Advice

[scottwil]

I am very new to fly-fishing. I took my first lesson about 2 months ago. I have been practicing my casting and catching little brim in a local pond.

We want scouting this weekend; Fished the Noontoola just as it enters into the Blue Ridge WMA from the north. My Map has it as 58. WE also fished at the Toccoa River at Shallowford Bridge. Streams seemed fast and cloudy; could not move around much.

I am trying to determine, if it is my technique, fly selection or if the fishing in these areas were off. My ego wants to go with the latter but I know better. I have not caught my first trout. I fished with nymphs- Black stone flys and some other that I do not know the names. But primarily nymphs

I would welcome any advice on anything from flies to places, any advice would be appreciated. I like this so far, but I am trying to determine what the learning curve is for fly fishing, so I can set some realistic expectations on when I might actually start catching fish.

Thanks

Scott (Woodstock, GA)

[123chris]

Hi Scott;

I have been fishing for 10 years with a flyrod, and still occasionaly have days where I dont catch anything. I went on the 4th to Helen and the water was high and stained. I did not catch anything, but some overhanging trees. I would suggest that you use woolly buggers to start with. They are the easiest to fish, IMO. I would just cast them out and let them swing, or strip them. Hang on though man, cause when they hit a bugger they intend to eat that thing. There is no watching a indicator or dead drifting (although you can dead drift a bugger), or keeping slack in the line. After you catch a few then you can start to work on mending line, drifting, nymphing, dry flies, but to get your confidence up I would just catch a few at first.

[RScott]

scottwil,

You are in a large group of FFer's that haven't had luck their first time on the Toot or the Toccoa. The Toot is very difficult to fish and the fish are naturally very spooky. The Toccoa is easier, but still a challenge, especially at any point near a road.

Each type of fly takes a while to learn how to fish it, and 123chris has some very good advice for learning.

The first thing you need is confidence, which only comes with experience. Try the Hooch this summer, either Island Ford or Jones Bridge. The river is full of fish as the weather and generation schedules have limited fishing this spring, and you should be able to get into some nice action.

Look at the flyshop section if you need any fly selections, but wooly boogers, Elk Hair Caddis, Griffths Gnats, and nymphs are the go to flies.

As to your question on the learning curve - it is life long, seriously. I have been avidly flyfishing now for many years and just learned how to effectively fish a San Juan worm. You should be able to start having success soon if you don't try to do too much too soon.

Realistic expectations? That would be an oxymoron to the sport of flyfishing. On the other hand you may certainly expect to spend alot of money, lose alot of flies, tear you waders, slip and fall, and fail to catch trout on the Toot.

RScott
Master of Unrealistic Expectations

[Obtuse Angler]

You just have to keep at it. Maintain your enthusiasm and enjoy just being out fishing. I didn't catch a fish at Noontootla until my fifth trip up there, but I didn't mind because that place is so pretty, I would rather be there not catching fish than on the Chattahoochee tearing them up (usually). If you just enjoy being there, you'll eventually fall butt-backward into the learning curve and start catching them reliably.

I would say don't worry about it. You're supposed to get skunked your first time at the Toot.

I had a very strong Type-A, achievement-oriented personality a few years ago but flyfishing for trout has taught me to be humbler and more relaxed, helping me escape that baloney. And I agree with Chris: You'll never have time when you're exempt from getting skunked. There's too much about fishing that depends on things other than your own ability.

[scottwil]

Thanks for the replies. I am a type A person. The toot (I am learning the lingo) was relaxing.

I will start with the wooly boogers, Elk Hair Caddis, Griffths Gnats.

Thanks again for taking time to reply

[Lil'Joe]

Of course you didn't catch a trout in the Toot...................there ain't nuthin in there but chubs, and they ain't that big http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/wink.gif

[FlyBy]

I fished the 'Toot this weekend for the first time also and managed two trout and two suckers in a couple of hours fishing. The trout were 6" and 13". All fish were caught using a Y2K bug.

Stick with it-it took me several excursions before I caught a fish. If you see another fisherman on the stream, respectfully approach him or her and ask the how they're luck is. If they seem receptive( which most fisherman are), then ask them what flies they're fishing and what technique they're using. One helpful fisherman got me over the hump at one particular stream, and I've had success there, and other places, ever since.

FlyBy

[Obtuse Angler]

After I posted that response, I thought about it and realized that it might sound like I thought your post was baloney or sounded like you were going through the same thing. If that's how it seemed, I'm sorry and didn't mean that. I only meant to say what fishing had done for me, and how it took pressure off me, rather than putting it on me.

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Regards,
Obtuse Angler
"The Charlie Daniels of the torque wrench"

[FairWeatherFisherman]

Scott,

This may sound over simplistic, but many times the trout aren't where you think they are. Until you spend time with another angler that can show you how to mend and get a drag free drift, one of the easier techniques is to let out some line and let your fly bob in the current. Just let out a little more line from time to time to cover a run. Time casting doesn't necessarily mean more catching. The fly has to be in the water to catch the fish.

[scottwil]

Fair weather, Thanks for your time and reply. You are right, I was trying to mend the line, but I was not very successful. The water was fast and I was not getting much of a float. Thanks again.

Scott
Woodstock, GA

[merganser]

Scottwil, I’m pretty much a novice flyfisherman. This can be pretty frustrating getting started, but if it was too difficult, you wouldn’t see so many folks on this board in love with the sport!

Here’s my 2 cents – 1) Keep an eye out on the “ Fishing Connection “ for an opportunity to hook up w/more experienced fishers. You can learn a ton from someone who can put you on some fish. I was pretty shy about doing that at first, but I have met some super folks 2) Some spots are better confidence builders than others. Smith’s Creek ( at Unicoi State Park ) is a good one. It’s tight – you will catch some trees – but it’s easy to wade and it seems to have plenty of fish. 3) Read this article if you haven’t already - http://www.flyfishsouth.com/forum/portal_articles.asp?catid=0&Title=Nymphs,%20and%20Why%20I%20Love%20To%20Fish%2 0Them&LinkID=53&expand=true&area=3
4) When fishing nymphs, I’m always surprised how many fish I catch just as I’m getting ready to lift my line to cast again !

Hang in there !

[Windknot]

Scott - FWF has given you some valuable advice that helps you get around the hardest-to-describe issue in nymphing:
How much slack is too much?

Just soak a Woolly Booger in an attractive pool and let the current do its thing. After you catch one (and you will catch one) you can begin learning the sport in earnest.
Don

[FlyAway]

Scottwil,
All the advice above is good. If you are nymphing or using Wooley Buggers, don't be in a hurry to put the fly out at the end of a drift. If you can get it to float/swim, in a current seam (where the swifter flow meets a slack water area or a gentler current), and you just let it set there a bit, you can almost always count on getting a bite. (assuming there are fish in the river to begin with).

I am not the best FF'er on this board (far from it) http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif but, once the Hootch comes back to normal, hollar at me and I'll take you to some of my favorite places at IF and get you hooked into a few. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

Tight lines,
Jim

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I am a big proponent of catch-and-release. Well, you know, I would be if I could ever catch.

- Rich Tosches

[scottwil]

Thanks for the offer Fly Away, I am going got take you up on the offer to have you take me to Hootch. Please drop me a line when you are going and would not mind the company of a beginner.

Thanks

[FlyAway]

ScottWil,
I'll drop you an email when I get the chance to go....it may be awhile though...I'm doing this crazy commute thing from Atl to Orlando and back every week for awhile..(don't ask, it's a long story). http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif
Between travel, rain, and generation, I haven't been on the lower Hootch for about a month now. I'm hoping that I'll be able to get out this coming Sat.

in the meantime, Tight Lines,
Jim


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I am a big proponent of catch-and-release. Well, you know, I would be if I could ever catch.

- Rich Tosches

[Josh Barnett]

Scottwill,

Starting off on the Toot was probably not the best river to begin your fly fishing experience. Look for a local guide (Jimmy Harris- Unicoi Outfitter for instance) that has lot's of experience on the river. Also look for a guide that has a good reputation. Knowledge and goodness in a guide can make all the difference. Trust me.

As to what flies you should use: as my uncle 123Chris noted the Woolly Booger is probably THE BEST fly to start off with, and even after many years I still begin my day using a woolly booger unless their is a noticable hatch or have information on what to use. After using the woolly booger the next step would be to either try a hare's ear nymph, or a pheasant tail nymph. Working with nymphs ( AKA nymphing ) is a bit more difficult than using a woolly booger, however it can prove to be a much more pleasing experience at times. Next go for the dry fly, find out something about your local hatches, and what time to fish what. For instance using a caddisfly in June would be a good choice.

Last but not least I would try using a midge, such as the Griffith's Gnat, or any other reputable midge.

I hope that this information helps. If you would like a Fly Starter Kit, e-mail me- I sell these. It comes with the basic flies and all.

JoshB



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Joshua Trey Barnett
Back Porch Fly Co.

4293 New Kings Bridge Rd.
Nicholson, Georgia 30565

1-706-354-8500
caddisfly08@yahoo.com
www.joshbarnett.dot.nu
www.expage.com/ngtf