New to the forum

[stevem]

Hello there,

I was pointed to this forum from some flyfishing folks at my favourite woodworking forum, seems there are quite a few who enjoy both of those pastimes!

Anyways, I've been fishing since I was a kid (30+ years) and have always wanted to try fly fishing. Now my kids interest in fishing has rekindled my interest and encouraged me to finally try flyfishing.

Having read much info here and elsewhere, I bought a Scientific Angler combo kit at a local dealer so as not to spend big $$$ before I find out if I like it or not. One look at my collection of spinning rods, reel and tackle and I know how much one can spend on this stuff

We are heading out on a camping trip to Algonquin Park in a few days, should give me plenty of time to try it out.

I can see there is lots of great info here.

Thanks,
Steve

[troutslayer]

Welcome to the forum! Once you get your first fish on a fly, the fish will not be the only one hooked! You will wonder why you waited so long! Any questions, please be sure and ask! Lots of good information on this forum and people willing to share their wealth of experience. Don't forget though, "It's still gonna take three more years to think like a fish!" (A River Runs Through It)

[jdgrubbjr]

Steve! Not only is there lots of great info here, there are also a lot of great people here as well. Let us know how your trip Algonquin Park went.

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the forum. Just jump in and start asking questions. Let us know how your trip goes.

[BigCliff]

Welcome to the group! Glad we can help get you started.

[stevem]

Thanks guys. We're heading to Algonquin in the morning.

I can't wait to hit the water.

[stevem]

Back from Algonquin, trip was great.

I really enjoyed my first go at flyfishing, maybe even more than I expected.

On my 3rd 'cast', this little guy was charitable enough to become my first fish caught on a fly:


Followed only a few casts later by one a bit larger:


I've always loved fishing for river smallmouths, they are a blast on a fly rod too. Over the week and a half, my son and I must've caught 100 smallies in various rivers and lakes. Occasionally I used an ultralight spinning rod when I had my two little ones in the canoe. I figured me flailing my fly rod while they were each casting was a recipe for disaster. I did try the fly rod a few times from the canoe when it was just two of us though, it was great fun.

The two biggest fish of the week for me was a 3 lb smallie and a 1 1/2 lb perch. Caught them both on the same evening with a wasp-like fly. That and a muddler minnow were very successful for me. That 3 lb smallie was a handful on the fly rod out of the canoe.

Best moment was about halfway through the trip, just as the sun set, my 8 year-old son asked how old he has to be before he gets a fly rod.

Thanks to all, I may now be addicted

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Steve,

Way to go. Smallies are great fish for the fly rod. They love to eat flies. Won't be long and you will be thinking about tying your own flies. Then there is no turning back.

[troutslayer]

Nice fish! Looks like you're catching on quick! We're proud of you!