Two Keys to Fly Fishing Success

Fly fishing is a spectacular hobby. Very fewoften that they rarely have a line above the
pastimes combine so many interesting features.water. The only successful anglers are those who
From physical dexterity to a knowledge of biologyhave patience.
to a mastery of area entomology, fly fishers areKnowledge is power. That's another old cliche
able to explore so many exciting topics in theirmany of us disregard. We jump in headfirst
quest for those thrilling moments when a fishwithout knowing exactly what we are doing and
leaps and takes a fly in his mouth.without the information necessary to successfully
As with so many worthwhile pursuits, however, itconfront a challenge. An angler, on the other hand,
isn't always easy. In exchange for the fun,comes to the stream with knowledge. He or she
fulfillment and excitement offered by the hobby,understands the equipment, the stream, the
one must put forth a genuine effort. Fortunately,weather, the fish likely to be swimming about and
much of the work is fun. Any angler would enjoya host of other factors.
reading more about the hobby and the game heThose who attempt to fly fish without that kind
or she will be pursuing. Anyone with the slightestof knowledge are far more likely to have their
interest in fly fishing won't mind practicing his orpatience tested than the well-informed, who are
her cast until the body's muscles have memorizedable to maximize their chance of success. Those
each element of the motion.who fish with a box full of tackle and a mind full
Successful anglers should be role models for all ofof data are the ones most likely to leave happily
us. They have combined three powerful traitsat the end of the session.
that can help anyone to live a better and moreDoes all of this mean that those who fly fish are
successful life. Consider the two keys to flysomehow superior to those of us who don't? I
fishing success. While you do, think about howam sure a few fly fishing advocates might argue
those lessons might apply to anyone's life andthat is the case, but that really isn't the point. The
how fly fishing just might be something of acrucial thing to recognize is that fly fishing
microcosm of life.encourages both the development and use of a
Patience is a virtue. That sentiment has beenfew mental habits from which we all could
expressed so many times that it has almost lostcertainly benefit.
its meaning. Clearly, the message has been lostFly fishing is an object lesson in the value of
by many of us as we move through our hecticpatience and the power of knowledge. It shows
lives at warp speed, rarely even stopping to catchus that taking those two concepts to heart can
our breath. Those who fly fish, however, havebe the difference between a fulfilling experience
acknowledged the importance of patience andand frustration. That's an important lesson no
have made it part of their lives.matter how it is taught.
A day of fly fishing may feature scores ofImagine how peoples lives might be improved if
struggles with potential trophy fish. A day fraughteveryone committed themselves to being
with that kind of excitement, however, is noknowledgeable and found it within themselves to
more likely than a day spent with only a singlebe a little more patient. It's hard to argue that the
nibble. No-catch days are common, yet the flyworld wouldn't be a better place. Will fly fishing
fishing master will still stand in that unmistakablemake you a better person? Not necessarily. Then
posture, casting again and again, waiting patientlyagain, it may remind you and those around you of
for his opportunity.the value of those two key attributes. Fly fishing
Those who don't practice patience findis patience and knowledge in action and the result
themselves switching casts, flies and locations sois really quite amazing.