"There's definitely circumstances where you may not learn that much from a guide...but that's probably YOUR fault." That might be one of your best one-liners ever Alvin!
Went out with one of your guides Cassio and yes I truly believe I left the water that day as a better angler. Love the teaching platform and he helped me dial in on some much needed techniques to land some big ones.
This is a great video, Alvin (if I can call you by your first name). Kind of a corollary to No. 4 is something I read in a trout oriented book by Gary LaFontaine. He wrote that the number one thing he did before starting to fish a spot is sit down - preferably from a vantage point - and simply look around, study the water for a while. Figure out what’s going on, the bugs, the minnows, the water patterns, where the fish might be holding. That little bit of time is also great to gather your thoughts and let the world sink in reminding you of why you love the outdoors and how awesome it is to just be outside. My favorite part of “fishing”.
I just found your channel through a recommendation for my local (and I think only) fly shop here in Houston. I just started my adventure into fly fishing on Father's Day and I'm completely hooked. Thanks for all the great content like this video here! And it's good to know you're near by when I finally decide to take the dive into salt water!
#4 is the real deal! Of course 1-3 are all good as well. I find maintaining patience is the most difficult and the most productive thing I can do. As a fishing friend once said "sometimes the most productive thing we can do is take a break". The other quote from another friend I like to remember is somewhat related. It goes like this: "the direction we travel is much more important than the speed we travel". So, thanks for your video.
Alvin All excellent advice. But for us "financially challenged " I can afford a guide about once a year. But I've been fortunate to meet more skilled fishers who tutored me. Look forward to your videos. Thanks
You are so right about hiring a guide who teaches you while you fish. I have fished with the a guide for over 20 years and I learn something new every time. He also has taught my so to fly fish. He is now in his 30's and an excellent fisherman all thanks to Pat.
Excellent four tips! I had personal experience with Number 3. I went out last August and fished one time with Capt. Kenny Jones, Kenjo Charters. It completely changed my approach to my own fishing from knots, to casting, to technique. My proficiency tripled! Thank you for a great video!
Video idea: “where to go fish locally when it’s a holiday”. I’ve been home mostly dreaming about fishing but not convinced I want to take the raft out considering how many people I saw yesterday at the Guadalupe in New Braunfels and the Colorado at Montopolis. No way I want to join the crowds. A nice video with tips on what to do when the holiday crowds invade our water. [insert Alvin laugh here]
Alvin awesome information,agree about hiring a guide,but be open minded & learn their tricks,a good guide will teach as well as learn,practice casting but better to practice accuracy over distance,distance though important but hiting a certain target is far more important, knot wise I use 3 a perfection loop,clinch & surgeon knot those 3 are all I use & never fail me
Excellent tips as usual, and I want to focus on point 3, with a guide. I’ve been with three professional fly guides who were generous constructive coaches, when asked to be, you! and two friend guides on the coast. Communication is crucial and includes the discussion before sealing the charter. Goals and expectations of the client for the day, helps the guide plan the agenda and approach. Skill level revelation, be honest, yes everyone is an expert angler/caster except the ones who actually aren’t, humility and honesty can jump start a good day on the water. With one of my saltwater guides, he and I agreed that the charter was NOT a full-day casting lesson and instruction. I asked for tips to improve my casting, but only if he agreed to do so. He did and offered 3 I vitally needed and still appreciate, but for most of the day we focused on finding and targeting individual fish, sightcasting the flats. To me, there’s an important distinction between guided fishing and casting instructions, they can be melded on the same day but are even better as dedicated different days. Your tips on the water were not perceived as corrective but constructive. Thanks for this vid, amigo!
Excellent Alvin. I can cast ok. My knots are ok. I’ve been with some guides, and fish with a retired one often. BUT patience is a whole different matter..you expressed and covered that aspect so well it’s hard to believe. Thank you So much! I’ll be thinking of this video next time I’m getting flustered. Hope you’re having a wonderful 4th of July! Best wishes buddy! 👍👍💥🇺🇸
You believe this Alvin but I just started do this. I do a casting lesson about every other week, and I don’t miss a day practicing for an hour. And I sit tying my knots at home and working it out. I have not had a guid yet….. and patients an every day event 🤣🤣🤣🤣 thanks I learn so much from you👍
Very timely. Went out this morning practicing casting and distance. Reached 20 yards but leader was bunching up so I brought it back closer and focused on technique.
Thanks Alvin. People fish for different reasons. Many seem satisfied to fish the way they always have. Personally, if I stop wanting to learn I've probably lost interest. Going to aplace you've never fished and getting instruction from a local expert is a peak learning opportunity. Don't waste it
Definitely some good advice, but for me the only place I can “practice” or look to improve is actually on the water. You definitely need a certain level of proficiency to be successful (and hence enjoy your time), yet for me if I was to practice outside of actually fishing then the hobby starts to become a Job/obsession and some of the fun is gone. Just one man’s opinion and everyone approaches things differently, but for me working on casting or knots outside of the actual river would not in increase my enjoyment with the sport.
