It's your fault!

It’s your fault! That was the subject line of an email I received from a Fishexplorer.com member.  When you get an email like that, you sit back and think… What did I do? Who did I anger? Should I open the email? 

Well, luckily I did. I expected a long rant about something I said on the radio.  I try not to say anything bad, but every so often I do. It wasn’t that.  I thought it might be something about me promoting a local girl who loves to hunt and fish in one of my blogs.  Nope, it wasn’t that either.  To my surprise, the topic of the email was “You made me want to start fly fishing again!”

As my fears eased, I realized, in fact, that the email was awesome. One of my goals has always been to get as many people into fishing as possible. It happens that fly fishing is my passion and expertise. For me, to have an FxR member who only fishes with spinning rods, or bait casters, who want to learn more about fly fishing is awesome! The fact is that I only helped lead him to this idea. At ISE the last couple of years, we have worked with Orvis and their Fly Fishing 101 class. We have had private FxR members-only classes with their top instructors. This is where our member got the bug again. Yes, I will take the credit for getting him back into it.  No, I’m not sorry!

The email was more then just “it’s your fault.”  He asked some great questions.  He said that he was on a very tight budget, but wanted to know how it could be done frugally. I will tell you the same thing I told him.  You don’t have to make fly fishing expensive. Here is how I responded to a couple of his questions:

Question #1:
I want to fish out of my boat along the front range and go up to the mountains to fish small streams. What kind of rod and reel should I get?  He mentioned earlier that he had an old 5 weight and 6 weight rod.

Answer: You should use your 5 weight. If it is in good shape, you don’t need any other rods at this time. If your 5 weight was bought at a discount store, then get a new rod! There are a ton of great rods on the market that won’t cost you a lot of money. Check out the new S Curve from Wright McGill. I casted it this summer, and it is great.  Also, Elkhorn fly rods, in Loveland, has some great rods at very reasonable prices. Brian Chevet will take care of you. These are 2 great Colorado companies.

Let’s get back to the 5 weight rod.  A 5 weight fly rod will catch almost every fish in Colorado, from high mountain brookies to largemouth bass. I have even caught a couple of carp on a 5 weight.  If you can’t afford multiple rods, go get a 5 weight. It is the most versatile rod you can buy. Get a reel to match the size of the rod. In Colorado, almost any reel will do.  You really don’t need an expensive reel (unless you can afford it)

Question #2:
What kind of line should I get?
Answer: A double taper or weight forward floating line! These are the two most versatile fly lines on the market.  The difference is that a double taper can be turned around when it wears out.  Two lines for the price of one!  Rio and Scientific Angler make great lines and have the best selection. Get a trout line.  You can cast any fly, from small dries up to large streamer patterns.

The most important skill to improve your fly fishing is LEARN HOW TO CAST! Once you learn how to cast, you will catch a lot more fish. Almost every shop in Colorado has some kind of free casting lessons for beginners or people who just need a refresher. If you take advantage of these classes, I guarantee you will be a better fly fisherman.

As for the guy who told me it was my fault…Thanks- it makes me feel good!!

Tim
Follow me on Twitter at @timfishmanemery and on Facebook at Tim Emery or Tim Fishman