Fly Fishing - Softcover

Dana Rikimaru

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0071581855 ISBN 13: 9780071581851

Publisher: Ragged Mountain Press, 1999

Synopsis

"I knew I was in trouble when I began to dream about fly fishing ... Fly fishing had become a passion, not just a pastime. I was hooked," writes author Dana Rikimaru, one of America's leading fly fishing instructors, of her beginnings in this poetic sport. Filled with adventures and encouragement contributed by women who are already fly fishing, this woman-to-woman guide gives you everything you need to wade right in ... to know where to go ... what to take ... and how to savor every moment of discovering a new sport. It even provides resources that can connect you with other women fly fishers. So whether you fly fish "to catch fish" (even if you release them to be caught another day) or because, as the author says, "trout live in beautiful places," this guide is a woman's path into a very special activity.

About this title

About the Author

Dana Rikimaru, a 20-year fly-fishing veteran, is head instructor at the renowned Orvis Colorado Fly-Fishing Schools in Evergreen, Colorado, where she is also an Orvis Endorsed Fly-Fishing Guide. A Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor and a member of Trout Unlimited and the Colorado Women Flyfishers, she has taught and guided hundreds of women, men, and children through the fundamentals of fly-fishing.

From the Back Cover

"A solid primer that's more than just a guide. Methodical, practical, and packed with information, this book answers questions you didn't know you had. Dana lends a unique woman's perspective to a sport too long dominated by men but perfect for everyone." --John Bleh, Trout Unlimited

"Here's a new fishing buddy! Let this book talk to you, and hear the sound voice of Dana Rikimaru unravel the mysteries of fly-fishing through helpful stories and comprehensive instruction. This guide invites women to learn of the journey and magic we find in fly-fishing." --Lori-Ann Murphy, Orvis Pro Staff and owner-operator of Reel Women Outfitters

"Dana's book has everything: clarity of thought, passion, humor, and a complete lack of pretension. A professional guide who also writes well, Dana knows which questions novices need answered in order to get the most fun out of this addicting pastime." --Tom Rosenbauer, Vice President of Fly-Fishing and Sporting Tradition, The Orvis Company

Go Fly Fishing with 500,000 Other Women in North America

Fly-fishing combines many skills--including reading water and observing nature, focusing and keeping still, solving problems, casting and presenting the fly with grace, and above all, trusting your intuition. And Dana Rikimaru's book, filled with the voices of women who are enthusiasts of the sport, is the best guide for women who want to wade right in and apply skills they already have to the art of fly fishing . . . with photos, illustrations, and clear instructions . . . where to go . . . what to take along . . . and how how to get in touch with other women fly fishers.

From the Inside Flap

"I knew I was in trouble when I began to dream about fly-fishing. . . . Fly-fishing had become a passion, not just a pastime. I was hooked," writes author Dana Rikimaru, one of America's leading fly-fishing instructors, of her beginnings in this poetic sport. A sensing experience, a connection to the here and now, a deeply intuitive, feeling, focused activity that brings a sense of wholeness and integration--with fly-fishing, you're not just in nature, you're part of nature, says the author about her passionate involvement with the sport.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1 Women and Fly-Fishing WHAT IS FLY-FISHING? I have often heard people say that fishing is boring: you cast the line out, and then while you're waiting for the fish to bite, you read a book or work on your tan. Or they say fishing is dirty: they don't like to get that "stuff"--worms, salmon eggs, or other slimy bait--on their hands. Well, I don't either! But that's where fly-fishing is different. You don't just observe the outdoor world; you are in it. Fly-fishing involves all the senses--the feels, sights, smells, sounds. Fly-fishing is a method of enticing fish with imitations of their natural food, such as insects and small fish. Flies are hand-tied from feathers, fur, fabric, or whatever will make them look to a fish like the real edibles it sees on or under the water. These materials are fastened to a hook with wraps of thread.

Many tied flies, such as a pattern representing a mosquito, are virtually weightless and therefore require some means of presentation, or getting them to the fish. This is done by casting a weighted line through the air so the fly will land naturally on the water. In a good presentation the imitation fly not only looks but acts like the real insect. It sounds simple in theory but involves a lot of skills, from figuring out what fly to use and developing an accurate cast to finding out where the fish are feeding. It's also helpful if you practice being patient and persistent. WHY FLY-FISHING? Fly-fishing is just plain fun and--unlike bait fishing--always gives you something to do. If you sometimes take a break to suntan and relax, it won't be because you are bored from a lack of activity. The enjoyment comes at many levels, and it's different for everyone. From a purely results-oriented perspective, catching fish is always enjoyable, but fly-fishing is an entire process, and all of it is interesting.

It starts with being a good observer. What kinds of insects do you see flying in the air above the water? Are there birds swooping down to take insects off the surface? You learn how to read the water, or to understand that fish will favor different types of water at different times. On the basis of all this you learn to try different flies until you find one that works better than another. And then sometimes you'll find that after all your observation and study about what should and should not be working, you must just trust your intuition or follow a hunch.

Fly-fishing is also about the enjoyment of just being out there, on or in the water. As a friend once said to me, trout live in beautiful places. When you fly fish, you become a part of those places. You don't just observe the outdoor world; you are in it. Fly-fishing involves all the senses--the feels, sights, smells, sounds. You get to slosh around in the water, which sometimes means getting your boots stuck in the mud. You'll be gazing in the water looking for signs of fish and notice a sparkling rock embedded with fool's gold. You'll watch leaves fall to the water on crisp golden autumn days and savor the smell of sweet wood smoke in the air. You might find yourself out in the middle of wet snowstorms in April, when the world is muffled and insulated, and the snow sticks to your hat and glasses. "Fly-fishing is an art to discover and constantly master. But it is also a song of the senses and a celebration of the spirit. For me, the actual landing of the fish is secondary to the total experience. My only regret is that I waited so long to discover this sport." Glenda Smith, age 51

One brisk morning when the sun hit the river and the steam was rising like smoke, I heard a great splash and looked up to see a deer leap through the water and jump up on the opposite bank. And here on this side was a fawn, looking panicked until she saw her mother on the other side of the river. Then she too bounded across to safety.

Every outing is a new adventure. A typically quiet and stealthy friend of mine once burst excitedly through the brush where I was fishing: "You'll never believe what I saw!" He went on to tell me that as he was approaching a pool, he heard great splashing, too large a disturbance for a fish to make, so he dropped to his hands and knees and crawled toward the sounds. He saw a wake in the water, and suddenly out popped a little brown, wet head with tiny black eyes that stared back at him with curiosity. The head vanished, and then two heads appeared. As my friend watched, a whole family of river otters, five in all, crawled up on a rock to see who had come to visit their home.

Fly-fishing is a "time-out" from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day living. When I'm fishing, I have time to let my mind wander and move at my own pace. All my worries are put on hold while I'm thinking about that next cast and anticipating the new and exciting water and sights just around the next bend. "With the daily routine, we are faced with this and that fear or frustration. Getting out on the river enables me to focus on the beauty and rhythm of nature; the spirit of the river seems to heal and make me feel whole again." Cathy Tronquet, age 49

Fly-fishing can also be a mental game. I have often described it as problem solving; the challenge is to determine if there are fish, where they are, what they are feeding on, and how best to entice them with what fly. "When it all comes together," says Gracia Barry, 53, "I feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride."

It's wonderful as well to know you can share both your triumphs and frustrations. Fly-fishing can be a great way to spend time with friends, while you fish or when the day is done. There's something about sitting around a campfire or around the table at night, drinking coffee and telling stories of the day, some hilarious, some touching. Even the most hardened angler has some memory to share, and your own enjoyment is heightened by the pure excitement in your friend's eyes as he or she relives a moment.

There are times when your focus is just on the fishing. Gail Corkern, 50, sums it up: "Simply put, I fish to catch fish. This is both a pleasure and a source of frustration where fly-fishing is concerned. During a recent fishing trip, a group of friends were sitting around after dinner, discussing why it was that they fly fished. They suggested many reasons, the outdoors, the serenity, the scenery, the escape from the responsibilities of everyday life. After having considered all of their reasons, I still came to the conclusion that I fish to catch fish (and release them to be caught another day)."

There are days however, when you have tried everything in your fly box by every possible method, and still--no fish. Those are the days when I just scratch my head. But this puzzlement is also part of the mystique and joy of fly-fishing. It gives me plenty to think about on the car ride home and inspires me to plan for next time. There are a lot of "next times" in fishing--fly-fishing is hopeful that way. You know you will go back, armed with a new arsenal of flies or a new technique to try. WHO FLY FISHES? In Reel Women: The World of Women Who Fish, Lyla Foggia embraces the colorful, significant contributions women have made to the history of fishing. She includes both historical vignettes of women who were pioneers in fly-fishing and stories of contemporary women who are still breaking down barriers or preconceived notions of what women can accomplish in the sport. All these independent women, regardless of what was thought of as acceptable or considered the norm, went on to pursue their goals and dreams in the world of fishing.

As I began meeting women fly fishers, I was surprised by their varied backgrounds. Clearly, there was not a "type" of woman who fly fished. There was a range of ages, experiences, and vocations. But all the women shared a common bond: the love of being outdoors.

Some said it was the soothing sound of rushing water, others said it was the quiet they enjoyed the most. "I have loved nature, wildlife, forests, streams, mountains, beaches all of my life," Laurie Halsey, age 57, explains. "My husband and I have created our lifestyle--home, family, vocations and avocations--around the out-of-doors, and we and our children truly grew up fly-fishing."

One 78-year-old woman brought her 14-year-old grandson to a parent-and-child fly-fishing class so she could have a fishing buddy. She and her husband shared a passion for the outdoors, and after he passed away, she decided she was too young to give up the fly-fishing she had loved all her life. Once her grandson learned how, she didn't have to give it up, and they could spend time together.

Kathy Young, age 46, emphasizes "letting your hair down and living for the simplest of needs. I find fly-fishing so earthy and real. You don't worry about your makeup, clothes, or hair. You keep your identity as a woman but without adornment."

Many of my students start out thinking that they have come just to learn how to fly fish, but during the course of the day a most amazing transformation happens. I see the lines of trouble and worry on their faces begin to fade away, replaced by an enthusiasm and excitement that was not there before. When they hook into their first trout, their eyes are as bright as a child's on Christmas morning.

Wonderful things happen to people on the river. Several couples came to one fly-fishing class to learn together. At first, the ringleader, a domineering older man, was very vocal and demanding about what he expected in return for his money. He was barking out orders for both me and his friends, and I thought to myself, "Oh boy, this is going to be a really long day." As the lesson went on, however, his tensions seemed to be washed away by the soothing sights and sounds of the river. He actually began to laugh and enjoy himself; he became a completely different person. As the day was coming to a close, his wife explained to me that her husband had been going through some difficult times with his career and family. With tears in her eyes, voice trembling, she said that this was the happiest and most relaxed she had seen him in years. "Fly-fishing forces me to be patient, quiet, and focused. I have found great peace in quietly looking for fish, patiently tying on flies, and focusing on the water. One cannot be in a hurry! When I'm feeling as fragmented as an unassembled jigsaw puzzle, a day of fishing helps to integrate me and instill a sense of wholeness." Kathy Young, age 46

One of my favorite stories is of two best friends who "abandoned" their husbands and children for a fly-fishing trip of their own. They had once been neighbors but over time had moved to different parts of the country, so this was a reunion of sorts. One had been fly-fishing for several years with her husband and wanted to introduce her best friend to the sport. I will always remember the two of them hugging and crying tears of joy in the middle of the river over catching a beautiful, wild brown trout together. "There is nothing like sharing fly-fishing with a good friend," one of them told me later. "We get so excited talking about Woolly Buggers, a new way to tie a knot, or how fly-fishing nourishes our souls. Our friendship and our fishing adventures can only be described as gifts in my life." Those two women now plan an annual fly-fishing excursion, traveling to different destinations in order to spend time together.

Jill Anthony, 46, says she "took up fly-fishing in self-defense! When my husband and I hiked to mountain lakes, he would carry his rod and flies, and I became his 'spotter.' That was fun for the first hour. But one hour would stretch into two or three, and I finally decided that if you can't lick 'em, you might as well join 'em."

A retired woman from Wisconsin who had moved to Florida decided she wanted to travel around the country, see old friends, and do some things she had never had a chance to try. She put all her belongings in storage, bought a minivan (equipped with a cellular phone at her daughter's urging), and came to our fly-fishing school. I admired this woman because even in her 70s she had a nothing-can-stop-me attitude.

I met another woman, bubbling with enthusiasm about fly-fishing, who said when she turned 50 she had thought sadly, "now I'm too old to learn." The minute she said it, she realized how silly that was, because if she got started right away, she'd have at least 30 years of good fishing ahead of her! She has been at it for several years now and looks forward to a lifetime of fly-fishing experiences. EVEN FISHLESS DAYS ARE ADVENTURES One day my brother and I packed up his truck and set out on a four-hour drive that ended up taking us more than five hours to reach a destination we had read about. But getting there was half the adventure. We took wrong turns and had to back track after we tried to go around one side of a reservoir that led us only to a dead end. All the while I was thinking, "Are we ever going to get there? Where is there?"

We finally arrived at a beautiful section of river, and as I stepped out of the truck I could smell the freshness of the oak leaves and hear the roar of the water. We were surrounded by rolling foothills framed by the dark purple, rugged granite of the Sierra Nevada. We rigged our rods and proceeded to fish.

We didn't hook or even see a fish that day, but my brother and I spent hours trying to catch a crayfish that kept chasing our flies. Drift after drift, that little crayfish would come out of its hiding place and move our flies away from where we had worked so hard to set them down. Finally we decided to try to hook the crayfish, instead!

But we weren't successful in that endeavor, either. We took turns carefully presenting a fly in just the right place. The water was crystal clear and shallow, so we could watch the entire drama unfold. The crayfish would try to grab the fly in its claw and several times actually appear to be hooked. We would pull it in and even manage to lift it completely out of the water, only to have it fall back in with a "splat."

The main thing I remember about that day was laughing so hard my stomach hurt. That and spending time playing with my brother as we did when we were kids. I have had other outstanding fishing days when I hooked and landed several trophy-sized fish. But I will always remember the whimsical adventure of that fishless day as one of my favorites. Many women get started in fly-fishing in order to do something for themselves after giving so much time and nurturance to husbands, family, and children. Nancy Wickes, age 72, told me she had always wanted to fly fish, and one snowy winter day, depressed by the recent death of her husband, she forced herself to make arrangements to learn. "I called the local tackle shop: 'I know it's a Saturday morning and there's snow on the ground, but do you have a guide available to teach an old lady how to fly fish?' In twenty minutes I was in the car and on my way to the shop. I was immediately put at ease by my appointed guide, who helped me into the proper gear. I must say I didn't look very attractive in oversized waders, too large boots and jacket, and funky hat, but off we went. I am a skier and a tennis player, but fly-fishing has taken precedence in my life."

Once you learn how, fly-fishing can be a lifetime sport. Even if you take time off from it, you can come back to it years later and it will still be there. A friend who went fly-fishing on a pond just two weeks before giving birth to her son has not had a lot of time for it since then, but when she finds time again, she can choose to pick up where she left off.

Women who fly fish enjoy the sport at many different levels: being outdoors in the fresh air, sharing another's company, having a time to reflect, or simply catching a fish. Everyone's experience will be unique. Go out there and make it the experience you want.

Edition details

• Publisher: Ragged Mountain Press
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0071581855
• ISBN 13: 9780071581851
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 160