First Fly Fishing Class
So I attended my first fly fishing class last night as part of Bozeman's Adult Education program (http://www.bozeman.k12.mt.us/adlted/). It's taught by Bruce Hemmings and offers five 2-hour sessions plus two field trips on the river for a measly $50. Count me in!
I've already picked up some good information that will help me as I take up this new hobby. This will seem pretty basic to those of you already in the know, but to a complete neophyte like me it was huge.- Fish always face upstream. Therefore, if you fish from downstream (working your way upstream as you go), you'll catch more fish. By casting forward and letting your fly drift into the fish, you'll avoid being seen and bring your fly into the fish in the way they normally feed.
- 85% of the time, fish feed below water. So while catching a fish on a dry fly is more exciting, you'll likely catch more fish on nymphs. If you don't see fish rising, use a nymph.
- Caddisflies, Mayflies, and other aquatic bugs lay their eggs in riffles that are usually 6" to 2.5' deep. Trout will hang out downstream from these riffles - and sometime even spend time in the riffle to pick up a quick meal. Fish these areas of the river, especially when fishing nymphs.
