What a weekend!! There was much anticipation for my Czech Nymphing class on Saturday. And what I had hoped for...the "Tippets", came to fruition! Of course, I am a diehard. I never give up. I took my first class last year in this very effective type of nymphing. I like thinking "outside of the box"...and also to fish without an indicator! I usually will take one or two classes each year from my favorite fly shop, Western Rivers, here in Salt Lake City. It just helps me to be an overall better skilled fly fisher. This class on Saturday was taught by Nick Teynor.
I met Nick a couple years ago. He is the most courteous guy first of all...and really wants to see his students succeed. He has a very positive attitude...I never feel like I am defeated! I know if I will listen, watch, and practice...it will all come around for me. I thank Nick for sharing his talents and skills! : ) And the seine samples were sure money! He calls me Miss Emily (didn't know I was The River Damsel until this outing!) and believes that fly fishing should be fun!!
 |
| Trying Eric's Tenkara rod... |
Oh, that was kind of funny...alas, another perfect stranger has read my blog. Someone in the parking lot that I was talking to was surprised to see my RD hat! He had many questions about the Smoky Mountains and what I thought...(Don't worry Owl, I only said good things!) He agreed that the Southern food is something not found everywhere. Boy, am I missing fried pies!!! : ) But, Saturday was a day for fish...and I found a few...in those fast, deep pockets! And a few more...in the more fast, shallow pockets...Yes, I think that this Czech nymphing is coming along quite nicely!! Thanks, Nick!! And with all of the high waters and more rain and more snow melt...I'm thinking that fishing is going to be good for me when others might not like the high water. Ka-ching! Life is good. And so, another chapter of RD's Continuing Education of Fly Fishing 101.
Next Chapter...
Now, there was "Good, Bad, and Ugly"...as I stated in my title of this blog. And so it goes...a day on the river isn't always perfect. The "Good", of course, was the class and all the brown trouts that I caught. (Why is it that I am only finding 10 in fish ever since I got back from my Smoky Mtn. trip???) hmmm...Southern Karma??? I don't know. But, I have never caught so many little guys...
Now, there was "Good, Bad, and Ugly"...as I stated in my title of this blog. And so it goes...a day on the river isn't always perfect. The "Good", of course, was the class and all the brown trouts that I caught. (Why is it that I am only finding 10 in fish ever since I got back from my Smoky Mtn. trip???) hmmm...Southern Karma??? I don't know. But, I have never caught so many little guys...
The "Bad" ...I was so excited that I caught #1, that I let go of my fishing net and it roared down the river with the current. On the bright side...I was ready for a new net anyway. Just kind of sped things up.
The "Ugly" ...And this is reeeeel UGLY!!! As I searched for my favorite C&F fly box yesterday, it had disappeared. It kind of shook me up a bit in class, but I was hopeful that it just fell out in the car. After hours of searching...home, car, packs...it is officially MIA. (Sniffle, sniffle!!!) Now I know how others have felt...HORRIBLE!! I had collected flies over three years into this box and 300 plus flies and most of these were bought. My go-to flies...So, I will pull on Owlee here...if any of you wonderful fly tiers want to donate to a good cause...just a few flies here and there, this starting over might not be so painful! I still have my Czech box, but I am missing all of my other nymphs and dries. Ugh.
Tippet of the Day: Don't put all of your eggs in the same basket!! You know that I will now select a dozen of my favorites and only take that box with me to the river. No more carrying everything I own. Another "Tippet" today would be to search out that flyfishing class that will put you to the next level...If you haven't tried one technique, but are curious...for sure...learn it!! It just adds to the fun!
Your tippet of the day is spot-on. I load a box every time I fish, with what I think I'll need that day. Yes, I'll occasionally wish I had something that was left behind (as it seems we all were this weekend), but that's life. Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteLosing a full flybox stinks. I lost a C&F box full of nymphs a couple of summers ago on the Arkansas. Lesson learned, don't carry everything at one time.
ReplyDeleteThat sucks, RD!!
ReplyDeleteHuge bummer on the fly box loss. Sorry!
ReplyDeleteI have one word for you: OTTERBOX! It's a company here in Fort Collins that makes sturdy little waterproof boxes - I suppose for phones, wallets, etc., but I did a minor retrofit on mine and super-glued some foam on each side and turned it into a fly box that's ideal for a day on the water. It holds around 50 flies and has a little lanyard for around my neck. I find it really convenient, as I've been prone to drop things in the river, and it allows me to leave most of my collection at home.
I'd be happy to contribute some PT nymphs to the "cause." I'm not a great tier, but I fish the PT a lot here on the Poudre so I've gotten OK at them.
Piece of cake! I'll toss a few in the mail...
ReplyDeleteRD don't give up hope yet! A buddy of mine once left his vest behind. Fly boxes,Camera,the whole shabang, probably $1000.00 plus. A perfect stranger turned it into the hatchery and Don got it back 3 days later. The perfect stranger didn't even leave a name!
ReplyDeleteMike ~ Lesson learned.
ReplyDeleteCofisher ~ Yes, stinky winky...
Brookfield ~ Yes it does!
Flywriter ~ I have an Otterbox for my phone. I will have to look at the one you are talking about. Could be another option. PT's would be great!
Midgeman ~ If you have a few extra midges around...love ya! Starting over sucks...
Fly Waters Edge ~ Yeah, this loss is around $800. I will promptly put my name and ph # inside each box from now on! This one is a gonner, I'm afraid. It would take a miracle...
We'll have some flies waiting for you on your bed when you get here - if you want some sooner, I'll make Dustin get started! Shoot me an email of the patterns you'd like.
ReplyDeleteDustin and I are trying to learn the nuances of European Nymphing. It's interesting and challenging, but seems like it produces the most fish. Perhaps you can give us some pointers when you arrive.
-stephanie
I can supply you with some flies. :) You're gonna have to send me your address again though. ( I need to start keeping a rolodex I guess of everyone's contact info.)
ReplyDeleteGlad you caught a bunch of nice ( hey, 10 inchers are nice fish here) fish out there. PS - just a suggestion, I really love my "measure net."
nice tippets, Mrs. Famous! ;)
Steph ~ You are too kind! Can't wait to make the summer trip out to visit! Looks like you are finding some great spots to fish...The Euro technique is amazing...
ReplyDeleteOwl ~ I'm definitely looking at a measure net...Thanks for the fly offer. I'll get back with ya!
ReplyDeleteStuck a few in the mail this morning, you should see them before weeks end and as you requested there are a few little guys in there as well. A few dries but mostly stuff you can bounce along the bottom or fish trailing a CZ...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Oh, Rod ~ You are awesome...my pain is lessened knowing I have such wonderful blogger friends! A big thank you...
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the fly box! I'll drop some flies in the mail for ya. Shoot me an email with your address.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice on both not putting all of your eggs in one basket...i think as fly fishers we could use a little simplifying in our lives :-) Also, good advice on taking a class, or learning something new...I am planning on taking a class this summer (either an entomology class...because I'm a bug dummy, or a nymphing class like you did). it never hurts to keep learning!
Sanders ~ How's that new net? haha Anyway, I thank you for helping me get back on the river with some flies...I believe that I did a Sunday Tippet on simplifying...hmmm. Classes are so beneficial!
ReplyDeleteRD - Even though the your story had a bit of a tragic ending with the loss of a fly box and net, I'm glad that there were trout to be caught! Send me an e-mail with your address and I'll gladly send you some of my WNY flies. Not sure how they will fish out in the West, but hey you never know?
ReplyDeleteBFLY ~ Very sweet of you to share some of your WNY flies with me! Maybe they can work their magic out here too!!
ReplyDeleteRD- I was hoping that you wouldn't bring up the net :-) I could have sent it back to you, but a think Seinfeld did an episode on re-gifting...ha!
ReplyDeleteSanders ~ Oh, I was totally joking about the net...bad karma if you re-gift! I hope you enjoy it. I'm sure you can get a very large brown with that deep net!!
ReplyDeleteRD-The net is perfect...just waiting to apprehend a nice big brown from the end of my line! I knew you were joking, besides I need all of the good karma I can get :-)
ReplyDeleteFried pies, western movies, and a good class on nymphing-- I have to say I like it all. You know those fried pies don't have any calories.
ReplyDeleteYep. I lost a C&F box last spring filled with years of ties, many of them one of a kind. It still hurts.
ReplyDeleteBill ~ Did you get your rod magnet holder? And, yes...fried pies are worth every calorie!
ReplyDeleteMystic ~ "Lost Flybox Pain" is real!!! But, life goes on and it can be replaced eventually, for me anyway. : )