The following content is part of our Fly of the Month Club. This article is written by Tom Caprio from 5280 Angler.
Just as you have financial advisors that guide your portfolio choices, a fly fishing guide can help you make the most of your investment of fishing gear and time.
Where is the Best Return: The most popular question in fly fishing is definitely ‘What fly is working?’. Usually, it is not a particular fly as much as it is ‘a quality presentation’. This is why two people standing next to each other using the same fly can have drastically different results.
Presentation means the type of ‘drift’. It could be ‘dead drift’, swinging the flies, stripping at the right speed, or skating dry flies. Presentation means fishing at the right depth and in the right place. It also means being good at various techniques so you can easily adjust to different fishing situations. You should learn how to nymph with and without an indicator, use dry flies, dry droppers and streamers, and various lake fishing techniques.
Making the Most of Popular Investments: Deckers, the Lower Arkansas, Dream Stream, and the Blue River are well-loved by anglers (aka “pressured”). While they are great fisheries, they can be demanding. Learning how to best fish and beat the crowds at these destinations will test your skills and make you a better fisherman.
Lesser Known Investments with High Returns: How about fishing some new, less-populated waters within a couple hours of Denver? Places like the upper Colorado, Williams Fork, upper Arkansas, Lower Blue, Fraser, Big Thompson or Eagle offer excellent fishing. Learning new waters you can return to later is a great investment.
Economies of ‘Scale’: Find time to fish destinations you cannot access on your own. The ranches on the North Fork are home to fish up to 10 pounds! You can also explore Rocky Mountain Angling Club’s private ranches without having to buy a membership. These ranches offer a peaceful, quiet environment with less pressured fish – the way most people picture fly fishing.
Invest in your Friends & Family Portfolio: While taking family or friends fly fishing can be very rewarding, being a teacher to people you know can also be difficult and stressful. Let your guide assist the less-experienced anglers or those that need more help in your group. It makes for a more enjoyable day on the water for everyone. The investment in creating new fishing buddies is the gift that keeps on giving.
Next time you are buying rods or flies, think about where you will get the most return on your investment. Investing in skills or learning new water while spending a day with a pro will make the biggest difference in your fly fishing success and enjoyment!
Follow Tom Caprio on Instagram: @tomcaprioflyfishing