Fly Fishing Primer for Boomers

Here are some pointers that will help you enjoy fly fishing on day one.

I find that the majority of people joining our club have always wanted to fly fish and finally have the time. Most of the novices are anxious to catch up in skill and experience to what they might have been if they never had to work all those dull, fishless years. How many of us would stare at a picture of a river or lake on the calendar hanging on the office wall and wish we were wading in that water holding a fly rod? Then a voice would get your attention, "Call on line one", and back to work we would go.

The good news is that if you wanted to do this sport for that long, then you are going to find a lot of enjoyment from now on until your body totally gives out. You are not likely to lose interest after a short time. Fly fishing has so many unexplored components that you will find a special niche that you really like. Some fly fishers Put their efforts into exotic species involving world travel. Some will make custom graphite fly rods or even bamboo rods. Fly tying, volunteer work or teaching are a few other areas. Being an officer in an association or doing conservation work interests others or even guiding or doing something with lodges. I have a friend who retired and went to a culinary college and now is chef at a lodge in the Rockies and he fly fishes every moment he is off work.

The bad news is that you have to be uncomfortable in the beginning until you know what you are doing. That's what I hope to cure with this article.