Need fishing instructor!

[Kathleen]

I see some of you like to fish. I got my first NM license this year. Someone asked in a previous thread if there is fishing in NM. Yes, lots. We do have lakes and rivers here. If you happen to be a NM resident it's 100 per year for camping at our State Parks, over 30 of them. Many elevations and environments in this state.

I want to learn to fish but I need a really patient teacher. I'm left handed which causes a few challenges. Any ladies who like to fish in this group? Are you coming to NM in warmer weather or going to Summer RTR?

Free campsites on the Animas River south of Antonito, CO, just a few miles into NM where you can fish for trout. Conejos River has a beautiful campground west of Antonito, CO with giant edible puffballs. Yup probably illegal to harvest shrooms at campsite but they taste delicious grilled with a garlic and prickly pear dressing. You have to pay at this spot but it's good for fly fishing, and the tall Boreal forest with its shady spruce and fir forest can't be beat. Unless you find a better spot back in the boonies.

I may need to start with lake fishing and work my way up to fly fishing. I'm happy to learn either. Only extremely patient teachers work well for me. Those bugs we gathered on the bottom side of the rocks for fly fishing sure were ugly!

 

[sassypickins]

Hi Kathleen,

I used to go trout fishing a lot here in Oregon, but then life took a turn and I rarely fish any more. Now the licensing is so expensive anyway, especially when I go from state to state. I used to live on the Animas north of Durango!

Have you checked out:

https://www.sistersonthefly.com/

Sassy

 

[bigsallysmom]

I fish in southern new mexico. fly and bait. live in new mexico so license cost isn't bad when stretched out all year.

 

[wagoneer]

Did some fly fishing in Bishop Ca. Browns and Rainbow . Ol' guy walked me through it, good eating.

 

[highdesertranger]

Browns are the best eating, rainbows can go either way. fishing is highly variable according to the area you are in. what works here might not work there. best to find a local to show you the ropes. highdesertranger

 

[jimindenver]

There's lernin to go fisin and lernin to catch fish. Not always the same thing.

 

[bullfrog]

Dock fishing on Lake Powell is as simple as tying on a 1\4 oz jig hook and dropping to the bottom and cranking up very slowly with an Anchovy cut in half, tails work best for me, or worm or even salt water mussels you buy at Walmart's frozen cooked sea food section. Even in slow season you seldom get skunked fishing at late night. Most real's crank handles unscrew and can be screwed in on the other side for left handed people like us. Heavy braided line with 17 pound test fluorocarbon leader works best due to dock cables and structure around dock if fish swims around while you are getting him up. If you get over this way give me a pm first.

 

[StarEcho]

I'm left handed and it never occurred to me that it had any effect on fishing.... maybe it's like shooting, when I had to learn how to shoot a rifle in the military I figured since I hadn't held a rifle before then I might as well learn how to shoot right handed and I have no problem with it. I'm not at all ambidextrous or anything like that, just learned to do those things right handed. Come to think of it, I use a computer mouse with my right hand as well. Some things it just seems easier to learn how to do it the way everyone else does. Most things I just do left handed though.

So bottom line, if you've not held a fishing rod before it might be easier to just learn with the crank handle on the right and be done with it. I cast with my left hand and work the crank handle with my right. Never occurred to me there was another way. LOL

 

[Kathleen]

sassypickinsHi Kathleen,

I used to go trout fishing a lot here in Oregon, but then life took a turn and I rarely fish any more.  Now the licensing is so expensive anyway, especially when I go from state to state.  I used to live on the Animas north of Durango!

Have you checked out:

https://www.sistersonthefly.com/

Sassy

I don't know anything about the cost of fishing in other states. It's 18 per year here in NM, with another buck for a second pole. Our friend on the Conejos River had a CO license so he caught our supper. He did not have a license to fish in NM so he taught us other skills while we camped free on the Animas River.

Thanks for the link, Sassy. I'll check it out!

 

[Kathleen]

I'm left handed and it never occurred to me that it had any effect on fishing.... maybe it's like shooting, when I had to learn how to shoot a rifle in the military I figured since I hadn't held a rifle before then I might as well learn how to shoot right handed and I have no problem with it.  I'm not at all ambidextrous or anything like that, just learned to do those things right handed.  Come to think of it, I use a computer mouse with my right hand as well.  Some things it just seems easier to learn how to do it the way everyone else does.  Most things I just do left handed though.  

So bottom line, if you've not held a fishing rod before it might be easier to just learn with the crank handle on the right and be done with it.  I cast with my left hand and work the crank handle with my right.  Never occurred to me there was another way.  LOL

Thanks for responding, StarEcho. I ran into trouble at the local fly fishing store. I was excited about learning how to tie my own flies or whatever you call the darn things. We got to use the store's equipment. The instructor and my right handed senior classmate were real nice. I was doing fine learning how to do things "backwards" on a beautiful black and gold vice.

Then the teacher said "Now you are going to hate me." He took out this odd tool and we were supposed to do a tricky twirling movement with the chenille worm fabric. The other student cursed under his breath but he finally got it. I got totally confused and embarrassed :huh: and did not return for further instruction.

Guess the actual work out on the water might not be the hard part, but I did want to tie my own flies.

 

[Kathleen]

Dock fishing on Lake Powell is as simple as tying on a 1\4 oz jig hook and dropping to the bottom and cranking up very slowly with an Anchovy cut in half, tails work best for me, or worm or even salt water mussels you buy at Walmart's frozen cooked sea food section.  Even in slow season you seldom get skunked fishing at late night.  Most real's crank handles unscrew and can be screwed in on the other side for left handed people like us.  Heavy braided line with 17 pound test fluorocarbon leader works best due to dock cables and structure around dock if fish swims around while you are getting him up.  If you get over this way give me a pm first.

Thanks for the offer, bullfrog. Lake Powell's not that far from me and I need a teacher. I like your tips on bait. Yes, the reels that can be screwed in on the other side would work. Good to know you're another lefty. I learned about the fluorocarbon but never looked for the heavy kind of line. Must be available here in town. Will send you a PM in advance if I head that way.

 

[jimindenver]

My fly reel rewinds itself. No right or left about it.

 

[Kathleen]

I fish in southern new mexico.  fly and bait.  live in new mexico so license cost isn't bad when stretched out all year.

Great that you do both, bigsallysmom. Let me know if you get that van in time to go to winter or summer RTR. I finally got mine, and am working my way through responsibilities so I can hit the road.

 

[Kathleen]

My fly reel rewinds itself. No right or left about it.

It was the fly fishing tie class that got me in trouble. I tried to learn tricky techniques "backwards" from a right handed instructor. I better start with the simple stuff.

 

[Kathleen]

Did some fly fishing in Bishop Ca. Browns and Rainbow . Ol' guy walked me through it,  good eating.

I've got a friend who favors Browns. Says they taste best. You were lucky the ol guy walked you through it. That's what I need.

 

[Kathleen]

Browns are the best eating,  rainbows can go either way.  fishing is highly variable according to the area you are in.  what works here might not work there.  best to find a local to show you the ropes.  highdesertranger

That's what I heard about browns, best eating. Yes, I should find a local to show me the ropes. Maybe when it warms up again.

 

[WesternRailfan5181]

If your going to be fishing any sort of lakes or off of piers/docks where there might be some good sized fish hiding, your best bet is to use a spinning rod, my preference being a Shakespeare Ugly Stik 7'-0" medium-action spinning rod paired with a 250-yard capacity spinning reel, spooled with PowerPro 50lb test braided line. Spinning reels can be switched from right to left handed simply by unscrewing the handle and swapping it to the other side. Fly fishing can be fun, but its tying your own flies that is the really frustrating part. If your interested in it still, might want to find a class on fly fishing itself so you can learn the right way to cast a fly rod. Mishaps with those can be interesting. I was fishing up near Lake Erie a couple years ago, and nearly got my rod ripped out of my hands when a guy fly fishing near me accidentally caught the tip of my rod and got his line tangled during a cast.

 

[DuneElliot]

I'll be down in southern Utah over the winter. If you can meander over that direction I'd be happy to help with some fly fishing instruction. I'm right-handed but there's no difference in technique in casting a fly whether you use right or left hand. I'm pretty patient and used to teach a class on one of the ranches I worked for a few years ago. I'm no expert myself but I do catch quite a few fish

 

[Kathleen]

If your going to be fishing any sort of lakes or off of piers/docks where there might be some good sized fish hiding, your best bet is to use a spinning rod, my preference being a Shakespeare Ugly Stik 7'-0" medium-action spinning rod paired with a 250-yard capacity spinning reel, spooled with PowerPro 50lb test braided line. Spinning reels can be switched from right to left handed simply by unscrewing the handle and swapping it to the other side. Fly fishing can be fun, but its tying your own flies that is the really frustrating part. If your interested in it still, might want to find a class on fly fishing itself so you can learn the right way to cast a fly rod. Mishaps with those can be interesting. I was fishing up near Lake Erie a couple years ago, and nearly got my rod ripped out of my hands when a guy fly fishing near me accidentally caught the tip of my rod and got his line tangled during a cast.

Yes, I took a class on tying flies. Being a lefty it was frustrating trying to learn complex maneuvers from a right handed teacher. But I did well during the first casting class. My guide just offered to take a group of us on a fishing trip NM/CO border Memorial Day weekend. Sounds like fun.

 

[Kathleen]

I'll be down in southern Utah over the winter. If you can meander over that direction I'd be happy to help with some fly fishing instruction. I'm right-handed but there's no difference in technique in casting a fly whether you use right or left hand. I'm pretty patient and used to teach a class on one of the ranches I worked for a few years ago. I'm no expert myself but I do catch quite a few fish

Thank you so much for that offer, DuneElliot! I could meander over that way. Patience is what I need most in a teacher and you DO catch fish. That's the important part. Let's stay in touch. Are you considering going to summer rtr in AZ???