The Booking Season is a great time of year. Fishing is picking up and judging by the conversations we are having with Clients everyone shares the stoke about their up and coming Guided Fly-Fishing Trips. For some of our guests this is not their first rodeo. They are experienced Anglers that know what to somewhat expect. For others this is their first time experiencing a Guided Fly-Fishing Trip and in some cases have never Fly-Fished before. for most they have booked a guided Fly-Fishing Trip thru a reputable Fly-Fishing Outfitter who employs Fly -Fishing Guides that are able to instruct Clients regardless of their Fly-Fishing experience. Considering the amount of Capitol that goes into a Guided Fly-Fishing Trip ,namely time and money there are a few things which beginner Clients can do prior to a Guided Fly-Fishing Float Trip which will speed up the learning curve therefore helping to ensure that a Guided Fly-Fishing Trip is safe, fun and a few fish are caught.
Float Trip Chill time
Learn to Fly-Cast
If you have booked a guided Fly-Fishing Trip and have never Fly-Casted before it’s a good idea to take a fly-casting/Fly-Fishing Lesson which are available thru Local Fly-Shops. A Fly-Casting Lesson will help you understand the basic fundamentals of casting a Fly-Rod and will greatly improve your day on The water while on a Guided Fly-Fishing Trip.
Learn to Mend Your Fly-Line
Hooked Up on a Rainbow Trout
While on a guided Fly- Fishing Trip presentation of Flies is important. The Fly or strike indicator needs to be moving at the same speed as the current of the river otherwise it looks unnatural to the Trout resulting in fewer strikes or eats. Mending is the term used to manipulate your Fly-Line above or sometimes below your Fly or Strike Indicator so it is floating at the same speed as the current. This can also be explained and taught during a pre -trip Fly-Fishing Lesson.
Fly- Line Management
Fly-Line Management is crucial and involves controlling or managing the fly-line while fishing. Slack needs to be in your drift for proper presentation but too much slack in the fly-line will result in poor hook sets. Fly-Line Control starts with learning how to hold the Fly-Rod and Fly-Line properly while the Fly is drifting and stripping in the slack line in manner that it does not impede the drift or presentation of your offerings. A Fly-Fishing Lesson will teach this important part of Fly -Fishing.
Hooking and Playing Fish
Once a Trout eats a fly an Angler then “sets” which entails lifting the fly-rod thus hooking the fish. To fast could result in breaking off the fish, to slow will result in missing the take. Everything must be done in a controlled manner to avoid breaking off or missing the take. With Proper Fly-Line Management it is very easy to accomplish a good hook set. Once the fish is hooked the fun begins, its important to keep steady pressure on the fish so that the hook does not pop out of it’s mouth and the pressure on the fish tires it out making it possible to land. Again taking a Fly-Fishing Lesson will help in understanding how to hook and play a fish while on a Guided Fly-Fishing Trip.
Landing ,Holding and Releasing a Trout
D.B.O Guide Luke Russel holds a Brown Trout while a Happy Client smiles for the iPhone.
Once a Trout is landed it’s important that it’s handled correctly and put back in water. Of course a Picture is in order of the Angler holding the fish. Prior to holding the fish hands so be wet so the fish’s protective slime is not removed. The fish should not be squeezed while holding it which could cause internal damage to the fish’s organs. A lot of Fly- Fishing Guides prefer it if they hold the fish for the Client who slides in beside the Fly-Fishing Guide for the picture. This way the fish is handled correctly.
Fun and Safety on a Guided Fly-Fishing Trip
Bow River Brown Trout
Prior to getting on the water Your Fly-Fishing Guide should point out where Life Jackets are and perhaps advise to wear it them. He or She will also discuss how to stand In the knee braces so that Fly-Fishing Clients are locked in and the boat is balanced. At time of booking The Outfitter should ask or The Client(s) should also inform The Outfitter of any health issues ,Dietary Restrictions or Allergies. When on a Guided Fly-Fishing Trip have fun and enjoy the scenery after all Trout live in some remarkable places.