The Gentleman's Art Of Fly Fishing....,phoeeey!!!! 2025
silvercliff_46 reply :
I figured on writing this after posting some comments on river fishing small mouth. A real fun fish to take on a fly rod.
Fishing with a fly rod can be a real hoot, for everything from bluegill to largemouth, as well as trout or salmon..., and it AIN'T that awful hard to learn.
For to many years the scotch drinkers have kept the average guy from using a fly rod because it's touted as an ART..., HOOEY! (not the scotch, I like that)
I started fishing with a stainless steel rod, and direct drive reels. Your choice in line was black nylon, or black nylon. Dare Devil spoons, Pike Minnows, and Bass-A-Reno's were standard with maybe a Hawaiian Wiggler thrown in for good measure. The tool for fishing bass in heavy cover was the fly rod. You could toss a big deer hair bug across the pads or in the reeds dance it around a bit, and tease a bass or two into striking. It was fun. "What was that?" FUN!..,It was, and is fun, it worked, and still does.
Did you get that part "The Tool" that is exactly what it is.., a tool. Just like you wouldn't use a putter for a driver, a 30-06 to shoot a squirrel, or a 410 on turkey, you don't fish 30 feet of water with a fly rod. It's not a tournament tool either.
I watched a Television show, and the guy said the hardest time to catch bass or any fish was when there was a big fly hatch going on. Five will get you ten it wouldn't be for me. I'd put down the old cast, and crank, go into my rod storage, break out the old Fenwick heavy weight 9 foot wand and do some battle.
When it comes to bluegill, not even live bait can compare when a hatch is on. I have caught fish dropping my fly NEXT to another guys bobber, while he got nothing (I'll only do that to mess with a friend though).
Anyone who can chew gum, and stand upright (although I have seen guys in wheel chairs use them) can learn to use a fly rod in a couple of hours practice. You can get started on the cheap, Berkley has a fine Cherry Wood rod that is economically priced. Fly reels are just line holders (Not in the case of salt water) so you can go on the cheap there. Line should be the best you can afford (Weight forward for you when starting, and general use), but you can get started on economy line, a handful of Chinese flies will get you in the game. If you know someone who fly fishes all the better, but with all the videos on the Internet you'll figure it out.
I got started using a fly rod before todays snooty cadre' of upscale poetry reading purists were born. I learned first because it was an effective tool, then kept at it because it was fun (I still can't give you the Latin names for the flies, but I can catch trout with them). I started by teaching myself without any help when I was 12, that's some 54 years ago, and it's still fun. Give it a try.
Gatorbassman reply :
All I can say is AMEN!!!!!
loodkop reply :
X2. I always have a fly rod in the rodbox. In some situations it can be the only way to get a bite.On 2/5/2012 at 1:43 PM, flukemaster said:All I can say is AMEN!!!!!
jj'sbassinforfun reply :
Top water poppers are fun as all heck with a fly rod. Even if your only catching dinks its still a riot!
Redlinerobert reply :
On 2/5/2012 at 1:31 PM, silvercliff_46 said:I got started using a fly rod before todays snooty cadre' of upscale poetry reading purists were born.
Truth!
guitarkid reply :
always wanted to try fly fishing, might have to try this out now
-gk
SirSnookalot reply :
Fly fishing on the flats (bonefish,permit,snook, juvie tarpon) is the "in thing" now..............
This is where I'd like to go http://www.costadecocos.com/
K_Mac reply :
Great post! 
silvercliff_46 reply :
Enjoy it guys and gals. I will be glad if my ramblings help someone get started on a fun part of our sport. Bluegills, crappies, bass ET AL can be as fun as any exotic. I once nail a 15 pound carp during a hatch, (almost anything that swims eats bugs) when I was a kid. I thought I had a world record bass. I was a little disappointed when I got it to the boat, but I haven't ever forgotten the fight, and thrill it gave me.
silvercliff_46 reply :
On 2/6/2012 at 3:41 AM, SirSnookalot said:Fly fishing on the flats (bonefish,permit,snook, juvie tarpon) is the "in thing" now..............
This is where I'd like to go http://www.costadecocos.com/
Just about this time of year, (although winter has been mild) I wish I could feel the warm of the Key West sun bake the sore from my arthritic back. I love the north country, but a few days down there this time of year, has to feel like you just been baptized.
islandbass reply :
Wow, that was a great read! Thanks for sharing. My greatest fear of trying flyfishing is that while I know I will truly love it, it might turn the rest of my gear into glorified dust collectors. 
I know I will be giving a try sooner than later.
SirSnookalot reply :
On 2/6/2012 at 11:57 AM, silvercliff_46 said:Just about this time of year, (although winter has been mild) I wish I could feel the warm of the Key West sun bake the sore from my arthritic back. I love the north country, but a few days down there this time of year, has to feel like you just been baptized.
No baptisms for me, but the weather has been outstanding in Florida this winter. I have been thinking for quite some time about replacing my lost fly rod, I have several friends that flyfish exclusively. I know the exact species I want to catch, don't even have to go far to find them.
0119 reply :
I could go for some freezing weather myself. 2+ weeks over 85 sucks. Tell me theres no global warming. winter doesnt even exist done here anymore.
silvercliff_46 reply :
On 2/6/2012 at 8:43 PM, 119 said:I could go for some freezing weather myself. 2+ weeks over 85 sucks. Tell me theres no global warming. winter doesnt even exist done here anymore.
Global warming maybe, at least one computer model says so, on the other hand both the ice core sampling from Antarctica, and the tree ring data show our climate was warmer 1000 years ago then now. There wasn't much fossil fuel use back then, but what you believe, is what you believe.
I guess I just differ on your opinion, as I have with the gentlemen fly fishermen.
BradH reply :
On 2/5/2012 at 1:31 PM, silvercliff_46 said:you don't fish 30 feet of water with a fly rod
I am guilty of blasphemy. I have been fishing flies in 30 feet of water this winter on a spinning rod, hahaha. I doubt if I'm the first guy to try it but I don't read much about it so I like to share. I enjoyed reading your post!
No bass pics but you get the idea.
Marty reply :
silvercliff_46 reply :
Heck I fish tiny ice flies down to 40 feet in the winter. No blasphemy there. No blasphemy using a full sinking fly line to get down there, along with a passel of sinkers to help drag it down. It's just difficult to do. I speak from personal experience. For me it's just too much work. If it trips your trigger do it.
BradH reply :
I drop shot them on a spinning rod 
SirSnookalot reply :
I never thought there was any thing wrong in being a gentleman.
Dave T. reply :
On 2/5/2012 at 1:31 PM, silvercliff_46 said:I got started using a fly rod before todays snooty cadre' of upscale poetry reading purists were born. I learned first because it was an effective tool, then kept at it because it was fun (I still can't give you the Latin names for the flies, but I can catch trout with them). I started by teaching myself without any help when I was 12, that's some 54 years ago, and it's still fun. Give it a try.
silvercliff,
Well, you have me beat... but only by 5 years. I also started Fly Fishing around 12 years old.
Anyhow, way back, my affiliation with Trout Unlimited allowed me to meet, become friends with, and learn from the likes of Vince Marinaro, Charlie Fox, Barry Beck, Ed Koch, Ed Shenk, and several others. Were these guys purists? For the most part yes. Were they snobs? For the most part no. Mainly, they were guys just dedicated to the sport... just like a lot of guys are dedicated to bass fishing. In the end, most of them (notice I'm saying "most" a lot there were a couple of "snobs") were just regular guys like you and me. Some folks call me a gentleman... some folks don't. 
When it comes down to brass tacks, guys that are genuinely dedicated to "something", tend to do good things for whatever they are dedicated too.
silvercliff_46 reply :
On 2/11/2012 at 7:55 PM, Dave T. said:silvercliff,
Well, you have me beat... but only by 5 years.
Anyhow, way back, my affiliation with Trout Unlimited allowed me to meet, become friends with, and learn from the likes of Vince Marinaro, Charlie Fox, Barry Beck, Ed Koch, Ed Shenk, and several others. Were these guys purists? For the most part yes. Were they snobs? For the most part no. Mainly, they were guys just dedicated to the sport... just like a lot of guys are dedicated to bass fishing. In the end, most of them (notice I'm saying "most" a lot
When it comes down to brass tacks, guys that are genuinely dedicated to "something", tend to do good things for whatever they are dedicated too.
Well I don't know your friends, but I have worked for T.U. trapping beavers on our rivers, and streams. The mystique that has been developed by T.U., and a great many others has done more to keep the average guy away from the fly rod in general, and fly fishing specifically then anything else I know of. My purpose in writings are to get guys to discover a great and fun way to fish.
It isn't hard, it isn't an art, and you don't have to know the Latin names of flies, or quote from the "Big Two Hearted River" to catch trout , bass or any other fish. It's also okay to drink a brew, as it is cognac (personally I like both, but really can only afford the brew).
The guy that taught me to fish for trout told me how to tell if a guy was a good trout fisherman, or not. He said look at their waders, if the wear is on the boot, or their butt, forget it, but if their knees wear out first they know what their doing (at least on my brooke trout water). I still live by that, not the palaver.
Dave T. reply :
You started a good thread.
We agree on some things, and disagree on others... I'll leave it at that.
TomB reply :
Catching trout in a pressured stream or river using a fly rod is not as easy as bass in a pond or lake. Trout are particularly selective because they typically lie and select food floating by rather than roam and hunt. They are expending energy and prefer food to leaves and sticks. The art of trout fly fishing is in correct fly selection and precise presentation.
Fly fishing for bass should be tried and enjoyed by all but expect to invest far more effort in catching trout. Naturally there are exceptions but finesse is usually more necessary for trout and hence the gentleman or gentlewoman association. It's like painting a house and painting a landscape. Try both!
silvercliff_46 reply :
On 2/12/2012 at 5:58 AM, TomB said:Catching trout in a pressured stream or river using a fly rod is not as easy as bass in a pond or lake. Trout are particularly selective because they typically lie and select food floating by rather than roam and hunt. They are expending energy and prefer food to leaves and sticks. The art of trout fly fishing is in correct fly selection and precise presentation.
Fly fishing for bass should be tried and enjoyed by all but expect to invest far more effort in catching trout. Naturally there are exceptions but finesse is usually more necessary for trout and hence the gentleman or gentlewoman association. It's like painting a house and painting a landscape. Try both!
I guess I am a little late getting back on this. I happen to live on the "Otter Creek" which boarders 776 feet of my property, and I am 1/4 mile from the Peshtigo river where the Otter joins it. For some reason trout fishermen especially fly fishermen for trout like to elevate their sport above all other’s. I have tied, and sold hand tied flies for past 50 years, relation of mine runs one of the biggest fly shops in these parts. His shop has been mentioned in fly fishing books. I will say again the only thing that makes that a gentlemen’s sport is the wags that say so.
Wanna’ match the hatch. Look at what’s on the water, match the size, color and shape. WOW that was hard wasn’t it. Learn to mend, that means keeping the running line from dragging on the fly, wasn’t that hard. NOW here is my tip; stay low, dress in dark colors, don’t club foot while wading, and now one for the wags. Dredge your trout in flour with a bit of celery salt before frying in butter. They are great accompanied with rye bread, coleslaw, and a beer.
silvercliff_46 reply :
I sometimes go over the top, and I may have in my last post,. Someone stated earlier that there is nothing wrong being a gentleman (or women), your are right, and I got news, putting a fly rod in your hand isn’t going to do it. Neither is reading Thoreau, memorizing passages from “The Big Two Hearted River” or putting a fly rod in your hand. Quite frankly I would bet that Kevin Van Dam is as much of a gentleman as Lefty Kreigh.
A fly rod is merely a fishing rod, and a fishing technique to be enjoyed by all social strata, not just a few well heeled (or pretend to be well heeled) swells.
Michael DiNardo reply :
Silvercliff_46 you hit the nai on the head. Flyfishing is FUN. The trout in my photo is from the Kenai River on a #14 Black Copper John. Everyone in AK was telling me to use smolt patterns and 6 in. articulated flys. A trout is a trout and trout eat bugs. I use the same fly in PA. If anyone is not flyfishing becuse they think it is hard they are kidding themselves and missing out on a great time. If you can master a baitcaster you can flyfish.
Mike
Jacob34 reply :
I know where you coming from living in Utah and all. A good few fly fishermen around here give off that elitist vibe. Especially on the middle and lower Provo river. I avoid those places like the plague.
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