the logical progression for fisherman in this sport. I’ve been fly fishing for well over 30 years and never once considered tying a fly. I know others whose passion has even shifted to tying over fishing. It’s an incredible art and quite a skill. Maybe someday that will change. It definitely seems like it would be a fun winter activity.

My father-in-law is a purist fly fisherman. He will only fly fish and use his own flies. I will fly fish or use reels, whatever makes most sense and whatever mood I’m in. But I do enjoy fly fishing much more generally speaking. Tying flies is definitely a skill that has to be developed, but I can see myself enjoying that, as long as I don’t get too OCD on being perfect. I know there’s some people on YouTube tying works of art, and they don’t fish with them - too incredible to lose. But I don’t think that’s my style, at least I don’t think so. But someday I think I will try my hand at this and see how it goes. Maybe I’m super wrong, but it doesn’t seem too bad/expensive to get into this at an entry level? I’m sure it can be as expensive as I want, but seems like it’s not a huge financial barrier to entry.

 

[Wrathchild]

@Vecman the barrier to entry is pretty low. Those beginner kits you can get from cabelas or wherever are good for getting started. The only recommendation I have, that does drive up expense, is a good rotary vise.

My enjoyment, skill and quality of flies took off once I stepped up to a Peak rotary vise.

 

[Vecman]

@Vecman the barrier to entry is pretty low. Those beginner kits you can get from cabelas or wherever are good for getting started. The only recommendation I have, that does drive up expense, is a good rotary vise.

My enjoyment, skill and quality of flies took off once I stepped up to a Peak rotary vise.

Thanks. I saw Orvis had a kit like this I think - didn’t even realize that was a thing either. I’ll keep my eye out and see. It definitely matches things I like to do, it’s more of a time/time of life thing. About to make a major move and I think once I settle in, might be a good time to start while it’s freezing and I can’t fish for a while

 

[01tundra]

You know it’s funny…. That always seems like the logical progression for fisherman in this sport. I’ve been fly fishing for well over 30 years and never once considered tying a fly. I know others whose passion has even shifted to tying over fishing. It’s an incredible art and quite a skill. Maybe someday that will change. It definitely seems like it would be a fun winter activity.

I always held out because I didn't want to become one of those old dudes who tie flies but never go fishing.

What I've found for me is quite the opposite, I can't wait to get out and try every fly I've tied and see which one's produce. It's a great way to keep me in the game when I'm not able to be on the water.

 

[01tundra]

as long as I don’t get too OCD on being perfect

Yeah.....about that

 

[Wrathchild]

I don’t tie volume or spend all winter filling boxes. I usually tie a dozen or so in one pattern at a time. I also find I tie quite a bit more when I’m in camp. So my solution was to have my kit mobile!

I will also plug the meditative and calming element of tying flies. The same aspect that goes along with standing is a stream waving a stick around. There are a lot of veterans and first responders in this group that carry mental baggage around with us everyday. And many others for that matter. Tying flies is one of the many ways that I regain control of the bad days.

 

[Silverghost]

Built my first fly rod out of Fenwick blanks many many years ago and own 2 Scott fly rods (Radian 6wt and Centric 5wt). Fish the Winston 6wt most in the summer and the Scotts or an old Sage One the rest. Broke my Douglas after walking three miles up the Wiggins Fork in Wyoming. Nearly left that POS on the bank and glad i carried a spare that day.

 

[Potato Wilson]

All my rods are Sage, not a bunch, only maybe a half dozen. I guided the Truckee river and surrounding area for 7 years and fished 200+ days/year. I’ve broken a few by accident, but have NEVER had one break due to the weight or pull of a fish. They stand behind them, minimal handling fee for repair or replacement.

There’s nothing like catching fish on your own flies. When I first started guiding I was carrying hundreds of flies. 7 years later I would head out for the day with just a couple dozen. Nothing fancy, nothing exacting. But good representations of dominant bugs in the correct stage of the life cycle. Presentation is equally or even more important than the fly.
I took LOTS of samples, for years. I had little jars with bugs all over my tying station, and pored through books to find basic patterns that were easy to tie, looked good, and fished well. With this experience I established staples that I still have confidence in on any given day.
It also helped that I mentored under Andy Burke.

 

[TRAMPER]

All my rods are Sage, not a bunch, only maybe a half dozen. I guided the Truckee river and surrounding area for 7 years and fished 200+ days/year. I’ve broken a few by accident, but have NEVER had one break due to the weight or pull of a fish. They stand behind them, minimal handling fee for repair or replacement.

There’s nothing like catching fish on your own flies. When I first started guiding I was carrying hundreds of flies. 7 years later I would head out for the day with just a couple dozen. Nothing fancy, nothing exacting. But good representations of dominant bugs in the correct stage of the life cycle. Presentation is equally or even more important than the fly.
I took LOTS of samples, for years. I had little jars with bugs all over my tying station, and pored through books to find basic patterns that were easy to tie, looked good, and fished well. With this experience I established staples that I still have confidence in on any given day.
It also helped that I mentored under Andy Burke.

I’ve never broken a fly rod except on a fish lol. I mentioned easlier a 10’ 7wt T3 that exploded twice, (and it was a 2 piece) on salmon and then this new(er) Helios that did the same.

Obviously Kings are a different fish then most others and in the salmon river that can get a little crowded, even when I’m fishing in private water, you tend to lean on them pretty hard. The smart move and what happens a lot of they take off into the rapids in one direction or the other is to point your rod at them and put the brakes on with your hand and pop them off.

This one that broke my rod was on final approach and i was just lifting its head to beach it when it broke. Snapped rods are pretty common around here with these 15-35lb fish.

Rods of course can get dinged by sinkers or who knows what else so that can play a part.

It isn’t as common anymore but back 20 years ago when I fished here a lot i knew guys who would only run G Loomis rods because there was a shop in town that would swap them out when they broke, charge you a process fee and take care of the warranty on their own.

In fact the rod I bought that day to keep fishing was a Douglas and since they are local to me will drop ship you a replacement section next day for $40.

Anyway you’re right. Generally in 35 years of fishing car doors and Trees are a lot more hazardous than fish. Unless those fish are big fresh kings lol.

FWIW I’m using 12lb Seagar Floro as tippet.