The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Greetings, NCFFBers!

Last Friday, as I landed face first in the mud and brush along the Ohlone Trail at Waterdog Park, two things hit me. The first was my bike. The second was a realization that being the father of an 11-year-old boy pushes you to do things you might not do otherwise, like taking up mountain biking in you mid-forties, despite having been happily sedentary most of your life. But even with the scraped shins, sore muscles, and bruised ego, it's not all that bad. In fact, it's all good; I'm quite enjoying our rides together.

And now, Christiaan is providing the impetus for me to return to another beloved activity--flyfishing. I had taken a hiatus from ffing the past several years in order to focus on raising the kids and supporting the family, and transitioning into a new career. Most years I had gone without fishing at all. The past three years I've been able to spend a few days wetting the line in my friend's stocked pond on his vacation property in Manton. It was during our last trip there in August that my wife (!) made the rash suggestion that I take Christiaan on a fishing trip to somewhere like, say... Montana.

MONTANA?!?!?

Well, once you say something like that in front of an 11-year-old, you're committed. So later this year, probably in the summer, Christiaan and I are goin' a-fishin'. We're not sure if it'll really be in Montana, but we're pretty much set on making it an out-of-state trip. Of course, there will be a few one- or two-day in-state jaunts, plus casting sessions at the local park to hone our skills.

Of course, Christiaan couldn't leave it at that. This morning, while I was still in bed, he came into my room declaring that he had to get this fly fishing combo he found on the Bass Pro Shops web site. In my half-slumber I mumbled, "What? No, no no... we'll build you a rod from a blank..." Again, 11-year-old boy, committed, yadda yadda yadda.

So, here I am, jumping back into the sport with both feet, and without waders. It's gonna be a fun ride. This week, for the first time in years, I'll be buying a California fishing license.

I'll be coming to the campfire seeking advice, and in return I'll be posting my usual inanity and ignorance. Hey, no one ever said life was fair.

Cheers!

Sounds like fun!
I would recommend that your first trips be to small Sierra streams where the fish are easy to catch on an attractor dry (Adams, Humpy, etc.) and get him into a lot of fun action, even if the fish are smallish. There is nothing more intoxicating, nor addicting, in fly-fishing than a lot of splashy rises. You can build his skills from there, with a good foundation of adrenaline.

If you need suggestions on where to go, send me a private message.

Buzz

Good on ya Chuck....Both you and your son will benefit in ways that you can't yet imagine.

Hey Chuck,
I hear ya! I have a 7 year old son for whom I bought his first fly rod last summer. I got him a 7ft 3wt from cabelas and we've been having a blast. He caught his first rainbow on the lower Yuba right near the bridge.

Last August I took my first trip to Montana for my 40th birthday and the entire time I was there, I was wishing that I had brought him along, too. So I promised him I'd take him for his 10th birthday.

Depending on where you go, I can highly recommend a fly shop and guide in Montana. As you make plans, let me know if I can be of any help.

May you and your new fishing buddy build memories that will last a lifetime!

Dave

Awesome! Insanity and ignorance have made this board what it is! (Or at least used to be.) Bring it on! I can't wait to read your posts. And I hope to match them with my own insanity and ignorance. I use the word insanity with complete respect. Insanity is just a way of describing whatever it is that keeps us from growing up (aka getting old).

Thanks for the welcome, guys...

Buzz... those small Sierra streams are in our sights. My folks live in Sonora, but much to my chagrin I've yet to fully (or even marginally) explore the area.

Charlie... Having someone else build my rods will definitely be a benefit. As will the incontrovertible excuse to go fishing: "What, you'd rather he sit around the house playing computer games?"

FS... Well, the trip's been scaled back to somewhere in CA (Christiaan's choice), but one day we'll make it to MT (or ID, or...)

FF... I said inanity, but, hey, I'll take whatever I can get.

Status: Fishing license bought, blank & rod components ordered, Christiaan's first fly reel bought (Okuma SLV - $30).

Cheers!

some of my best fishng memories were on PowerHouse creek right in your area.

Paul