The Fool is Officially Converted!

Spinning Fool · 12-28-02, 10:23 AM

Well, I asked as a joke but actually received my first fly-fishing outfit for Christmas!

It's a 3-weight and small reel from Cabela's. I got some WF line on there and have been goofing around in the backyard... let's see where this goes!

Anyway, I thought since all of NGTO has been so awesome helping me out over the year or so of my "uneducated spin fishing," we could start a good thread here:

What was the most valuable / genuinely applicable piece of advice you got as a beginner? This could be techniques, tricks, know-how, etc...?

Thanks! Look foward to learning from the best.

-Ken

Banker In Space · 12-28-02, 11:05 AM

The most valuable info I received and could offer...Spend some $ and invest in some instruction. Hard habits are hard to break! Learn right, the first time. I also obtain an inexpensive line for use in the yard, etc. Hope this helps.

BRAZ · 12-28-02, 11:55 AM

Get on the water as often as possible.

Think of what you want to do before you do it, then try to do it.

When frustrated, take a break, breathe deep , and start again.

No fly is too ugly.

BRAZ

[This message has been edited by BRAZ (edited 12-28-2002).]

Jah Live! · 12-28-02, 12:34 PM

Commit your first few catches to memory. "How, where, why, what and when?" Remember these things after every catch and use them in the future.

Also, the fish are usually a LOT closer than you may think. No need to throw to your backing. 90% of the fish I catch are within 30 feet.

One more thing....learn to MEND!

Jah Live!

Green Guy · 12-28-02, 01:11 PM

Get to the Shallow Water Fishing Expo and watch and listen to Lefty. The best thing I ever did.

JerryC · 12-28-02, 07:52 PM

Watch your backcast. What your line does behind you is as important as what it does in front of you. Also it will keep you out of the trees well. Eventually you will get the feel and will not need to 'watch' your backcast.

ICHTHUS · 12-28-02, 10:31 PM

It's not a spinning rod. The hardest thing for me to learn was not to try to get power by reaching way back and throwing way forward. Keep that stick high to begin with, between 1:30 and 10 o'clock. The power is in the timing and letting the equipment work the way it's designed too.
The advice to spend the money and take a formal lesson, for at least the basics, is advice I wish I had received and heeded. It would have saved a lot of hours of frustration.
Congrats on the new toy. Let us know how it goes.

Ich

GUTHOOKED · 12-29-02, 12:50 AM

Given the type of water you usually fish, I would offer this. Look beyond standard casting techniques and do WHATEVER you must do to get your fly where you need it. A little creative casting can put alot of fish on the end of your line. Show me a new brookie stream sometime and I'll demonstrate a little.

fishnpreacher · 12-29-02, 09:42 AM

Invest in a good line for fishing and a cheaper line for practice, then get hooked up with some of these dudes from around here and go fishing. Watch and learn. Each person will have a distinct style. Develope yours, but make sure you have the fundamentals down right.
When practicing, one thing that helped me was to let my backcast fall to the ground, lay my rod down and check my line to see if it was straightening before I forward cast. I had a problem in overpowering, and the line showed recoil and my timing was off. The backcast tells as much as a forward cast.

------------------
I can do all things through Christ <bill><

soddy · 12-29-02, 11:45 AM

Guthooked...you talkin' about the "slingshot" trick? That's the only unorthodox method I'm familiar with. Be interested in knowing some others, though.

soddy

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12-28-02, 10:23 AM	#1
Spinning Fool Native Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marietta, GA, USA Posts: 295	Well, I asked as a joke but actually received my first fly-fishing outfit for Christmas! It's a 3-weight and small reel from Cabela's. I got some WF line on there and have been goofing around in the backyard... let's see where this goes! Anyway, I thought since all of NGTO has been so awesome helping me out over the year or so of my "uneducated spin fishing," we could start a good thread here: What was the most valuable / genuinely applicable piece of advice you got as a beginner? This could be techniques, tricks, know-how, etc...? Thanks! Look foward to learning from the best. -Ken

12-28-02, 11:05 AM	#2
Banker In Space Native Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Macon, GA 31210 Posts: 426	The most valuable info I received and could offer...Spend some $ and invest in some instruction. Hard habits are hard to break! Learn right, the first time. I also obtain an inexpensive line for use in the yard, etc. Hope this helps.

12-28-02, 11:55 AM	#3
BRAZ Native Join Date: May 2000 Location: LILBURN,GA,USA Posts: 283	Get on the water as often as possible. Think of what you want to do before you do it, then try to do it. When frustrated, take a break, breathe deep , and start again. No fly is too ugly. BRAZ [This message has been edited by BRAZ (edited 12-28-2002).]

12-28-02, 12:34 PM	#4
Jah Live! Native Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, GA USA Posts: 743	Commit your first few catches to memory. "How, where, why, what and when?" Remember these things after every catch and use them in the future. Also, the fish are usually a LOT closer than you may think. No need to throw to your backing. 90% of the fish I catch are within 30 feet. One more thing....learn to MEND! Jah Live!

12-28-02, 01:11 PM	#5
Green Guy Native Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Smyrna, Georgia, Cobb Posts: 68	Get to the Shallow Water Fishing Expo and watch and listen to Lefty. The best thing I ever did.

12-28-02, 07:52 PM	#6
JerryC Native Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 184	Watch your backcast. What your line does behind you is as important as what it does in front of you. Also it will keep you out of the trees well. Eventually you will get the feel and will not need to 'watch' your backcast.

12-28-02, 10:31 PM	#7
ICHTHUS Native Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Mcdonough Ga Posts: 989	It's not a spinning rod. The hardest thing for me to learn was not to try to get power by reaching way back and throwing way forward. Keep that stick high to begin with, between 1:30 and 10 o'clock. The power is in the timing and letting the equipment work the way it's designed too. The advice to spend the money and take a formal lesson, for at least the basics, is advice I wish I had received and heeded. It would have saved a lot of hours of frustration. Congrats on the new toy. Let us know how it goes. Ich

12-29-02, 12:50 AM	#8
GUTHOOKED Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Shady Dale, GA Posts: 1,462	Given the type of water you usually fish, I would offer this. Look beyond standard casting techniques and do WHATEVER you must do to get your fly where you need it. A little creative casting can put alot of fish on the end of your line. Show me a new brookie stream sometime and I'll demonstrate a little.

12-29-02, 09:42 AM	#9
fishnpreacher Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Just this side of Heaven Posts: 4,652	Invest in a good line for fishing and a cheaper line for practice, then get hooked up with some of these dudes from around here and go fishing. Watch and learn. Each person will have a distinct style. Develope yours, but make sure you have the fundamentals down right. When practicing, one thing that helped me was to let my backcast fall to the ground, lay my rod down and check my line to see if it was straightening before I forward cast. I had a problem in overpowering, and the line showed recoil and my timing was off. The backcast tells as much as a forward cast. ------------------ I can do all things through Christ <bill><

12-29-02, 11:45 AM	#10
soddy Native Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Warner Robins Posts: 132	Guthooked...you talkin' about the "slingshot" trick? That's the only unorthodox method I'm familiar with. Be interested in knowing some others, though. soddy