Yeah. Thanks for the welcome. Not sure if I have any wisdome to share...Most of my experiences are "what not to does" I am learning a lot from all you guy's and just spent the last hour watching videos available through this site. Dave, I think you posted one about casting better line. My problem has been, I cast a pretty good line and once I start noticing it, I start to screw up...I can't wait to get out this year and try some new techniques...

Thanks...

Dave...In my younger years, (still am) I fly fished for about six seven years...Didn't know what I was doing then and basically just learning now after a teen or so year break. Last year, I met another person who liked to fly fish so I took advantage of it. I dug out my grampies rod, replaced the line and couldn't cast the thing. Come to find out, the line wasn't heavy enough, so, I went out and bought new line again. Nope, still no good, so I went and bought a new rod and reel and took the my second line of the year and put it on my new real. Now, that was more like it. It started to come natural to me, especially when I finally caught my first salmon. However, I considered that rod as a trout rod and once again, I replaced my habbit with another new rod and reel.

I think my problem was that I frigged around finding the right line for my rods. When I switched to my last purchase of the year, it became late in the year and I just ran out of time. The thing I appreciated the most about all that, is that I learned from it. I can retain a lot of information in my tiny little brain, so when I am out in the water, I will put that information that I have found on this site and others to become much better at casting, reading the water,etc... Also, my best bud tried it once last year and loved it and he wants me to take him shopping for new gear. That gives me great plessure because I know I can teach him a thing or two.

So, to answer your question, I have always fished my whole life, fly fished a bit in my younger years, but took it seriously last year. So, I am going to have to answer 1 year of fly fishing. My goal this year, is to master my casting withough knotting my leader all up. I hate that...We have a fishing trip on the Caines river in June and out of 20 of us, I'm the only one who will get up at five in the morning and go fishing. That's how much I love to go!

I know an outfiter in Fredericton who treats me pretty good. His products are not top quality, however Flueger has been around for ages. I got a great deal on Flueger Surpreme reel, (Gold in color) and an even better deal on a Flueger nine foot flat black colored rod. When I started fishing thirty some years ago, my grandfather gave me an alter branch with fly line and leader tied to it. I caught more trout with that stick than I have the rest of my entire life. Watching him work his Fenwick rod of thirty years old probably, he was a great caster and caught all kinds of salmon. So, to me, I don't think the best money can buy will make me a better fisherman. I like the challenge, however, in time I will purchase another rod and reel package ranging from five to six hundred. I think a lot of people out there are more concerned about their appearance than anything else. Heck, lots of people caught all kinds of salmon using a bamboo rod...

A few years ago I tied a few flies and it is something I am looking into at the present. I have a bunch of furs and tying gear in storage that I will soon be getting out and learn to "match the hatch" Someday, I'd love to have the ability to sit on a shore bank were a bunch of people are fishing and tie a fly and ask one of them to use it...You spend enough time on certain waters, you learn what to use...

And yes, I have the Fever...When ever my gramp or a drive that came to pick me up to go fishing, I would always jump up and down when I seen the vehicle. I've been known to walk a mile in there direction just to see how far along they are...That's me...A kid in a candy store...

Sorry Dave I never added the weight of my Fly Rod...8/9 weight. With a 9 WF line. I'm pretty satified with it...I still have his rod that is the same weight. Also, the first rod I bought was mainly for trout fishing. 8 and a 1/2 foot 6/7 weight with a 7 WF line. Both lines are Cortland.

The river were I live right beside, we are not a loud to fish for salmon (For good reason to) I did hook one last summer and landed it and immediately let it go. I caught that off my 8 and a half foot rod. I could not take a picture because I was by myself and that would be just cruel, not to mention risking loosing all priviledges of fishing for another five years or more...I don't eat fish, so I'd rather just let a grilse/salmon go or any other species. Once in a while I will keep a few brook trout for my parents...

I mainly fished last summer just to give myself the practice for this year up on the Miramichi. Whatever took my fly, is what I caught. Mostly bass, trout and a lot of chub.

Well, grandpas, like most grandpas are full of wisdom. As a rule, I tend to pick the eldest person out of a crowd and learn from them...

What about you? I'm sure your using the same weighted rod? Probably most use the same when fishing for Atlantic Salmon...

No Richard I have never fished for Atlantics but have fished for Landlocks, as well as Chinooks My biggest rod is a 7 wt, for trout I use my 4wt.