Properly Presented Dry Flys Will Catch Fish...after a few hours on Rock Creek with my fishing guide, Riley Fitting, he uttered the prophetic phrase. I was successful in catching two large trout and one baby trout, however it was due to his assistance…as in his shouting: Hook It!
I grew up fishing, my father had three daughters and it didn’t deter him from teaching us one of his favorite pastimes. Not as much fly fishing as baiting with a worm or lure and dropping in a lake or stream. I’ve only recently realized seeing fish in a creek or following the fly downstream is a challenge for my aging eyes. I spent a half day fly fishing at The Brando Island and neither Teihotu or I caught a fish, and I never even saw them in the gin clear sea.
Riley was beyond patient saying my enthusiasm and passion outweighed my rusty skills. Daddy always had a bin on board and you donated cash every time you farmed a fish – you let one get away – I mentioned it to Riley and added the penalty for hooking a branch in the brush behind us…he ended the day with a little extra cash! However, to my relief, he hooked a tree on one of his last casts, so I felt slightly redeemed.
I love the grace and motion of fly fishing and landing a fat trout is still a thrill; as is the sheer beauty of being one with nature and letting all worldly cares ebb and float away. The fly was soaked more than a few times, maybe Riley should have started our session with his mantra…in any event, it was a delightful reminder of my childhood and a few hours of serenity on the water. Thank you Riley, spend your cash well!
Riley Fitting The Art of Fly Fishing
The Ranch at Rock Creek- Forbes Five Star Lodge
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