On this page, is my first year of flyfishing. The 1998 experiences will be chronicled here and for 2006 here.
June 1, 1997
Yesterday, Evelyn and I took our first fly fishing class. I need a lot of practice to
get even adequate. I called LL Bean about the status of
my flyrod. They said it was no longer on back order, and had been shipped on Friday. Evelyn
already has her rod and reel. We both have fishing vests.
I am not quite sure how we got interested in fly fishing. It was not because of the movie,
A River Runs Through It, although we both saw it. She read the book long before the movie came out.
I think it was a reaction against the men in our family taking up golf. I got her the rod
for her high school graduation present.
We signed up for an introductory fly fishing class, that was held yesterday. It was taught by
a woman, and only for women. I think we learned quite a bit. Plus we have been reading some books
about fishing. But I think the only way we will really learn, is to go fishing.
June 2
Today my rod and reel came!! Looks great. Then Evelyn and I got our fishing licenses!! I went out
in the yard, and put my rod together, and did some practice casting. I like the way he feels, and can't
wait till Friday when we can go to a stream and actually try casting in the water. Unless
her schedule allows us to go out sooner. I need to get a hat. That's what someone special told me.
June 4
I have been subscribed to the FF@ newsgroup for about a month. It's been a very surprising
experience. Yes, they discuss techinques and equipment and places to fish, but they are also
very funny and entertaining. When the first few poems and haikus came, I had to double check
which news group they were from. Today, though, I made my first post to the group. They have
been joking about a redneck clave, and said no women were allowed. I had to say something about
*that*!. Several members welcomed me to the list, which made me feel great.
June 5
Evelyn's graduation from high school was tonight. I am so proud of her. We went to Bentley's to
get some leader for her and sign up for the intermediate fly fishing class, and somehow, I bought another
rod. This one is designed for women, with a smaller grip. What sold me, though, was it was a close
out model, so he took quite a lot of the price. With the class discount, I managed to save quite a
bit. Don't say it!! That's women's reasoning!! I tried on a few different kinds of hats, but I just don't have a head
for hats. They look stupid on me. I will have to figure something out about a hat.
June 7
Took my new rod and reel out in the back yard to practice using it. I really like it, and it fits
in my hand much better. I ended up going back to Bentley's to get some odds and ends. They had a
gadget that holds the fly, so it is easier to tie it to the tippet. That's exactly what I was looking
for because my eyes are not that great anymore. I let Lowell try my rod, since he is left handed too,
and he cast it like a natural. He said that it was because he could throw a football. Hmmm, I wonder.
June 12
It was a beautiful summer day, and Evelyn and I were determined to get somewhere where
there was water. Not to catch fish, but to practice our casting. We studied a map trying to
find an out of the way spot. There was a little park right on the Minnesota River, so we
gathered all our gear and drove the 15 minutes there. We hiked a bit and then found a path to
the river. This was the very first time we cast with flys, and having our licenses. No fish
were seen in the water, but it didn't matter. We were there to practice casting. I watcher her, and
she watched me. She is much better than I am. Watch out fish!! Next time, we may be out
trying to catch you.
June 18
Today I became a fisherwoman. I finally went fishing. In the water. It so happened
that one of the FF@ members was going to be in the Twin Cities and wrote me about where to
fish. I regretted telling Snuggs that I really couldn't help him as I was a total beginner, and gave him the name of another FF@ lister
in the area. So, we arranged to all get together today. Michael Valentiner suggested we
meet at the second bridge in El Paso, WI. Yes... I know. But there really is such a place. We got
there a bit early, so we could get ready, and practice a bit before we met them. We hiked in a
bit, and found a nice, open area. Before we knew it, it was past the time to meet them, but Evelyn
was wading in the river, and didn't want to get out. So, I walked back, and they were just at
the bridge. When we got back to Evelyn, they decided to go further upstream. They probably didn't
want to be seen with us. As it turned out, we find Michael and Snuggs, even though we
walked all the way to the other bridge. We decided we needed the open area for our casting, and went
back to that first spot. Evelyn hooked a fish, but it got away. I didn't even get close. I quit about
20 minutes earlier than Evelyn, and just sat and looked and listened. I wanted to peek inside the
rocks that were across the stream, that seemed to make small caves. The water was singing as it tumbled
over the stones. The flies were flitting across the water like crazy, and you could see the fish
trying to grab them. Maybe that's why they weren't going after our flys. It was great fun, my rod felt great, I was satisfied with my casting
and I am a fly fisherwoman.
June 19
Yesterday, I wanted to get into the water. It looked like Evelyn was having better success with her casting.
She wore shorts, and I wore pants. I decided I needed wading boots. But no way was I going to
wear waders!! I bought some boots, and some sort of waterproof pants, and on Saturday, I will
wear shorts under those pants. That way, if they don't work, I can wade in the water anyway.
Michael emailed me to say Snuggs caught a large brown within 5 minutes, but that he wasn't as lucky.
June 21
Rise and shine... well, we rose. It was a beautiful morning, and we met Nancy right at
9 am in Hudson, WI. We drove just north of town, to a very nice river, the Willow. The other
three people cancelled out, so it was just Evelyn and me, and Nancy, our teacher. We fished
for 5 hours, as she tried to teach us the difference between fishing in smooth water vs.
rapidly flowing water. She helped me with my roll cast, and because I am lefthanded, I
learned the backhanded one first. She thought we were both really good at casting, and getting
the fly to the area we wanted. I didn't catch nearly as many tree trout as the first time
either. I loved wading in the water, which I did this time. It was a lot more fun and
felt more like fishing. I didn't catch anything, except the bug. I can't wait till we
go fishing again. I think we are going to join Nancy's group in Montana next month.
I am going, even if Evelyn doesn't want to. The most embarrassing thing was falling into the
water. I got up though, and continued. I was already wet to my waist, so what more could I
have gotten wet??? At least, I didn't go totally under. Beware fish... I plan to catch one
this week.
June 25
Honest, we only went to Bentley's to look at a book. There is this book about where to
fish in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but I don't want to buy it, because I will be moving
somwhere soon. They didn't care. And Evelyn carefully took down directions for Hay Creek,
just outside of Red Wing. I wanted Evelyn to get wading boots, and finally
convinced her to try on a pair. Well, we got to talking about going to Montana, and before I knew it,
I was trying on waders. Something I swore I would never wear. So both of us got something
neither of us had planned on buying. I also bought a small fly tying kit. That will be something
I start this winter.
June 26
A perfect day. We set off for Red Wing, about an hour's drive southeast a little after noon.
Evelyn couldn't find the directions for where we were to go, but we decided we could find it on
our own. Lowell wanted to go with us, so he brought his spincast rod, and off we went. Finally,
we found the creek. We turned on to a back road, and at the end, there was this small path.
Evelyn and Lowell followed it, while I waited. The creek was down there, they said, but it was
very narrow and shallow. We decided to head back, and try one of the other side roads. The next
one we followed, took us right to the creek. Evelyn and I would wade downstream, and work our
way upstream, and back to Lowell. It was really sandy and every step was like sinking in sludge.
I waded down about a half mile, but no fish were biting, so I worked on my cast. I think it's getting
better. The fly seemed to go where I wanted it to. And I was focusing on
my arm movements. Then Evelyn came looking for me, and the car keys. Lowell had managed to
hook his hand, and was bleeding. I gave them to her, and decided to call it a day. Tomorrow,
I practice in the yard. Soon, fish. I promise.
June 29
The fish got a break this weekend, thanks to Mother Nature. It rained and lightninged all
weekend, so I never got out. I did order some things I will need for Montana from LLBean.
I broke down and got a hat. I think I will hate that as much as the waders.
July 2
Another trip to Bentley's. Evelyn got waders. We got some other stuff, but
we mainly went to get flies for the trip and to find out how to get to the
Kinnikinnick River. We had planned to go fishing this afternoon, but it was a bit
too chilly.
July 3
It was another cool day, but we were determined. With map in hand, we headed out
to the Kinni. Neither of us could remember what they had told us. So we headed to the
Rush River, where we had been before. When we got there, there were no other cars
parked there. That should have been sign #1. We got our gear on, including the waders.
Walked in to the river, and it was muddy from all the rain. Sign #2. It didn't
stop us, and we waded into the water. The waders work!! You could feel the water was
cold, but we didn't get wet, We fished for about an hour and a half, till
it started raining, and Evelyn fell in and got her shirt wet and we started getting
chilled. I know we should have brought our raincoats. We didn't want to get sick
before our trip to Montana, so we called it quits. We may go back tomorrow or
Saturday, if it warms up a bit.
July 5
I got the exact directions to the Kinni. As we were driving to Wisconsin, it started
getting cloudy and dark. We debated, but decided to go on ahead. This time we found the
Kinni, and hiked in a ways to the river. Since it's right by a dam, we walked
along the path for a bit, so we could work our way upstream. It was really too
early to be out, but we didn't care. Fished (or should I say, casted) for about an
hour and a half, when Evelyn cried out for me. She had hooked herself in the neck.
Even though we pushed the barbs down, it seemed to be stuck in her fairly deep. So we
left, and I took her to the emergency room. I know somewhere I read how to take
out a hook, but of course, I couldn't remember what it said. We could have gone back
but we decided that was enough excitement for one day.
July 7
Last entry before we leave for Montana... which is early tomorrow morning. Two days
to drive out, 5 days fishing in Montana, then 3 or 4 days to drive back here. I sure
hope my order from LLBean comes today. I got part of it already, but the bulk of it
hasn't been delivered yet. I will be VERY upset if it isn't here. But I guess
I can get whatever I need along the way.
July 19
I am back from Montana. What a wonderful experience. What glorious scenery. The stuff I ordered
from LL Bean did arrive on Monday, so one less thing to worry about. The wading
staff was very useful, as were the gravel guards and better sunglasses. We packed the car that night,
so we would be all ready to leave in the morning.
We woke up early, due to too much
activity in the house. We were on the road at 7 am, and had no rush hour traffic. Lunch was in
Bismarck, ND. The scenery was flat farmland till we got to Dickinson. Then the terrain changed. The
farmland turned into hills, mountains and rocky cliffs. Then we were in Montana. No speed limit.
I got the truck up to 104 mph. Even though we traveled that fast, you could still appreciate
the scenery because it is so wide open. The mountains were so beautiful, I can't describe them. They
changed from rocky to grassy to wooded to rocky again. The first night we
stayed in Miles City.
Wednesday, we drove into Billings and looked around a bit. Best part was
the car dealership... named Cranky Ranky's. Next stop was Livingston, and we had a late
lunch at Martin's and visited Dan Bailey's Fly Shop. We got to the cabin at
5 pm. It is right behind the Gallatin River Flyshop, which Betsey and Steve own. The cabin
is not 50 feet from the Gallatin River. Plus, they have a trout pond in their yard. That's where
Evelyn and I fished that first night. She caught her first fish then, but I didn't.
On Thursday morning, we all got up good and early, and went off with the guides to the Gallatin River. There was
Susan, an older woman (older than me) from California. Nancy and Chris arrived
late the night before. There were 2 guides for the 5 of us. Having a guide is like
being spoiled. They tie the fly on, chose the fly for you, untangle your lines... do almost everything. We didn't have much
luck in the morning, and then broke for lunch, which was supplied by the guides. In the
afternoon, we switched guides. And i caught my FIRST fish!!!!!!! It was a 10
inch rainbow trout. I was so excited. Then a short while later, I caught a second one.
This one was much smaller, and I told the guide to leave it in the water. I didn't want
to take it out of the water just to take a picture.
Friday, we floated the Madison. Talk about
being lazy. The guides row the boat and still tie your flies, and even set up tables for
lunch. I didn't catch anything that day, but I felt like I learned a lot both days. I
had two fish bite my fly, but I wasn't quick enough to hook them. Same thing
happened to Evelyn. We weren't in the same boat. She was with Betsey and I
was with Nancy. Susan usually tells her guides that if she doesn't catch a fish by
4 pm, she is engaged to them. She managed to catch fish before that time, both days. The guides
were quite relieved, I am sure. I
realized I was burning my hands and tried to keep them out of the sun. Evelyn
was wearing a tank top and burnt her shoulders. When we were done, Chris said it was so
beautiful out on the river, it was almost orgasmic. While the sky was
incredible with the cloud formations, I thought that was an interesint way to phrase
the scenery's effect on one's self. That became a standing joke between Evelyn and
myself.
We decided to take it easy the next day, while
the other ladies went back on the Madison. We wanted to sleep in, but, it was
a bit loud (talking) in the cabin, so we waited till they left, and then
got up. We fished a bit in the Gallatin next to the cabin, but nothing was
working, so we gave up and went into Bozeman. We wandered around Main Street, looking
in the shops. Before we left, we got something for dinner, then drove back
to Big Sky. I guess the other ladies had a good day on the lower Madison, but
we heard later, that it had been one of the best days in years on the upper Madison.
Saturday night, we fished one last time in the pond. Evelyn caught a fish
right away, but I wasn't having much luck. Then I caught one. Betsey decided to
help us along, and tossed in some trout chow and the trout went nuts. they were
jumping around, and I caught my last Montana fish, an 18 inch trout.
Sunday, we had to leave, and we drove south, so we could fish the Madison again. We tried
two different places on the upper Madison, and had no luck again. Ket driinge into
Livingston to fish at the Shields River. That was a total waste of time.
Stayed over Sunday night in Big Timber. We fished the Boulder River in the morning for a short time.
That too was unsuccessful. Most of the Boulder is fenced off, as part of private
property. We finally found some public fishing, but the conditions were far from
ideal for fishing, so we gave up.
Started driving back towards Minnesota after that, stopping
at Mount Rushmore on the way back. There was no fishing there. I am so glad
we went. Besides the fishing, it will probably be the last time Evelyn and I
can have time together before she goes off to college and I move.
For the complete story of our entire trip, go to Nerdnosh Attic
and follow the directions to get to author, Sharon Hundt. It is a five part series.
July 22
There was a meeting of Wading Women tonight. Evelyn and I went, even though we won't
be around to be part of the group. Nancy and Chris were there, and they had pictures of the trip.
If it ever stops raining around here, I may get a chance to go fishing before I move away.
Though, at this point, it seems highly unlikely.
September 11
I didn't get to do any more fishing in Minnesota or Wisconsin, and now I
am living in Portland, ME. I am going this weekend to fish the Swift River in
Massachusetts. One of the people from the FF@ list, Richard Frank, posted an open invitation to
anyone interested in driving down there. It seemed like a good chance to
get away and see a part of Massachusetts I haven't seen before. I will finally get a chance to try out my Winston rod.
Maybe I will catch my first eastern fish.
September 13 & 14
I woke up to a cool, foggy Saturday in Portland, but I knew the weater was going to improve.
And by the time I arrived at the designated meeting place, it was definitely a beautiful
day. Light clouds to hide the sun now and then. Just enough breeze to help the river
move along. I have to admit I have never seen a river like this one. At least as
far as the fishing went. The fish swam right in front of me. They swam in groups
taunting me, as if to say, we know this river and we're not interested in what you
are casting. And they weren't. At least not what I was casting. Plus, I was taught
you keep moving but most of the people fishing stood in the same place all day. And lined
up like toy soldiers, spaced every 10-15 feet apart. I met Richard and his friend and we
set off to find our small section of river. I stopped at a nice place, with some
large dead wood in the middle, and they wandered up a bit. It was very strange to
be fishing without Evelyn. Naturally, I didn't catch anything. I got restless, and
tried to find where Richard was, but couldn't and decided to leave. I waited for a while
by the cars, but they were having better luck than I was, and didn't come back. So I left
a note and headed back to Ware and the B&B I was staying at. Richard and
I agreed to meet again on Sunday morning, which was another beautiful day. Once again,
I caught nothing, even though I could see the fish, and one I think I hit
when my line landed on the water. My casting stunk as usual. My habit
of taking my arm too far back hasn't been cured yet. Or maybe it was the
new rod... I am not sure. I didn't mind, since apparently these fish
are used to being caught. No challenge there.... right???
November 6
I recently posted to the list about my interest in starting to tie flies. Jerry Caruso wrote me and offered to send me some books he found useful, and he threw in some flies he had tied. I want to learn, but I'm a hands on learner. I need to be shown rather than read in a book. I need to investigate where I can take a class around here.
December 9
Time to find a class on fly tying. There was nothing in the community ed brochure, so I went to visit the local fly shop. I almost bought a salt water rod, but didn't. They had classes on salt water flies, but nothing on regular flies. So I drove up to Freeport and LL Bean. I got a brochure on their classes, and took it home. I am not yet motivated to do anything. But I think I will soon.
To keep reading my diary, turn to 1998. My diary for 2006 is here. Finally.
