My first trip to the Blue River, Oklahoma 11-10-12

The catch and release zone of the Blue River

I only recently learned of the Blue River from a friend of mine that lives in the Tulsa area. I was very intrigued, because "The Lady Blue" as those that love this river call it. Is only 100 miles from my driveway here in Denton,TX. The prospect of being able to chase trout so close to home got my blood pumping!  A little bit of research and I learned that it's only a Fall and Winter designated trout fishery with Rainbow Trout being stocked between November 1st  and March 31st. However, it is home to scrappy Smallmouth,Spotted Bass, Largemouth, Crappie, Catfish, and various panfish all year round. 

I had a difficult time finding any detailed information about fly fishing the Blue. Oh sure, there is a lot of general information. What flies work well, where you can find lodging etc, but I was looking for more specifics about where I could access the river. Where the catch and release section that people kept talking about was.How do I get  to the catch and release section of the river? Specifics like those I was unable to find easily. There just isn't a lot of helpful information readily available for a first timer to the Blue.

The Blue River Oklahoma webpage provides some good general information, but doesn't have any maps, and seems to be geared more towards someone familiar with the area.
For example, in the camping tab the descriptions of the camping areas are extremely vague. Like where it talks about camping area #1. "Area 1 runs downstream from Hughes Crossing and is one mile long"  If you have no idea where "Hughes Crossing" is, that's not much help. 

I found the most helpful information in a Yahoo group called The Blue River Fly Fishers     It is a closed group, and you have to have a Yahoo account to join. I had to dig a little to find them, but it was well worth it! The members there are very helpful and knowledgeable about fly fishing the Blue. They provided me with three maps, and gave me detailed instructions on how to get down to the river. They also answered my question about where the catch and release section is, and how to get to it. I learned from them that the river had been stocked with Rainbow Trout on 11/5 and 11/7 in anticipation of the "Trout Derby" going on Veterans Day weekend. 

I would have preferred to be able to find the information I was after just posted somewhere instead of having to post a question and wait for answers. Maybe I've become spoiled by the great webpages and forums chocked full of info that some of the other places that I fish have written about them.
In the end though, I found what I needed, and was excited about my first trip to the Blue!                          

So, with an excellent weather forecast for Veterans Day weekend. I made my way North on Hwy 377 Friday after work. The Blue River is located just North of Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Here are the exact coordinates From Google maps to the parking areas of the river that you can use with your GPS.   34.361915,-96.588753  Direct link to Google maps page here 

A few things I learned: 

If you plan on staying overnight. The choices are limited. I ended up staying at the Western Inn just off of 377 in Tishomongo. It wasn't fancy, but served the purpose, and was cheap at $65.83 including tax. 

There is no local fly shop. So, you need to hit your home fly shop before you head toward the Blue if you need to stock up on flies leaders etc.   

If you need to buy an Oklahoma fishing license the only place in Tishomongo that you can get one is the lumber yard. They don't open until 8 AM on Saturdays. So, my bright and early start on Saturday was delayed about an hour. I had to drive 13 miles back to Madill Oklahoma to buy one at Wal-Mart. If you're coming from DFW I recommend stopping in Madill on your way to Tishomongo and buying yours if you need one. Or just buy one on online. I'm cheap so I wasn't willing to pay the three bucks they charge you to buy one online. So, instead I ended up spending probably ten dollars in gas driving back to Madill Saturday morning! So, after this little side adventure I was finally headed to the river!

Finally on to the fishing!

My destination was the catch and release section of the river. I had learned as I mentioned earlier that there was a trout derby going on. I didn't want my first trip to the Blue to be during a crowded trout derby. So, since the derby was not being held in the catch and release area that's where I headed. Coming out of Tishomongo on 377 North you take a right on Hwy 7 East. The first parking area you come to is on your left, and is referred to as "The West Parking Corral".    

 From the West Parking Corral there is a trail that leads to the catch and release section of the Blue River.Indicated in red on the map above. The trail is wide,mowed, and very easy walking. It's 1.7 miles from the parking corral to the river. So, it's a good 30-45 minute hike depending on how fast you walk. The trail "Y's" three times. You need to take the right fork the first time, the left fork the second time, which thankfully, there is a sign pictured below. Then left again at the final "Y"

   
 The catch and release zone is very easy wading and at very wide section of the river. 

I met a fellow fly fisherman on the trail and he told me that all of the trout stocking had been done below the catch and release zone for the trout derby. He also told me that the catch and release hadn't been stocked for quite a while. I can confirm this, because I fished the catch an release zone from 8 am until 2 pm, and never saw a trout.  I did catch almost three dozen spotted bass however. Which was great fun! 

  

 

 I caught the first half dozen bass on a beadhead olive flashback wooly bugger with sparkle chenille size 12. I had  unbelievable success though on an olive Near Deere tied on a 1/80 oz. jig hook. I have heard that the Near Deere is deadly on trout, but have yet to have chance to try it. I can report however that bass go nuts for it! There was a point where everytime I cast this fly a fish took it. Even when I just flipped my line out to side to take a step or reposition I got strikes! 

Although I was slightly disappointed in not getting to catch any rainbows I still had a great time. I plan on returning to the Blue River soon, and fishing some of the other sections of the river. One of the great guys from Blue River Fly Fishers sent me this awesome map below the other day. It details the different sections,parking, and trails along the Blue.I wish I would have had it with me on this trip! So I'm posting it here for my readers. Feel free to save and print this map.

          
 Fly selection for the Blue River

I had success on a Olive Wooly Bugger and an Olive Near Deere.

Other flies that work well according to the Blue River Fly Fishers

#16 Beadhead Hares Ear	Dead drift under Strike Out indicator
#16 Elk Hair Caddis	March - When Caddis drys are hatching
Bead Head Zug Bug	January
Bead head squirrel	early spring
Flash Back-Pheasant Tail-Bead Head	all season
Olive Damsel Marabou with red glass bead thorax	last half of last season
Olive Flashback Nymph	March
Olive Mohair Conehead Mini Leech	February
Prince Nymph-Bead Head	Winter, especially good Jan & Feb

 I hope you enjoyed reading, and I hope to post another report from the Blue soon!

Tight Lines!

Shawn

Why I fly fish

Henry Winkler said it best when he said,  "The River is like a washing machine for my brain."   

That sums up why I fly fish in a nutshell. I started fly fishing in 1999. However, I didn't really get heavily into it until 2001-2002. I was going through a nasty divorce at the time with the mother of my two kids. She played all of the dirty tricks that heartless, immature women play in this situation.  She kept the kids from me when it was my time to visit them. She told the kids that I was a bad man, and that  "Daddy didn't love them anymore." You name it, she did it. So, I was constantly in court trying to fight for my visitation rights and to stay in their lives.

The only time that it wasn't on my mind 24/7  eating me alive. Was when I was on the water with my line tight. So, when it wasn't my weekend. I'd go fly fishing. When it was supposed to be my weekend and I couldn't get them for visitation. I'd especially go fly fishing. Needless to say, I kept the road hot between my home in Plano,TX and the Lower Mountain Fork River in Oklahoma.

I've tried to explain to many people the peace that fly fishing gives me. The just complete inner and outer calm that comes over me. It's hard to convey in words. I will say that if I hadn't discovered it right before such a difficult time in my life. I truly don't know if I would have made it though that awful period with my sanity intact. 

I've never felt closer to nature or God then when I'm in the river. No church experience has ever come close. Just being waist deep in the river. Feeling the power of the water moving against me. Having a fish hooked up, feeling it's strength as it fights to free itself. These are the things that I've tried and failed to explain to people when they ask me the question,"so why do you fly fish?"  Some still just can't understand that those Rainbows and Browns were and still are the only therapists I need.  

It was during one of my frequent trips to the Lower Mountain River during that difficult time. That I was just struck by a sudden and strong feeling that everything was going to be alright. I was fishing pretty far down into Zone 2 of the river watching two Crane fight over a smallish trout one had caught. When a light rain began to fall. It was there standing waist deep in the water. Watching that light rain pepper the surface of the water. When I knew that everything regarding my kids would be ok.

I'm happy to report that everything did in fact work itself out. To some degree at least. My son actually lives with myself and my new wife. Who is nothing short of an angel from heaven. He is 13 now. A straight "A's" honors student, and a three sport athlete. Baseball,football, and basketball. I say that things worked out to some degree, because my and my daughters relationship was forever damaged by my ex-wife's attempts at brainwashing and alienation from me. I see her now at least, but visits are spotty. I chalk some of that up to the fact she's a 15 year old too.

So, when stress at work gets to be too much. Or, I just need a "therapy session" I grab a fly rod and head to the water. Anyway..........that's "why I fly fish", and why I named this blog "Cast Your Cares Away", because that's literally what I feel like I do.


Tight Lines!

Shawn                 

Lower Mountain Fork River/Beavers Bend State Park Fly Selection Guide

I found this posted on the Beavers Bend Fly Shop Forum, and thought it was too valuable not to share here. If you're planning a trip to the Lower Mountain Fork River in Southeastern Oklahoma, this is essential information. I have it as a Word document as well, and if you contact me at castyourcaresaway@gmail.com  I'll be more than happy to email this list to you.  

This, along with A First Timer's Guide to the Lower Mountain Fork River by Untamed Outdoors, and you'll be set for your trip!                  

         Lower Mountain Fork River Fly Selection Guide
 

FLY PATTERNS THAT CATCH FISH YEAR ROUND:

Near Deere
Bead Head Pheasant Tails (Size: 14-18)
Hares Ear (Size: 14-18)
Orange Soft Hackles (Size: 16-18)
Red Hackles (Size: 16-18)
Bead Headed Wollybuggers (Colors: Olive, White, Black, Rust) (Size: 10-20, I like Big WB’S)
Black Midges (Size: 12-22)
Red Midges (Size: 12-22)
Blue Winged Olive (Size:16-22)
Sulpher (Size: )
Cahill (Size: 18-22)
San Juan Worm

Patterns more specific to the season, hatches etc:

January:

Hatches: Baetis, Blue Winged Olive, Light Cahill, Midge
Flies to use: Pheasant tails, Red Fox Squirrel, San Juan worm, Egg Patterns, Griffiths Gnat, Adult Caddis, Emergers


February:

Hatches: Mayflies, Midges, March Brown
Flies to use: March Browns, Bead Headed Black and Red Midges (size 12-14), San Juan worms, egg patterns, Griffiths gnat, CDC, Emerger Patterns, Soft hackle

March:

Hatches: Blue winged Olive, Midges
Wet Flies to use: Soft Hackle, Copper Johns, Pheasant Tails, Egg patterns, Red Fox squirrels, crane fly 

Dry Flies to use: Griffiths Gnats, Hares Ears, March Brown (mayfly), Blue Winged Olive (mayfly)
Flies to use: Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Adams, Thread Midges, and Caddis Pupae Flies, Soft Hackles, Midges, Hares ears, Pheasant tails, Prince nymphs


April:

Hatches: Flying Ants, Caddis, Mayflies, Crane flies, Midges
Flies to use: Red Soft Hackle, Elk Hair Caddis, Midges, Ants,

May:

Hatches: Baetis, Beetles ,Blue Winged Olive, Brown Caddis, March Brown ,Tan Caddis
Wet flies (nymphs) to use: Cream Colored Soft Hackles, Nymphs, Adam Parachutes 12-16, Hare's ear Nymphs, Elk hair caddis
Dry flies to use: CDC Caddis and CDC Mayfly Emergers, EHC, Adam Parachutes


June:

Hatches: Mayfly, PMD's, Sulphurs
Flies to use: Grasshoppers, Ants, Midges, Mayflies, Caddis

July:

Hatches: Mayflies, Midges
Flies to use: Copper Johns, Griffiths Gnats, EHC, Ants, Griffiths Gnats, Soft Hackles, Hoppers, Soft Hackles

August:

Hatches: Midge, Hexagenia, Caddis, Mayflies, Mosquitoes
Dry Flies: Caddis and Mayflies (including dry, emergers, and cripples)
Flies to use: Soft Hackles, Midges, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, Small Mayfly Imitations, Caddis Pupae, Emergers



September:

Hatches: PMD/s, BWO's Yellow Sally, Grass Hoppers and Katy-Dids, Hexagenia Mayflies
Wet flies (nymphs) to use: Green Bead Head Caddis Nymph imitations in about size 14-16, Egg patterns, San Juan Worm, Various Soft Hackles, Light Cahill, Grasshopper, Ant, Hex Nymph
Dry flies to use: Stimulators on a size 10 hook, Elk hair Caddis, Hex

October:

Hatches: Caddis, Grey Mayflies, Blue Quills Blue Winged Olives Midges, Sulfurs
Flies to use: Miracle Midge, Zebra Midge, Egg Patterns, San Juan Worm

November:

Hatches: Small Tan Caddis, Small Black Caddis, Midges
Flies to use: Thread Midges, Caddis Emergers, spiders, Copper John, Egg Patterns, San Juan Worms

December:

Hatches: Black Caddis, Blue Winged Olives (mayfly) and Midges.
Flies to use: Emergers, Caddis, Mayfly, Midges, Egg patterns
Dry flies to use: Griffiths Gnat, Blue Winged Olive, Black Caddis

I hope you've found this useful,

Tight Lines!

Shawn

Lucky fishing hats,lucky shoes, and NO CAMERAS PLEASE!!

Do you have a lucky fishing hat? What about a pair of lucky boxers that keep you from getting skunked? I'll admit it, I am very superstitious when it comes to my fishing. I think I've gotten better over the years, but I'm still hanging on to a few good luck charms! 

My lucky "fishing hat" (I have other lucky hats for other things which is why I specify "fishing hat").  Is an olive SIMMS long billed cap that I purchased in 2005. It's old,it's faded,my sweat has bleached the color out of it, and.......it kinda smells.  However, I ALWAYS catch fish when I wear it! Maybe not always monsters, and maybe sometimes only one or two, but I've never been skunked while wearing it. So, if you're cruising around my usual fishing haunts, and you see a guy in an olive hat that looks like it needs to be thrown away. Say hi! It's probably me!   

Up until recently I never took a camera with me when I'd go fishing. People always ask me,"how come you don't have more pictures of you holding fish?" Well it's simple, I believed that taking a camera along was a guarantee that I would get skunked! When I first started I always had a camera at the ready, and then one day I forgot it. I had the most amazing day ever! I landed 42 trout on the Lower Mountain Fork River in Oklahoma that day. Four of them were over 20 inches! 

So, as a result I logically surmised that cameras were bad ju ju, and stopped bringing one along...EVER! I figured that I was fishing for my enjoyment anyway. Not to have a  bunch of pictures to show other people. I gotta admit though, there have been more than a few fish over the years that I wish I had pictures of. 

My wife Tracy gets the credit for helping me overcome my aversion to fishing photography. Partly because she is a very talented amateur photographer, and partly because she wants to see pictures of the trips she isn't able to join me on. If you see pictures on this blog that are awesome. I promise you she took them. If you see pictures that look like our dog got hold of the camera, and started chewing on it. Repeatedly biting down on the shutter button........then well.....I took those. 

Our girl Sammi

 
Anyway, Tracy convinced me recently that cameras really don't generate a force field that keeps fish away from me. So, I'm hoping to have more pictures of some fine fish on here soon. 


Regular readers of this blog know that my father in law passed away last November. He was a very talented fly fisherman, and one of the best all around men I have ever had the pleasure of having in my life. During our recent trip to western North Carolina this past August. I went on a float trip with my father in law's favorite guide, Ollie Smith of Blue Ridge Anglers.  

As we were gathering our gear to head out and meet Ollie. We came across a yellow waterproof bag, and inside were my father in law's lucky fishing shoes! To say that these shoes are worn out is being too kind. They're all white Reeboks (well, at least they used to be all white) with the soles hanging loose and flopping. Silver duct tape has been applied to them more than once. They are by no stretch of the imagination safe footwear anymore, but my father in law hung on to them. Everyone that he fished with knew about his lucky shoes. 

When Ollie saw the yellow bag he asked, "Are those ugly shoes in there?!" It gave us all a good laugh. We even thought about burying the shoes on the bank of the Watauga, but decided that my brother in law should be there for that. So, we may do it next trip.


I hope you enjoyed reading and leave comments about your lucky fishing stuff and rituals. I'd love to read them!


Tight Lines!

Shawn            

Respecting Private Property and Landowners When Fishing

The Watauga River

  
I was very saddened this week to hear of the closing of public access to some of the delayed harvest trout water along the Watauga River in North Carolina. The private land owners in this part of the river have always allowed anglers on their property. However, they say they have been forced to make this move due to abuse of their properties by activities other than angling. The stretch of river now closed runs from  Shull Mills rd. downstream to a parking area close to the intersection of N.C. 105 and Old Shull Mills rd. Since there is no more public access, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will not stock it with trout this fall. 

The full news article can be found here 

This is an ongoing problem not just in North Carolina, but everywhere. The sad thing is that a few disrespectful, immature people can ruin a good thing for all of the others that show the proper respect for someone else's property. 

When allowed access to private lands and waters please treat the property as if it were your own. 

1. Clean up and pack out all trash.
2. Be careful with campfires and cigarettes, and observe all burn bans! 
3. Don't play loud music since someone's home may be nearby.
4. Remember to close any gates you open behind you! The quickest way to pissing off a landowner is to let their cattle or horses out!
5. If a gate is open, leave it open. They have it open for a reason.
6. Don't  harass any livestock, or other animals on the property.
7. Behave like a grownup, don't shout profanities,talk loudly,or relieve yourself out in the open. Remember, someone might be living nearby. You wouldn't want your kids hearing or seeing that!  
8. This SHOULD go without saying,but sadly most folks don't do this. If you see the landowner while there....say Thank You!

Following these simple guidelines will insure that YOU are not the one that makes the landowner decide to lock their gates, and put up no trespassing signs. 




Tight Lines!

Shawn   
       

Are you a fly fishing minimalist, or a full blown gear geek who has to have every piece of gear imaginable?

My first fly fishing trip for trout was in the summer of 1999. I went up to the Little Red River in Arkansas, and spent three long days fishing and caught one 12 inch brown trout. To say it was a learning experience is an understatement. Much to my chagrin the one twenty minute casting class that I had taken at Bass Pro Shops, and practicing a few times in the grass. Did not make me an effective enough caster to catch very many trout. I also learned that while it's a good idea to invest in quality gear(I didn't). It's more about the angler themselves than what brand of rod they're using.


So, there I was at the public access area behind the dam on the Little Red. With my beginners "Hobbs Creek" fly rod and reel kit from Bass Pro with the neon orange fly line. My hip boot waders, a box of the wrong flies,too large of a leader tied on, and a ton of cheap vest tools and zingers all over my very cheap vest. The world record brown trout at the time had been caught on the Little Red by Rip Collins. It was a 40 pounder caught in 1992, and I was going to break Rip's record!    

First cast--the fly might have gone the length of my rod.
Second cast--well that's not far enough, let's false cast a few times and go!.....zoink....in a tree behind me.   
Third cast--Ok, concentrate now, oh wow! Pretty good! Not at all where I was aiming but ok.
Fourth cast--Knocked off my own hat.

So, as you can imagine after doing this for a while and having to take thirty minutes to untangle the worst mess ever. I decided that maybe I should move downriver and try to find someplace no one could see me. Instead I decided it would be a good idea to watch some of the other fly fisherman close by. 

There were two in my viewing range. The first was a guy probably in his mid thirties that was decked out in a lot of very,very nice and expensive looking gear. The second was an older gentleman wet wading without waders and not even a vest. Since I thought that the first guy MUST know what he's doing to have all of that awesome gear. I focused in on him. He wasn't casting at the moment so I approached him and introduced myself. His first words to me after hello were to ask me what kind of rod I was using. I sheepishly showed him my Hobbs Creek, and he proudly brandished his Sage. 

He had on a water resistant felt fedora hat. The most expensive vest Orvis sold at the time (I only knew that because I had drooled over it in their catalog). Simms Guide series waders,fingerless gloves(did I mention it was July?),tons of zingers on his vest. Both straight and curved hemostats,knot tying tool,leader straightener,two clippers, and one zinger was stretched in his right hand which was in the water. When I asked him what he was doing he pulled his hand up from beneath the surface of the river and told me it was a thermometer. He then educated me on the fact that if the water temp is too high, trout become sluggish and won't feed. He went on to say that must be why he wasn't catching anything. Did I mention we were about 500 yards from the dam, and the water was cold as hell?  

Anyway, I thought how lucky I was to have found such an expert fly fisherman to learn from! He went on "teaching" me about fly fishing. Although his teaching revolved more around what I NEEDED to buy than any useful fishing tips. I thanked this nice gentleman for his time and went back to thrashing the river myself.  

I watched him for the remainder of the day, and saw him again and again during my trip at different parts of the river. During all of this time I never saw him catch a single trout. So, I thought, "wow if an expert like him is getting skunked then I don't feel so bad!"     

On the final day of my trip I took to the water again. I still hadn't caught a single trout at that point.I mean it was bad. I had at least gone to the local Orvis dealer there in Heber Springs and bought some beadhead sowbugs which are the go to fly on the Little Red. The nice gentleman that helped me at the Orvis shop took pity on me, and actually took me out to the parking lot for a free casting lesson. He showed me how to stop knocking my own hat off, and how to cast further than I could piss. He was a super nice guy, he even sat down and showed me how to tie the beadhead sowbug. I wish I could remember his name. I also wish that I had listened to him on hiring him as guide. I would have accelerated my fly fishing education tremendously, and would have probably caught more than one trout.  

I went back to public access area behind the dam again on that final day. There standing in the water again was the older gentleman that I had seen on the first day. Still with no waders on and no vest. He was catching trout after trout! I was amazed! I watched him for some time, and then he headed out of the water close to where  I was. I approached him and started asking him how he was catching all those trout. He simply said,"Olive Wooly Bugger." I then told him that he could cast really well, an asked how he learned. He answered, "I taught myself, just trial and error." I then asked about his rod. He told me it was a "Wal-Mart special"  A beginner's fly rod and reel kit in a box that he had bought at his local Wal-Mart. He then told me the story about how he had left it on top of his truck the week before and had ran over it, breaking the top piece. No sweat, he just went to the Wal-Mart there in Heber Springs and found another cheap rod that the piece fit his. Then it was back to fishing.

I thanked him, and he was on his way. I walked down onto the water and stood there for a while just thinking. I realized in that moment that gear. What kind or how much, has very little to do with being a good fly fisherman. It takes time,and practice to perfect a good cast. It takes time and study to learn how to present flies properly.  I also learned that for whatever reason. Having the right attitude about fishing will help you catch more fish. I can't explain it, but it's a fact.

I went on that afternoon, and FINALLY caught that ONE trout. No, not on an Olive Wooly Bugger. It was on one of those bead head sowbugs, but I was just glad to finally land one. 

I hope you enjoyed reading,

Tight Lines!

Shawn                               

Sometimes we forget........

Little fish are better than no fish, and fishing a small pond is better than not getting to fish at all.

I've been super busy lately with my son's baseball team, and taking time to romance my wife. I took her to see a production of Grease at Casa Manana Theater in Ft. Worth Saturday night that she enjoyed immensely. That I haven't had much chance to grab a rod and fling some flies at fish. 

So, Sunday evening I headed over to the pond on my in laws property where we have caught some very nice largemouth bass in the past. Grasshoppers abound in our area lately, and it was a little windy so I tied on what has become my go to Bass pattern. A Green foam grasshopper tied on a size 8 hook. First cast I rolled it out past the weed beds, and the grasshopper hit the water with a realistic "plunk". I let it float for about a second when this nice Bluegill tried to inhale it.

          
It continued like this for quite a while cast-catch,cast-catch. I had a good time although I really didn't catch anything of any real size. I think that sometimes we get so caught up in the hunt for the next big fish. That we forget what it was like to be a kid and have a blast landing easy little fish after easy fish. I also think a common mistake people make when they first introduce someone to fly fishing. Is that they take them out after trout the first time when they should be learning on easy to catch bass and panfish.

As I mentioned earlier we have caught some really nice bass out of this pond. My father in law landed a 12 pounder out of there once. The drought conditions that we have been in the past few years has really taken a toll on our little pond however. We haven't seen a nice bass in quite some time. I did land some tiny ones. Maybe we'll get some good rainfall this fall and they'll grow up. 

    
The fishing related highlight of my Sunday was stopping by Cabela's and picking up ANOTHER new fly rod! I decided to jump back on the Temple Fork Outfitters bandwagon and I selected one of their Pro Series II 4wt's. I can't wait to go harass some trout with it! I'll be hitting the Lower Mountain Fork river at least twice this fall/winter, and the Brazos in December when they stock the Rainbows. So, I'll be using this rod quite a bit.   

    
Tight Lines!

Shawn
   

The Common Sense Guide to Finding and Fishing With a Guide Part 2

I titled this the "common sense guide", but you would be surprised at how many people don't know, or do know and just don't practice the things I write about here. 

Part 2

Advice and proper etiquette while with your guide

 

Ok, so you've followed all the steps in part 1 and booked a trip with the guide of your choice. Now you might have some questions, especially if this is your first guided trip. Or, maybe you've fished with a lot of guides and have been committing some serious etiquette blunders without even knowing it.  Either way, read on, and I will give you some tips that should help you have the best trip possible. As well as making sure the guide enjoys the day with you as well.

Be on Time!

Your guide will have worked out beforehand where they want you to meet them the morning of your trip. Maybe it's spot where they launch their drift boat. It might be the fly shop, or a parking lot. Wherever it is, be on time! Remember, your guide is a professional. Respect the guides time just like you want your time to be respected. You're paying a lot of money for this, so why be late? People do it all the time, and I just don't get it. 

Your guide has probably either pre-fished the water they're going to take you on Or, has been on it with other clients the day before. So, he or she has a plan about where they're going to start you out. How much time to spend fishing each hole at what time of day. As well as back up spots if the fish just aren't biting in those locations. If you're late you may throw their whole plan for the day out of whack. Or they might not get you to all the spots that they wanted to take you to. Either way it might result in less fish caught for you.   

Keep in mind that your guide wants you to catch a crapload of fish just as badly as you do. They need you to tell your friends about the awesome guide you went with and caught 55 Rainbow Trout and 18 Browns. That's how they make their living. By positive word of mouth advertising. If you do something that causes you to catch less fish. Chances are you'll forget to mention that part when telling your friends about your trip.   

Being on time means on time. Not super early either. Your guide might have something they need to do on their drift boat before you arrive. They might need to run into the store that you're meeting in front of to grab something for your shore lunch. If so, then it's going to make them feel uncomfortable if you show up 45 minutes early, and are waiting on them. 

"I've fished here and there and caught this and that" 

Your guide has heard more fish stories, and has probably forgotten more about fly fishing than you'll ever know. So, don't try to impress them by making yourself out to be the second coming of Lefty Kreh. 

Listen to what your guide is telling you

If your guide tells you to cast to a certain spot....do it! Even if you can't see the fish that they see. Your guide has trained, experienced eyes, and will see fish where you can't a lot of the time. A perfect example of why this is important is fly fishing for Bonefish. Bonefish are often called "ghost fish" because they blend in so well with their surroundings. It's pretty much impossible to even see, much less catch Bonefish on a fly without an experienced guide to locate them for you, and telling you exactly where to cast the fly.Unless you have plenty of experience doing it yourself.    

Your guide may tell you not to wade through a certain spot in a trout stream. Probably because there's a spawning bed there. Please heed advice like this. More baby trout mean more big trout for your fellow fly fisherman to catch later on. Or, they might just know that there's a big drop off that you're about to step into and fill your waders up.

If your guide tells you to strike.... do it! Even if you don't think the fish took your fly. Remember they want you to catch fish as badly as you do, and their trained eyes will see a take that you miss. 

If you're taking your first drift boat trip. Be sure to listen to your guide! When more than one fly fisherman is casting from a drift boat it's important to cast perpendicular to the boat. With the anglers paying close attention to when and where the other is casting.If not, you're going to spend the day tangling your lines together, but at least you'll provide a lot of entertainment to the other boats that may drift past you. Your guide will give instructions during your trip to help you avoid this.       

Be Teachable

One of the best things about spending the day with a guide in my opinion. Is the chance to get expert instruction.  A lot of guys have the attitude of "I just want to be shown where the fish are, I already know how to do the rest." That's the wrong mindset to have. I've learned a lot of things from every guide I've fished with. So, make sure to listen when you're guide wants to teach you something. Pay attention if they give you a demonstration on how to present a certain fly. If you just glaze over, or act like you know it all. Then your guide might think "well it's a waste of time to try to teach this guy anything", and it might keep them from bringing up something later that might really interest you and help you.  

If you're new to fly fishing hiring a guide is one of the smartest things you can do. For the instruction alone! It will greatly ease the learning curve on casting, knot tying, learning to the read the water, how to fish the different types of flies properly......and so on.

Every fly fisherman needs someone that knows what they're doing to look at their casting every now and then in my opinion.You can develop bad mechanics over time without even realizing it. A good knowledgeable guide is the perfect person to do that. Just like Major League hitters have a hitting coach there to let them know when they start to make mistakes or have bad mechanics with their swing. Don't let your ego get in the way of fishing better. 

Ok trip's over, do I tip the guide?

I always tip. I tip anyone that provides any kind of personal service, and I consider guiding to be a personal service. How much is up to you. If you feel that you received excellent service, then tip accordingly. 

If the service wasn't so good......well I'll leave that up to you. I tip anyway, because I believe in pay it forward. Plus, you never know maybe this guy or girl is just having a bad day. Maybe they just lost a loved one or found out their teenage daughter is pregnant. Who knows? Don't confuse a bad day's catch with poor service though. Sometimes fish just don't bite. Even in the best spots. So, don't punish your guide for it. 

Hope you enjoyed reading,

Tight lines!

Shawn