Why I Fish...This might take a while.

A carp bolting back onto the flat.  It never gets old.  

I bet the most commonly asked question of fishing enthusiasts by friends and family who are rarely seen holding a rod and reel is, "So...Why do you fish anyway?"

I never really have a good "elevator" reply for why I fish.  Mainly because there are a variety of reasons that seem to change each time out.  I know I'm guilty of mentally asking the same question of others who enjoy a pasttime that's not my cup of tea.  It may be difficult for them to express just how much they enjoy a particular activity, and it may not.  It really doesn't matter.  If something makes us happy, and is not immoral, I'd say it doesn't require explanation.

I, on the other hand, would like more people to pursue fly fishing.  I believe that more fly fishing enthusiasts in the world mean more people working hard to protect our wildlife and fisheries.  For that reason, I need an elevator pitch.  I need a quick statement that let's people know why I fish in hopes that they will be intrigued enough to inquire further into the prospect of trying for themselves.  Maybe by the end of this I'll have something thought out.  Until then, here is a list of my top ten reasons I love to fly fish.

9 - The moment when you hook into a big fish:  I was standing in the cold Rapid Creek water approaching a deep hole.  New to fly fishing, this was trial under fire.  A seam holding two big fish and my constituents giving me the first shot at landing one while they watch from shore.  Finding a sturdy hold in the creek, I begin casting to the top of the hole.  Time and time again my fly drifted through with nothing to show for it.  It seemed like I stood casting to those trout for an eternity.  As a noob, I felt the seconds turn into minutes and began worrying about the guys on shore.  Are they checking their clocks?  Do they want to start casting?  But my comfort level was still well enough to keep on.  These were the biggest trout I had ever presented a fly to, and I wanted to know what it felt like to land one.  With each drift I would watch as the trout lazily swayed from left to right munching the entire time.  Until, one seemed to open it's mouth wider than it had before.  My indicator twitched only slightly when I set the hook.  "A snag," I thought, while I lifted the rod.  It felt like a cinderblock on the other end of my 5x tippet.  And then the head shakes began, and the fight was on.  My heart and mind started into race, almost against each other.  One trying to determine how to land this fish among the fast water below, water hazards and slippery rocks, the other just trying to give me enough blood to stay conscious.  The brown didn't fit in my net, but I got it to hand.  I was mocked the rest of the day for having a "barbie" net.  I'll never forget the hookset.  Like a cinderblock.

8 - Solitude:  Standing all alone on a stream when big snow flakes are falling;  casting to 7 lb rainbow trout when it is 10 degrees and the wind is howling; casting for carp on the flats of Lake X...the list goes on and on.  Having always held professional positions that require a vast amount of communication, fishing provides a getaway.  No problems, no deadlines, no worries.  The only listening that is required is to nature and the only talking I do is with my golden retriever.  It's an amazing feeling.

7 - Fishing in the rain:  The pitter-patter of raindrops on my hood creates music to my ears.  The droplets falling from the bill of my hat make me feel sheltered and warm in my fishing cacoon.  The smell makes me feel like a kid.  And the fish...boy do they bite in the rain.  I don't know if I've ever had a bad day fishing in the rain.  And not many other people like to do it, so someone has to catch fish on rainy days!

6 - Anticipation, daydreaming, and possibility:  I don't only tie flies in the winter like many folks.  Often on weekends and lazy weekday evenings, you'll find me at the tying bench, or table, or nightstand, or whatever will hold my vise, dreaming up new patterns and the fish that will eat them.  On the water, like most people with fish on the brain, I always believe that next cast is going to produce a fish.  One last cast usually turns into 10 or 20.  One of the great things about fishing is that you never really know what will fall for your presentation until it happens.  You never know which spot is going to hold that fish you've dreamed up while tying.  I still get giddy and excited before a fishing trip, even the short ones around home.  I guess I'll probably still enjoy it until that feeling goes away, maybe even after.

Vote for this photo on TU's facebook page Nov 3-11
I could win a fly rod!!

5 - Getting up close and personal with a wild animal:  I wish I had taken up flyfishing as a young child.  I recall with great delight my childhood visits to the grandparents' house in Spearfish.  Standing on the bridge near the fish hatchery scanning the creek below for feeding trout was a favorite pastime.  I could always spot  them in the turbid water and only wanted to get a closer look.  They are all so unique and beautiful, like a fingerprint.   Each warrants special attention when they are brought to hand.  Great care is taken to release them unharmed (outside of the small hook hole in their mouth) and as much time as they'll allow is invested in watching as they escape back to the honeyhole.  You can't get any closer to enjoying nature and not taking a life.

4 - Skillz pay the billz:  As often as I try to find solitude while fishing, I am happy to share a fishing hole or location when fellow fishing enthusiast are present.  More often than not, I will also end up sharing my strategy for catching fish with them.  I am usually very fortunate on the water, which has a lot to do with the lucky flies that I tie, and people take notice.  "what are you using?" they'll ask after I release a few fish.  I'll take a second to explain the fly and give them a look at the pattern I'm using before they're almost guaranteed to reply, "I've got a fly rod at home somewhere, I should get that thing out".  Plain and simple, I can catch fish with a fly rod when others won't.  I've landed fish after fish in locations surrounded by bait and artificial lures alike without seeing another fish brought to hand.  I have confidence in this tactic and take a lot of luck out of the equation.  With the fly, I'm presenting to all of the fish's senses vs. a select few.  They can't help but eat it.  

3 - It's very challenging:  Now that I've explained how well fly fishing works, I'll get to the caveat.  Fly fishing gets easier with education.  I've been humbled many a day fishing for various species in various locations.  Even today I find myself in situations, chasing fish that I'm not prepared to pursue.  Fly fishing requires constant improvement and improvisation to stay one step ahead of your quarry.  This applies at the fly tying desk as much as it does on the water.  Preparation and education are key to being a "good" fly fisher.  I love getting smarter every day.

2 - Evolution:  Our family fishing tournaments remain as some of my most cherished and vivid

memories from childhood.  It was here where I began to evolve and adapt as a fisherman.  It all started with salmon eggs.  What a great way to catch trout as a kid.  I wittnessed the largest rainbow I'd ever seen caught when I was around 11 or 12.  Hanging out of its mouth was a red and white daredevil.  I never used live bait after that.  Soon I discovered gift shop flys and their propensity to attract rainbows behind a clear bobber.  I would draw crowds because I was catching so many fish.  Everyone wanted to know how I was doing it, and I had no idea why it worked.  I sure put the acting hat on though.  Could have given me one of those meaningless awards they give to celebrities for pretending to be other people.  My uncle gave me my first fly rod and introduced me to fly fishing cinema.  Trout Bum diaries was the first video I watched.  I was hooked forever.  I enjoy reminiscing about my progression through the phases of fishing.  I only wish that I had been introduced to fly fishing at a younger age.

1 - Spending time with good friends and family:    While solitude is more my game nowadays, I still find great value in fishing with those that I enjoy spending time with.  My dad and brother always entertain me, while the tuesday tyers continue to surprise me with their talents.   My girls have continued to show interest and have caught some fish all on their own.  I hope they both stick with it.  My favorite fishing partner, however, is Lucy.  She's the best dog around and even loves fishing more than me.  She told me so.



If you don't fly fish now, I hope you will consider trying it.  If my reasons don't persuade you, maybe you can think of a few others that would make it sound more appealing.  If you love to fish, I'd like to hear why.  See if we have some common ground.  Now go fishing.  You deserve it!

So Pumped Right Now!

I don't really have anything to say at this point.  Still too pumped about today.  Persistence and positivity pay off I guess.  The photos will say it all.

1st of two hogs caught in Oahe Marina on Saturday

This is one of the many reasons why I fish.

I was so pumped!!

Agony of Defeat: Promise of Tomorrow

In search of the elusive Oahe Marina Rainbow

It's not easy to accept defeat on the water when acknowledging it is typically against the rules.  I'm fine with coming off a stretch of water with no fish because: a) I've likely caught fish there a time or two before, and B) spending time on the water is more than reward enough for me.  Unless, however, I'm chasing rainbow trout in Oahe Downstream marina.

Let me go back to the beginning.  I started this blog by writing about the possibility of catching 3, 5, 7, 9 pound trout with regularity.  That's how it used to be anyway.  Now, they are somewhat few and far between, but still there.  They cruise the sanctity of the marina throughout the winter months and into early spring in search of easy prey.  Sounds like easy pickins for fly guys.  Turns out, it's not that easy for me.

Today's weather report:  33 degrees, overcast and breezy.  "Perfect," I thought.  No other fisherman will be on the water, the fish will be relatively unspookable, and I can key in on a few select presentations that should do the trick.  I ducked out at 3:30, picked up the pup and hit the marina.  As I suspected, no fisherman and perfect conditions.  This was the day I would bring a big Oahe Marina bow to hand.  So I thought.

My uncle holds a nice bow taken in the marina back in the "glory days"

For the past three years, this challenge has eluded me.  Early on, my lack of dedication to the challenge persistently decided my fate.  Only getting to the marina on one or two occasions during undesirable conditions is no way to beat these big bows.  Even when I would put in the hours, the fish performing a perfect disappearing act or my inability to find the right presentation would again leave me skunked.   It wouldn't be so bad if I hadn't heard success stories from friends and family members.  My two uncles who reminisce about the days of catching 16+ fish in a day that weighed over 3 lbs a piece.  Other fisherman, whether by fly line or spinning real, landing 9+ lb rainbows and hanging their "trophy" photos in the nearby marina store.

So there I was, Lucy and I, on our first attempt at the elusive Oahe Marina Rainbows.  While I am always optimistic and confident when it comes to fishing, I've found myself beginning to doubt my skills as a fisherman.  I've had opportunities in the past and have not capitalized.  Maybe this is just one of those fishing scenarios that I cannot master.

Sloooow strip...pause.  Sloooow strip...pause.  My wooly bugger prince nymph combo looked great in the water, now if only...WHAM!!

The weight of a cinder block welcomed my hookset as only seconds later a bright rainbow body and large green head breached the surface violently splashing from side to side.  Back under water now the big fish makes a run for deeper water before breaching the surface yet again, this time in spectacular fashion.  My heart is pounding, my mind racing.  "Just get it to hand," I thought to myself.  Almost as quickly as that thought entered my mind, the hard pull on the line was no longer and the rod became straight yet again.  "NOOOOO!" I yelled in agony as the big rainbow disappeared into the depths.  I sat on the bank to contemplate how close I had just come to accomplishing my goal before warming my frozen fingers in the truck.  Defeated yet again.  I've got to stay positive.  Tomorrow is another day.  What's the forecast for Pierre?  35 degrees, 90% chance of snow, and 20 mph winds? Perfect!

Here is a bit more of what I'm missing out on.

Big hen

Like a big football!!

Rather Be Fishing: 2012 Highlights

Here is a short video highlighting a few of the fishing trips Lucy and I took in 2012.  We had a great time on the water together.  Hope to get out more in 2013 with Lillian also by my side.

Dog Days of Fishing

My dog Lucy facing off vs. carp

I don't mind fishing alone.  In fact, I often appreciate that time on the water.  I do, however, appreciate the company of one fishing partner more often than not.  My dog Lucy is the best dog in the world.  I've had her by my side on the water since the day we brought her home from Cedar Valley Pheasant Haven in Harrold, S.D.  Sure, she can't make every trip I take, but for the most part, I love to have her along and she loves to be there.

Just a few months old and she already loves to fish

My favorite thing about Lucy is her optimism.  She is in a constant state of anticipation while fishing.  She always seems to assume that the next cast is going to produce an opportunity for her to pounce, chase, lick and stalk.  I wish I always had her optimism as a fisherman.  As doubts enters my mind, I look to Lucy for reassurance that the "just one more cast" cliche may be used liberally but not taken literally.  Her obvious passion for the water and all of its inhabitants makes me wonder if she looks forward to our fishing trips as I do.

I really appreciate our time on the water together and vow to create more of it in years to come.  She turns five this year, and I can't tell you where the time has gone.  I want to make the most of the years we have left together, and give her as much joy as one fisherman can give back to his best fishing buddy.