Is It about Practice, Or I am Doing Something Wrong?

[Phil Lilley]

Gosh- lots of great advice.

A guy along time ago put a small ad in Field and Stream. The ad simply said, "$1 for the greatest fishing tip ever". He got a bunch of dollar bills in the mail- and what did he send back? I note card with the words, "Keep you bait in the water".

The fun of it is the practice.

[Jeremy Hunt]

Hey Lost,

I read all the post and there is some good info that should help you in the future. I just have one more thing to add.

What I see happens to beginners is the "presentation" theory. It’s kind of like this.. lets just say you go in a local fly shop and they say this and that is working so you buy a few. That’s not to say you are going to know how to fish them or where the best place to fish them. You need to learn a little about how to read water so you will understand how you should present each fly to the fish in the proper water. If you really don’t know where or how the fly your fishing relates to the fish it can definitely hurt you on a lot of things.

One thing I read you talking about is the #10 split shot you were using. You need to ask yourself a few questions when you fish weight. How fast the current was you were fishing, and how deep it was for the size split shot. That always will be factor when fishing flies you need to get on the bottom. I try not to fish split unless I have to. I would rather weight my flies when tying them. Fishing in shallow water with little current or none I wouldn’t even add split shot. A good indication that you know you are fishing to heavy for that amount of current is if your fly is always catching bottom.

Another important thing you should know when fishing with an indicator is the “dead drift” I can’t emphasize this enough. This is where people can have a bad day on the river. When you are fishing a scud or any nymph pattern that lives under rocks etc. it is important to make sure it’s on the bottom. And when fishing you have to realize that your fly doesn’t sink to the bottom as soon as it lands on the water. Fishing split shot that is light will take longer for it to sink depending on how fast the water is. So ask yourself this… how long was your presentation when you’re drifting this in front of fish. I always have thought the longer the drift the more fish see it go by them. It is important to learn how to cast distance so you can cover more water with your flies and get longer drifts.

So here is an example of what I mean and I hope this make since. When you cast your line out, are you casting the fly line right in front of you across current and then mending your line to start your initial drift or are you casting up stream to get the fly to sink faster and have a longer drift after the fly sinks. If you cast across current you are not getting a long enough drift for a lot of fish to see it. I just think this helps your odds in the long run. We all know we have enough odds working against us every time we go fishing whether it is the wind or a bad knot day etc.

jh

[LostMyWife]

Hey Guys

Thanks for the information. I would bet that practice is the best thing at this point, but a few questions and comments have come to mind.

I understand mending the line.

I thought a #10 was the smallest split shot, or at least the smallest I have.

We cast at a 45 degree angle upstream.

I do not tie my own flys so I do buy them when I get to town. So I ned to ask for weighted flies.

My indicator was way too big and too far from the fly

I need to learn presentation on each fly that we use

There was very little current, a hig clear sky and warm temps all weekend.

The river seemed to be very low, but my experience is limited

We need to practice to get more distance

Should we use a weight forward line?

We need to get out a lot more than we have

We need to learn how to read the water, which means we need someone to show us how to do this.

All this comes down to practice, which is fine, because fishng beats work anytime.

Thanks guys

[Jeremy Hunt]

That's correct!

Buy a book on three things; Entomology, pattern book, and how to read water. That helps me everyday and you will find your self looking at these through out your fly fishing experiences I gaurantee it.

[rls1936]

Lost, also, I hesitate to say it here, but....try fishing outlet 2, I know, I know its unsporting, however it will get you some practice detecting strikes, setting the hook, landing fish and releasing unharmed. Being a converted bass fisherman, I had a hard time until I caught a quite a few and got the feel. While you are there, experiment with different hook-sets: ie. strip set, downstream sweep, etc. to see what works best. Once you get the hang of it move to other areas - worked for me. Try it early in the morning for less crowds. Consider it your driving range preparation before a round.

[LostMyWife]

Good Analogy

[FliTrap4]

As noted several times already, study, read and try it! A great site on the net that can help answer some of your questions (or cause new ones!) is http://www.ultimateflytying.com/

Check out the subsection titled "Articles" for how to's of casting and reading the river!

A nother great way to learn is to go on down to Taney with a good chair and watch some of the others out there for a while before fishing! Watch the methods that appear to be working. Maybe ask questions as some of the others are leaving the river! Most are willing to share ideas!

A most important thing to remember about waters like Taney....those fish have seen it all! Many of the trout have been caught repeatedly, each time being a learning experience for them! And the number of fly patterns that hit that water in a day or week!!!! Wow!

On those clear calm days, most all trout will be laying deeper and on the bottom! They are use to seeing waders and wait for stuff kicked up by wading fishers! While longer casting can help in some cases, another approach is to pitch a short line and get that fly to the bottom and as noted before, a longer drift! I'm not talking of fishing at your feet!!!!! Don't go there!!! But I am talking of a nymphing method that you'll follow the fly as it drifts by you! Its a method that is quickly learned if you can catch someone else fishing this way and it can be an active time when it works!

Another thing is to focus on a single area.... pick a type of water that is of interest to you and watch others as they work in that area! After a day on the river, look for articles that explain methods for that same type of water! Read and think back about your day! Maybe jot down some notes on a small pocket pad to cary with you! Add notes or questions that you realize while fishing and look for answers via the internet!

Less wading will mean less bothering the trout in an area!

Have fun!

FliTrap

[tippet7]

I meant Xink. Dont listen to what I write

[Growler]

Hey Lost,

I just read all the tips in the post, and these guys really know what they're talking about.

My two cents worth of suggestion would be to spend time with someone who is experienced with fishing Taneycomo. You've made alot of friends here on this site, I'm sure if you posted when you were coming down next time, someone would probably make time to spend a day fishing & showing you some pointers. I would personally volunteer, but business is too good (read-can't get away from work), and I'm personally not that good with scuds & nymphs.

Also, observation is highly underrated. If you see someone catching fish, watch what they are doing, take note of how they are doing it & try to mimic it in your presentation.

Good Luck!

G

[LostMyWife]

Good Afternoon from Icy St Louis

I appreciate all of the comments from everyone. From what I am reading, fly fishing and golf do have a lot in common. Seems they are both things that are enjoyed when other people are involved.

I got better at playing golf by shooting rounds with guys that were better than me. Now I am an 8 handicap, where I was a 24. Seems that may apply here as well.

So, Rob and I are planning another trip to Taney the end of December. We are driving in on Thursday December 28 and plan to fish Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning, driving home Monday afternoon. I realize this is a holiday, so if anyone is going to be down during that time and does not mind having me hanging around, let me know.

LMW