Fly Fishing Guide Speaks The Truth!
Fly Fishing Guide Speaks The Truth!
Recently the Farmington Daily Times ran a story by Don Oliver, a licensed fly fishing guide in the Four Corners.
In this short story included below, you'll hear why it's all about fishing first.
Don reminds us to think back to when we first learned how to fish. Most of us weren't born with a fly rod in our hand.
We fished with a beginning spinning rod and reel often with nothing more than a hook baited with a live worm.
Even now when I fish with my spinning rod, I find that often trout just can't resist a wiggly worm :)
-Duke
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Fly Fishing Guide Speaks The Truth!
"If there were 10 commandments for fly fishing the first one would be 'Never use bait, alive or once alive.' The second one would be 'Only use of a fly rod is permitted.' Last month I broke both of these commandments, sinned, and it was fun.
My wife and I went with my fishing partner, Sam, and his wife to Rocky Point, Mexico for some much-needed sun, margaritas and relaxation. Needless to say, Sam and I took our fly rods. We fully expected to walk into the surf, cast our saltwater flies and become exhausted reeling in big fish. Our success at this was a big, fat zero. So, being guides, we did what all guides would do: We hired a guide for a day of fly fishing in the ocean.
We went to local dive shop that handles bookings for fishing guides, explained what we wanted, and were assured this was no problem. So, at the appointed day and hour, we arrived to be guided on a great day of fly fishing. The first indication this might not be the case was our guide spoke no English, had a boat with a sun cover over the entire boat, had heavy saltwater rods in the holders, and was loading frozen squid for bait. Not to be deterred, Sam and I did what any non-Spanish speaking American would do. We spoke louder and pantomimed what we wanted to do. The guide looked at us, nodded OK, and off we went.
To the guide's credit, he took us to where he thought we could successfully fly fish. We tried for about two hours with no luck. The guide, through pantomiming and talking louder, convinced us we needed to move to deeper water. We tried to fly fish in deeper water, and again it was not working. At this point, the guide started fishing with heavy saltwater gear. He took a short rod that a 200-pound marlin couldn't bend and attached to it was a reel capable of turning a tank. He tied on a weight heavy enough to take Sam to the bottom in two seconds and then put frozen squid on the hook for bait. We did learn frozen squid can serve a second purpose; the guide ate it for lunch. Yum, yum.
At this point, we begin to catch fish, and it was fun. Suddenly, I had an epiphany. I was reminded what fishing is all about, fly or otherwise. The main thing I need to remember is "enjoy the day." I am outside in God's beautiful creation; have fun with it. There is no better way to enjoy a day outside than fishing.
Next, I need not to be so didactic about only fly fishing. As I was cranking rock bass up to the boat, it dawned on me: I learned to fish with bobbers and live bait. I'll bet most of you also did. Think back to the times you sat on the bank of a stock tank, or in an old boat, catching warm water fish with bait you could eat. Those were great times.
Let's remember that while fly fishing is, in my opinion, the most fun way to fish, fishing is what we are really about. Let's go out and first enjoy the day, then enjoy it by fishing with whatever means we have on hand. I know I am going to try to remember this. I'll always try fly fishing to start with; it is my job. But, if sitting on the bank with a new or old fisherman while drowning worms is the best way to enjoy the day, then that's how I am doing it.
Sometimes a sin or two can be good for the soul.
Don Oliver is a licensed fly fishing guide in the Four Corners. Reach him at www.donoliverfishingguide.com or 800 634-4811."
==============
Fly Fishing Guide Speaks The Truth!
Recently the Farmington Daily Times ran a story by Don Oliver, a licensed fly fishing guide in the Four Corners.
In this short story included below, you'll hear why it's all about fishing first.
Don reminds us to think back to when we first learned how to fish. Most of us weren't born with a fly rod in our hand.
We fished with a beginning spinning rod and reel often with nothing more than a hook baited with a live worm.
Even now when I fish with my spinning rod, I find that often trout just can't resist a wiggly worm :)
-Duke
====================
Fly Fishing Guide Speaks The Truth!
"If there were 10 commandments for fly fishing the first one would be 'Never use bait, alive or once alive.' The second one would be 'Only use of a fly rod is permitted.' Last month I broke both of these commandments, sinned, and it was fun.
My wife and I went with my fishing partner, Sam, and his wife to Rocky Point, Mexico for some much-needed sun, margaritas and relaxation. Needless to say, Sam and I took our fly rods. We fully expected to walk into the surf, cast our saltwater flies and become exhausted reeling in big fish. Our success at this was a big, fat zero. So, being guides, we did what all guides would do: We hired a guide for a day of fly fishing in the ocean.
We went to local dive shop that handles bookings for fishing guides, explained what we wanted, and were assured this was no problem. So, at the appointed day and hour, we arrived to be guided on a great day of fly fishing. The first indication this might not be the case was our guide spoke no English, had a boat with a sun cover over the entire boat, had heavy saltwater rods in the holders, and was loading frozen squid for bait. Not to be deterred, Sam and I did what any non-Spanish speaking American would do. We spoke louder and pantomimed what we wanted to do. The guide looked at us, nodded OK, and off we went.
To the guide's credit, he took us to where he thought we could successfully fly fish. We tried for about two hours with no luck. The guide, through pantomiming and talking louder, convinced us we needed to move to deeper water. We tried to fly fish in deeper water, and again it was not working. At this point, the guide started fishing with heavy saltwater gear. He took a short rod that a 200-pound marlin couldn't bend and attached to it was a reel capable of turning a tank. He tied on a weight heavy enough to take Sam to the bottom in two seconds and then put frozen squid on the hook for bait. We did learn frozen squid can serve a second purpose; the guide ate it for lunch. Yum, yum.
At this point, we begin to catch fish, and it was fun. Suddenly, I had an epiphany. I was reminded what fishing is all about, fly or otherwise. The main thing I need to remember is "enjoy the day." I am outside in God's beautiful creation; have fun with it. There is no better way to enjoy a day outside than fishing.
Next, I need not to be so didactic about only fly fishing. As I was cranking rock bass up to the boat, it dawned on me: I learned to fish with bobbers and live bait. I'll bet most of you also did. Think back to the times you sat on the bank of a stock tank, or in an old boat, catching warm water fish with bait you could eat. Those were great times.
Let's remember that while fly fishing is, in my opinion, the most fun way to fish, fishing is what we are really about. Let's go out and first enjoy the day, then enjoy it by fishing with whatever means we have on hand. I know I am going to try to remember this. I'll always try fly fishing to start with; it is my job. But, if sitting on the bank with a new or old fisherman while drowning worms is the best way to enjoy the day, then that's how I am doing it.
Sometimes a sin or two can be good for the soul.
Don Oliver is a licensed fly fishing guide in the Four Corners. Reach him at www.donoliverfishingguide.com or 800 634-4811."
==============
Fly Fishing Guide Speaks The Truth!
posted by The "Duke" at 12:31 AM
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