Getting Serious about Fly Fishing

[Kyle241]

Okay I have the bug, thanks to my father....who taught me everything about fly fishing when I was young and of course I stopped doing when I came to the age of cool and needed to go my own way. Since his recent passing almost two years ago, I took back up fly fishing as it always make me feel close to him, it was after all his favourite passtime.

So after that sappy story, how do I really get fly fishing to the next level? What I mean is I have a TFO 6wt, a Sage 9wt, both used mainly for the salt right now (Stripers). In the salt I have yet to be successful for Reds or Specks, I just can't seem to get them interested. I have tried a crab fly and deceivers but no luck. I have read some books, looked at websites for more study but I must be doing something wrong. I guess what I am asking for is a good book/website/course that would help me go to the next level for the salt and get me back to fresh for trout, bass, pike, etc. Anybody find anything other than just practice, practice, practice? Also what would be a good one setup for trout fishing (Rainbows, Speckled and Browns...if I can be so lucky)?


Thanks for any info.
Kyle

[OneMoreCast]

Kyle,
I have the identical story concerning my start in the sport... except it was my grandfather and he passed about 25 years ago.. It's nice to do something that helps you remember them isn't it?

Anyway.. you are talkin specs and reds so I guess you are down around Va Beach? I know a lot of great fly anglers down that way that I could introduce you to.
Best option is joining a club and building a network of friends.
Your setups are fine..
For freshwater trout.. it really depends more on the type of water you are fishing. Big river? Small stream? brook you can jump across.... If you name the rivers you are interested in, I could probably at least point you in the right direction.
I think it is great that you are getting into the sport especially considering your motivation. I can relate to it on many levels.
Anything I can do to help let me know..
I was going to avoid the plug.. but if you want to learn a lot in a single day, go to Tiefest on Kent Island. It might be a haul for you.... again.. not sure where you are going. But I'll tell ya this, it isn't possible to absorb all the information that will be passed in that room on the 16th.

[BAY DOG]

Kyle, your timing couldn't be better. It's show time, hit as many as possible. Between that, and the replys you receive here... you'll be set.

Your intro and eventual return to the sport isn't unusual, as a matter of fact it's the norm. But, I do hope you still possess the ability to be cool. Fly fishing can be very cool. Check-out Tiefest (this board) or hit one of the fly fishing film festivals/tours... Then get back to me about cool:cool2:. TonyH

[Kyle241]

Yeah I am located in VB, VA and have been for the last few years. I'll likely be here for a while longer so I really want to targeting the species here that I have not been successful at. Stripers were my original target and will always be my favourite because I have house on the Mousam River in Kennebunk, ME and it's a great place to wade and throw a fly. I figure while I am here in VB, I need to get the other species that are around (all C&R). I thought of going to the Tiefest as I missed it last year but it is a long ways up from here, 3.5-4hrs one way is my guess. That's a long way for a day's drive.

As for fresh water, I will likely target small-medium rivers targeting rainbows and speckled trout. The unfortunate thing about VB is it's a long way to target these and it's a least a long weekend trip West. I had purchased a two handed rod last year as my plans were in motion to go out West, live on Vancouver Island and work in Seattle and was going to play in those large rivers - unfortunately this did not pan out but hopefully will in the future. Then there are my plans to hit the Salmon River in Pulaski, NY which I drove by 3 times(!!!) last year without stopping (we travel in an RV that I use for working on-site at clients) on our way back home to Ontario, CA. My mouth watered as I saw all those guys going after steelhead. Perhaps this year when I drive back, I'll plan a few days to fish there. I think my 9wt would be good for this based on the size of the fish coming out of there.

OneMoreCast - I'll take up your offer of meeting with anyone here in VB who fly fishes as the more people I meet, the more I will learn, especially for conditions and species around here.

Thanks,
Kyle

[djones]

I liked your family story, Kyle, and Tony's too (OMC's), and I didn't find them sappy.

Others are making that drive because Tiefest is worth it.

Your area is well represented here, and the advice is always good.

[boats]

Kyle we have a good local SW fly club. VCFA.ORG on the net. Meetings in Va Beach

Boats

[J-Hoss]

If you're trying to catch speckle trout in a freshwater river you're gonna be trying for a long time with no success. Speckle trout can't live in freshwater. You'll find them in brackish waters sometimes but not in fresh water.

[bigjim5589]

J-Hoss, I don't believe his speckled trout and your's is the same fish! :rolleyes:

[Kyle241]

J-Hoss,

Bigjim has it right. I was referring to fresh water speckled trout which is the only kind I ever knew about when I came down to VB. When everyone started talking about 'Specs', I was a tad confused until I finally found out they are actually weakfish. I do also want to go for 'Specs' in the salt as well and plan to add some flies specific to Redfish and I hope Specs for this spring/summer.

Tks.
Kyle

[J-Hoss]

Specs and weakfish are not the same either. Weakfish is commonly referred to as grey trout and they are a different species than the speckle trout I'm talking about. Thanks for clarifying about the different kinds of specks. I wasn't aware that there was even another kind. I guess I look like a fool.

[fcgarcia]

Hi Guys,

I am in Norfolk and I would also enjoy meeting up with other local fly fishermen and fly tyers. I have been to some VCFA meetings in the past...in fact I joined at one point...I just never seem to be free on the nights they meet. I would love to get together with other locals to tie this winter...I have a shop at home and I tie almost daily...let me know, I'd love to share ideas.

Maybe beer and tying?

Frank in Norfolk

[bigjim5589]

J-Hoss, what you posted certainly wasn't foolish. I figured he was talking about a different "spec" because I had tied flies commercially for many years and many NE fly anglers that I dealt with told me they fished for speckled trout. As I recall, that's what they call brook trout. At first I thought the same thing you did!

Heck, I know some guys who call Crappies "specs"! It's just a regional thing. Folks in different places have their own names for many species. My granddad called Largemouth Bass, green trout. I thought he was crazy when I first heard it, until my dad told me it was a bass. :D