Hi CM_Stewart:
I see, But aren't all flymphs suggestive in nature to begin with? Perhaps Tenkara flies are entirely suggestive versus some what suggestive.
I too feel as if I will never reach the point where I have confidence to fish one pattern and one pattern only, I guess that would be the ultimate extension of a suggestive pattern, one pattern that due to it's design and how it's used suggests just about anything in that particular strech of water that's interesting to the fish.
As far as manipulating the fly, well I have a long way to reach the ability of many here but that's where I strive to be some day.
Wayneb
Using one fly
Moderators: William Anderson, letumgo
Re: Using one fly
As one gets a little older and hopefully a little wiser you begin to realise that you cannot get into another mans head, you cannot feel what he feels about fishing, you realise that the whole fly fishing experience is a very very personal beast.
As youthful anglers we make discovery after discovery and on each, we make profound pronouncements to any that would pretend to listen. I say pretend, because it all now makes sense why so many anglers listened to my new found wisdoms on the art of fly fishing, nodded with a slight grin on their faces. They nodded and grinned for they had once been that youthful angler embarked on a wonderful voyage of discovery. There comes a time where you start to feel comfortable in your own waders, you realise that whilst there are still a lot of discoveries to be made, the rush of youth has been replaced with an ease that comes with experience. The rush of youth returns occasionally as there are always discoveries to be made but you become a little more discerning on who will be your audience to discuss these discoveries.
Not all anglers strive to learn all the answers, some find a method or two that works to some extent and are content to accept the successes and failures in equal measure. Such anglers because they do not think very deeply about their sport can fish away quite contently, passionate anglers but unaffected and blissfully un-aware of the compexities. They are in many respects quite lucky.
Some learn many methods, reach a reasonable degree of understanding but make a concious decision to stick to say a one fly only Tenkara or similar approach. They are content to refine this one method , excel in it, and above all they will fit into their waders perfectly and be content.
The final group are those whose pleasure derives in both the seeking of problems and the solving of them, in medical terms they are the OCD's (obsessive compulsive disorder) of the fly fishing world. These OCD's do not wan't to be visitors to the streams and rivers, they desire to become part of the stream, they wan't to be able to flow with the changing seasons, meeting each challenge with a zest bordering on religious zealousness. These are the saddest group of all, as fullfillment is a double edged sword. Once a problem is solved the seeking of the next begins. The OCD's strive for the holy grail, but most will not recognise it even if placed in the palms of their hands. The pleasure for the most part will be in the seeking.
So when I look at an angler with a single fly in his box, a smile on his face, flicking his fly between the boulders. I can but wonder what journey took him there.
As youthful anglers we make discovery after discovery and on each, we make profound pronouncements to any that would pretend to listen. I say pretend, because it all now makes sense why so many anglers listened to my new found wisdoms on the art of fly fishing, nodded with a slight grin on their faces. They nodded and grinned for they had once been that youthful angler embarked on a wonderful voyage of discovery. There comes a time where you start to feel comfortable in your own waders, you realise that whilst there are still a lot of discoveries to be made, the rush of youth has been replaced with an ease that comes with experience. The rush of youth returns occasionally as there are always discoveries to be made but you become a little more discerning on who will be your audience to discuss these discoveries.
Not all anglers strive to learn all the answers, some find a method or two that works to some extent and are content to accept the successes and failures in equal measure. Such anglers because they do not think very deeply about their sport can fish away quite contently, passionate anglers but unaffected and blissfully un-aware of the compexities. They are in many respects quite lucky.
Some learn many methods, reach a reasonable degree of understanding but make a concious decision to stick to say a one fly only Tenkara or similar approach. They are content to refine this one method , excel in it, and above all they will fit into their waders perfectly and be content.
The final group are those whose pleasure derives in both the seeking of problems and the solving of them, in medical terms they are the OCD's (obsessive compulsive disorder) of the fly fishing world. These OCD's do not wan't to be visitors to the streams and rivers, they desire to become part of the stream, they wan't to be able to flow with the changing seasons, meeting each challenge with a zest bordering on religious zealousness. These are the saddest group of all, as fullfillment is a double edged sword. Once a problem is solved the seeking of the next begins. The OCD's strive for the holy grail, but most will not recognise it even if placed in the palms of their hands. The pleasure for the most part will be in the seeking.
So when I look at an angler with a single fly in his box, a smile on his face, flicking his fly between the boulders. I can but wonder what journey took him there.
Re: Using one fly
Otter, do you enjoy fly fishing?
I do, very much, but I am beginning to wonder if that is because I am not actually very good at it. Now don't get me wrong, I am never happier than when I am in the river, and I must catch enough to maintain my enthusiasm because I do keep going back. But I am not on some kind of quest. I decided a long time ago that that there can be no definitive answers to the problems, and to apply too much rational analysis and scientific methodology was doomed to failure, because there are simply too many variables, and would merely serve to spoil a good day on the river.
But thing is, I find this strangely liberating, and by and large, fly fishing is a fascinating, totally absorbing, but for me ultimately relaxing way to spend my time.
***Blowing own trumpet alert***
(I hate doing this it isn't in my nature, but I need to to make my point.)
There are one or two things in this life at which I excel - and that is not my own opinion of myself but of others, respected in their fields. But I cannot honestly say I 'enjoy' doing these things. I actually find the doing of them quite stressful. In fact, I live with a constant state of background fear, a fear that i will get up one morning and no longer be able to do them. Consequently, I will construct all manner of theories as to why I can do them, perform rational analysis, apply the 'scientific method', because then it becomes understandable - and repeatable - so there is no need to worry about losing it, is there?
But I never manage to convince myself for very long, and I soon have to construct another theory.
When I read some of what you post, and a few others, it sometimes reads as though you feel like this about fishing, that you have this degree of talent to be so urged on and driven to perfect it, which is why I ask if you 'enjoy' it? Not meant facetiously at all, and meant with respect.
Andrew
The incomplete angler
I do, very much, but I am beginning to wonder if that is because I am not actually very good at it. Now don't get me wrong, I am never happier than when I am in the river, and I must catch enough to maintain my enthusiasm because I do keep going back. But I am not on some kind of quest. I decided a long time ago that that there can be no definitive answers to the problems, and to apply too much rational analysis and scientific methodology was doomed to failure, because there are simply too many variables, and would merely serve to spoil a good day on the river.
But thing is, I find this strangely liberating, and by and large, fly fishing is a fascinating, totally absorbing, but for me ultimately relaxing way to spend my time.
***Blowing own trumpet alert***
(I hate doing this it isn't in my nature, but I need to to make my point.)There are one or two things in this life at which I excel - and that is not my own opinion of myself but of others, respected in their fields. But I cannot honestly say I 'enjoy' doing these things. I actually find the doing of them quite stressful. In fact, I live with a constant state of background fear, a fear that i will get up one morning and no longer be able to do them. Consequently, I will construct all manner of theories as to why I can do them, perform rational analysis, apply the 'scientific method', because then it becomes understandable - and repeatable - so there is no need to worry about losing it, is there?
But I never manage to convince myself for very long, and I soon have to construct another theory.
When I read some of what you post, and a few others, it sometimes reads as though you feel like this about fishing, that you have this degree of talent to be so urged on and driven to perfect it, which is why I ask if you 'enjoy' it? Not meant facetiously at all, and meant with respect.
Andrew
The incomplete angler
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." ~ Pablo Picasso 8)
Re: Using one fly
about concentration:
A few years ago I was fishing while a TV camera was recording me. That was the first time I did see that my had was moving from the one side to the other with the ritme of stripping in my nymphs. Now I am aware that my concentration is sometimes so deep that i don't feel these movements, the only things that are in my mind is the feeling of tyhe line in my fingers and my eye focussing on the place where my leader is going down in the water. The magic V.
Greeting
A few years ago I was fishing while a TV camera was recording me. That was the first time I did see that my had was moving from the one side to the other with the ritme of stripping in my nymphs. Now I am aware that my concentration is sometimes so deep that i don't feel these movements, the only things that are in my mind is the feeling of tyhe line in my fingers and my eye focussing on the place where my leader is going down in the water. The magic V.
Greeting
There will allways be a solution.
http://www.aflyinholland.nl
http://www.aflyinholland.nl
Re: Using one fly
Do I enjoy it - afraid so. Consumed by it - guilty as charged. Talented - nope - in that department I am severly lacking , bear in mind that though i have fly fished for 30 years only 6 or 7 have been fishing for wild browns on rivers and a lot of unlearning had to be done before i even got to the starting post. When things do not come naturally it takes immesurable effort to cross small hurdles.
Sad really, but I only ever feel truly alive, truly free when I sit in a boat on a lough, or wander up or down a river - everything else seems like hard work
Sad really, but I only ever feel truly alive, truly free when I sit in a boat on a lough, or wander up or down a river - everything else seems like hard work
Re: Using one fly
Very pleased to hear that you enjoy it!Otter wrote:Do I enjoy it - afraid so. Consumed by it - guilty as charged. Talented - nope - in that department I am severly lacking
As for the other, I suspect that you are being overly modest - the obvious passion and commitment with which you write gives you away I'm afraid... Andrew.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." ~ Pablo Picasso 8)
Re: Using one fly
Hi Andrew;
I think we all enjoy fly fishing and most cannot explain why, at least not in a logical way. Each of us enjoy things and fish differently, some are consumed by catching every last fish in a strech of water or that one real trophy. Others just enjoy being there on the water the catching of fish becomes incidental. I fit somewhere in the middle, sometimes I want to catch everything or the Lunker, sometimes I just want to escape everyday life. These days I don't get to enjoy fishing as much as I'd like but, my kids are getting older and in 4 years, I'm eligible to retire, can't wait to spend more days fishing then anything else!
No matter what, a bad day fishing will always beat a good day at work!
Mike: I forgot about this aspect of being in the zone: "Another common experience for those who do this, and indeed for many others, time has no meaning, and you cease to notice it's passing. Can be a problem actually, trying to explain why you "went down to the river for half an hour" and come back after ten hours looking completely knackered but happy!
" Thanks for pointing it out.
Wayneb
I think we all enjoy fly fishing and most cannot explain why, at least not in a logical way. Each of us enjoy things and fish differently, some are consumed by catching every last fish in a strech of water or that one real trophy. Others just enjoy being there on the water the catching of fish becomes incidental. I fit somewhere in the middle, sometimes I want to catch everything or the Lunker, sometimes I just want to escape everyday life. These days I don't get to enjoy fishing as much as I'd like but, my kids are getting older and in 4 years, I'm eligible to retire, can't wait to spend more days fishing then anything else!
No matter what, a bad day fishing will always beat a good day at work!
Mike: I forgot about this aspect of being in the zone: "Another common experience for those who do this, and indeed for many others, time has no meaning, and you cease to notice it's passing. Can be a problem actually, trying to explain why you "went down to the river for half an hour" and come back after ten hours looking completely knackered but happy!
" Thanks for pointing it out.Wayneb
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CM_Stewart
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Re: Using one fly
he surely mean't fishing on a bad day , weatherwiseCM_Stewart wrote:What's that?wayneb wrote:a bad day fishing
Re: Using one fly
Hi Wayne, have you any idea where that saying comes from? The old bloke who first encouraged me to take up fly fishing used to say that to me. He was a great bloke - gave me my first fly, a fly he had 'evolved' himself over a lifetime of fishing this river. Now he was an inspiration, I don't know how old he was, he must have been getting on for eighty, and he was still getting in and out of the river with a plastic hip. Just watching him towards the end, his slow (and no doubt painful) methodical movements, his sheer determination to not be beaten and keep fishing was an inspiration indeed.wayneb wrote: No matter what, a bad day fishing will always beat a good day at work!
Wayneb
Lovely bloke, but I've not seen him this last season and I fear the worst.
But just interested about the saying, if anyone knew where it began?
Andrew
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." ~ Pablo Picasso 8)