Are You a Perfectionist When it Comes to Fly Fishing???
Do I consider myself a perfectionist? When it comes to fly fishing I would say I am close. When I am on the water I am always trying to stay in touch with how the fish are reacting. This could be feeding habits, reaction to water levels, water temps, current flow, and hatch patterns. If I am having problems with one or more of these factors, then it really gets my goat if I can’t entice the fish into taking one of my offerings. So I do what most all fishermen do, I keep trying different techniques and patterns until I hit on something that is productive. Sometimes it works and sometimes I come up on the losing end. I always look back on every trip especially the skunked ones and try to analyze why I wasn’t successful and try to come up with a solution that will make the next trip a little more productive. Could those no fish trips be attributed to natural factors, less concentration on my part, dormant fish, or bad cast?
Sometimes I wonder if I am being too hard on myself when one of my casts goes astray. I not only want that cast to be precise but I want it to produce a fish every time the line hits the water. I not only enjoy getting the fish on with that super cast, but I want to make sure I play the fish to the point that one I land it and two that I don’t harm the fish in the process. Back in the days when I fished in the bass tournaments using the casting rod play was not a factor: then numbers were the winner and the faster you could land the fish the faster you became the winner. I am still the same fisherman I was back in the day but my techniques and methods have changed since I returned to the fly rod. I am still trying to get that perfect presentation on every cast and again if I don’t I am still trying to figure out why what and how I can make it better. Just wondering are any of you guys a perfectionist when it comes to fishing?
Yes! For sure Bill. Always looking to achieve perfection, or at least something that resembles it.
ReplyDeleteI think fly fishing can bring the perfectionist out in people. There are so many things that, to be done well, require preparation and concentration. Whether that is fly selection or the ideal cast to not spook a fish. I occasionally find myself walking similar steps as you. Though other times, I know I just get so darn excited I lose myself and all perfection goes right out the window :) Great question!
ReplyDeleteSimple answer for me is... sort of. I wish I could be perfect but I'm not and I'm okay with it...sort of. Truth is that if I didn't foul up my cast every now and then I would have missed some great fish. Sometimes the imperfection is what makes fly fishing so exciting. Some of most productive flies have been nasty tie jobs that I wouldn't show my closest friend.
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing but I think it stems from my childhood obsession with animals. I want to catch, touch and look at them all. Becoming a better fishermen just helps me play with more fish. :D
ReplyDeletei try not to get caught up in that mindset, fishing is already an obsession... i just try to keep it light, have fun, and catch some fish
ReplyDeleteBill, In my experience and after thinking about it after reading your post, I think we all try to be perfectionist when it comes to fishing. Every outing out I want to come back with a thousand pics of fish I caught that day. In the long run that doesn't always happen. But being a perfectionist takes absorbing what went wrong that particular day and how to correct it the next time out. Heck if I caught a ton of fish every time out I think I would get bored with fishing and start calling it catching.lol. Fly fishing though makes us work tward perfection in order to land a fish, and that is why I think I love it soo much. Love the post!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great question. I still find myself more of a student than a perfectionist. Nothing seems to work the same way twice, so I'm always looking for something new to add to my knowledge base. In 2011 year it was double streamers and egg patterns. Who knows what I'll learn in 2012? Maybe small stream nymphing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great question, its been fun to read the answers and your post. My wife will be the first one to tell you that I am not a perfectionist in any aspect of my life, but the times I come the closest are on the water. To me fly fishing is less about seeking perfection than it is about trying to put a puzzle together...A never ending, big, fun, puzzle.
ReplyDeleteJeff
ReplyDeleteSomehow I figured you for the perfectionist. Thanks for the comment
D-Nash
ReplyDeleteTrue so many things add up to make you a great fly fisherman, that is what drives me to be better at the sport. Thanks for the commnet
Year on the Fly
ReplyDeleteBad cast, ugly flies is all apart of the learning curve we all go through. Thanks for the comment
Daniel
ReplyDeleteFor me I am after the prize at the very end. In other words I know if I am into that cast, delivering that presentation of that fly correctly, having the patience to wait for that hit and last convincing myself I am going to get that hit---assures me that I will get the ultra prize--my fish!!!!
Blake
ReplyDeleteGood assumption, and sometimes the best way is the fun way. Thanks for the comment
Brain
ReplyDeleteTrue if we all were able to go every time and land fish after fish on every cast, true it would become boring----but wouldn't be great to give it a go just one time??? Thanks for the comment
Leigh
ReplyDeleteThe learning is what intrigues me about fly fishing. I am always learning something new every time I go. I guess that is why I ask so many question posts on my blog to learn. Thanks for the comment
Sanders
ReplyDeleteI think of all the fish species that are fished for--trout to me takes the most understanding, patience, and skill, so with said perfection plays a big part to make all these factors come together. Thanks for the comment