Can you post a good picture of your box?
Oh just take me with you, I will tell you what they are…[sly]
You kiddies headed thisaway this weekend?
The best way to understand which fly is which is look at a few different websites (Cabela’s, TheFlyStop, Percysflies, Etc) and look at their selection of flies. They all have good detailed pics of each individual fly and that should help you learn what fly is what. Eventually you will remember the names and be able to pick them out of your box. Learning what fly to use when is a little more complicated as there are many ways to do this like by color, by type, by size, by river, by type of fish, by the weather, by the time of year, or a combination of some or all of the afore mentioned. Get a small note pad and keep a list of details every where you fish so you can refer back to it. It will all come together with time. It is not as easy as throwing a worm on a hook and tossing it in. I think the challenge of understanding all this is one of the appeals of fly fishing, at least for me it is.
**Big Lew:
*You kiddies headed thisaway this weekend? *
**
Not as far as Henry’s but headed that way on Saturday. What you got planned?
Until a few minutes ago, I was planning on gettin the 'toon shaped up to go ‘somewhere’ this weekend, but I got a call from the guy who’s setting up the new motor on my boat, and it looks like I’ll be taking it out and shaking out the kinks. You going to the “D”?
Thanks for the advice!
I guess i just need to get out and do some fishing and also some studying. I knew when i got into fly fishing it would not be as easy as spin fishing, but i had no idea how much science is really behind it all. Maybe i need to stop studying business and go into biology or something where i can understand all the hatches and what exactly the fish and the flies are thinking.
I plan on spending a lot of time on the water this weekend and hopefully that will help me feel more comfortable with all my gear. I took some time and looked up a lot of flies and matched pictures with what i have in my box. I am planning on labeling them in the box and also making some charts to know when to use what flies.
Its nice to have so much help from people on here. I know that some fisherman are so reserved when it comes to sharing advice and “secrets” of the trade. Its not like i am going to go and steal your honey hole and catch a new state record!
Hopefully i can get some pictures of this weekends trip put up and if i am lucky i will have a few fish on my line…worst case i will just catch one on my lucky lure and then grab my fly rod and make a fake memory!
Don’t be afraid to ask. Let us know were you are going fishing, and what flies you have, and we might be able to help you on what fly to try and how to fish it.
If you have time – see if you can get in to a club or get some personalized help. I think you said that you were in the Idaho Falls area. There is a club there - the Snake River Cutthroats - they could help you a lot.
Good luck and have fun.
Sounds like you are on the right track. Start by putting your flies in general classifications. For example dry flies, nymphs, streamers. Then learn what works best for each place you intend to fish. Remember the depth where the fish are holding is often as important as the fly you are using.
For example…some people do catch fish stripping leech patterns on a dry line at Henrys Lake. This is especially true early in the year when the fish are near the shore line. However later in the year it is almost impossible to catch the bigger ones without going down where the water temps are a little cooler and the food source is prevelant. Then you will need a full sinking type II, III or intermediate line. I happen to prefer the type II for most situations.
We will do everything we can to help you learn this great sport. However, I would recommend getting to know Jimmy at Jimmey’s All Season Anglers in IF. He has relatively cheap fly tying classes, casting classes etc…
It really pays off to go buy a few of your supplies at a shop like his because his knowledge and expertice can’t be replicated at your local wally world.
Windriver
Hey, it sounds like you’re a student a BYU-I. One thing I would strongly suggest is taking the fly fishing and fly tying classes that they offer. The teachers are great and your knowledge of fly fishing will grow by leaps and bounds. I took the fly fishing class the first summer I was up here and it was a blast! Rexburg is the perfect location for a fly fisherman because you have both the South Fork and Henry’s Fork only 15 minutes away. My roommate and I both fly fish so maybe we can meet up and teach you some of the basics. You would have to pass a few tests and swear a vow of secrecy to not tell anyone our super top secret, secret spots…or spot? Haha, nothing that drastic, but seriously we all have to start somewhere in the fascinating world of fly fishing, welcome aboard!
p.s. The fishing classes are under the Recreation Management major as RM224A and 224B. If you can register for classes I would sign up for them asap because they fill up pretty fast. Also there is a slim chance that you could still get into the fly fishing class that starts on Monday. Someone might decide to drop the class at the last minute so it probably wouldn’t hurt to go to class the first day and see if you can get in. Anyway good luck to you. Fly fishing is awesome!
99% sure we are.
Thanks for the info!
Guess i just need to find a fly shop and start asking for info. Sounds like my brother-in-law is coming to visit for the weekend so i am going to take him up to Henry’s Sat morning.
Other than Renegades, what else is good at Henry’s this time of year?
Looks to me like we need to get a little group together in Rexburg. I can think of at least 5-6 people on here who have contacted me from Rexburg. I for one would appreciate some face to face instruction.
KVD: I have thought about doing the fly classes on campus but i just have not had the time or room in my schedule. I barely get out enough to fish as it is so adding some more classes right now is going to be tough. Thanks for the info though. Having a 9 month old and taking 18 credits has been an experience!
I am not saying that Bill Schiess’ patterns are the beat all to end all at Henrys lake…OK maybe I am. You need to get Bill’s book Fishing Henrys Lake. It is a little old now but it shows all of the major holes in Henrys and when to fish them. It also shows pictures of the major patterns that are used to fish Henrys.
There are a million different patterns that could and do work. I never go to Henrys without copper crystal buggers, green crystal buggers, california leeches, the mity mouse, purple show girls, Halloweens (in October).
You can get his book at Jimmys or probably at BSflies in Ponds lodge. You can buy his patterns at many fly shops between Ashton and the lake.
Windriver