Comments on: Fly Fishing Starts with a Humble Beginning

By: shannon

shannon — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:10:41 +0000

I knew that first fly fishing experience would be so powerful for me that I intentionally put it off for nearly two decades … and I am making up for a lot of lost time. Down here, the typical first fish on fly is a perch, and that’s what it was for me. Shannon

By: Bob Estep

Bob Estep — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:02:09 +0000

Those were some great times. Next up you should show that video of the first elk kill posted on here

By: Mel

Mel — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 04:53:31 +0000

Thanks for sharing with us all such moment from deep within your soul. Your fine job of writing took me back to my first fish on a fly. What an embarrassment it was for me! Someday when we stand shoulder to shoulder and chase a trout, you might get me to tell you all about it.

By: Austin

Austin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 04:51:25 +0000

My first trout trip went something to that same effect. I took a fly fishing class in college and managed to bury a #8 fly deep into my upper arm while learning to roll-cast. I was soon made an object lesson on how to remove a hook. A couple of days later, I was called out in front of the entire class to fish a pocket of water. Saying my prayers I stripped line and cast a #14 Elk Hair Caddis. A small fingerling took the fly and a bullet fish came rocketing towards my head as I set the hook too hard. A fish nonetheless. That was in the Spring of 2000.

By: Kentucky Jim

Kentucky Jim — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 07:07:34 +0000

I enjoyed this read, Rebecca. Thanks for sharing it. I’ve reached an age where I just fish. I have all the stuff, and now find that I’m envious of the trout bum who just fishes…and catches fish! But I’ve studied casting for some time. Some say I’m good, but the masters won’t give me a break. They don’t think so. Everything is relative, and I try to remember what I’m doing it for. For me, a cast well made on the river is almost, I said almost, as fun as the take, the fight and the netting of the fish.

Norman McClean’s story is about tragedy as much as it is about fly fishing. I hope your book doesn’t need the tragedy to counterpoint the joy that is fishing.
KJ

By: mizlan malaysia snakehead hunter

mizlan malaysia snakehead hunter — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:57:27 +0000

hi..i’m mizlan from malaysia..i’m snakehead hunter…love baitcasting, trekking…hope be your friend!

By: Kirk

Kirk — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:47:42 +0000

Rebecca, your post made me think…At first we just fish. As we become smitten with the art of fly fishing we may pour ourselves into the study insects and fish behavior. We may collect an arsenal of rods, reels and lines for every possible scenario. We are likely to arm ourselves with stream thermometers, tippets in every imaginable size, and countless other gizmos intended to make us more effective anglers. Some of us may acquire an endless supply of materials used to tie an equally endless assortment of flies: streamers, soft hackles, nymphs, dries and everything in between. We probably spend hours striving to master a dazzling array of intricate casts. Then, eventually, we just fish.

Thanks for the thought provocation!

By: Clif

Clif — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:26:08 +0000

I think you hinted at it with your last line, but I’ll have to wait and see what your thoughts are.

Like you, I happen to have fine documentation for my first fish caught with a fly. You won’t have to watch for it long…it’s already there.

I dug through my archive and found it here. You’ll find writing not quite as poetic, but the fish equally impressive.

(hope that link works…)

By: Wolfy

Wolfy — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:48:09 +0000

It’s very intresting to put a perspective on the “NOW” by re-reading old writings. I think your writing style, even in your first piece, foreshadowed the well written pieces you produce now.

Nice post and nice work

Wolfy

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:44:33 +0000

Clif,
Thats a good question and an idea for a new entry here. Soon to come, a blog entry about just that.

Now, I told my first fish story, the disaster that it was, will you share yours? I’ll be watching for it on your blog~ With picture!

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:42:48 +0000

Thank you Indigo!
Now you have me thinking……..the female version of ‘A River Runs Through it’…….time will tell, time will tell……

By: Clif

Clif — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:20:22 +0000

How different do you think you are now from the person you described then? Are you performing art yet?

I too have a crumby first fish on the fly. I even have a picture of it around here somewhere….

By: Indigo

Indigo — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:14:44 +0000

Someday I think you’ll write a grand novel about the experience. The female version of ‘A River Runs Through It’. Without a doubt the passion and exuberance overflow in the art of fly fishing and writing for you.

May love and beauty follow you into this brand new decade dear friend. (Hugs)Indigo