Casting For Recovery....

When you get the chance to be apart of something bigger then yourself it has an impact on yourself.  Sunday, we got that chance.  We got contacted by the National Casting for Recovery group to help guide some amazing women.  This was the first time ever that CFR had come to Iowa.  It's organization puts on these events at fly fishing destinations in 42 states.  Decorah, Iowa was chosen to kick of this event in Iowa and we were glad to take part.  We were matched up with participants on the day to teach how to fly fish, spend sometime and give them some relief from the obstacle that life has presented. Lou and Cheryl who fished with us for the morning were amazing individuals.  Their personalities shined and so did some early signs of fly fishing talent.  Both had hook ups and the thrill of watching a dry fly get snatched by a trailing trout.  We were able to listen to their stories of faith, life, struggles, overcoming and battling cancer.  It was cool brisk morning with over 20 participants from all across Iowa.  Orvis and Simms provided all the ladies with gear, rods and much more.  Hotel Winneshiek hosted the event and provided lunch for the guides and fisher women after the day on the stream. It was a great event and we are looking forward to working with the group every year. These women are strong, brave, courages, who have hearts of gold and to be honest we left this opportunity invigorated, re-energized and blessed by getting to know them.  Thanks Lou and Cheryl we look forward to seeing you again!

Young Stud.....

We have all had those moments, when you just go, WOW?  Well on this trip I had that!  I had a cool opportunity to take a grandfather (Mark) and grandson (Lane) out on fly fishing teaching opportunity.  Both wanted to learn how to fly fish and had no experience, besides casting for pan fish on lakes.  Mark also wanted to spend this day with Lane his 10 year old grandson.  Truly, there is no better way to spend with your grandson then fly fishing! My opinion, I guess...

Now 10 years old was the time when I was taught how to fly fish by my father, so I get real excited to see young kids eager to learn this sport.  Lane did not let me down!  He got after it, from the first time I handed him that fly rod.  He took every bit of instruction I gave him and he attacked the water with it.  I was blown away and I was energized by his enthusiasm for the sport.  He listened, concentrated and attempted everything he was asked to do and found some success catching some fish top water feeding on the day. Lane was every bit a "Young Stud" that day. I think Mark and I got the same joy in watching Lane that day I can only imagine it was 10x the thrill for grandfather to share with his grandson the joys of fly fishing!

(continued album stock found at www.driftlessimages.com/albums/Fly-Fishing)

Kindred Spirits.......

When you meet people for the first time, we all get a sense of the person and how we would describe them in our minds.  It was pretty easy with Brad. It was like looking in the mirror. Brad, who came up from Des Moines, IA for the day, is an athlete, runner (a good one I might add-he competes on the national stage), father, husband, hunter, outdoor enthusiast and now a fly fisherman!

The week of this trip it had been hot, humid and down right nasty.  However, in the driftless area, that can change depending on what scenic bluff or valley you drop into.  The day Brad and I fished together it did just that.  While the the rest of the state of Iowa was sweating, Brad and I enjoyed the coolness surrounding the hidden valley.  Brad came to learn and soak up what he could before heading to Colorado to fly fish with his brother (who lives out there).  He picked it up fast!  In only one day, he learned how to rig, tie knots, cast, present, set and land trout!  It was a real pleasure fishing with a kindred spirit who enjoys everything there is about the outdoors.  I look forward to seeing him again!

(continued album stock at www.driftlessimages.com/albums/Fly-Fishing)

Focus....

When is the right time to start up fly fishing?  Well in my opinion it's anytime!  Old, young, doesn't matter, but one thing is for sure you will not regret the time you spend learning.  Now I've taken lots of courses, sat through lots of meetings and listened to many lectures, but I still haven't found a better teaching and concentration time period then when I am fishing.  The timing, technique and the preparation to detail can be unmatched at times.  It calls for your total focus or if you don't, it's a total disaster, full of knots and endless tangles in trees.  I think that is why I like it so much.  The preparation to detail and the utter focus you have to have with your body and mind to find the structures you want to fish, make the perfect presentation of the fly, get the ultimate driftless float, anticipate the strike, set the hook, fight the fish, land the fish and then release your capture, just to do it all over again.  What a rush, what focus! It's not for the leisure, it's for the focused individual who wants something more in their fishing experience.

Tim in the pictures was seeking that same thing.  A vacation spot brings him down to the driftless area about 6 times a year from Minneapolis, MN. He has been wanting to learn how to fly fish not only for himself, but to also enjoy it with his son.  Tim experienced what utter focus a fly fisherman has to have and I believe he found what he was looking for..

Time Well Spent....

I  spent two great mornings with Kent on the water.  We shared stories, caught some fish and worked on the finer techniques used to fly fish the streams in Northeast Iowa. He got some good introduction into back casting and forward and backward roll casts while his wife spent the day in Decorah shopping. They visit often and we are glad to be apart of their trips. I told Kent that he has "a good thing going" with the the wife and asked what his secret was?  He said .......We'll I guess that's another story for the water......

One Fine Day....

Had the pleasure to fish for a day with Edison again who is a manger for John Deere Corp. division.  Edison was wanting to get himself ready for a trip to Alaska where he will be putting his fly fishing skills to test. It was a fun day spending stream time with Edison and by the end of the day he had his fly casting skills tuned in all types of situations.  He caught some nice fish even though the streams had been hit by some high water and rain in the last month.  Edison I can't wait to hear about your experience out in Alaska when you get back.  Look forward to fishing with you always!

Pheasants Forever & NEI Fly Fishing

First time fly fishers came in from Ames, IA for an evening fish.  Water was starting to clear up and the evening hatch was in full swing.  Thanks to these two for supporting the Polk County Pheasants Forever by winning a trip with us at their yearly auction.  This was a good time!!  Thanks Paul and Tyler!