Hey HFG! Down here in Australia I live in the North Eastern state named Queensland. Believe me there are no trout here. Our southern states are blessed with trout. We have great saltwater fly fishing. You've probably heard of the barramundi. Despite the lack of trout in our sweet water, I fly fish religiously. Working out what our freshwater fish will take is 90% of the fun. I have more zero days than actual catches, but it is the act of going fishing that matters most. I am with you, chill and enjoy the moment. I love watching the old English fly fishing videos. The enjoyment is in the journey, not the number of fish. One fish is still a great day. Thanks for your videos. They keep me real.
One of my favorite lines from my Dad was "if you don't expect much, you won't be disappointed" He meant it as a joke, but it's actually the truth. Anything better is nothing is a bonus.
Great talk. I often have the most fun fishing when I try something new and have no expectations. Whether it is a new river or an access point, a new technique or even a new fly pattern. Or even different conditions/volumes of water on the same river.
I found an awesome small mountain town with about 3400 people and a big river with many small creeks that cut through our valley. Even if i do get skunked just the drive through the valley is beautiful enough to make the 15minute drive worth it. Im pretty grateful to be able to make a living here but I still love traveling a few hrs to different parts of the river or north to the big rivers.
I suggest using the NZ strike indicator for Nymphing. It’s not just a gimmick. They are light and easy to cast as opposed to the heavy and clunky plastic bobbers. They work best on a straight leader but can be used on a tapered leader. Casting is more similar to dry fly fishing, easier to see takes and you can make them as big or small as you like. I use the large tubes for faster or rougher rivers.
Never understood throwing anything into the water that won't hook a fish. If you're gonna use an indicator, might as well make it a dry dropper. More chances and if they're hitting on top, quick clip of the line and you're not missing a beat.
As I've been down the rabbit hole of pike fishing. The learning curve and the grind to find fish is huge. At first I was super high on the thought of a huge preditor in my hands and that's all I saw. After a lot of days of just casting and not getting any follows or missed swipes. When the expectation is low and when I do get the opportunity to catch one it's so rewarding. I haven't caught a monster yet, but finding the fish is the first check on the list. Great video buddy, really appreciate your content and honesty in all of your videos.
The nymph rig that’s changed the game for me lately is similar to a drop shot rig but I don’t actually run split shot as the point. I use a heavy jig fly on point (usually leeches) and then 12-18” above that I’ll tie an unweighted fly off a tag. So the full rig is 7-9 ft leader, blood knot (leave a tag) to 12-18” of tippet, heavy fly on point. If I need more weight I pinch split shot 3-4” above the point fly. If I want to fish 3 flies (rare) then I use a longer tippet section and add another dropper tag. I like this setup with a bobber, yarn indicator, or omit the leader and run the tippet off a mono rig.
All valid points , fishing isn’t just catching. I’m actually to the point that rowing the boat is what I like best and keeping the people fishing in the best possible place to hook up . Thanks for sharing. Stay Hugh
Provo Hopper rig is one of my go to's for nymphing. Strike Indicator, two tags for flies, and end with split shot. Great rig for unapologetically finding the bottom and putting flies right in the fishes face. Lose less flies, fish the bottom of the channel, option to use multiple flies.
This video format was on point and felt real. I switched to focusing on improving a specific technique each time I go out instead of catching fish. Still suck just look legit doing it😂
Ben. A couple things regarding nymphing. Guide’s choice hare’s ear. Walt’s worm. Also I fish spring creeks a lot so maybe this doesn’t apply BUT, I do fish a 90° rig with a NZ indicator above it, no split shot. But I do often pick a heavier anchor fly to bring my smaller 18-20 size nymph down quicker Hope that helps
I put one of those premade euro leaders on my regular 5wt and slapped some heavy nymphs around in a river and caught an absurd amount of fish. still prefer hopper fishing but if the fishing is slow its always in my bag just in case
indicator to tippet with shot right above that connection and 2 nymphs is pretty simple and effective. sometimes add a split shot in between the 2 flies. adjusting your indicator and amount of shot is paramount. no need to overthink it in my opinion. if you want to change it up use dropper tags
Glad to hear that you're open to improving your tightline/nymphing skills. Folks that hire you to guide Ben, know what to expect. If the fish aren't bitting, your clients know you'll be there to keep them entertained.
I really enjoy listening to you talk and have learned a good bit from it. I have some ponds 12 minutes from the house brim, large mouth bass, and catfish. Then some bigger creeks with shoal bass, brim and carp. And crazy two stocked trout creeks about 30 minutes away (can’t figure who was in charge of that call. ) As far as driving on average about two hours one way. Keep up the good work and keep it real😉👍
I feel you on nymphing. I never catch fish, I'm not good at it, it's super boring, and I hate it. That said, everyone tells me it's the best way to catch fish on a fly rod. One of these days I'll figure it out, I do want to be more well rounded and the closest river to me is more of a nymphing river.
I just simply do not enjoy it. I'd rather drive 2 hrs to fish dry flies than 20 minutes to fish nymphs. That of course means I've gotten worse at it since I stopped doing it (again, because I really don't like it).
Always take a rod…gees. However I’m a euro dork from NC and it’s a 1-2 plus hour drive to the mountains for trout. And I do it most every week. I have always tried to think outside the box and put in the leg work… it’s amazing what you find if you just look. So, I’ve looked at some bounce rigs for nymping and it’s like a drop shot rig for bass. Spit shot on the bottom with the nymphs on tags. Just a thought. And I know… I’m going to try bass and carp close to home this year.
Living in southern arizona, I have to drive 4 or 5 hours to get to any decent water, but it's pretty-much all dry flies, and opportunistic feeders, so the reward is there. Stay huge!
Hey bud don't discount bass on the fly. Try your urban ponds, canals, Patagonia lake if you're close and especially Parker Canyon. The White Mountains are great I can't deny that but your local waters will always be more attainable.
I have a small cutthroat creek that is literally across the road from me, and less than a mile down stream on that creek it feeds into a river full of trout and small mouth, that feeds into a reservoir another miles down stream. An they have really nice fish in them. How often do I fish them? Not often at all can’t remember the last time I did, but I can tell you the last time I drove 4 hours one way for a day trip to fish.
I live 7 miles from the Delaware about 50 miles downstream of the trout water (Smallmouth, Walleye, Musky here). Every tributary around here has self sustaining trout populations and the bigger ones are all stocked. I’m sure you could find something to your liking or you could drive the hour to the Catskills and fish with everyone else, lol.
Bro I did pretty much what your doing this past weekend on the Beaverkill, Delaware and Willowemoc… the birth place of dry fly fishing in America. I spent 1 hour swinging streamers at different locations and spent 10 hours driving and checking out the hundreds of access points. It’s on after spring run smallie season!
If you grew up in the east you know nymphing is the only game in town sometimes. I’ve stood on my head to avoid moving the bobber during a drift. Fish deep and mend like a boss. I don’t like my split shot below the flies. Eye to eye rigging for two flies you’ll have better hook ups than attaching to the hook bend. I fish one fly if I can get away with it, if not one big 10 or 12 one small 16 about 12-15 inches apart.
Spot on about not being disappointed if no fish are caught. It’s ok if they win sometimes. My fiancée only has one condition about going fly fishing with me, which is that it has to be in a pretty place. Most of the time getting there is half the fun.
Day trip rule of thumb: I need to fish more than I drive. I like the drive. As noted it’s good “compile all the data in the brain” time. But I need to be in the water longer than I’m in the car. Most of the water I like is 2.5 hours away. So as long as I can fish 5+ hours I’m good.
Would love a video on access, land ownership and dwindling opportunities. So much land here in the PNW is being bought out and the once local access point is now a million dollar piece of gated-off property. Those ethical among us respect the signs and move on but it's getting SO frustrating!! Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington among many other states are being overrun and now us "locals" are the odd ones out!!
I say push for your right to roam. Challenge them. Guy in Colorado went up the courts pretty damn far challenging some access rights, we need more people to stand up for themselves.
I can't back up my statement with numbers but I always feel more confident in choosing one nymph rig instead of running two. Often times I find myself losing one or both flies or just tangling up, maybe I just suck at fly fishing in that way. When I'm fishing with one, I feel like that's my offering. If it doesn't work, I change it out. When it's the right one, I know exactly what they're after.
It's what you're comfortable with. I usually will run 2 but there are times if it's windy or tight quarters where it can be a challenge. If I have a little space, I've figured out a cast that works for me with few tangles. In the end, it's about how much fun I have on the water regardless of numbers.
Come on out east and fish the Delaware (it's in my back yard). You can nymph, throw dries, or go mousing at night. There's a guy that nymphs a lot in the area. He doesn't use an indicator or euro style. He fishes with a floating line and a 3 nymph rig and catches a lot of fish. He posted a YT video awhile back fishing a spot I can see from my living room and caught some nice browns and bows.
I always have low expectations of life, sad reality but when something good does finally happen it is bliss. So many things to be mad about but its just wasted energy, just need to chill and kickback for the ride.
Reason why we don't mind driving longer distances in Colorado is because the geography here makes the drive enjoyable. When have you ever enjoyed driving in Florida?
Pitch it to Larry as an opportunity to have the TTFF "Clyde" video shown at the Trout Fest. I know the festival director and am certain he'd be thrilled to have the Huge Fly Fisherman AND Larry the OG Florida Man in attendance.
@hugeflyfisherman funny you posted this. I took an old timer out of his house for an easter drive around the river road loop on a shitty sunday. Stopped at every in, every out. Just smelled the river, got out, and was just being river people. FKNA, you get it. Pulled down into the low road behind the church at Burns at my favorite basketball court and was greeted by 7 mature bighorns grazing 75' away. Made both of our day's. Smell the river, it's a wonderful life.
This should be the start of a new series: Driving with Ben. It felt like being with you on a little road trip shooting the shit. And you shot some fine shit. I live next to a river where drift boat nymphing is king. I do that with my guide friend Jason Thatcher from River Pursuit (shameless plug for a truly good guy). It's always great. But I like fishing by myself. I discovered I CAN catch fish swinging little flies on a trout spey rig. Super fun and relaxing. Your point about fishing being (or should be) fun whatever the outcome is sage (lower case) advice. Yesterday I was fishing a stillwater near me that is usually a never fail. After two hours I said to myself, "Self, you didn't expect to get skunked today but here we are. Question is, are you still having fun?" After affirming that it was a beautiful day below Lassen Park and I was enjoying myself...on the very next cast...BOOM! Nice big rainbow took my PMD. Keep sharing your thoughts Ben, it sets you apart from other channels.
I love to go fishing, whether it is by myself, or with friends.. I could care less if I actually catch fish during these trips.. Do I enjoy catching fish, yes but not catching fish doesn't make me feel like a failure.
Good points on putting in the work, and enjoying the pursuit as much as the catch. However you out scouting is your day at the office. It's your livelihood. My office certainly doesn't look like yours. I wish! The disappointment factor in striking out a day of fishing isn't relative to yours when you're out there 200+ days a season. Just my 2 cents, I know you don't care. haha... Love your videos keep em coming.
I get what you're saying but it's kinda hard to have low expectations when you're spending $10k on a tarpon trip (tip o' the hat to the guys that can do that) or when you get just a handful of days a year to fish away from your home waters like I do. Kinda blessed to be able to fish central Texas as my home waters but sometimes I really get bummed to put in so many miles, hours, dollars, days into fishing only to get skunked on the trip you've been looking forward to for months, all year or years even when you might only get to fish 'that special place' once... what's my point? i dunno.. jsut kinda talkin'..
If you show up at the right place at the right time with the right fly you will be successful. You show up at the wrong place wrong time with the right fly you won't. If you show up at the right place right time wrong fly you won't. Just saying that's what experience gets you. You know when and where and what to use.
I quit nymphing 10 years ago. Not saying there's not a skill to it - its just not my thing. Dry and Streamers and that's it. Can throw on a dropper if I get desperate.
Once again, I couldn't agree more. If you only enjoy fishing when you catch numbers of fish, you will have more bad days than good. I relate to you because I, too, love stripping streamers. That's the way I prefer to fish. No interest in nymphing whatsoever. If that's your thing, by all means, nymph away. I will never attach an indicator or a split shot to my line. I'd rather go down swinging with a wooly bugger. Without days where you catch little to no fish, the days where you slay them would be meaningless. I tell myself that they just aren't feeding when I can't catch them. Most of the time, when I can't get bit and I start trying other techniques, I still don't catch them. Many times, I have stuck with my streamer and eventually gotten one. Frequently a big one. Either way, I refuse to be unhappy about going fishing. My advice to you is to go back and watch some of your other videos where you say that you don't really like nymphing and why. You once pointed out how a guide who puts customers on fish with nymphs and indicators hasn't taught them how to fish. And that they would likely have more fun with less fish caught on a streamer. Maybe you will come to enjoy it if you get more proficient at nymphing. I'm guessing not , though, because of all of your previously stated reasons (crap hanging on your line). Those things will still be there even if you get better at it. You are good, just as you are Ben. Keep it up, and I'll keep watching every video. You've inspired me in numerous ways. I plan to try and catch a carp on a fly this year because of you. Stay Huge.
Loved this post, but you might need to change your name to “ I’m a Wise fly fisherman”, or “I’m a Metaphysical fly fisherman”, or even “I’m a fly fishing Guru”. Seriously, so much good stuff in this post… e.g. “ You can’t find out everything you need to know on the web, or at your local fly shop”… “If you have a bad day fly fishing, because you didn’t catch a fish, you probably should quit, because you’re missing the point of fly fishing.“ “If you only fish close to home, or only in perfect weather, or only in the summertime, you probably won’t catch very many fish (but again, it’s not about catching fish, it’s about going/driving to/hiking to go fly fishing). Then there’s all the “nebulous thought“ around fly fishing… The bush, the shoestring that your nymph gets caught on, not getting any bug spray or sunscreen on your fly ruining the smell of it for the fish, environmental aspects of fly fishing (fresh, salt, small water, big water, clean water, dirty water), forgetting that, on this trip you are there to forget about all of the crap in the rest of your life and focus on the fly instead… oops, missed one… It’s so funny… we all suck at fly fishing, but only the best of us know how bad we suck. Everybody else thinks they’re good, but they suck even worse than we do. The thing I love most about fly fishing is you learn something new every time you go. Thanks for a great “ stream of consciousness” post!
Lots of good mindless ranting here. Some advice on the nymphing deal. First, separate your personal fishing time from your guiding time. As you said, as a guide, you want to put people on the fish, and help them be successful. That is why guides are hired. Clients rely on their expertise. During your personal time, devote some time to nymphing. You just have to do it and figure it out. You don't have to nymph an entire trip, but maybe when the dry fly fishing goes off, switch to nymphing. Secondly, do your research. Just like you did here with the boat ramps. You gotta pay your dues! Jeez! now I'm ranting like you!
Imagine, if you can, being married, a first grade teacher, and a caregiver who happens to love fly fishing. Now, imagine in every spare moment going on websites, fishing apps, and UA-cam channels in an effort to research an area that you schedule to fish (though you may or may not get to fish due to unplanned emergencies) and coming across a video like yours preaching at me telling me to just “let things happen.” I honestly don’t have the luxury to do that. The fact is, you ARE saying you have “to pay your dues.” I still get out and get skunked sometimes and catch fish sometimes. Your channel used to be fun and educational. What happened?
There’s no way to guarantee success in fishing. There’s no way around it. All the planning in the world won’t change that. And he’s always had this opinion. Look at his video on hotspoting. All he’s saying is that you need to enjoy the process
Get out of my head, bro!!!! I thought I was watching me spout all of that!! Come out to PA, we will get your nymph game on point. Our big bugs out here are no where near what you guys have out west. Enjoyed the rant, and I like to check things out for myself also. 😂🚣♂️
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Hey HFG! Down here in Australia I live in the North Eastern state named Queensland. Believe me there are no trout here. Our southern states are blessed with trout. We have great saltwater fly fishing. You've probably heard of the barramundi.
Despite the lack of trout in our sweet water, I fly fish religiously. Working out what our freshwater fish will take is 90% of the fun.
I have more zero days than actual catches, but it is the act of going fishing that matters most. I am with you, chill and enjoy the moment.
I love watching the old English fly fishing videos. The enjoyment is in the journey, not the number of fish. One fish is still a great day.
Thanks for your videos. They keep me real.
Preach it! I try to actively practice a mindset that keeps me motivated to fish, and that means not being too disappointed when the fishing is tough!
One of my favorite lines from my Dad was "if you don't expect much, you won't be disappointed" He meant it as a joke, but it's actually the truth. Anything better is nothing is a bonus.
"High standards, Low expectations"
Great talk. I often have the most fun fishing when I try something new and have no expectations. Whether it is a new river or an access point, a new technique or even a new fly pattern. Or even different conditions/volumes of water on the same river.
I found an awesome small mountain town with about 3400 people and a big river with many small creeks that cut through our valley. Even if i do get skunked just the drive through the valley is beautiful enough to make the 15minute drive worth it. Im pretty grateful to be able to make a living here but I still love traveling a few hrs to different parts of the river or north to the big rivers.
I suggest using the NZ strike indicator for Nymphing. It’s not just a gimmick. They are light and easy to cast as opposed to the heavy and clunky plastic bobbers. They work best on a straight leader but can be used on a tapered leader. Casting is more similar to dry fly fishing, easier to see takes and you can make them as big or small as you like. I use the large tubes for faster or rougher rivers.
Never understood throwing anything into the water that won't hook a fish. If you're gonna use an indicator, might as well make it a dry dropper. More chances and if they're hitting on top, quick clip of the line and you're not missing a beat.
As I've been down the rabbit hole of pike fishing. The learning curve and the grind to find fish is huge. At first I was super high on the thought of a huge preditor in my hands and that's all I saw.
After a lot of days of just casting and not getting any follows or missed swipes. When the expectation is low and when I do get the opportunity to catch one it's so rewarding. I haven't caught a monster yet, but finding the fish is the first check on the list. Great video buddy, really appreciate your content and honesty in all of your videos.
The nymph rig that’s changed the game for me lately is similar to a drop shot rig but I don’t actually run split shot as the point. I use a heavy jig fly on point (usually leeches) and then 12-18” above that I’ll tie an unweighted fly off a tag. So the full rig is 7-9 ft leader, blood knot (leave a tag) to 12-18” of tippet, heavy fly on point. If I need more weight I pinch split shot 3-4” above the point fly. If I want to fish 3 flies (rare) then I use a longer tippet section and add another dropper tag.
I like this setup with a bobber, yarn indicator, or omit the leader and run the tippet off a mono rig.
At least you can admit those struggles in your nymphing game. It’s really a breath of fresh air. No one has everything figured out
All valid points , fishing isn’t just catching. I’m actually to the point that rowing the boat is what I like best and keeping the people fishing in the best possible place to hook up . Thanks for sharing. Stay Hugh
Provo Hopper rig is one of my go to's for nymphing. Strike Indicator, two tags for flies, and end with split shot. Great rig for unapologetically finding the bottom and putting flies right in the fishes face. Lose less flies, fish the bottom of the channel, option to use multiple flies.
This video format was on point and felt real. I switched to focusing on improving a specific technique each time I go out instead of catching fish. Still suck just look legit doing it😂
Good stuff man! "Wherever you go, there you are "' THANKS
Ben. A couple things regarding nymphing. Guide’s choice hare’s ear. Walt’s worm.
Also I fish spring creeks a lot so maybe this doesn’t apply BUT, I do fish a 90° rig with a NZ indicator above it, no split shot. But I do often pick a heavier anchor fly to bring my smaller 18-20 size nymph down quicker
Hope that helps
Spot on, I'm with you with enjoying the experience, its not all about the numbers👍
I put one of those premade euro leaders on my regular 5wt and slapped some heavy nymphs around in a river and caught an absurd amount of fish. still prefer hopper fishing but if the fishing is slow its always in my bag just in case
indicator to tippet with shot right above that connection and 2 nymphs is pretty simple and effective. sometimes add a split shot in between the 2 flies. adjusting your indicator and amount of shot is paramount. no need to overthink it in my opinion. if you want to change it up use dropper tags
Glad to hear that you're open to improving your tightline/nymphing skills. Folks that hire you to guide Ben, know what to expect.
If the fish aren't bitting, your clients know you'll be there to keep them entertained.
I really enjoy listening to you talk and have learned a good bit from it. I have some ponds 12 minutes from the house brim, large mouth bass, and catfish. Then some bigger creeks with shoal bass, brim and carp. And crazy two stocked trout creeks about 30 minutes away (can’t figure who was in charge of that call. ) As far as driving on average about two hours one way. Keep up the good work and keep it real😉👍
🎉😂🎉😊😊😊😊😊😊😢
I feel you on nymphing. I never catch fish, I'm not good at it, it's super boring, and I hate it. That said, everyone tells me it's the best way to catch fish on a fly rod. One of these days I'll figure it out, I do want to be more well rounded and the closest river to me is more of a nymphing river.
I just simply do not enjoy it. I'd rather drive 2 hrs to fish dry flies than 20 minutes to fish nymphs. That of course means I've gotten worse at it since I stopped doing it (again, because I really don't like it).
Always take a rod…gees. However I’m a euro dork from NC and it’s a 1-2 plus hour drive to the mountains for trout. And I do it most every week. I have always tried to think outside the box and put in the leg work… it’s amazing what you find if you just look. So, I’ve looked at some bounce rigs for nymping and it’s like a drop shot rig for bass. Spit shot on the bottom with the nymphs on tags. Just a thought. And I know… I’m going to try bass and carp close to home this year.
Living in southern arizona, I have to drive 4 or 5 hours to get to any decent water, but it's pretty-much all dry flies, and opportunistic feeders, so the reward is there.
Stay huge!
Hey bud don't discount bass on the fly. Try your urban ponds, canals, Patagonia lake if you're close and especially Parker Canyon. The White Mountains are great I can't deny that but your local waters will always be more attainable.
Thoughts on the mono-rig? It seems to be in-between traditional nymphing and euro nymphing.
If I close my eyes, this guy is the dollar tree version of Hank Patterson.
Forethought is so necessary, love these out the box vids!
Thanks for bringing us along on the ramp scouting trip, brother. 🙂✌️🎣
I have a small cutthroat creek that is literally across the road from me, and less than a mile down stream on that creek it feeds into a river full of trout and small mouth, that feeds into a reservoir another miles down stream. An they have really nice fish in them. How often do I fish them? Not often at all can’t remember the last time I did, but I can tell you the last time I drove 4 hours one way for a day trip to fish.
Trout opens this Saturday in Pa I can't wait
Stocked trout fishing real fish never stops
I live 7 miles from the Delaware about 50 miles downstream of the trout water (Smallmouth, Walleye, Musky here). Every tributary around here has self sustaining trout populations and the bigger ones are all stocked. I’m sure you could find something to your liking or you could drive the hour to the Catskills and fish with everyone else, lol.
Bro I did pretty much what your doing this past weekend on the Beaverkill, Delaware and Willowemoc… the birth place of dry fly fishing in America. I spent 1 hour swinging streamers at different locations and spent 10 hours driving and checking out the hundreds of access points. It’s on after spring run smallie season!
If you grew up in the east you know nymphing is the only game in town sometimes. I’ve stood on my head to avoid moving the bobber during a drift. Fish deep and mend like a boss. I don’t like my split shot below the flies. Eye to eye rigging for two flies you’ll have better hook ups than attaching to the hook bend. I fish one fly if I can get away with it, if not one big 10 or 12 one small 16 about 12-15 inches apart.
Spot on about not being disappointed if no fish are caught. It’s ok if they win sometimes. My fiancée only has one condition about going fly fishing with me, which is that it has to be in a pretty place. Most of the time getting there is half the fun.
One of the better videos!! Put in the work!!
The 90 degree rig is brutal. Catches alot. But my favorite is drag and drop for carp.
My dad always said 'boy, you are standing where you otta be fishing ' . Failing to fish all water is a big mistake
Day trip rule of thumb: I need to fish more than I drive. I like the drive. As noted it’s good “compile all the data in the brain” time. But I need to be in the water longer than I’m in the car. Most of the water I like is 2.5 hours away. So as long as I can fish 5+ hours I’m good.
Would love a video on access, land ownership and dwindling opportunities. So much land here in the PNW is being bought out and the once local access point is now a million dollar piece of gated-off property.
Those ethical among us respect the signs and move on but it's getting SO frustrating!! Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington among many other states are being overrun and now us "locals" are the odd ones out!!
That's exactly gow you destroy what's left... keep spots off you tube...
I say push for your right to roam. Challenge them. Guy in Colorado went up the courts pretty damn far challenging some access rights, we need more people to stand up for themselves.
I hear you man. Although, looking at the tax records along the clack, a bunch of property is owned by one guy/company. And he’s a local.
I enjoy your very sarcastic videos so don't stop making them.
But this was a very good video some great points were made.
Tight lines Ben! 😂
Amen, Brother
As always, a Hugely good show.Thanks.
He’s right about the tarpon fishing!!!!
I can't back up my statement with numbers but I always feel more confident in choosing one nymph rig instead of running two. Often times I find myself losing one or both flies or just tangling up, maybe I just suck at fly fishing in that way.
When I'm fishing with one, I feel like that's my offering. If it doesn't work, I change it out. When it's the right one, I know exactly what they're after.
It's what you're comfortable with. I usually will run 2 but there are times if it's windy or tight quarters where it can be a challenge. If I have a little space, I've figured out a cast that works for me with few tangles. In the end, it's about how much fun I have on the water regardless of numbers.
Not getting any fish is still a great day I use a feral leader and three flies. I’m in Pennsylvania and it works great cutthroat for leaders.
Come on out east and fish the Delaware (it's in my back yard). You can nymph, throw dries, or go mousing at night. There's a guy that nymphs a lot in the area. He doesn't use an indicator or euro style. He fishes with a floating line and a 3 nymph rig and catches a lot of fish. He posted a YT video awhile back fishing a spot I can see from my living room and caught some nice browns and bows.
I always have low expectations of life, sad reality but when something good does finally happen it is bliss. So many things to be mad about but its just wasted energy, just need to chill and kickback for the ride.
Reason why we don't mind driving longer distances in Colorado is because the geography here makes the drive enjoyable. When have you ever enjoyed driving in Florida?
I think you said it well Ben. 👏🏼 I still want to fish salt every day..😢
Pitch it to Larry as an opportunity to have the TTFF "Clyde" video shown at the Trout Fest. I know the festival director and am certain he'd be thrilled to have the Huge Fly Fisherman AND Larry the OG Florida Man in attendance.
So true. Your super duper top 10 flies you just bought or tied means nothing if you don’t know where to go.
Hiring guides is great - especially for older people! - but the the experience of fly fishing is not just catching fish.
@hugeflyfisherman funny you posted this. I took an old timer out of his house for an easter drive around the river road loop on a shitty sunday. Stopped at every in, every out. Just smelled the river, got out, and was just being river people. FKNA, you get it. Pulled down into the low road behind the church at Burns at my favorite basketball court and was greeted by 7 mature bighorns grazing 75' away. Made both of our day's. Smell the river, it's a wonderful life.
Not catching fish is still going fishing! Amen brother.
This should be the start of a new series: Driving with Ben. It felt like being with you on a little road trip shooting the shit. And you shot some fine shit. I live next to a river where drift boat nymphing is king. I do that with my guide friend Jason Thatcher from River Pursuit (shameless plug for a truly good guy). It's always great. But I like fishing by myself. I discovered I CAN catch fish swinging little flies on a trout spey rig. Super fun and relaxing. Your point about fishing being (or should be) fun whatever the outcome is sage (lower case) advice. Yesterday I was fishing a stillwater near me that is usually a never fail. After two hours I said to myself, "Self, you didn't expect to get skunked today but here we are. Question is, are you still having fun?" After affirming that it was a beautiful day below Lassen Park and I was enjoying myself...on the very next cast...BOOM! Nice big rainbow took my PMD. Keep sharing your thoughts Ben, it sets you apart from other channels.
Ben is going to start using tippet rings in his search to be a better nympher but avoiding going full euro.
I love to go fishing, whether it is by myself, or with friends.. I could care less if I actually catch fish during these trips.. Do I enjoy catching fish, yes but not catching fish doesn't make me feel like a failure.
Good points on putting in the work, and enjoying the pursuit as much as the catch. However you out scouting is your day at the office. It's your livelihood. My office certainly doesn't look like yours. I wish! The disappointment factor in striking out a day of fishing isn't relative to yours when you're out there 200+ days a season. Just my 2 cents, I know you don't care. haha... Love your videos keep em coming.
Like the stream of consciousness
I get what you're saying but it's kinda hard to have low expectations when you're spending $10k on a tarpon trip (tip o' the hat to the guys that can do that) or when you get just a handful of days a year to fish away from your home waters like I do. Kinda blessed to be able to fish central Texas as my home waters but sometimes I really get bummed to put in so many miles, hours, dollars, days into fishing only to get skunked on the trip you've been looking forward to for months, all year or years even when you might only get to fish 'that special place' once...
what's my point? i dunno.. jsut kinda talkin'..
If you show up at the right place at the right time with the right fly you will be successful. You show up at the wrong place wrong time with the right fly you won't. If you show up at the right place right time wrong fly you won't.
Just saying that's what experience gets you. You know when and where and what to use.
I quit nymphing 10 years ago. Not saying there's not a skill to it - its just not my thing. Dry and Streamers and that's it. Can throw on a dropper if I get desperate.
Same. Got into the comp scene for a year and simply got burnt out on nymphing.
A pessimist is never disappointed.
Minus 1 area, i have a 2 hour drive for a chance at trout.
So... No beer this time?
April fools hoser enjoy the South Platte!
fishing seasons often dictates how far I'm willing to drive....
Once again, I couldn't agree more. If you only enjoy fishing when you catch numbers of fish, you will have more bad days than good. I relate to you because I, too, love stripping streamers. That's the way I prefer to fish. No interest in nymphing whatsoever. If that's your thing, by all means, nymph away. I will never attach an indicator or a split shot to my line. I'd rather go down swinging with a wooly bugger. Without days where you catch little to no fish, the days where you slay them would be meaningless. I tell myself that they just aren't feeding when I can't catch them. Most of the time, when I can't get bit and I start trying other techniques, I still don't catch them. Many times, I have stuck with my streamer and eventually gotten one. Frequently a big one. Either way, I refuse to be unhappy about going fishing. My advice to you is to go back and watch some of your other videos where you say that you don't really like nymphing and why. You once pointed out how a guide who puts customers on fish with nymphs and indicators hasn't taught them how to fish. And that they would likely have more fun with less fish caught on a streamer. Maybe you will come to enjoy it if you get more proficient at nymphing. I'm guessing not , though, because of all of your previously stated reasons (crap hanging on your line). Those things will still be there even if you get better at it. You are good, just as you are Ben. Keep it up, and I'll keep watching every video. You've inspired me in numerous ways. I plan to try and catch a carp on a fly this year because of you. Stay Huge.
Plug and play, smoke cigars and drink scotch.
Invite Larry. It would be a Huge (see what I did there) honor to have you and Larry on my boat.
Look up “Kim kardashian - advice to women in business” and that’s you
no script? freestyle off the dome
Loved this post, but you might need to change your name to “ I’m a Wise fly fisherman”, or “I’m a Metaphysical fly fisherman”, or even “I’m a fly fishing Guru”. Seriously, so much good stuff in this post… e.g. “ You can’t find out everything you need to know on the web, or at your local fly shop”… “If you have a bad day fly fishing, because you didn’t catch a fish, you probably should quit, because you’re missing the point of fly fishing.“ “If you only fish close to home, or only in perfect weather, or only in the summertime, you probably won’t catch very many fish (but again, it’s not about catching fish, it’s about going/driving to/hiking to go fly fishing). Then there’s all the “nebulous thought“ around fly fishing… The bush, the shoestring that your nymph gets caught on, not getting any bug spray or sunscreen on your fly ruining the smell of it for the fish, environmental aspects of fly fishing (fresh, salt, small water, big water, clean water, dirty water), forgetting that, on this trip you are there to forget about all of the crap in the rest of your life and focus on the fly instead… oops, missed one… It’s so funny… we all suck at fly fishing, but only the best of us know how bad we suck. Everybody else thinks they’re good, but they suck even worse than we do. The thing I love most about fly fishing is you learn something new every time you go. Thanks for a great “ stream of consciousness” post!
I’d pay to see you try to figure the Delaware on your own. No cheating and contacting the big “O” people.
On dry
Lots of good mindless ranting here. Some advice on the nymphing deal. First, separate your personal fishing time from your guiding time. As you said, as a guide, you want to put people on the fish, and help them be successful. That is why guides are hired. Clients rely on their expertise. During your personal time, devote some time to nymphing. You just have to do it and figure it out. You don't have to nymph an entire trip, but maybe when the dry fly fishing goes off, switch to nymphing. Secondly, do your research. Just like you did here with the boat ramps. You gotta pay your dues! Jeez! now I'm ranting like you!
Never parallel a trout stream for hours in your truck without some gear...hopefully you learned a lesson.
OMG, did you just say, :"Let's talk?!?" Yeesh. any guy, ANY guy will CRINGE with that wording.
Imagine, if you can, being married, a first grade teacher, and a caregiver who happens to love fly fishing. Now, imagine in every spare moment going on websites, fishing apps, and UA-cam channels in an effort to research an area that you schedule to fish (though you may or may not get to fish due to unplanned emergencies) and coming across a video like yours preaching at me telling me to just “let things happen.” I honestly don’t have the luxury to do that. The fact is, you ARE saying you have “to pay your dues.” I still get out and get skunked sometimes and catch fish sometimes. Your channel used to be fun and educational. What happened?
There’s no way to guarantee success in fishing. There’s no way around it. All the planning in the world won’t change that. And he’s always had this opinion. Look at his video on hotspoting. All he’s saying is that you need to enjoy the process
Dude you are long winded!
Damn, you talk a lot.
Euro is not FF; glorified Cn'D w/ no true flycast involved
Get out of my head, bro!!!! I thought I was watching me spout all of that!! Come out to PA, we will get your nymph game on point. Our big bugs out here are no where near what you guys have out west. Enjoyed the rant, and I like to check things out for myself also. 😂🚣♂️