Fly Fishing Need Not
Be Complicated
Fly fishing certainly is an art form and many over the course
of their lifetime master this sport. However, one need not cast a 60 yards,
know the name of every nymph in the fly box at LL Bean and dress like they
stepped out of an Orvis catalog to have fun catching fish on the fly. For most,
the seemingly most difficult step to becoming a fly fisher is picking up rod,
reel and line and attempting that first tentative cast. Well, don’t be an
anxious angler, just do it! Fly fishing is not nearly as complicated as it is
frequently made out to be and a person can learn all they need to achieve
casting success and catch fish in as little as an hour. Now I am not saying
that your cast will be perfect or that you will be able to cast like a pro but
what most newbie fly casters don’t realize is that 90% of the fish caught on
the fly are done so with casts distancing less than 25 feet. Therefore, fly fishing
is more about understanding specifically where the fish are hiding and
targeting them with short, well placed casts.
Another issue I see frequently when instructing new fly
fishers is poor gear selection. They buy expensive waders, sun glasses, fly
jackets and nets but purchase their fly rod, reel and line at Walmart. Avoid
frustration, maximize available funds and shorten the amount of time it will
take to master the art of fly fishing by first investing in these three
critical items. This isn’t to say big money need be spent but $100 on a rod,
$80 on a good weight forward tapered floating line and $50 on a reel will go a
LONG way in shortening the learning curve. Better gear simply casts easier allowing
beginners to become less frustrated when trying to learn.
When fly fishing, always wear eye protection. Beginner or
experts should all heed this warning and when instructing I cannot stress this
enough. Wind, branches, other fly casters, fish spitting the hook, misplaced
casts . . . there are simply too many uncontrollable variables for an angler to
make a perfect cast every time. Even experts casting in perfect situations can
make mistakes. A hook in the ear or head is an inconvenience; a hook in the eye
is potentially tragic. Full wrap around polarized sunglasses on bright days and
cheap $10 clear safety glasses on those days that are overcast are what I call
simple preventative measures.
Read a book, watch youtube videos, take an adult education
class, hire a Maine guide, take a class at LL Bean . . . whatever the final
choice, there are lots of instructional options to help anglers successfully
take that first cast.
After long months of inactivity, “anglers anxious” wishing to fly fish open waters would be well served
to make a pilgrimage to Grand Lake Stream (Delorme’s The Maine Atlas and
Gazetteer (MAG), Map 35, B-4). Open April 1st to fly fishing only, hoards of
anglers descend upon the stream, drunk on the prospects of pulling fat
silversides from the stream’s turbulent, ice cold waters. Fishing is often fast
and furious during the first three weeks of April, with hungry salmon eager to
bite hard on any imitation smelt patterns (Black Ghost and Gray Ghost). Those
new to the sport of fly fishing and confused by the overwhelming selection of
flies can stop at the Grand Lake Stream store and simply ask the clerk what
they are biting.
Widely considered one of the top landlocked salmon rivers in
the state, Grand Lake Stream regularly produces salmon of between 16 and 20
inches in length, with larger fish always an exciting possibility. Regulations
set a length minimum for salmon at 14 inches and a one fish bag limit on
salmon. The dam pool is by far the most popular (and also most crowded
location) so those wishing for a quieter and more pristine experience, it is
good to explore other areas of the stream such as the hatchery pool.
Stream Side Salmon Sushi
Stream Side Salmon Sushi
Those
staying in Grand Lake Stream usually stay in lodges with three fully prepared
and served meals a day (American plan), however, those with more budget
conscious considerations choose to cook our own meals (house keeping plan). For
those choosing this plan option, I can think of no better lunch time meal than
freshly caught salmon. This meal can be easily prepped ahead of time and
assembled on-site with little more time commitment than making a sandwich.
Start by
making the sushi rice the evening before, I prefer “Rice Select” but there are
many other brands equally good. Cook rice according to the directions on the
rice package and after the rice has cooled, add approximately 3 tablespoons of
rice vinegar per cup of rice made. Rice can then be place in a large Ziploc
bag.
In the
morning, pack up the sushi rice along with, roasted seaweed wraps, pickled ginger,
soy sauce, wasabi, and avocado. Once a salmon is caught it can be filleted and
the flesh cut into thin strips. To assemble the rolls, place a seaweed wrap on a plate and press a
thin layer of cool rice on the seaweed. Leave at least 1/2 inch top and bottom
edge of the seaweed uncovered for easier rolling later. Dot some wasabi down
the center of the rice so that it is spread evenly through the entire roll.
Arrange avocado and salmon to the rice about 1 inch away from the bottom edge
of the seaweed. Slightly dampen
the top edge of the seaweed and then roll from bottom to the top edge. While
some people prefer to accomplish this step with the help of a bamboo mat, it
isn’t absolutely necessary. Cut roll into 8 equal pieces, top with a thin slice
of pickled ginger and serve sprinkled with soy sauce to taste.
Pickled Ginger is only needed when different species or types of fish are served at the same time. An opposable toe comes in handy for fishing.
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice Steve!
ReplyDelete