SET That Hook Like You Mean It!

That's right...If you don't set it, you don't catch it.  Simple as that.  When I first was learning how to fly fish, I wasn't quite sure when to set that hook...  In nymphing, everyone told me that I would feel the line ever so slightly pull away from me.  Oh, and watch that indicator as it makes the first little dip down into the water.  And lastly, KNOW when that indicator is going to make that first little dip before it actually does it!  Ha.  Ok...  Was I supposed to be a mind reader?  A fish whisperer?  You know what...The guy who told me the last rule, was right on.  Anytime you even think you have a strike...SET IT!!! 

It's when you hesitate even in the slightest way, that you will lose the chance for a strike.  I figure that you miss every shot that you don't take.  I'm being serious there...it's the truth!  Right? So, what if it is a branch underneath or a rock that you get hung up on... it also could be a fish!  <"(((((><<  Then, you will become a believer of the rule of setting anything that you might think is a fish.  Just put a little bit of faith in yourself and that the fish is going to take the fly.   Tomorrow, I am not going to set like an old lady...I have truly been a whimp with the fly rod.  My new mindset goes like this... Set, Set, Set!  No pain...No gain!  The reason I am so adamant on this setting thing is because of late...I have been late.  So many fish on my fly, but because of hesitence on my part...they ended up laughing at me.  Have you ever seen a fish laugh????

 

Oh, I can't even imagine how it could have been if I had brought them all in.  It has been a couple of great weeks for the River Damsel.  I think that I finally have turned the corner, so to speak.  But, my ratio is a bit off and I know that if I set that hook just a little bit quicker, I will find a few more in the net.  Not that I am unhappy about my catches as of late.  But, you know the feeling when the big thud under the water is there, and then not there.  Yeah... Anyway, tomorrow I'm going to set that hook like I mean it!   

   

I'm not usually into numbers of misses...but, I kept count this past week on one of my days.  I caught 8, but I missed 14 that I was certain were fish. (6 of the lost were actually seen, but came off the hook)  Ugh.  And maybe 6 more that were borderline fish/rocks/branches.  Not pretty, too some.  Maybe great to others.  Wait a minute...in baseball, that is a pretty high percentage!   So, we will batter up, hit that strike out of the park, instead of whiffing at it and striking out.  (Go ANGELS, by the way)  I've increased my line and tippet weight.  I'm pretty confident that I have the flies that will catch the fish.  So, now it's just the set that we need to practice on...To bed, Fred.  I have a big day ahead of me...It's Fish Tuesday!!!  Whoohoo.  And despite how serious this sounds like...I am having a ton of fun.  And that is the name of the game, my friends. Well...maybe it's the pink hat.  That is still under debate.  I'm starting to get a little bit superstitious about it!  = )