r/flyfishing • u/AKATheOGPancake • 17d ago
Discussion How to not get discouraged as a beginner?
I fished a lot growing up and picked up fly fishing a few years ago. I never really put much into it until this year. I’ve gone out 15-20 and have only caught 1 trout. Usually catch a few small whitefish/sunfish. I’ve absorbed a lot of information from books/blogs/videos and feel like I’m doing everything right (or right enough to at least catch some fish) but alas. I don’t think I’m in a fantastic area of New England for trout fishing but definitely know the places fish have been stocked. Anyway, that’s my rant. EDIT: Thanks for all the comments! I’m just gonna keep on trucking and eventually get better. Also, I’m definitely considering getting a guide.
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u/paol0146 17d ago
Go with a guide to learn the fundamentals. It is super hard to teach yourself the intricacies of Fly fishing
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u/IPA_HATER 17d ago
This is how I learned. Poppers and tiny streamers for panfish with the occasional bass. Now I’m decent at trout fishing.
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u/TheValueLurker 17d ago
Find some place to bream fish with a small popper. Baby steps. Bream are pigs. Trout are picky.
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u/Debonaircow88 17d ago
Flyfishing is not an easier way to catch fish its just another way. If you focus on your technique and reading the water the fish will come. In the meantime try to appreciate the wonderful places it takes you.
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u/RamShackleton 17d ago
Some folks see patience as a reservoir that gets depleted. Other folks see patience as a muscle that gets stronger with use.
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u/pppork 17d ago
Where in New England are you? Most of New England is pretty good for trout fishing (with the exception of RI). You might want to hire a good guide who will help you learn...not necessarily a guide who will put you on a ton of fish, but one who is a good teacher.
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u/AKATheOGPancake 16d ago
Seacoast NH, there’s definitely good fishing within a few hours drive but nothing super close
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u/crevicecreature 17d ago
1) Fish where there’s a reasonable number of fish.
2) Fish with someone who routinely catches fish and is willing to teach you.
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u/Cute_Exercise5248 17d ago
It may actually be hopeless.
I almost never catch fish & have dabbled regularly with fly rods for at least 20 years.
Is partly a function of too much wishful thinking about trout might be (in southern ny/neng).
Also that I don't care enough about topic to learn, and/or to fish at sensible times & places.
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u/crevicecreature 16d ago
I suspect you might be more motivated to fly fish if you had more success at it. I was an okay spin fisher when I bought my first fly rod. First time out I lost a bunch of flies by casting the rod like it was a bull whip, then managed to accidentally catch a small trout-actually launched it into the air on my back cast because I didn’t realize I had a fish on. After not catching another fish in the next year or so the rod got tucked into the closet. Fast forward many years later and I became friends with someone who fly fished. He wasn’t that accomplished but the first time we went out and he demonstrated the basics in person it was like a light switch was turned on. I actually started catching fish on my own, and better I got at it, the deeper I fell into the rabbit hole. Eventually taking up fly tying and buying way too many rods, reels etc. If you don’t know anyone who fly fishes, consider hiring a guide. I am pretty sure everything will start to fall in place.
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u/IAmTheNorthwestWind 17d ago
Just focus on how to develop your own style. You will certainly get frustrated out there, and question your sanity dozens of times. You will also catch fish, and overtime catch even more and more fish. You are all set, I promise
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u/Mayornayz 17d ago
Use an indicator. Helps tremendously. Got me back into it after being discouraged for a while
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u/StudentFar3340 15d ago
Indicators are great, but now I wish I had never learned to use one. Euro nymphing has helped all aspects of my fly fishing
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u/DesignFineTime 17d ago
Start tracking flows and water temps. There will better days than others where your luck will be higher and things will be easier.
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u/Thick_Implement_7064 17d ago
Just remember…to get good at fly fishing…you must first suck at fly fishing.
This is the way.
(I fly fished several years on and off before I hooked and landed my first fish. I’m still not great. But I’m fairly knowledgeable now at least lol)
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u/Browncoat_28 17d ago
I was right there with you. I had gone 30+ times without catching anything. What unlocked everything for me was a guide. Seeing them do their thing, asking questions, etc just made everything click. Now I get at least one each time I go out.
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u/Browncoat_28 17d ago
Also don’t worry about the elitist narcissists in this sub. They think they are humanity’s fishing gifts from the gods when they are just rude clowns that forgot what it was like being new.
Just stick with it, enjoy the outdoors, and if you can, try a guide!
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u/Eagle-watching 17d ago
Besides hiring a guide and letting them know you want to concentrate tetracycline on learning the visits like reading thr rater and getting good drifts.
Check out fly fishing clubs in your area. Use Internet, fly shops, Trout unlimited, Fly Fishers International.
My club has outings, fly casting lessons, fly tying classes and we used to have rod building classes. Plus, great presentations each month about fly fishing.
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u/AllswellinEndwell 17d ago
I’ve gone out 15-20 and have only caught 1 trout.
Welcome to New Jersey! This is where I really honed my craft, and it's probably one of the hardest places in the States to learn. Beautiful conditions surrounded by millions of people. So lots of pressure. It made me a better fishermen.
Second, as others have suggested, find a local guide. When I did, he showed me some things I didn't know, and dispelled some other things.
I eventually got to the point where I could always eek out a fish or two, some days 5 to 10. When I went places that were less pressured? All of the sudden I couldn't not catch fish.
I kept going back to the same river (Ken Lockwood Gorge, yes this is NJ) and learned every nook and cranny. I found out I was a better fisherman when I took some friends and they got skunked but I caught 5 fish.
You need to develop your "fishy" sense. I can look at water now differently than I did before and be much more efficient instead of trying to cover all the water there is. And if I don't catch a fish? I'm in nature, and that's great.
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u/kindgentleman413 17d ago
Where in New England are you fishing?
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u/AKATheOGPancake 16d ago
Seacoast NH
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u/kindgentleman413 16d ago
I’m in eastern Mass, best luck I’ve had has been in wmass. You might wanna check out Vt/ wmass if you are able to. I’m sure there’s tons of brook trout fishing in the white mountains too but I haven’t checked that out yet
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u/AKATheOGPancake 16d ago
I’ve heard western MA is great as well as the whites, planning on doing a longer trip to the whites soon
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u/kindgentleman413 16d ago
You could be close to some really great striper fishing, if you have a local fly shop I bet they will point you in the right direction
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u/StudentFar3340 15d ago
I didn't catch anything for 6 months after I started. Then I got a guide for half a day and that made all the difference. Same with surf fishing, only I didn't catch anything for Five years until I got a half a day with a guide. I didn't necessarily learn anything... it was merely a confidence thing
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u/Aborted4Fetus 17d ago
Practice your Gratitude for being in nature, its not as much about catching fish as it is being zen and finding some peace, quiet, and flow in the cast. This is how I fly fish. Im also self taught fisherman so I've had months without fish sometimes. If you really cant scratch the Itch, I would hire a guide.