Things you know now that you wish you did back then

cedarslug

cedarslug

Steelhead
You, yes you! You're probably a competent angler now! Those years of whacking through brush, losing your flies to casting knots, and falling in the river made you the angler you are now today.

But what about back then? Back when you first started out fly fishing. You were probably some pathetic try hard that failed and failed over again, until you tried something new and found success. Or maybe you were the kid in the back of the class that was too shy to ask questions, and always left in behind. Well here's your chance to help out those novices, beginners, and n00bz. More importantly, this is your opportunity to admit something that you wish you had known back then.

I'll start...

Wading Safety

We're lucky to have numerous freestone streams and rivers in the PNW. We're also fortunate to have access to coastal water and beaches. That being said, rocks can be slippery here, and sneaker waves can quietly take you out. Take out those dang earbuds, and be aware of your surroundings. Wade cautiously through water, bring a wading staff, and take smaller steps. Polarized glasses will help you see bottom. And if you can't see bottom, assume each step is going end well. Careful of bigger rocks that may look tempting for your foot to land, but are often times have the smoothest of surfaces. Make sure your waders are cinched up correctly, so when you do fall, you are keeping excess water from pouring into your waders. Lastly, don't cast and move at the same time! Stay planted and cast - you're neither that coordinated nor athletic.

TL;DR

• Bring polarized glasses
• Use wading staff
• Watch out for slippery stuff
• Smaller steps
• Cinch and secure up those waders
• No casting and moving
 
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I mean, I don't have an ego like Senior Swimmy, but I was never " pathetic"back in the day.
Guess I learned trial and error starting at about ten....with a decent outcome.
 
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If the sign on the gate says "park closes at dark", you should get back to your truck before dark, otherwise someone might lock the gate and tweakers might break into your truck while it's parked there overnight.

Don't try and stand up on your pontoon boat.

In Canada, beer costs a lot more.

Avoid crappy old trailers, they could come off your hitch on the Freeway and shoot across the oncoming lane of traffic.

Never say "no way that's going anywhere" after strapping two pontoon boats onto the back of your truck. Youre jinxing yourself, they'll go somewhere....probably on I5 around everett.

Dying doing what you love sounds great, but it still involves dying. Wear a fucking pfd when you're on a boat.

A spare oar doesn't do much good when you leave it in the back of your truck.
 
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RCF said:
Expensive gear does not mean more fish. It means less money in your wallet and less for trips of a lifetime.
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That is so true. I, along with everyone I knew, used to spend a fortune on areo and ti bits for our road, tri and mtb bikes. Once I found a book on training written by the old polish national coach I went from average to winning.
 
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If you "think" you can cross somewhere, you shouldn't try . . .
 
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There is a reason why they call it a false cast. It does not dry out a fly like you think it does. It scares fish even though you think it doesn't
 
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While still water fishing, don’t change your wet fly to another pattern just because you haven’t gotten a hit. Change your retrieve tempo a few times as well as the depth.
Also, best to use the nonslip loop knot for wet flies.
Learn to identify different rise patterns.
Share successful flies with other fly fishers when they ask how the fishing was. It’s good karma and you may make a friend.
Buy from local fly shops rather than online.
 
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