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| Housatonic River The Berkshires Massachusetts |
“Jason help!“
Quickly Jason said “hold your rod up 12 o’clock high and start reeling in the line”. Anxiously I did as I was instructed. All along, having lost so many “hits” before, I was fearful this was all going to be for naught. Slowly ... ... slowly I pulled in the line as Jason moved toward what appeared as a monstrous brown trout; net in his hand, he reached down and captured the guy.
I was quite pleased, to say the least. It was the largest ever that I had caught fly fishing. And it was a beautiful fish.
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| “My Fish” |
I looked over at my fishing mate and she equally was having as good a time - although she did not land a fish - she had three nice strikes on her line and I think has learned for the future what process to follow.
It’s an amazing experience that you really don’t understand until you try it one time. And then I think you understand or appreciate what comes from the calmness of the water, the still air and the focus on one task. You - if like me - won’t find much more serenity than this. I think if I were to focus on one aspect of it, I would have to say it’s more the focus on what you’re doing that comes to mind from so many other tasks waiting for myself.
Jason’s Short Thesis on Fly Fishing.
This is copyrighted material by Jason so don’t be planning on cutting and pasting and creating your own little booklet and then passing it out to your friends as your own. Though, Not a bad idea!
Casting made simple -
Hold your arms close to the body. Move the casting arm hand up to by the ear. Strike down, flicking wrist and to stop at waist or 3 o’clock. Easy peesie.
One. When walking through the water, stride with your feet across the rocks, don’t step directly on the rocks. You’ll find the rocks extremely slippery, and I emphasize extremely.
Two. Plan to spend 15 to 30 minutes in one spot before you begin to move. Move upstream from where you were and begin to target a particular location that you’re thinking or had seen your prize. Bubbles, seeing a fish come up for food are two good examples of where a catch might be.
Three. The “simple” overhead cast should be sufficient. That should be accompanied by a roll cast to improve your line. That will make the fish more likely to go after the fly in as much as it will see it more naturally floating down stream.
Four. Plan on changing the fly about every 15-20 minutes, or say, 10-12 casts to a particular area. Learn how to set 2 flies on a line. (My strike was to such a line of 2.) Its important to be able to knot the fly, standing in the river ... pole under arm. I’d suggest some practicing before hand.
I didn’t do this, but I did observe Jason to pick up a rock and look to see what was underneath it. I’ve read about that technique but I’m not sure that I understand it enough, or it’s possible I haven’t fished enough to get to that degree of finesse. In any event, it was pretty cool watching him study what was flying around out there in nature.
Heritage. Not all of us can be blessed with having a grandfather teaching you from early days to learn to fly fish. It also helps to be five minutes away from where are you going to fly fish. Making it so convenient. Right down the street from the “Big Y” in the Town of Lee.
If you are the guide, it’s nice to have qualities such as patience, and to be a good instructor. Not all of us have those two attributes to successfully pull together, with the background and fly fishing experience Jason possesses.
Making Your Own Arrangements
Desirous of your own guide? Contact - in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, USA
Berkshire Rivers Fly Fishing
1 413 446 5147
And, after you remove the waders from the cold stream - that you have been standing in for hours -then its time for a -
Cocktail
Hot Apple Cider with splash of Rum
Appetizer: toasted bread, slice of cheese
Music: Blue Monk, Thelonious Monk
Hot Apple Cider with splash of Rum
Appetizer: toasted bread, slice of cheese
Music: Blue Monk, Thelonious Monk
Constantine
