Lesson or OJT?

[whithead1]

Looking to get my son and me into fly fishing. Have looked into lessons with Marla Blair and it's pretty pricey (Although she seems to be very good at instructing newbies)...

The question I have is - IS it better to start with an indepth first lesson and slowly accumulate gear...or spend the money on some gear and go learn as we do???

I understand it's a vague question but any input would help...

Thanks!

[Z Fisher]

I started out three years ago with a three day course. It was great. But it was also overkill. I followed that day up with a guided day on a river -- I learned more in those nine hours on the Farmington than I did the entire weekend of the course.

If you have the money (Upcountry's site (http://www.farmingtonriver.com/services.htm) says they charge $250 for a full day), I recommend that you give a guided day a try. Some shops can provide all the equipment and will give you some quick lessons before you hit the water. That way, you have no investment in stuff and can decide if you like it before making the dive into the financial black hole which is fly fishing. :) If I recall correctly Houstatonic River Outfitters provides equipment for guided trips as does Housatonic Meadows. I'm not sure if Upcountry does, but would be surprised if they don't. Sometimes equipment rentals can be extra.

Alternatively, you could find someone to show you the ropes on the water.

The final choice, teaching yourself, while rewarding will likely be a bit tedious.

[lar42]

IMHO, a day out on the Farmington with Pat Torrey (one of the Upcountry Guides) would be worth the money. You get two people for a full day and lunch for $250. I took one and learned more than I did by myself in 1 1/2 years. It was amazing. Plus, Pat is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet and he loves to teach people how to fly fish.

[JACHARBO]

I am completely self-taught, from the ground up - and I think this is more than possible for anyone willing to go this route. I tend to be a do-it-yourself type, so this suited me perfectly. It was a challenge, but it made me appreciate the experience that much more. I am a strong believer in do-it-yourself. There are plenty of good books to seek advice from. I am not against courses, but I find they cover a lot of stuff I already know and don't need. The guide recommendation is a good one since this will be tailored precisely to your needs and not geared toward a class of individuals at different skill/knowledge levels that a class tends to cater to the least skilled and knowledgable student.

Regarding flyfishing as a black hole for $$, I could not disagree more. In case you forgot, there is basically NO maintenance fee to flyfish ($20/yr for a license, unlimited time on the H2O), unlike golf or skiing where you drop $50-100 per outing. The initial investment is similar, with fly equipment, waders, rod, etc. probably costing in the neighborhood of new clubs/bag/shoes or skis/boots/bindings/poles. BY FAR - flyfishing gives you more for your $$, especially compared to other hobies aforementioned.

Compare flyfishing and golf - simple math:

Flyrod - $250-400 - on ave about the cost of a new fancy-shmancie driver
Reel, line - $150 - new putter and shoes
Waders + boots - $250 - USED irons
Vest+net+stuff for vest - $150 - one more wood in the bag
Flies and tippit - cheaper than golf balls unless you are scratch golfer
Other Consumables - call it even
Golf - still need a bag - at least another $75
Year on the water - $20 to flyfish 20 times, $1000 to golf same

John

[Hot Tuna]

Great point John....that's why I don't golf anymore!

[cirrus]

Well I can play scratch golf with my $100 clubs and my $10 Kmart putter....and $1000 for 20 rounds? Yikes...better stay off those private courses and walk instead of the cart! :lol: :wink:

Then again i caught more fish with my $100 Orvis rod than my old FF partner did with his $300 Sage and his $400 Loomis... and my brother in law catches more than I do with his $70 Cabela's rod.

Its all the same...its all what you make it and what you want out of it...both can be done cheap...or very expensive.

But like John I also taught myself how to fly fish. Back then I watched guys that I knew were good at it....found some crappy water that held no fish to practice on alot. Books helped me alot but today I like the DVD"s better(thought I still buy FF books)....Joan Wulff's casting video is very good($25)...and Talleur's fly tying video is also good and some of the other videos on nymphing were a good watch.

While today I'm not half the FF person I was back when I started I still have fun and can catch fish (big and small) in the bigger rivers or on tiny streams. Would I be better back then with lessons? Maybe....but its worked out okay. If you want to cast a mile then teaching yourself might not work. The key is how well do you learn things on your own and can push yourself to keep practicing. For some lessons work wonders!

In any case good luck!!

[h.ridley]

:D Marla is a great guide, and so is Pat Torrey. You might find that it saves you in the long run to take a guided day before you go out and buy anything. They will supply everything for you. And you might find out, like I did, your son might like spin fishing better. On the Farmington you can still fish together in any case. Otherwise, if you are sure you want to stick with it, do it yourself. I am sure you can ask any angler on the river for help and receive more than you can imagine. Give it a try. Go down to any pool and just start asking questions. I think you'll be amazed.
Good luck.

Howie

[Housy Dave]

Just wanted to wish you good luck getting your son into flyfishing.

I've fished with lots of different people, and the one thing I always noticed about the best fishermen was they just simply love to fish and be on the water. It didn't matter if it was bait fishing, fly fishing, freshwater, saltwater, etc. It didn't matter if it was pouring rain, snowing, freezing cold, whatever. Having a real passion for fishing in general is the most important thing. Being a good fly fisherman, well, that's just another branch off the tree. If you like to fish and spend time on the water and just be outdoors, that is quite simply THE MOST IMPORTANT ingredient there is to learning. Fishing is fishing, a flyrod is just a different technique. :D

[SloNDeep]

Personally, I have taught many people to flyfish. Assuming you dont want (cant afford) to hire a guide a few times in a few months, I would reccomend spending a fair amount of time on the water, then investing in a SMALL class or a guide (preferred). You will get a ton of good info from any decent guide, but will absorb very little of it as a complete newbie(some guides are better teachers than fishers, and visa versa, so ask someone at the shop to reccomend a teacher). Much of what a guide can teach you will make more sense if you have spent some time on the water.

If you want to learn about fishing, make sure your guide knows this at the beginning of the day. Guides are human too and can get caught up in the desire to catch fish (anybody can get you into fish while teaching you nothing about how/why/where/when/with what... you get the point). Lower your expectations, you will enjoy the day much more (true with or without a guide).

You can also find lots of videos and books that will be helpful. I found several older videos at my local library (some fishing clubs/organizations also have these for loan or cheap rental) that helped me a lot. I would watch them and think I understood everything that they were saying, then I'd get on the river and none of it worked, but then I would watch them again (with my experience behind me) and I'd really understand what they were trying to do and could practice it on my next trips.

Most importantly, fishing is a great way to spend time with your son, even if you have no idea what you're doing.

[whithead1]

Thanks everyone for the input!

From all the replys I received, Marla seems to the best around at teaching newbies...which I kind of figured.

To be honest, if it was just me, I might try the OJT - but to get my son interested I think I will go with the course. I'd like him to have enough fun and learn enough so this can compete with video games...and we might just have something to do together outside going forward.

Thanks again...and feel free to keep leaving advice.

I'll let you know how it goes!

[cirrus]

enough so this can compete with video games

In that case all is lost.... :lol: ...as a former gaming addictic nothing can replace it other than tossing it all in the trash...or in my case Ebay. :wink:

Slo said it perfect....just get him out and spend time together.

[The Fisherman]

I think you'll find your time with a guide money well-spent. :D

Have fun and enjoy.

I find a lot of people initially feel that guides are expensive. If you think about $250 a day and extrapolate that to a 5-day work week, then do the math for a year (and let's assume that guides don't work close to 50 full weeks a year) they're certainly not livin' large.

Food for thought.

[h.ridley]

:D whithead1:

Here's an offer for you. If you can make it out to the Farmington river during the week(Mon. to Fri. daytime hours) It would be my pleasure to help you get started.But let me preface by saying, I am not a guide,instructor, or any more than proficient at flyfishing.Although I have been doing it for more than 30 years, excellence escapes me. However, the basics I think I can handle. Equipment is no problem because I always carry enough for 3 people anyway. It is a sport that I know you will love. This would be a way for me to thank the person who took the time to show me the ropes many years ago. Thanks Ron Pietrowski, I hope you are reading this. Anyhow, if this works for you, let me know.

Howie

[2Weight]

How could anyone refuse that offer. 2WT

[Hot Tuna]

Howie rocks!!! 8)

[behemoth2]

Wow h.ridley. Thats an amazing offer for Whitehead1 :)

I've been fly fishing casually for a few years now, and this year have really stepped up my time on the water. I've learned a lot of fundamentals, on my own, but definitely feel like I could really improve my fishing with some instruction, and I'm planning on doing a day on the water with a guide soon. However, I've always thought I'd get a ton out of just spending a bit of time on on the water with an experienced fisherman - unfortunately, I don't know anyone who does much or any fly fishing, and never want to bother someone who's trying to enjoy their time on the river :)

[Hot Tuna]

Why not join CFFA, FRAA or the HFFA? You would be amazed at how much info the guys and gals will give out at meetings and events.
Hot Tuna
PS The FRAA meetings are probably the closest for you.......

[h.ridley]

:D behemoth2:

That offer is open to anyone that wants to take me up on it. I love the sport and would be happy to share what little knowledge I have. Just to clarify, I do not have spare waders or boots. But otherwise I have spare everything else.

Howie

Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans. J.L.

[The Fisherman]

As a self-taught fly fisherman, I can say that reading articles (then going out and doing) can be a huge help. There are tons of resources online.

Also, watch what successful anglers are doing. Kibbitz with them in the parking lot. Ask lots of questions.

[Huh?What?Huh?]

I'm a klutz (or WAS anyway). I started w/ lessons so that I didn't start out having muscle memory that was wrong. It is not as simple as it looks. For example, you are not supposed to use excess wrist action. That may not be clear in a book. If you don't know that, you will never throw long, GOOD line. I recommend at least a lesson so that you get the bare essentials.... just the main, important mechanical stuff in the beginning. Then you can perfect your own style. Just my .02....
Also, look at the math that The Fisherman presented. $250 for that day does not mean that guide is a bizillionaire. And in regards to one of the previous posts that you should tell your guide you are a newbie so that he/she doesn't get the urge to fish.... If your guide has the "urge" to fish and starts to do so, you pull your line in, close your wallet and get out of the water. NO GUIDE THAT I AM PAYING SHOULD BE FISHING AT ALL!
Showing the correct way to mend or roll cast etc. is the right thing to do. But standing next to me and fishing for my $250 is totally unacceptable. Again that is my .02

[ScanticChris]

I am mostly self taught. In that I read as much as I could about casting and not tying and tippets and leaders and fly selection. I am a much better wet fly fisherman and I think that has everything to do with the fact that my grandmother taught me how to fish the Natchaug with a spinning reel from the time I was about 6 until my teens. She showed me how to read the river. She showed me how to drift a worm and work a rooster tail. So the basics of river fishing came from her. As well as the best way to cook a trout..... Freshly cleaned wrapped in foil with 3 or 4 pats of butter in the belly and put on the grill... mmmmmm That is a treat I enjoy riverside about once a year. Everything else goes back in.

All that being said I am still considering a guided day on the Farmington so I can have someone help me hone my cast and show me how to mend a line. Just to have someone else out there to help me along in my fairly new ventures into fly fishing. I have to admit it is much harder to get a fish to hit some feathers than it is a nice juicy mealy worm. But so much more rewarding.

As far as Cost goes. I used to golf until I had kids and i would spend 50 - 100 a week in greens fees playing 3 times a week. Conversely i have spent a total of $100 all season and I have fished more this year than any other year in my life. I can also sneak in 30 minutes at a stream or a pond on the way home from work and its not a big deal where as 3 or 4 hours on the course a couple times a week takes a lot away from family time.

Which is a good segway for family time. I have 3 little ones 7, 2 and 7 months and I have learned that the days I take my kids fishing I leave my rod at home. I love watching them catch fish and I get a lot less frustrated untangling knots when I don't expect to do any fishing myself.

ok ok Im done rambling

[The Fisherman]

Maybe it's because I just started/am still getting into guiding that tilts me in this direction, but I think a guide can be an excellent experience for those who are still learning, or who are fishing new waters.

I couldn't agree with you more on the subsurface bait thing as a learning experience. As someone who originally learned to go trouting with bait, I find that experience serves me very well when nymphing.

[JohnT]

You may also check adult education courses in local school systems for "beginner" classes. Jerry Bannock did one at Plainville High School last year, and does another somewhere (I forget). He also takes the class on a field trip for a day on the water...usually the Farmington.

Jerry also guides (certified Orvis). I did a 1/2 day with him trying to learn how to nymph...I caught 4 fish that day...my first 4 ever on nymphs.

JohnT

[The Fisherman]

Hire me, John, and I'll get you another 4. :wink: