Sunday, May 4, 2014

Learning Never Ends ~ Sunday Tippets, Damsel Style


If there is anything that I believe about fly fishing it's this...  If you put in the effort, you will receive the reward.  In my few years of fly fishing, it's been practice, practice, practice.  And many valuable lessons learned.  Being stubborn as an ox, gives me a little bit of an advantage because I am not a quitter!  I would have to say that the greatest lesson is believing in yourself.  The days that you go out with a negative attitude or a suspicion that you might not catch anything, you are doomed right from the start.  Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) gives you the extra lift over the hurdle that might lie in front of you. (And I have plenty of those, believe me!)  More than any of you know about.  So, I know that it can be done. 



Sure, we don't always do it right the first time, but we usually get a lot closer to our goal the second time we try.  Case in point.  I am one to be a little aprehensive to ask for help.  I would rather go out and take my bumps and bruises in learning how to do something.  Why? I don't really know. I sure waste a lot of time doing things half-backwards.  Maybe it's because I don't like to put other people out. I don't want to be an inconvenience. What's funny is, most people would love to help you out, share their experience and give you a nudge in the right direction.  A couple of recent teachers:



A new river buddy, Jeremy.  We met up through a Facebook group that I belong to of anglers that frequent the waters that I do... We met at the river and he brought his portable tying table and vise and sat with me for several hours in the parking lot teaching me a couple of valuable flies that I would need.  Now, that is the help that I appreciate!  This young man has incredible knowledge about fly tying and finding bugs at the river that the fish are feeding off of.   We of course went out afterwards to hook up those sow eating fish! Yes, he was pretty excited about this nice brown trout!  (Now put him back for me to catch!!!  Haha)



Then, there's Joe.  A river friend for the past little while.  He too knows his entomology.  He can always find the two or three bugs that are working and fish them all day long.  He is an expert in reading the river.  That is sooo key.  There was a little bit of tweaking on my fly line set up this last trip out.  It's good to see what other set-ups people use for the leader and tippet too.   Experiment and see what is best for you.  Again, more knowledge!   All you have to do is ASK...





SUNDAY TIPPETS:  I have fished with some great mentors in the past five years that have just given me enough to think about and practice on to make me a more effective fly fisherman.  And I thank them all for sharing their time in the classroom and on the water.  For me, it just makes the experience all that more fun.  So, if you aren't confident in your skills, get out there with a buddy who is.  Or get the help from your local fly shop with a guide trip out.  It might just make all the difference in your next solo trip to the river.


Get your questions answered!

HAVE FUN!
Remember, it's a learning game...




12 comments:

  1. You are so right on with this post. Very well said! We have all learned from others one way or the other in the fly fishing world. It is a wonderful group of folks, generally, who really enjoy sharing fly patterns, techniques, and other tidbits that have helped me out so much and sure sounds like you, too. Take care of you for me!

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    1. Mel ~ We all can use a little bit of help. Let's be honest. I;m not going to shy away from asking questions that can help me understand something better and that might make things easier in the long run! Thanks for stopping by...

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  2. Great reminders and one of the best posts I have read in a while on any blog. Thanks so much, I found it very encouraging. Learning and a positive mental attitude is so key in fly fishing and life in general.

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    1. Atlas ~ I'm glad that you enjoyed it and hopefully can take something here to benefit your fly fishing next time out! Ahhh... that silly Tippet Lady strikes again! Ha

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  3. I read that first paragraph and if I didn't know that was you talking, I would think it was me. I think the first time I can pinpoint telling someone about a PMA is around 1979. All you've said is sooooo true.

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    1. Mark ~ Maybe because we are all members of the same outdoor family, so we do start talking like each other! Lol. PMA has gotten me through many hurdles in life. Can't get through life without it. = )

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  4. I'm glad I'm new at this and willing to be a sponge for all my veteran buddies' info! If only I had more time in trout waters :( great post, what I am taking away from this is to stay teachable!

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  5. Juan ~ To be teachable is to be humble. The most humble will leave their hearts and minds open to learning and improving. Whether it is is fly fishing or just the general daily routine of life. It's usually when we think that we know everything that we get into trouble. = ) Carry on and press forward with a positive attitude! You will be surprised what that will do for you too...

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  6. RD
    I couldn’t agree more concerning accepting advice to become a better fly fisherman. I have learned so much from fellow bloggers and also from a lot of fly fisherman I have met on our local tailrace. I soak up anything I think that will make be a better angler. Thanks for sharing

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  7. Bill ~ As we soak up knowledge, we use it to share with others. It's a wonderful thing...

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  8. Oh Howard ~ You wouldn't want lessons from me!!! I would teach you all sorts of bad habits on the water... = )

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