People say that fly fishing is an art and perhaps it is but don't let that stop you from do it. You can learn to fly fish in just a few short minutes and then you just do it and practice your technique. Oh yeah and enjoy the experience, of course.

I started fly fishing for salmon when I was 30 but up until then I had lived where we all just used bait casting equipment and worms. I couldn't believe the fun and experiences all those people over the years had missed out on.

I have to say I was really hooked on fly fishing in about 10 minutes. It was that easy to learn and I have been fly fishing for the past 25 years and man is my arm sore. Ha Ha

In the past 25 years I have done a lot of fly fishing, I have learned a lot and have even taught a few others the art of fly fishing. Only one person in all those years didn't fall in love with the sport. But he did become a forest ranger and protects where we fish.

If only I could get my wife interested in fly fishing, I would be totally complete.

I was just learning to fly fish and my first attempt was not alone where I could mess up and no one would see. Oh no, I had to be in the most popular Salmon fishing pool in the area and it had a lot of people.

The river is named Salmon River and for a good reason. There were salmon there you could have put a saddle on and rode to sea. We could have stood on the suspension walking bridge looking down on the hundreds and hundreds of salmon.

I used the bridge to watch the other fly fishers practicing their skills and tried to learn what to do and what not to do so I would not look like an absolute beginner. It was amazing to watch. People actually being polite and courteous to each other as the fly lines floated through the air.

What amazed me was nobody was getting tangled together. I have been fishing with only two people and still managed to tangle lines every once in awhile but not here. That made me a little nervous.

Getting The Nerve To Fly Fish With The Pros

Well I finally got up the nerve to go down there and get in line with the other fly fishers, all the time wondering how I would screw up.

These guys, as the were all men with only a few wives and girlfriends watching but not fishing, were more than helpful. The took the time to teach me little techniques that immediately improved my distance and accuracy. So many place in our world where you can't get the time of day, but not so with most fly fishing fanatics.

Everything was going great and salmon, some going 30 and 40 pounds were jumping everywhere. It was very exciting and I was getting the hang of fly fishing.

Well all was going great when I thought I could reach this salmon that was a little further than I could get my fly line to go so I put everything I had into that next cast and bent over a bit to get a little more distance and BAM...

... a salmon jumped and like a bullet went right inside my chest waders. Well the whole river broke out laughing and telling me that was illegal. I was struggling to get this huge fish out of my waders and they were splitting a gut laughing.

Well I have to say that day was my first day and even though I have had some awesome days, beyond belief, that first day will always be my favorite. I was so hooked at that point, I have never looked back.

Give fly fishing a try and you will have a hobby for life.