Thread: A fly-fishing story

I learned to fly-fish while I was stationed at Fort Devens in Massachusetts in the ‘80s. The fellow who taught me started me out on bluegills and they are still my favorite fish on a fly rod today. While I do fish for trout, I will pass up trout water for a good bluegill bite.

After leaving New England, the bride and I moved to Texas just outside of Dallas. While moving in I loaded my truck with cardboard boxes to take to the local dump. As I was entering the dump, I noticed a small pond that ran along the side of the road. After getting rid of the garbage, I pulled the truck onto the shoulder of the road and dug out the 5wt rod that lives behind the seat. I went down the embankment and it was not long before I was catching little bank-runner bass and some healthy bluegills.

I was enjoying myself and I noticed another pick-up had parked behind mine, and a fellow was heading down the bank toward me. He stood off to the side and behind me and watched me fish. Then he gets my attention and tells me in a rather matter of fact type voice “There ain’t no trout in this water.” Well as if on cue, a good-sized bluegill swallows my rubber spider with a loud gulp. As I am unhooking my catch the guy, without saying a word, turns, walks up the bank, gets in his truck and spins the tires in the gravel leaving. I can’t figure out why he left that way.

Not five minutes later the same pick-up pulls up behind my truck again and this time two guys get out and head my way. I can hear the first guy saying, “There he is – watch what he is doing.” So here I am on the side of the road, teaching these two Texans about Fly Fishing and how you can catch bass and bluegill and lots more with a fly rod. We spent the next hour trading the rod back and forth while these two whoop and holler every time either one of them connects with a fish. We went through a dozen rubber spiders and had a great time.

Originally Posted by Clint

I learned to fly-fish while I was stationed at Fort Devens in Massachusetts in the ‘80s. The fellow who taught me started me out on bluegills and they are still my favorite fish on a fly rod today. While I do fish for trout, I will pass up trout water for a good bluegill bite.

After leaving New England, the bride and I moved to Texas just outside of Dallas. While moving in I loaded my truck with cardboard boxes to take to the local dump. As I was entering the dump, I noticed a small pond that ran along the side of the road. After getting rid of the garbage, I pulled the truck onto the shoulder of the road and dug out the 5wt rod that lives behind the seat. I went down the embankment and it was not long before I was catching little bank-runner bass and some healthy bluegills.

I was enjoying myself and I noticed another pick-up had parked behind mine, and a fellow was heading down the bank toward me. He stood off to the side and behind me and watched me fish. Then he gets my attention and tells me in a rather matter of fact type voice “There ain’t no trout in this water.” Well as if on cue, a good-sized bluegill swallows my rubber spider with a loud gulp. As I am unhooking my catch the guy, without saying a word, turns, walks up the bank, gets in his truck and spins the tires in the gravel leaving. I can’t figure out why he left that way.

Not five minutes later the same pick-up pulls up behind my truck again and this time two guys get out and head my way. I can hear the first guy saying, “There he is – watch what he is doing.” So here I am on the side of the road, teaching these two Texans about Fly Fishing and how you can catch bass and bluegill and lots more with a fly rod. We spent the next hour trading the rod back and forth while these two whoop and holler every time either one of them connects with a fish. We went through a dozen rubber spiders and had a great time.

Whether it's bluegills or blue marlin, the fly rod works.