To teach or not to teach…
Who has time to teach someone to fly fish right? We don’t have time for this. Someone who has never picked up a fly rod will take forever to learn the “proper” way to cast. Then there is all of the methodology about flies, gear, technique’s, etc… If truth be told, this is how we usually think.
I for one struggle with this from time to time. It is not uncommon to want more time fishing rather than teaching beginners. Give me a break, dealing with wind knots, tree trout, 5 gazillion questions, the embarrassment of looking like the local circus act just came to town….It can be rather frustrating.
Fortunately I didn’t have to put anyone through this living hell. Although, it has taken me quite sometime to become a more efficient fly fisherman (if that’s what you call me). When I first started, basically I had to teach myself. I do give much credit to Hawgdaddy and the partial hell I did put him through. He gave me some pointers of things he had picked up as he was learning.
You may wonder where I am going with all of this. I have come to really love fly fishing, and have became an avid pupil of the sport. It would be unfair in my opinion to not aid someone in learning possibly the greatest pastime in the history of the world. Where would our great sport be without all of the fly fishermen? How would it possibly survive if there was nobody to care?
All of this came to my attention just last weekend as I began teaching my wonderful girlfriend about fly fishing. We have been dating two months and it has been more wonderful than I ever could have imagined (mushy mushy…I know). She often wondered what it is I do, and why I love it so much. I wanted to teach her how to fly fish in hopes she would have a better understanding of it, and hopefully in the future she will enjoy it as much as I do.
I took her to a small pond out in the country near where I grew up. At this time of year, the water is probably at it’s lowest level. The deepest part may reach 3 or 4 feet deep. Usually the water is really warm this time of year, which makes the fish really active in feeding. The last few hours of the day are usually full of action, while right at dusk is when the action is the hottest.
The pond is usually full of slime with a soft muddy bottom. I figured things would go a little easier if we used waders (you know women don’t like getting muddy). Anyway, once we finally got everything on, we took off down to the water. I pretty much just jumped right in and began wading out away from the bank. Then I hear ” wait on me!!” Ok, so I might have forgotten to wait. A few minutes later we were positioned and ready to begin lessons.
She had never picked up a fly rod before today, although she has schooled me several times in the art of catching catfish. I think it is beginners luck, but I will give her some credit. We started off with the basics, and I showed her how you hold the rod. Then we moved to casting. Yes, the fun part! Let’s just say we were definitely on the beginner level.
After spending every other cast untying wind knots, I could see the look of frustration in her eyes (yes, it was on mine too). We began fixing her problems one at a time. As we progressed, she was getting better with every cast. At times I wondered why she wasn’t teaching me. The problem with learning to cast is getting tired and lazy on your technique.
I gave her a quick break while I showed her a little of my own casting (yes I fished a little). Not that I showed her anything great, but sometimes it helps to watch someone else. After giving the rod back to her, she began to make some really good casts. The “kill the teacher” look on her eyes turned into concentration. She had a really big smile on her face as she began to do what was initially impossible.
We only managed to catch a few fish, but wasn’t our fault. The fish were not biting as good as they usually do. We just had a front come through which cooled things down a lot. I suppose this had something to do with not catching many, but she was actually having a really good time. Let’s just say that I could not pry the rod out of her hand the rest of the evening. But for once, I actually didn’t care. I just introduced someone to the sport I love, and they were really enjoying it just as I did in the beginning.
From that moment on, I had a different view on things. I have been given the absolute privilege of enjoying this fine art, and now feel the need to pass it on. That is how this sport will thrive in the midst of adversity. It won’t happen by trying to preserve it all alone. We need to teach other people how to enjoy, love, cherish, preserve, and most of all teach this beautiful art which we are so lucky to enjoy today. Bottom line is to teach others, there will always be more time to fish!!
Good Luck,
Insane
Tags: fly casting, fly fishing, teaching