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Fishing Meditations

How Fly Fishing Supports Mental Health: A Personal Perspective from the River

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A Personal Take on Mental Health

by Scott Smith, Lead Fly Fishing Guide

We hear a lot about mental health and how important it is. I’ve always found this hard to quantify. I have good moments and not so great moments every day. In my previous work life, prolonged periods of stress just became the normal part of my daily routine. I never realized the negative effects of being “on” all the time and accepted the way it was, as normal. I tend to equate mental health with stress levels and I’m certainly no expert. I do, however, know where I like my thoughts to be and what brings me peace.

Why Fly Fishing?

Fly fishing has always given me a great release. In the beginning I couldn’t tell you exactly why I enjoyed it so much but I suppose it was the tug on the line that kept me coming back, but it’s so much more. I can’t tell you what fly fishing will do for your mental health, but now that I’ve been at it for many years as a fly fisher and the last nine years as a guide and teacher, I can make some observations you might identify with. Maybe fly fishing can be your escape or temporary release.

The Therapeutic Cast

The fly cast is therapeutic. The focus on the right mechanics and the pursuit of the perfect cast through repetition and finding control relaxes the brain and the body. Some days the fish just don’t matter and practicing the cast either while I’m fishing or on the soccer field puts me in the moment. Everything else disappears.

Mental Health On The Bow

Cracking the Code and Solving the Puzzle

Cracking the code takes focus and problem solving skills. What are the fish eating? Where in the water are they holding? What is the right fly choice? What is the best way to present the fly? Asking questions, observing the environment and deciding on the approach can be wonderfully complex and all encompassing. I love figuring it all out, especially on water I’ve never fished before.

The Joy of Anticipation

Anticipation is a big part of the excitement. Anticipation for the next trip, the next bite, what’s around the next corner, who I’m fly fishing with etc. Fly fishing is all about the anticipation for big and small moments. You never know which ones will create lasting memories.

Fly Fishing With Friends

Preparation as Meditation

Preparation for the day. This one isn’t for everyone, but I love organizing my fly boxes, making sure my leaders are fresh, my rigs are solid and the drift boat is washed, packed and ready. When I’m preparing to guide, it just reminds me I’m here and I get to work at what I love doing. For me the preparation is a big piece of the anticipation of what’s to come.

Watching the Water: Stalking Rising Fish

Stalking rising fish. I love to just observe rising trout to discover their rhythm, what they’re feeding on, how they move and turn on their prey. I learn so much and my brain stays completely focused and on task.

Reading While Fishing

Learning Through Reading

Reading. There is so much history to discover in this sport and so many great authors have captured the beauty of fly fishing along with the great teaching books. I love taking new to me ideas and applying them on the river. I’m always learning and taking steps to improve as a fly fisher, a guide and a teacher. The journey to be better and continue learning will never end.

Time with People

While guiding and out with friends it’s all about some good laughs and celebrating the wins. We’re learning, hooking a few fish, taking in the landscape and just enjoying the vibe of the day. The best days are the ones that end with someone exclaiming, “Damn I needed that!”

Watching Water

Time without People

Sometimes I don’t tell anyone that I’ve even gone fishing. I head out with Hopper (the dog) and we just explore and fish. No one around, No Social Media Posts, No Pictures. Hopper often gets back in the truck at the end of the day with a satisfying sigh that says “Damn I needed that!”

Your Own Fly Fishing Story

You’ll have your own reasons to pick up a fly rod. If you haven’t experienced it, try it. If it’s been a while, dust it off and head to the river. All I know is I’m never disappointed by a day outside, especially with a fly rod by my side.

gary-brown-trout

Dry or Die! Strategies for Success with Dry Flies on the Bow

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gary-brown-trout

by Scott Smith, Lead Guide

Becoming a Better Dry Fly Prospector

One of my goals the past few years has been to become a better dry fly prospector. I spend a lot of time in the drift boat with nymph rigs and beginner fly fishers, which I enjoy. When we have experienced rods and folks that can cast a line with some accuracy, I really appreciate snout hunting and getting high on the banks to sight fish. Stalking a 20-plus brown in shallow water always gets the blood pumping for our guests.

What If You Can’t See Any Rises?

What if I can’t see any rises or there are no trout holding off those rocky banks on the transitions—at least none that I can spot? Certainly, we can tie up a dry dropper or deep nymph rig and get into the meat of those transitions with good success.

I think about clear water cutthroat streams and tossing my Adams into the lanes on the obstructions, riffles, and shelves. Those little fellas almost always respond even if I can’t see them. Knowing where they SHOULD be is always a good bet for cutties.

On bigger water, the trout should be holding in the same kind of water, shouldn’t they? The short answer is yes—and prospecting with a dry fly is a lot of fun!

standing-in-river-fishing

 

Dry Fly Fishing Strategies for the Bow River

Here are a few observations and practices that might work for you.

1. Stand Back and Observe

I like to pick my spot for my first cast. I’m looking for broken water, transitions, and obstructions. From there, I watch the foam, bugs, or debris that show me the likely food lane.

From here, I figure out where to stand so I’m invisible to a potential target. Even if you can’t see your target, your first cast to likely holding water can be critical. Remember to fish the water before you walk into it. If the light is right, I can also gauge the depth by the color change and find isolated buckets and troughs where there may be a holding fish or two.

2. Focus on Depth

In big water like the Bow River, I prospect with dries in shallow water. I’m usually tossing bugs into water no deeper than three feet. This isn’t a hard rule, but if trout are holding lower in the column and not readily feeding near the surface, chances are they won’t move too far to intercept your topwater fly.

3. Use a Longer Leader

If I’m tossing into shallow water, I like a 12-foot leader or longer. It’s just a preference so I can work the water without lining the trout.

4. Choose the Right Bug Sizes

I like to start with typical dry fly offerings on the Bow River. Often, sizes 14-18 are workable with whatever dominant pupa is hanging around. That said, if trout are not actively eating in the top part of the column, sometimes a big size 10 or 12 will get their attention.

Additionally, an attractor pattern might be the ticket. I’ll often throw a stimulator or a big parachute ant for some splat, which often makes them look and eat! Smash the hatch!

5. Use Methodical, Short Casts

I prefer to move my feet and work in small grids, often only with a 3-second drift, overlapping casts as I work. Also, make sure that fly comes off the water softly at the end of the drift.

While guiding, I see way too many fly fishers with a ripper of a pickup. No one should hear your line coming off the water. Long hero casts just don’t give me the controlled drift I like.

6. Add Fly Movement

Yes, the dead drift is a standard dry fly move, but a little movement on that fly will often get a splash at your bug. Bugs move in the water, and with some practice, you can move it just right. A key here is short casts and a high rod for the best control.

7. Stick With It

Remember, you’re fishing likely holding water based on what you know. When I approach a shallow transition or flat with guests, we grab the dry rod first and work the shallow water first. Only after we give it a good run do we switch to a streamer, dry dropper, or nymph to rework the water or move to the deeper part of the run.

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Final Thoughts on Dry Fly Fishing Success

While instructing, we stress the importance of knowing trout behavior, how they hold in specific water, and the best way to present your rig. Depth is always at the top of the presentation list, and “no depth” or “top water” is a part of that versatility.

Get out there and explore, try different methods, and keep track of your successes and failures. I love this sport because I’m always learning something new and discovering the subtleties of the river, the fish, and the bugs.

beginner fly fishing lessons on a drift boat on the bow river with George.

First-Time Fly Fishing Experience with George: A Memorable Rainy Day Float

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By Scott Smith, Lead Guide

Meeting George: A Newcomer to Fly Fishing

At the end of May last season, George, exuding a classic Alberta blue-collar vibe, called me while I was at the tire shop getting new tires for the old Fishin’ Truck. He spoke with purpose and clarity about wanting to try fly fishing without immediately investing in all the gear. Consequently, we arranged his first time fly fishing lessons with a Half Day Lesson Float, which is ideal for beginners.

beginner fly fishing lessons on bow river with George.

The Chilly Start of Our Adventure

We met near Mackinnon Flats on June 1st, a day characterized by overcast skies and a consistent, cold drizzle. This weather, while not ideal, was pretty close to what one would hope for in early summer. However, the light breeze was enough to create a noticeable chill.

Initially, I was expecting someone closer to my age. I am seasoned—let’s just leave it at that. Surprisingly, George was a 21-year-old with a beaming smile, dressed in jeans, a light hoodie, and cowboy boots, topped with a trucker’s cap. He greeted me with a firm handshake, and I could immediately feel his excitement.

George’s Optimism and Preparations

“Great to meet you, George. Grab the rest of your gear and throw it in my truck,” I welcomed him. Amused, he replied, “This is all I brought.” I smiled and shook my head, then gestured for him to hop into the passenger seat of the Tundra. Despite my instructions to dress for the weather, George was underprepared, but I reassured him, “Not to worry, I have waders, boots, and rain gear for you.”

George’s Background and Independence

During the ride to the boat launch, I learned that George worked on the oil rigs and had recently left a Hutterite Colony. This independence was new to him, and he had left with only a few personal possessions. His spirit impressed me as he talked about his new adventures.

Convincing George to Dress Appropriately

At the launch, it only took a minute to convince George to dress appropriately. He showed a feigned reluctance while sliding on the waders and the rain jacket I offered him. After handing him a fly rod and taking a quick inventory, we set off.

Fly Fishing Lessons Begin

I anchored in a shallow run, and we began the casting lesson. Teaching beginners from the boat has always been effective, and George quickly grasped the basics. With my coaching, he worked on his casting and mending.

A Day Without Distractions

The river was exclusively ours that day. We saw no other boats at the launch that morning and no other vehicles were parked, which indicated we would likely have no interruptions. It’s rare to have a world-class trout river all to yourself.

George’s First Catch

As we drifted into a likely riffle, George executed a decent cast. “Okay, cast again about 6 feet past where my oar is pointing,” I instructed. After a big mend upstream and a floating bobber, the indicator hesitated. “Set!” I yelled. Before George could react, a sizable Bow River Rainbow trout leapt out of the water. The line went tight, and George gripped it against the base of the rod as I had shown him, but the line went slack suddenly. George erupted into laughter, thrilled by the experience. “Did you see that? I had him!” he exclaimed, clearly hooked on fly fishing.

More Success and Memorable Moments

The boat slid into a mid-river shelf where we continued our fly fishing efforts. After a few casts and corrections, George’s indicator signaled another catch. As he managed to keep the rod bent and the line tight, he skillfully allowed the fish to take line without losing touch. “Like this? Like this?!” he yelled excitedly.

George’s First Successful Catch

“Yeah, man! You’re doing great!” I encouraged. After a few more strategic maneuvers, I slid the net under the fish, and George had his first successful catch on a fly rod. “That was amazing! Just so cool! Did you see that?” he exclaimed, still vibrating with excitement.

beginner fly fishing lessons on bow river, catching a trout in net.

Reflections on a Day Well Spent

It’s true that we remember moments. George and I had an outstanding day, despite the rain and cold, and we landed several more fish. While I don’t recall many details of the rest of the day, that first fish is etched in my memory.

Inviting New Anglers

We love bringing new fly fishers into memorable moments. If one of our fly fishing adventures appeals to you, get in touch, and we’ll set you up for a great time on the water!