You can’t catch fish unless your fly is in the water.
Guides have told me this, and I have used this simple phrase plenty of times myself. And it is true. But why do we, as fly fishers, keep our flies in the boat or in our hands? What gives us pause? Is it always wasteful, or is it sometimes worth it?
Moreover, are there times when you should take a moment and get your fly out of the water? It seems counter-intuitive. On its face, it runs contrary to the aforementioned maxim.
The reality is that we are finite. We make mistakes and we have limitations. Furthermore our time on the water is finite. We don’t have unlimited shots at fish. Consequently, 9 good casts and presentations are better than 10 okay casts and presentations. What does that mean?
It might sound like I’m making a big deal about a little issue. But little adds up over a day and over a season. Here are a few ways to think about your fly’s time in the water:
Why Aren’t You Casting?
There are a lot of reasons why you might not be casting. Maybe you’re tired. Perhaps you’re frustrated. It could even be that you’re just zoning out. All of those reasons are fine. You’re allowed a little physical or mental exhaustion. Just don’t waste your day fishing by addressing those needs poorly. If you need a break, take a break. If you need a “moment,” take a moment. Be purposeful about a 5-minute pause. Drink some water. Look away from the river. Pause with purpose.
Why Aren’t You Thinking?
Multitasking is necessary when fly fishing. There are always countless variables that you are processing. Even subconsciously, you’re taking in everything from the water resistance of your fly to the slight inconvenience of the sun’s glare. It isn’t just fishing stimuli that are factoring in, however. Your foot hurts. There is another angler upstream. You’re hearing a critter in the streamside underbrush. Work is going to be crazy tomorrow. You’re going to have to have a difficult conversation this week. Even beginner anglers can fish on autopilot. Sometimes the trout will hook itself and everything works out fine. Often, your fly is in the water but it isn’t being very effective.
Why Aren’t You being Deliberate?
You can’t catch fish unless your fly is in the water. Yes. It is true. But you probably don’t have the capacity to be completely on your game all the time. Your time fly fishing isn’t going to be as productive as it could be if you’re stopping every few minutes out of weariness. Similarly, it isn’t going to be very productive if you’re mindlessly casting and retrieving.
Being deliberate means fishing smarter and not harder. Know your physical limitations. It might sound silly, but stop: sit down, drink some water (or bourbon), and stretch. As you get older or the days get longer, these little pauses are investments that will pay off. While you’re at it, take a second to look around you. Is your nymph still ticking bottom? Is your hook bent? Has the sun gone down over the trees and you need to change sunglasses? Are there still any real caddis coming off – if not, why are you still fishing an imitation?
9 good casts and presentations are better than 10 okay casts and presentations. Extrapolate that over the course of a day or a season, and you’ll find that your fly’s time in the water is better when you set it up for success.