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Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The Art Fishing with Kids

This is a subject that I have been thinking a lot about lately. It is something that is so important to our sports future and the tradition of Fly Fishing. After many years of teaching fly fishing to all ages, here are my most important points to teaching kids how to fly fish and enjoy it.

#1. Its never to early to take a kid fly fishing: Kids are kids no matter what the age…Sometimes adults act more childish than 8 yr old anyway. I hear all the time “I can’t take my kid fishing until he is older “ I think that attitude is just a little selfish. There are times to fish with hardcore buddies and times to fish with your kids. For example: I am 26 and have no kids of my own, but I have helped teach many kids how to fly fish and now they have moved from the kids group into my hardcore fishing buddies at age 12-15. My little brother Gunner is living proof of that. Growing up with fly fishing siblings, Gunner was introduced to fly fishing when he was old enough to walk. He got his first fly rod at age 4 and caught his first fish that year. At age 6 he could cast, hook and land fish alone and now at age 12. He is completely self sufficient and can out fish most adults that we go with. (Don’t get me started on his little sister Addie, who is now 10) So when I hear someone doesn’t fish with their kids because they are too young, I just shake my head, knowing what they are missing out on.

#2. Build up what a privilege it is to go fly fishing.

#3. No matter what, make it fun. Never get mad at your kid, laughing goes a long way. Remember how bad you were when you started.

#4. Teach by example: You can fish too! Don’t spend the whole day shadowing over your rookie. It gets old quick! Catch some fish and show them that you are a master at the sport. That respect will go a long way. Plus it gets kids excited to see fish and makes for a successful trip even though they might not have caught anything. (Age Depending)

#5. Make it simple. One fly, small casts, no trees, etc...

#6. Its not just about fishing, go on a hike, hangout, look at the flowers, bugs, and animals. Do what they want to do. They will want to go again if it was fun.

#7. Make sure to be prepared. Have warm clothes, food and water at hand.

#8. Pick a good day and location: Don’t fish the Provo River with a rookie. Choose a river or lake that you know holds a lot of hungry fish that are easy to catch. I like high country lakes and streams (lots of brookies) and community ponds. Also make sure you go on a nice day. Fishing in comfortable weather is lot easier than sub zero weather. Plus it’s a lot more fun for kids.

#9. Bring a friend along. Kids show off to their friends, which in reality teaches them to be better. Plus sometimes it makes it fun for them to stop fishing and just hangout with someone else. Remember its about having fun, not just fishing.

#10. Don’t over teach: teach them when they want and are ready to learn. The best time is when they ask for your help.

#11. Be Positive: Give lots of complements, kids always perform better under a positive teacher.

#12. Teach Through Stories: Most kids relate to stories better than lectures. Stories give kids a chance to visualize the situation before it is done. Plus kids will really pay attention when a story is being told.

#13. Get treats or food after (before) the day. (Build a tradition-ex: During the summer we always get a Slurpee after a day on the provo)

#14. Gear Them Up: How would a kid be able to go out and play baseball with his friends if he didn’t have a mitt, bat and ball? It’s the same thing with fly fishing. Kids need at least a rod, reel and line to be able to practice their casting. This doesn’t mean go out and buy the best gear- I would go to any sporting good store and get them the cheapest rod and reel possible. (Most are under $50 for the set up) It will make them appreciate, getting a nicer set up later on. Have them save up their money to get a net, fly box, flies, glasses, waders, and boots or they are all good gifts ideas. (Birthdays, Christmas, etc...)

#15 Don't forget to tell them that you are proud of how good they did. That they are great fly fishermen.

So get out and take a kid fishing and I promise you, the rewards will be priceless!

Friday, May 1, 2009

After Work Relaxation

Recently I have been spending all my free time after work, doing little things on the drift boat and not allowing any time to fish. So with a much needed break from Corona, I decided to make a quick after work trip to Tibble Fork Res. which it perfectly placed 15 mins from my backyard. I got to the res. to find wind and not a single rising fish. I made my way down to the lake to find it was at full capacity and my favorite flat was flooded just perfect for cruising trout. The fishing started off slow with lots of tugs, but only a couple good hooks up on a swinging wet fly, in the inlet current. Knowing that the peak of the chrono hatch is always later I worked my way over to the flats and got set up for the main even. Just like clock work, the sun fell behind the jagged peaks, the wind settled and the chronomids came out to play. For the next hour the little alpine res. was alive with smiling tout and at least one smiling fishermen. As the parking lot cleared and my hands were to cold function, I decided it was the end of the 4th and the remaining trout will have to wait until next game.

Monday, April 27, 2009

2009 Drift Boat Makeover

Being a drift boat owner is something that a small percentage of fishermen ever get to experience during there life as a fly fishermen. Owning a wooden drift boat is an even smaller percentage. There is something special about taking care of a classic wood boat. Its almost as if one takes care of it as there on child. For example: They take special care to keep it safe away from any harm, they spoil it and spend countless dollars to keep it looking good, they spend hours with it to make it better and most of all they love their wood boat and would never give it up no matter what. To me owning a wooden boat is a whole nother level of fly fishing. I am still learning to be a better craftsman, but time is something I have to share with my little baby.

I am always thinking of new ideas to help improve and customize my boat to fit most of my wants on the water. This year I have finally made a list of "Must Does", so here are a couple of my latest "Must Does" that have finally made it off the list.

My Boat is a 16 ft Greg Tatman Kit

1. LineX the bottom-This was a pretty easy project. All I had to do was remove the plastic bottom that was attached. (about 100 screws) and take it to LineX of Sandy. Ask for Kelly, he is the shop owner and will take great care of anyone he works with. (Great Guy!!!) They are a top notch LineX Dealer and I would recommend them to anyone that is thinking about putting LineX on their boat, truck, Jeep or anything else you want to protect. They did all the prep work needed and sprayed on the LineX. I love this stuff. It is tough (lifetime guarantee) and it looks great. Don't have to worry about a leaky bottom any more. Also you can tell them how you want them to spray it. For me I had them spray 4 inches up the sides and up the back in an oval shape for the anchor and up the front to give it a balanced design and rock protection.

For more information about LineX of Sandy check out the link below: http://www.linex.com/ or call Kelly direct at: (801)255-5591

Before Pics

After Pics

2. Build Tubed Rod Holders- I saw these on a Hyde and I knew I needed them. I had open rod holders before and I broke a rod last year as I jumped out of the boat. They are simple, got to any store that has PVC and buy 2 inch size with some of the metal brackets that hold them in place. I refinished them with the same textured spray paint as the inside of my boat.

3. Refinish Inside- I use a textured spray paint called Stone something. ($10 per can at Home Depot) The color is pebble. It looks like granite. After I spay and dry, I cover it with clear gloss finish and it protects it great. Plus it looks very sharp!

4. Put in Swivel Seats- I got mine at Cabelas for $40 great soft seats that fold down.

5. Build in Lanyards for front and back fishermen- Nothing is worst than having to fool around looking for stuff when you can be fishing. I have made a couple lanyards so that each fisherman has all their tippets, weights, floatant and forecepts ready and accessible all the time.

6. Fix Boat Cover- Patched holes and strenghtened my old cover that has seen to may days in the sun. It sure bet spending $500 bones on a new one.

7. Customize Wood Side Panels- With putting the LineX 4 inches up my sides, I had to remove my side panels. I didn't want to get rid of them because I love the look they give a traditional wood boat. So I figured I could make them smaller and am give them a new look to fit my personality. (The design comes from my art background)

Before Pics

After

The Payoff to a lot of hard work.

Things to come:

1. Dry Storage Boxes in Front, Middle and back seats

2. Built in Cooler under rowers seat.

3. Refinish Trailer

4. Durabak or Raptor inside floor

5. Cup holders

6. Lay out seat-So when my wife floats with me she can lay out in her bikini and read a book

Green River Part 2

In a rush to get my last post out before the feeling of the trip faded. Which it does if you wait too long. Its not so much that you forget, but it is the little things that get forgotten. In my rush I neglected to get some of the best pics of the trip from my friend Wayne. So here is another look at the trip from Wayne's prospective.