Movin On Up.

Recently on one of our trips a client asked a question that had me pondering for a while. The question was simple enough but the answer was not. He simply asked "How do you get good at fly fishing?" I told him the top three things I found that helped me when I was breaking through that beginner/intermediate stage. On the ride home I thought of a few more. Here they are.

• Take a casting lesson from an experienced or even better a certified casting instructor. No matter if you think your cast is good enough. The time and money spent are well worth the investment. Your cast is the foundation of everything you are trying to accomplish. Do it well and the road is paved. Do it poorly and the road is a washed out rutted mess.
• Fish with others that are skilled and willing to share their knowledge. I had and still have mentors that I am forever grateful and in debt to.
• Observe water, fish and other anglers. Time spent watching things unfold will help enable you to break the code. I once watched a guide( from the far bank) on the Henry's Fork show his client how to make a downstream dry presentation. It was a flawless bit of instruction that produced a large rainbow. Later I met the guide at a shop and thanked him for his tutorial. He was Mike Lawson. Considered by many as the dean of the Fork.Today I use that technique on almost every trip. Thanks Mike.
• Fish new water every time you go out. Even if you know the "Honey Hole" will produce a few fish, go explore some place that's new to you.
• Become confident at all types of techniques. Drys, wets, nymphs and streamers all produce results. Being skilled in all of them requires time and dedication. If you only have one strong skill it's like being a baseball pitcher who can only throw a fastball. Sooner or later your going to the showers.
• Fish in all conditions. Rain, wind, sun, dirty water, high water, low water, cold water, snow, sleet. Perfect conditions only mean things are going to change. Be ready for it.
• Expensive gear does not make one better. A $800 rod will not cast better than a $150 rod if the user has not developed a solid casting stroke. Buy good gear and master it.
• Learn some entomology. Study other food sources as well. Develop a solid understanding but don't go off the deep end with it. Nobody likes a Latin spewing bug geek except other Latin spewing bug geeks.
• Learn how to make multiple rigs and set ups. Life would be easy if all you needed was a 8'-3X leader for the season. It ain't easy.
• Hire a guide for a trip with the emphasis on improving skills. Shadow a pro guide for a day and observe their level. I've done it and it's well worth the price of admission.
• Never loose the ability to laugh at yourself when you totally blow it.