Post by flyfishingpastor on Jan 8, 2009 9:59:18 GMT -5
As you can see, I'm getting the cabin fever shakes. But, I have three traditions that I do right after the first of the year.
1. Go over all my gear, sorting flies, cleaning and going over gear, repairing what needs repaired, etc.
2. Go over my log and see if I notice anything that sticks out as exceptional or notice any trends in the previous year, AND
3. Decide what I need to work on in the next year to make me a better fly-fisher. Here's my conclusions:
a. Every year I work on my casting, smoothing things, working on new casts, getting more accurate. so this is a given.
b. I noticed this past year that, since I really enjoy the casting/fishing experience as much as the "catching fish" part; I tend to just mosey and spend a LOT of time just fishing through not very fishy looking places. I don't know if I'll change this, but if I were wanting to just catch more fish per hour, I'd probably skip or at least fish though non-fishy looking places more rapidly.
c. I think this year, I will stick to my favorites - they've caught fish consistently, BUT I think I will be more adventurous in trying new flies. I have boxes full of flies that I RARELY use. On the drive home from a day on the water, I often say to myself: "Why didn't I try this or that fly?" So, I think if my goal is to improve; I need to be more systematic in working through variety of flies, sizes and colors - especially on tough days fishing.
d. Lastly, I think to improve as a fly-fisher, I need to expand my knowledge base of what fish eat; get some (more) books on "bugs 'n bait" and maybe take in some seminars (or help arrange some in this club).
So, how about you. What do you need to work on this year, if anything, to make you a better fly fisher?
Pat
1. Go over all my gear, sorting flies, cleaning and going over gear, repairing what needs repaired, etc.
2. Go over my log and see if I notice anything that sticks out as exceptional or notice any trends in the previous year, AND
3. Decide what I need to work on in the next year to make me a better fly-fisher. Here's my conclusions:
a. Every year I work on my casting, smoothing things, working on new casts, getting more accurate. so this is a given.
b. I noticed this past year that, since I really enjoy the casting/fishing experience as much as the "catching fish" part; I tend to just mosey and spend a LOT of time just fishing through not very fishy looking places. I don't know if I'll change this, but if I were wanting to just catch more fish per hour, I'd probably skip or at least fish though non-fishy looking places more rapidly.
c. I think this year, I will stick to my favorites - they've caught fish consistently, BUT I think I will be more adventurous in trying new flies. I have boxes full of flies that I RARELY use. On the drive home from a day on the water, I often say to myself: "Why didn't I try this or that fly?" So, I think if my goal is to improve; I need to be more systematic in working through variety of flies, sizes and colors - especially on tough days fishing.
d. Lastly, I think to improve as a fly-fisher, I need to expand my knowledge base of what fish eat; get some (more) books on "bugs 'n bait" and maybe take in some seminars (or help arrange some in this club).
So, how about you. What do you need to work on this year, if anything, to make you a better fly fisher?
Pat
