First Trout

by Marshall Estes

I can still remember standing on the bridge watching a fly fisherman gracefully casta dry fly upstream to the base of the little dam feeding a pool by the hatchery. Onthe third cast, he hooked up with a nice fat 12 to 14 inch rainbow that leapt outthe water 3 or 4 times trying to throw the hook.

The fisherman prevailed and slipped the rainbow into his classic wicker creel withthe slot in the lid. (Back in those days we ate a fish once in a while) Turning tomy father, I asked what the fisherman was using for bait. Dad said, "He isusing an artificial fly and not bait." "Does it stink?", I asked.Dad laughed and said "No." Right then I knew one day I would become a fly fisherman. I was about 14 at the time. I never touched stinky bait after that.

I would not take up fly fishing until 1969 some 15 years after first seeing it in theOzarks of Missouri. I had moved to Colorado to learn to ski and fly fish. Never didlearn to ski but I did learn to fly fish.

When I was starting out, there weren't a lot of classes, guides or instructors toteach fly fishing. I purchased a cheap rod, reel, line and some flies from a localsporting goods store. Then I read a lot of books and practiced casting until I coulddo a reasonable overhand cast.

My first fish was a 2 lb. brookie caught on a brassie out of the famed South Platteriver. That was my only fish on a fly rod for that whole season. For the next twoseasons, I caught exactly one fish a season on a fly rod. I had upgraded myequipment so the casting was a lot more enjoyable.

In 1972, I was back to drifting salmon eggs on the bottom with light spinning gearand was catching fish. But releasing them was killing a lot of them I knew. Asdestiny would have it. A friend and I ended up on Bear Creek at O'Fallon Park oneSaturday. Jerry parked the car and said, "Hey, there's Frank Aubon. Frank isone of the best fly fishermen I know. He can teach you how to catch fish on a flyrod." (Frank was from Maine and had been fly fishing some 40 years when I firstmet him.)

Jerry introduced me to Frank and explained the problem I was having with a fly rod.Frank said, "Come here and show me what you know about casting." So Idropped a couple of reasonable overhand casts out onto the Creek. Frank looked atme, "You know enough about basic casting, what do you do with the fly when itis in the water?" "Frank, if I knew what the H--- to do with the fly inthe water, I would be catching fish!", I said.

"Come on and watch what I do." said Frank. Frank shook out a little lineand let it drift downstream. Then he flipped a "Tension" cast backupstream. On the 3rd drift, Frank hooked a nice bow right along the bank. He lookedat me and said, "Now you do it!" I tried to imitate Frank but no fish.

Finally Frank asked me what I had been fishing. "Eggs on the bottom." Ireplied. "Fishing eggs on the bottom is the same as fishing nymphs on thebottom", said Frank. "You make a little J in the line just at the waterline and watch it as you bounce the nymph on the bottom. If the J twitches left orright or hesitates, raise the rod tip to set the hook. And don't rip the rod tip up.Remember that hook is only a quarter inch or less long to the bend. A gentle tipupis all that is needed." Then Frank proceeded to demonstrate with two more fish.

I watched Frank and tried to imitate him with some success. As I remember I caughtand released about 6 trout that Saturday. For me that was the best I had ever donewith a fly rod. Frank and I fished together for some 5 years before loosing touchwith each other.

But I will never forget the gift of a lifetime fly fishing enjoyment you gave meFrank. You were a good teacher and fine friend to wade the waters with.

Whatever big river you are fishing in Heaven, I hope the fish are huge and you arehaving a ball.

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,

Marshall, Editor

has been a fly fishing and fly tying

enthusiast for over 30 years.

http://www.fly-fishing-colorado.com/

About the AuthorMarshall Estes , editorColorado Fly Fishing Tipshas been a fly fishing and fly tying enthusiast for over 30 years.Check out our other issues at

www.fly-fishing-colorado.com

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I wish you happy fly-fishing,
Andrey Zherebyatyev, Fisherman
Fly-Fishing-North-America.com