Quote Originally Posted by RICHYD4U View Post
Boone-
I could write pages and pages of what you should do next, lol! But I think your best bet is to get together with some of us and do some fly fishing! But for now, here are some basics IMO:

Dry Flies: Fish these maybe 5% of the time. I only brake out the dries when I see a hatch and fish actively rising or if I'm fishing terrestrials in the summer months (grasshopers, cicadas, etc), even then...I am fishing a dropper off of the terrestrial. Key is to match the hatch!

Nymphs: Fish these 85% of the time. Nymphs immitate the insect larvae that fish feed on all day, every day. Thus, it should be your go-to fly and set-up. Keep it simple....there are a handful of basic nymphs that work EVERYWHERE!....pheasent tails, hares ears, zebra midges, princes, brassies, and copper johns (and their bead head versions). You will catch trout anywhere in the USA with those nymphs IMO. And always fish two nymphs at a time! And use a strike indicator!

Streamers/buggers: Fish these 10% of the time, unless you are lake fishing...then it should be 85% of the time. Wooly buggers in brown, black, white, and burgundy will work anywhere (bead heads are even better). Again, use two flies (use a large bh hares ear for your second fly, MONEY!). Clouser minnows, half/halfs, zonkers, and bunnies are all effective streamer patterns...great for rivers and big browns. Fish streamers by themselves, no second fly. Expect less fish with streamers in rivers, but bigger fish.

Everyone had their own system when it comes to fly fishing. This is just some of what I have found from fishing across the nation my entire life. The real trick is to find good trout waters out here. We will have to see how the CR pulls through all this. We need to all get together and RIP SOME LIPS!!!

-Rich
Some very good advise from Rich ! And even though I agree that fishing 2 flies will produce much better. It is more difficult for the beginning caster to pull off. Without having horrendous knots in your leader constantly.

Practice casting every chance you get ! In the yard or field somewhere without a fly. Tie a small piece of Hi-Viz yarn on the end of your leader. And Cast , Cast , Cast ! Concentrating on the proper form. Hand arm, Wrist position, Etc. Like a Golf swing. If you begin with bad habits and use them till you get comfortable with them. It will be very hard to change.

I have a casting DVD by Joan Wulff that is excellent. I will try to locate it. And let you use it if you like.

I would say to start out with a small midge pattern. Size # 16 - # 20 underneath a pinch on indicator. ( The larger the indicator, The more wind resistance you will encounter. And make it harder to cast !!! ) And get out and catch some fish (Hatchery creek maybe ) and get used to the FR. As Brother Rich said in an earlier post. Then when the water gets down in the river. Get out and wade, cast and enjoy !!! But do not expect to catch ANY fish ! Then when you do , It will be a bonus !!!

You are about to enter another realm of the fishin world ! This , Like Golf can be a lifelong endeavor ! Do you like the " Journey " ??? Or the "Destination " ???

Search you tube on casting a fly rod ! Google it , Etc ! You will find plenty of info !!!

And I will be glad to help you out any time I can ! But after you have the basic info ! Then the " Journey " Begins ! Sound advise and a little instruction along the way is always a good thing !