[kane pole]

In 1998 I was working on a job in Idaho. Three of my fellow workers kept talking about how they had to take some time off to Fly Fish, but I had never fished that way and had no equipment.
Then my folks asked me to help them move, and while packing the basement I found 3 Bamboo rods, 2 fly rods, a 8ft 2/2 5/6wt – a 8 ft 1pice 7/8wt, and a 6ft spin casting rod.
Turns out my dad’s uncle, my great uncle, had been a bamboo rod maker back in the 50’s.
Well it didn’t take much talking to get me to grab the 8ft 2/2 5/6wt bamboo rod and go fly fishing with them.
So at 51 years old my first time fly fishing was on the Big Wood in Idaho, using a bamboo rod!!
I was hooked, I have retrieved and refurbished his planing forms, made my own bamboo rod from scratch, tie flies, and the latest addition to my rod collection is a F.E. Thomas Special. Trapped on the dark side.



The rod on the right is the one I made.

[Silvercreek]

I've fished since I was 7 years old and caught my first trout at about age 9. My father would come home from working the 3rd shift and take me fishing while he slept in the car. I was waiting for him with my rod and reel when he came home from work. He gave me a spinning rod with agate guides and a Mitchell spinning reel in the very early 1950's. The spinning reel that every one remembers is the Mitchell 300. I have the model before they put the 300 on the reel.

I took up fly fishing in the 1970's. I bought my first rod and Fenwick Ferralite and a Pfleuger reel in 1975. I tried to teach myself to cast from books, but I had no success. Then when I moved to Wausau, Wisconsin I started fishing the local trout streams and I caught a lot of fish. I decided to give fly fishing another try so signed my wife and I up for weekend Fenwick Fly Fishing Class taught by Gary Borger in 1979. I learned to cast and the basics of fly fishing. Later, I learned that Gary was an Asst. Professor in Botany at the University of Wisconsin campus in Wausau, and I invited Gary and Nancy for dinner. We have been good friends ever since.

[trtman75]

I grew up fishing on the Broad River. It was only 4 or 5 miles from the house. It was my passion until adolescence and the pursuit of man's favorite quarry took over. Rediscovered fishing in 2003 at the urging of my brother and my wife. One of the lowest points in my life. Well the fishing was a sure cure and i started fly fishing the next year. Been an addict since. My 11 yo isn't interested, but the 8 and 5 year olds love it and will probably join me on the river in the spring. The 5 yr casts with me in the yard and abuses that "feather light". Thanks for letting me share.

[mtsteveoh]

My folks bought a dude ranch just north of Yellowstone Park in 1955. I was 5 years old. Choices were: Ride horses, go fishing. I chose the cowboy route, but the horse they gave me died. I was heartbroken. I started fishing. A family friend, "Big Mike" taught me the fundamentals of fly casting and fishing. My first rod was a Herter's, followed by a Shakespeare "Presidential", then a Browning "Silaflex". Dad sold the ranch in the 80's, but I stayed with fly fishing/floating/horse packing as a guide, then an outfitter. Over the years, I've been fortunate enough to meet many people and fish many places outfitting for the Montana School of Fly Fishing.

[Spinycrawler]

Who/What got you started fly fishing? This is certainly an interesting question and I have enjoyed all the responses. Like many of you, I also had a fly angling mentor, someone that I will forever remember and respect. I first read an article on fly angling in Field and Stream when I was 9 or 10. This article captured my interest and resulted in a desire to locate an old-timer that was familiar with the new adventure, to point the way. Was it the article or the old-timer that got me started? The answer is neither! I give full credit for my budding interest in fly fishing to all the women in my young life. First, there was my mom, then my grandmother, and then any little gal that wanted to hang out with a 9-10 year old. What young kid would not want to escape the bonds of these taxing females? Fly fishing for me was that escape – a refugium from the list of mom and granny chores, and the demands of those pesky little girls.

The discussion of women in the Trout Bum Lounge forced me to dig a little deeper into the question of who/what got me started. That profound exploration, for me at least, is enjoyable. On Columbus Day, while most are celebrating the famous voyage and acknowledging the effort of Columbus, I opt to commemorate the invention of the boat and those responsible. You get the picture. Yes, women are responsible for my fly angling passion. And a woman is also responsible for the amount of angling skill that I have acquired. My first wife, by pressuring me to spend countless days on the water, earns all the accolades for the angler that I have become. Regards, Stephen

[smallmouthfeverindamascus]

I started fly fishing about 7 years ago when I moved to the mountains from the gulf coast of FL. I needed a bigger challenge switching from salt to fresh than I was getting from my spinning gear. Now I'm so hooked on the fly that all I can think about in realtion to salt is how do I catch them big boys on my fly rod, and can I use my 3 wt on specks!

[briar]

My Dad...., in the 50's we would drive and camp to the Gaspe in Canada for Atlantic salmon he used a spey rod,I could never get the hang of it.We lived in Norethern New Jersey and fished the Delaware,Beverkill,Esopus,Willowemoc,spent a lot of time in Rosco NY and know Walt,Winnie,Dette's along with Joan Wulff late husband Lee.(Joans brothers were friends of mine Jimmy and Lou) some legends of fly fishing in my opinion.
My dad was good friends with Corey Ford (NY Playwright ) who enjoyed all the things I have come to appericate that comes with the sport. And brought some humor in to any event(Bird hunting and fly fishing) are a special part of my life.
Central Valley was a supply of Leonard rods,and blanks, which could be bought very reasonably. We went to Maine (LL Beans was a highlight of the trip) then on to Moosehead Lake and rivers of Maine I still have stuff I have been using for over 50 years and the fun of using them increases as my grandson is wanting to "Go fishing"
More Later
Briar

[fyshy]

I remember catching bluegill, crappie, and catfish with my Dad, uncles, and grandfather back in the early 60's on Guntersville lake. One day a fisherman came by our place slinging a flyline. Though it took years for me to actually start flyfishing, I never forgot about that man. One day my family was driving through the Smoky Mt.'s and my Dad pulled over so we could watch a trout fisherman. It left a picture in my mind and I remember Dad saying "one of these days we need to try that".

We never did. After Dad died in 1995, a friend mentioned he was going fishing in Arkansas. I went along and finally began learning to use the fly rod. Now my son and I share the sport. Having something beautiful to share with your teenage son is critical, because they have tough issues to deal with. I truly think fly fishing can heal. I'm not sure why, it just does.
Enjoy.

[Christensen]

Dabbled in the sport for a few years and could not figure out why something that seemed like such a natural fit with my interests and general mode of upbringing (fishing since age 3 or 4) never really caught my attention. I didn't get it. Caught some fish on the fly but I could take it or leave it. On a lark, I went out with a guide -- who has since become a very good friend over the years -- that showed me the ropes with wild trout on blue lines. That did it. I have loved fly fishing ever since. More than any other sport, time deep in the mountains with a fly rod while chasing tiny fish gives me a complete regeneration. Sometime, my favorite wife kicks me out of the house and tells me I need to go fishing, knowing full well that I will come back a better person or at least stop being such an as@.

[wilhelm]

Originally Posted by kane pole

Turns out my dad’s uncle, my great uncle, had been a bamboo rod maker back in the 50’s.

So I have to ask, "Who was your great uncle?"

wilhelm