St. Vrain Angler News & Muse October 5, 2004

Greetings!

I hope this finds you well, enjoying a fine day in paradise, which is wherever it is you are living. Being alive is a good thing; life is good. Enjoy this day as you choose.

Thanks to all of my new readers; thanks to all of my existing readers. Thanks to everyone who comments from time to time on this weekly rag and its contents. I'm always pleased to hear it helps solve a fly fishing problem, or that it encourages you to get out, to be gentle and to enjoy time on the water.

The other day a group of breakfast rats were discussing this very thing. What thing? Why we enjoy time on the water. What do you like about fly fishing? About being out there, on the water? I'd like responses this week from this question, and I'll publish each of them next week under our Reader Comments section. Just write what you will. You will remain anonymous, as you wish. I usually only use first names. Thanks! You don't have to write a tome, by the way; just a few sentences or a paragraph or two. Or, a tome, if that's what hits you. Thanks.

Please remember we've started new hours in Longmont. We are now closed on Monday so Mark and I can go fishing, or rest - in my case; Mark will always go fishing - or write - also, me. Mark is fishing. We are open Tuesday-Friday from 9:30-6:00, and Saturday from 9:00-4:00. We've begun the free Saturday Morning Clinics as of last week, and we'll continue with them through October into early December. Hope you will join us as time allows. Last week we also had barbeque and chili. You never know what the fly shop will bring, do you?

I must be waning for warmth, so included the above permit shot. That one was in Belize. Several folks have asked about our upcoming trip - it will be in March, 2005. I'll write a diddy on that an make a link. If you are interested, just drop me a line at angler@peakpeak.com and I'll answer.

Last week's News & Muse was basically about a fishing trip. What is the anatomy of a fishing trip? All of us need to go, so here are some hints on preparing for an outing.

1. Decide to go fishing. Put it on your calendar, and make it as sacrosanct - read untouchable - as any other important event. For many of my readers, this means giving yourself permission to go fishing. Do it. You must go fishing. Now is the time for all anglers to mark the calendar and plan to go fishing.

2. Pick the place. Or more than one place, just in case the weather turns one way or another. If you think you can go to the Big T for four hours, plan to go and enjoy the day; if you have more time, plan on the Poudre or the Park. Two days will allow a trip to North Park, South Park, the Arkansas, the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan and so on. A good, full day will allow a lovely drive to the Colorado near Parshall and parts therein, or the South Platte near Deckers and Cheesman Canyon, as well as the Blue. Three day trips include going to the Rio Grande, the San Juan or Green, and many other places. If you need help with "Where should I go?" just stop by the shop, drop me a line, or give us a call. We're here to help! If you'd like to know more about any spots - what to expect on the water - go to Fishing Reports and hit the river or area you'd like to fish.

3. Map out the trip, make arrangements for a hotel, be sure the oil is clean in the car and fill it up with gas. You are going fishing, my friend; this is going to be fun.

4. Make a basic gear check. Be sure the rod, reel, fly line, leader, tippet material, wading gear, vest, floatant, lead, strike detectors, sunglasses and other odds and ends are ready to go.

5. Fly boxes: figure out if you have the right flies for the trip. Ask us. If you are going to tie a few, be sure materials and hooks are at hand, and sit down and tie. Again, we'll help.

6. Go fishing.

Often, the preparation process for a fishing trip is every bit as good as the fishing trip itself. Well, not always, but there is something about playing with one's toys before an outing that is settling. My lady readers are saying, "Play with toys?" and my boy readers are saying, "Yeah, let's play with our toys!" Boys never grow up.

I like tying a few new flies for an outing, and do for every trip I take. It is difficult to wade properly if my fly box is not balanced just so. Actually, ahem, fly boxes. Lots of fly boxes that never seem quite full of flies. I'm getting nervous, now. I need to tie some flies.

Ah, a sip of tea, and I'm back at the writing for the day. Sorry about that little quiver. It happens.

As you tie flies, play with gear, ask questions and so on, figure out what techniques you'll be using. Be prepared for the challenges at hand. Plan on being happy on the water, forgetting the other tyrannies that face you day by day, and replacing them with the challenge of fooling a critter who's brain is the size of your thumbnail. Know this: a trout knows its environment and how to survive in it very well. If you the one who is fooled, lie about it when you get home. Tell people about all the huge trout you caught, and the special skills you had to learn on the spot - like a 100 foot pile cast that made the fly land on a dime - in order to hook a fish. That's what Mark does. Lies, that is. All he ever catches, according to his accounts - even when he's on the water - are 30" fish. Since all of mine are only 26", that could not be possible; he has to be telling falsehoods, doesn't he? That's one of his 30", right there. We'll count it, if you don't mind.

The point of today's News & Muse is: Plan to go fishing, go fishing, then lie about the fishing. Go ahead. Do it.

I've been working on a new page, which I announced late last week via email. It is on Fall Fly Fishing, and you can find it by following the link. I'm going to cut today's musing short so I can keep working on the Fall page. I think there is lots of info here that will help you with meeting the conditions at hand on the water, and I hope you will read it and let me know what else you'd like to see.

Here's what we're doing in an attempt to fulfill your fly fishing dreams:

Most people who sign on to get the email are interested in receiving info on Classes and Guided Trips. Please follow the links for updated info and schedules on what we offer. All of our classes and guided trips are going great. People are learning and enjoying fly fishing.

If you have a special event for your business, a few friends, family members of any type of club and need a program, please let us know. Fly fishing is entertaining and both Mark and I enjoy doing instructive, entertaining programs as time allows.

Fly Tying Classes are scheduled through the Fall. Pick the one that fits your schedule and join us. Classes are from 7-9:30 PM Tuesday Evenings, and begin on the following dates:    September 14, 2004    October 19, 2004    November 16, 2004. It's time to get signed up for the next session, which begins in two weeks.

Please call to register: 303-651-6061. I've just finished revising the Introduction to Fly Tying Solutions Booklet, which we provide with the class. It promises to be more helpful and useful.

Thanks for reading. Please remember that we are here to help: we want to help, we're waiting to help, we're hoping to help. Won't you take advantage of us in the near future?

We all hope to see or hear from you in the near future. You can call us at one of the above phone numbers, write us at angler@peakpeak.com or visit this web site by wandering around.

If you need anything, please call us first. Chances are pretty good we'll have what you want, and what you need. This is a slow time for us, and we really need to keep selling stuff, trips and classes so we can continue to write and help you with fly fishing delight. Keep us in mind, won't you?

Talk with you again soon. There are some great things on the way. Please stay in touch.

Dale Darling

    Hoping that more writing - and composing - are in the near future.

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