fishing lessons - Bow River Fly Fishing

A Personal Take on Mental Health

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.

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.

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.

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!”

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.

By Scott Smith, Lead Fly Fishing Guide

I’ve spent most of my adult life as a river guide, and I’ve seen all kinds of people come through the doors. Every now and then, though, there’s someone who catches me off guard with their enthusiasm for fly fishing. Usually, they’re kids. Six-year-olds with skinned knees who want to know how to tie on a dry fly because their uncle told them that he did it when he went fishing with his dad. This is great! Kids are the future of our sport, but if we want them to stick around for long enough to develop into lifelong anglers (or even just enjoy themselves for one weekend), we need to make sure that they have fun out on the water—and not just catch fish

Find a Mentor

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “knowledge is power.” With that in mind, it’s no wonder that so many people are interested in learning about fly fishing for kids. What your mentor has to say could be the difference between a good experience and an amazing one.

So how do you find someone who can teach you how to fly fish? You may be lucky enough to have a friend or relative who can help out. If not, consider joining a club or getting involved with an organization that promotes fly fishing for kids. There are many groups out there (like Trout Unlimited) that welcome new members every year and will encourage them to get involved as quickly as possible. If none of these options work for you, try asking around at local fly shops—they’ll know where all of their customers hang out, so they’ll likely have some leads!

Safety

Know the area you’re fishing in. Everyone should wear a life jacket when on board a boat, and this goes double for kids. It’s also a good idea to put the kids in a life jacket if you’re fishing in swift moving water.

Be sure to take care of yourself as well: don’t forget sunscreen!

Be sure to stay hydrated and bring plenty of water with you. Make sure that everyone in your group has a life jacket on, and make sure that the boats are properly equipped with first aid kits, flares, and other safety gear.

Fishing License

Fishing licenses are usually sold at sporting goods stores, fly shops, and the like. You can also get a fishing license online. The cost varies depending on whether or not you’re a resident of that province. Be sure to check your local regulations.

Licenses generally last for one year from the date of purchase. Kids and Seniors don’t generally need a license, but if you’re the adult fishing with them, you’re going to need one.

Equipment

There are a few points to remember when selecting equipment for your child. The most important is that they’re going to be able to use it themselves, so make sure anything you buy is age appropriate and fits into the size of their hands. You don’t want them struggling with too many tangled knots or having too much trouble handling their gear for fear of dropping it in the water and getting frustrated while trying to get the cast right.

There are some great beginner kits available online and at your local fishing shop. For smaller hands we use the Echo Gecko kit. I don’t have any affiliation with Echo, but we love these outfits for kids. The grip is narrow, the rod is shorter than adult rods, and it’s easy to get the line moving. Your local fly shop can point you in the right direction. However, kids can certainly use adult gear easy enough. Especially when you’re testing the waters. If you’re not sure what kind of gear would be best for your kid yet, just ask an employee who knows their stuff at the store; they can help find something suitable without breaking the bank.

Knots And Tangles

Whether it’s a loop knot or a clinch knot, you’ll need some knowledge of knots to keep your line in place.

If you’ve never tied a fishing knot before and want to learn how, don’t worry! Knot tying is one of the easiest skills to learn how to do on the fly; it only takes a little practice and patience. Once you get the hang of it, there are all kinds of different knots that can help make your fishing trip more enjoyable and successful. With some basic instruction and practice, even kids can learn how to tie on their own flies when out on the water with parents or friends for an afternoon adventure!

There are going to be tangles, lots of tangles. Your job is to be patient and remind the kids, this is all part of the process. Make sure you have lots of leaders, tippet and a pair of good snippers!

What to Bring

Rod
Leaders and Tippet
Flies
Waders (if you need them)
Boots or wading shoes. They’re going to get wet.
Bug Collector. Collect the bugs you’re imitating and make it educational.
Rain gear
Snacks and drinks

Fly fishing is a great family activity. It’s good for bonding, learning something new, and getting outside.

Fly fishing is a great family activity. It’s good for bonding, learning something new, and getting outside. In fact, there are many ways to enjoy fly fishing as a family:

You can teach your kids how to hold the rod correctly and give them some basic pointers about casting and then let them experiment. There are no bad casts.
Go where you know fish are holding. It’s great if they can see the fish. This creates a great opportunity to learn about fish behavior.
Focus on the process and learning something new. The fish will come.

Conclusion

Fly fishing is a great family activity. It’s good for bonding, learning something new, and getting outside. I hope this article gave you some ideas on where to start! We have lesson programs and family floats that will help accelerate the learning curve. We’d love to introduce you and your crew to our sport!

Book your flyfishing adventure today!

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