Hi Lee and other members of his "Fishing Page",

I'm just beginning as a fly fisherman.  I came upon your site while searching

for fly fishing forums.  Seems like a good way to get started (learning the right

way to do stuff from folks who know).  I'm a married guy and live in Lincoln NH

along the Pemigewasset River.  I grew up in MA camping, fishing and hunting

with my folks and four brothers. Although I was exposed to fly fishing as a youth,

I never really pursued it (no talent and little patience). My Dad was a life long

and excellent fly fisherman as is one of my brothers who lives in Northern Maine. 

I've been an active outdoor type of guy my entire life but fishing was never high on

my list of interests.  I'm retired now and decided this past Spring to put some effort

into revisiting the sport. I have been kayaking for about 25 years solo and with my

wife, family and friends throughout NH, ME and MA. When you kayak a lot you

often find yourself surrounded by fish rising at the right time of the day which are

 perfect opportunities for fishing. I attended NHF&G's "Basic Fly Fishing" weekend

at Little Diamond Pond at Coleman State Park in Stewartstown NH this past Spring

(2015).  It was a revelation for me.  The instructors were outstanding.  I enjoyed the

lectures and the casting instruction immensely (still no talent, but I was at least getting

the fly out there where I was aiming...well, close enough anyway). I even caught my

first fish using a fly rod at Little Diamond using a "little brown fly". I was going to have

it stuffed but it was a 3" shiner and not all that impressive.  It was catch and release

for him/her (hard to tell when they are that tiny). I had better luck this June-July when

I actually started catching some nice 8-10" brook trout.  It ALMOST looked like I knew

what I was doing (I didnt hook myself or anyone else within 50' anyway).  I've joined

Trout Unlimited and am going to be primarily a "catch and release" fisherman since that

is the way I was brought up.  But, I do HOPE to bring some trout back to camp for dinner

or breakfast when kayak camping now and again.  Maybe my age has something to

do with the enjoyment I'm experiencing trying to learn to use a fly rod this time around.  It's

a quiet and cerebral sport (like kayaking) and gets you out in wilderness surroundings which

always appeals to me.  Perhaps I was too impatient and competive when younger expecting

to catch something on every cast.  I'm finding that I'm no longer concerned whether I even

get a hit or catch a trout. Just being there and practicing and trying to "read" the water and

"structures" is fun. I have much to learn but as they say "it's the journey and not the destination

that is important".  I believe that's very true.   Alright, maybe no one said it, but I must have

read it somewhere.  If anyone is looking for someone to fish with in the Lincoln/North Woodstock

NH area (or beyond even), don't hesitate to say hello!  I promise I won't stand behind you to watch

how you cast.  That much I know not to do. Hope you all have a great fishing season no matter

what type of rod/reel or technique!

Nice introduction welcome to the site I have always wanted to go kayaking but am afraid I would flip over and drown. Looking forward to hearing your stories and your journey into the world of flyfishing. Some people call an addiction I call obsession . I hope if you have any questions about flyfishing I can help you. Enjoy the site Dave V