The most important fly fishing question | Hatch Magazine

Over the 30+ years that I’ve been writing about fly fishing for trout, I’ve been asked most every question that there is to ask about this particular sport.

“What fly should I fish this evening?” “What’s your favorite rod?” “Can you explain leaders and tippets?” “Why do I keep getting wind knots?” “Do you still guide or have you given it up?” “Do I need to know the scientific names for all these insects?” “What’s better, a blood knot or surgeon’s knot?” “Can you help me with my double haul?”

And then there’s “What’s your favorite river?” “What’s your favorite streamer pattern?” “Do trout feed at night?” “Do I need an expensive reel?” “Is an emerger a dry fly?” “What’s the biggest trout you’ve ever landed?” “What’s a reach cast?” “Can I combine a pile cast and a reach cast?” “Which end of your drift boat is the front?” “Can I wear blue jeans under my waders?” “Which direction is this river flowing?” “Do you tie your own flies?”

I could go on, and on, and on. There’s one vital question, though, that rarely comes up. It’s hugely important, though — and definitely worth asking yourself.

How can I enjoy myself more when I’m out on the water?

Here, on the chance that they may prove helpful, are 18 different responses to that particular question.

1. Fish more frequently than folks who don’t fish very much.
2. Focus your time on healthy rivers, and especially healthy rivers that feature gorgeous scenery.
3. Learn to throw beautiful loops at 50’, and to cast dry flies effectively at 20’ or less.
4. Take more pictures of the river and the landscape, and fewer pictures of the fish that you catch.
5. Fish with people you really like and avoid fishing with people you don’t like.
6. Fish on your own from time to time.
7. Give your fast action trout rods to people who grow tomatoes.
8. Ignore fly fishing videos on YouTube.
9. Learn to tie your own flies.
10. Buy well-built, breathable waders with built-in zippers.
11. Invest in good wool socks.
12. Carry plenty of water, along with really good dark chocolate, in your fishing pack. Oh, and don’t forget the toilet paper.
13. Don’t get hung up on brand names, or labels, or expensive gear.
14. Spend time browsing John Juracek’s website.
15. Send Tom Rosenbauer a note explaining why you should be a guest on his fly fishing podcast.
16. I was kidding. Don’t really send Tom Rosenbauer a note explaining why you should be a guest on his fly fishing podcast.
17. Remember to be thankful and appreciative when you’re on the water — and to voice that thanks either quietly or aloud.
18. Fish intentionally, and focus on the various aspects of the sport that you most enjoy.

So that’s it. Do I have more suggestions for enjoying your fishing even more? Yes, I do. But the stuff up above is plenty to think about for right now. Oh, and feel free to share your own suggestions in the comment section.

Todd Tanner has been writing about fly fishing for more than 30 years. His work has appeared in Hatch Magazine, Forbes, Fly Fisherman, Newsweek, Field & Stream, the NY Times and a number of other quality publications. He also owns and runs the internationally-acclaimed School of Trout fly fishing school.