Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention.
Over the past year necessity has absolutely been at the forefront of our minds. Whether it be because of state mandates or personal reasons, we’ve had to think about what is necessary or essential. That has had massive implications for many facets of our lives.
And, in a very real way, it has had a significant impact on our fly fishing.
Fly fishing isn’t necessary in the same sense as food, shelter, and health are. But the peace and respite it provides are invaluable for us. So we’re planning on going fishing.
Want to catch more gorgeous brook trout when fly fishing? The premise is simple…get off the beaten path and explore!
Whether it be because of travel restrictions, health concerns, or financial limitations, going fishing has meant staying fishing for a lot of people. Thankfully, many people have options close by. It might take reframing what fishing looks like for you. It might even take some of that invention that pops up when things get complicated.
Here are three ways to reframe your approach to fly fishing. Each involves staying close to home, while leaving the beaten path that most anglers stay as close to as possible.
Go off the beaten path. Get away from what the guidebooks recommend, what the state agency lists, and what you’re used to. There are fish in other places. There are wild trout in places that would blow your mind. It should feel good just to know that. Imagine how it will feel when you see one finning in the current. Just imagine how it will feel after you let one slide out of your hand and watch it swim back into that current.
Go beyond the beaten path. The guidebooks and the fish commission are valuable assets. Use that common, easy data as a starting point. As the weather and seasons change fish will move. Smaller tributaries that never warrant a mention in any publication will hold fish as long as the water is habitable and accessible. Similarly, points adjacent to and immediately downstream from where popular creeks enter larger rivers are often overlooked spots.
Go father on the beaten path. Sometimes just a few more steps are all you need to find fish. It is such a simple truism: Most people only fish as far as is comfortable. If you are able, walk 15 more minutes on your local stream instead of driving an hour to a different water. You might be surprised at what you find.
Most importantly, enjoy the exploration. Approaching new water always pushes us. New approaches to familiar waters are also challenging. Whether it be a trophy trout, a surprising sunfish, or even only an enjoyable (albeit fish-less) exploration, you’ll be getting out on the water. And, if the first few weeks of 2021 is any indication, that will be a necessity.