Expectations
- This topic has 16 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated Apr 17, 2009 at 5:41 pm by
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As I have previously posted, I am a relative newcomer to this passion we all share. I found the podcast and this website a few months ago. I have been making my way through the podcasts as I can. They make great listening on road trips especially when the kids have Franklin or Cars on the DVD for the 100th time. Anyway, I recently listened to the podcast with Greg Lilly about guide school. I was struck by the discussion about expectations.
Like many, I have watched the videos, tv shows and read the articles and books about the huge fish and large #s of fish caught on some of these fabled waters. I want to take my first trip to Montana this year and experience it all. I am not naive and I know that I am new to this and do not have all of the requisite skills and experience to be truly successful on the water. However, I think I have to be honest and say that some part of me would expect to have one of those glorious days where I catch a huge pig of a Brown or pull in Rainbow after Rainbow on dead drifted flies while surrounded by majestic scenery. I am enthralled more by the thought of solitude on a beautiful spring creek than I am floating a big western river. However, I want to do both. Also, I would definitely use a guide for a day or 2 to help increase my learning curve and to get me acclimated.
My questions are these: At my entry level experience, should I stay away from the spring creeks and concentrate on “friendlier” water? What kind of water should I target? What skills can I work on help increase my odds of success? Should I work on my casting accuracy? Water reading skills, etc…? I want to go into this with realistic expectations, but I also want to give myself the best shot at experiencing one of those glorious days.
Yes, I am a little biased being a casting instructor but, I do believe you’ll never regret learning to cast well. It’s a tremendous frustration when you see a fish and you can’t get your fly anywhere near it to do any good. So, that would be my first recommendation.
Secondly, read fly fishing books like crazy, such as on the topic of “reading water”.
Thirdly, if you can afford it, hire a guide and explain your lack of experience and your expectations for the day. Not all guides are able to instruct casting. They can recommend flies and find fish, but not all can or even want to teach casting. Don’t be afraid to tell them exactly what you expect.
Fourth, fish with as many people you can.
Fifth, visit forums like this one and don’t be afraid to ask questions. We’ve all been where you’re at.
Sixth, again if you can afford it, consider attending a 2-3 day fly fishing school. Having attended all three of Joan Wulff’s schools, I can attest that it will teach you alot and bring you up to speed more quickly.
Hope this helps some.
Shane,
If you are going to be the fishing spring creeks, work on your casting accuracy and, more importantly, your mending/line control first.
I have to second Ralph!!
And then third Mike!!
Here’s what I can add…
Firstly take a guide on at least your first day, then again on your first day on a spring creek. I have had people tell me they learnt more in one day on the water with a guide, than in their previous 5 years of fly fishing put together.
1.
Shane, the advice given so far is dead bang on — not much I can add — definitely think that getting casting instruction is great idea as is using a guide — and so is finding the right water for you — enjoy your time on the water — definitely take that trip to Montana; but go with the idea to enjoy yourself, not whether you catch browns or rainbows; hell, most times fly fishing isn’t even about the fish we’ve caught
Shane,
Where to start?! The advice about casting practice and lessons is right on. Do you think Tiger Woods went to Augusta this week with the attitude “I know how to hit a golf ball.”?
My questions are these: At my entry level experience, should I stay away from the spring creeks and concentrate on “friendlier” water? What kind of water should I target? What skills can I work on help increase my odds of success? Should I work on my casting accuracy? Water reading skills, etc…? I want to go into this with realistic expectations, but I also want to give myself the best shot at experiencing one of those glorious days.
As others have suggsted I personally would make arrangements for a guide on day 1.
With regards to the balance you get out what you put into it. A tough technical water may be too much for me, but that won’t stop me from going and trying. I’ve been skunked before in my life, I’ll be skunked again.
For me, Yellowstone would be a once in a lifetime trip (it is very high on my bucket list) . My expectations going in would all about the adventure and scenery, the fish might possibly be the absolute least of them.
Best of luck if you put it together, no matter what happens, you’ll be happy and that takes any pressure with regards to fish off.
Shane,
Don’t let the fear of not having a prolific day on the water stop you from taking a trip westward.
I want to take my first trip to Montana this year and experience it all. I am not naive and I know that I am new to this and do not have all of the requisite skills and experience to be truly successful on the water.
Shane,
There’s one thing about Montana that eludes many who have never been here. The place is enormous–not only from sheer distances, but from the amount of total miles of quality water avaiable to anglers. From March to November, the available mileage of fishable streams (including those in Yellowstone) has to number in the 1000s. The only way to manage expectations is too focus on a few select areas and really learn about what they have to offer during the season you plan to visit. The season or month that you want to visit is important to your selection of area. Not all are in there prime year round.When I was young and stupid in the 1970s, I tried to cover too much Montana water in too short of time. I missed a lot of good opportunities to learn about any given water–I spent too many days driving from point A to B and not fishing. Over the years, I learned to focus my trips on a few closely related streams at the right time of year. I learned to set my expectations based on the area and time of year and really focus on fishing a few streams.
Guides are a great way to get introduced to new waters in a new area and will improve your probability of being successful on any new water. In 2007 I spent two weeks in October in Montana on essentially new water. I took four float trips. Two were great and two were mediocre. Regardless of the time of year in Montana–Wind, Rain, Snow, Low Water, High Water, Finicky Trout will conspire to give you great days and poor days on the water. Guides and outfitters will definitely improve the probability that your trip will be memorable and productive and they’ll generally turn you on to truly productive water you can fish on your own.
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