Taking Fly Fishing To The Next Level
The massive appeal of fly fishing has been described in many ways. For some, it is a chance to integrate with the natural world around us. For others, it is all about serenity, a Zen like experience on a stream where it is just you and the world and it is hard to tell the difference. Whatever your personal experience, fly fishing is one of those things that becomes more enjoyable the more you know.
Once you get the hang of the basics of fly fishing, it is time to take your skill and experiences to the next level. In this case, I am talking about working with a fly fishing guide. Fly fishing guides are worth their weight in gold if you want to get serious about your angling. They are experts in the field and spend the majority of the year on the water.
The first thing to understand about guides is they are more qualified than you. Many people make the mistake of treating them as fishing buddies or even competitors. In both instances, people fail to take instruction. Instead, they regale the guide with stories or simply refuse to try anything new. This is a mistake. A guide is providing you with knowledge they have learned over years of fishing. Discount their advice and you are missing out on a wealth of knowledge.
Finding a fishing guide is a fairly simple process. Look for the fishing spots and you will find the guides. The best way to find a particular one is to ask for recommendations from others or go on the fly fishing chat boards to ask for advice. Word of mouth is definitely the major form of credibility in the field. Depending on the location, you can expect to pay from $50 to several hundred dollars a day.
At the end of the day, knowledge and experience is the key to taking your fly fishing to the next level. With guides, you can get both and learn some things you can use in the future.
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of fly fishing journals.