I had this feeling that on the dark side of a submerged boulder was river monster that had my fly written all over it. As a rookie to fly fishing, it still took me a considerable amount of time to “tie” my fly on to my monofilament leader. It did not help that my “spider-sense” was tingling about that boulder. When I was ready, I walked out on a rocky pier that some kids must have made for swimming.
The river was the Muskoka River. The location was just downstream of the dam at the Huntsville lock system. I had seen some ‘specks’ and rainbows there last year.
Today, my friends were with me and watching from shore. I am pretty sure they were hoping I would fall in on my walk out along the rocks.
After creeping along the rocky path, I sized up the distance to the boulder and began my ritual of movements to get my fly out there. The cool thing about fly fishing (over regular fishing) is that you quickly ‘zone out’ everything around you except for the sound of the river, your line, and your target zone. I did not even notice the unusual placement of my feet on the rocky bottom.
Eventually, I got the fly where I needed it and within seconds I saw flash of silver and my fly was gone. I fumbled for my reel and began bringing in the slack line. The fight was on. The whole ordeal is different on a fly rod. I felt every move the fish made. I also reached for where my drag control would be on my spinning rod. I laughed at myself. Within a minute or two I had the fish where I could cradle it and take out the fly from its mouth.
A bass. Maybe 7 inches. My friends laughed. I was in awe. This little fish “fell” for my presentation (as imperfect as it may have been). It really was a small fish. But, it was my first fish (on my fly rod) and any of you who enjoy fishing as much as I do know that you still get the same “rush” on any fish caught.
I have a couple of questions for those of you are flyfishing veterans:
When a fish rises for your fly do you set the hook the same way as spinning rods? I mean, do wait and feel the start of the fight or do you instinctively set the hook when you see the fish take your fly?
When should you use a wet fly over a similar dry fly? I suppose I should know these things, but when you are teaching yourself some of the obvious answers come from those who have down it before.
I went back to this new fishing spot the next day. I lost 4 fish and one was a nice looking trout. It would seem that this purplish fly with a pink head turned them on. I wonder if they would have taken anything I tied on? The great thing is this river spot is 7 minutes from my house so I can experiment some more next week.
Bill Anderson
Muskoka Outdoors
Congratulations!
I ususally strike with dry flies on the take.
If I’m fishing subsurface and actually see a flash, I’ll hit on that. For nymphs, if you actually feel pressure, it’s prboably too late–hit if your line or indicator pauses or drifts funny.
Bill,
It is great to hear that you are hooked on fly fishing! If you are like me that spinning rod just won’t hold the same allure from here on out!
Here is my 2 cents about your questions:
Many times when you are fishing a dry fly the fish will hit hard and pretty much set the hook for you. Most of the time the hook set is accomplished by simply raising the rod high above your head. I once read that when you see the fish take the dry fly you should say “God save the Queen” before setting the hook. Supposedly this helps you get the timing correct. I have tried it and it seems to work. Maybe someone else can expand on this and explain it better than I can.
Wet vs. dry? I have always heard that fish eat 85-90% of their meals under the water. However, nothing can be more fun than seenig a fish take your fly off the surface. I may be over simplifying it but I fish dry for trout mostly when I see the fish hitting on the surface. Bass and panfish will often hit surface poppers even when you don’t see them doing it.
“The cool thing about fly fishing (over regular fishing) is that you quickly ‘zone out’ everything around you except for the sound of the river, your line, and your target zone.”
That is what I like about it best! You cannot do anything else when you fly fish. Worrying about work is not a option unless you want a big tangled mess.
Tight Lines!