I have always been intrigued with learning how to fly fish. I don't own a boat anymore or live in proximity to a wide mountain stream. But still wouldn't mind learning the fundamentals. I live in the Brazos Valley area which is not a Mecca of fly fishing. Thanks

you're welcome

statement of observation or a question to the board?

Won't catch much, but the pond between Castlegate 1 & 2 has some good casting lanes for practicing.

I learned how to cast on one these Orvis practice rods in my parents driveway.

https://www.orvis.com/practicaster/2NJ60400.html?adv=127748&cm_mmc=plas-G-_-fishing-hunting-_-149964673807-_-2NJ60400&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtO-kBhDIARIsAL6Lorf5DEGJCKHb86ePB4amh92Qcw2fU3IdcvtyUwllzMBhakAT6XArZigaAt75EALw_wcB

There are a lot of good videos on youtube for learning to cast, but much like a golf swing teaching yourself can create bad habits that are hard to get rid of.

Question

I felt the same way you did and during the pandemic and I just went for it. I'm addicted now so be careful - you might catch the bug too. You can catch panfish and bass on a fly rod on almost any body of water in TX. Many places around Brazos valley to throw clousers and poppers to target those species.

From there, river fishing in central Texas is very rewarding. Consider heading over to living waters fly shop in round rock for a casting lesson and a guided day trip. Then there is salt water fly fishing, which for the most part requires a guide or access to a fishing partner w knowledge and a poling skiff.

Lot of good (and bad) how to videos online to get you started. Harry Compton in Houston is an instructor I'd recommend.

I can meet you at the pond at central baptist church sometime and let you cast a couple of rods to see if it might be for you. Don't be intimidated if you want to learn. It just takes time, practice, and commitment to not give up and always try to get better. Also, you don't need an expensive setup to get started.

Similar to you, I live in the B/CS area and got interested in learning fly fishing a couple of years ago. It's still fun even on stock tanks or out on a lake around here, so you can learn the basics and see if you like it more to fully pursue it. I'm still not a great caster but I have a lot of fun with it.

But I will say after recently fishing the Medina river, it really is a rush/different experience to successfully see a fish in clear water, get a good cast, and watch as it takes the bait before you reel them in. You should definitely try that sometime.

I got addicted to fly fishing and fly tying many years ago. I love going to the mountains, but I also bring my fly rod when I go to central Texas.

I have caught many perch and bass with it in farm ponds and lakes not far from BCS.

Broken Bow OK is the closest traditional fly fishing waters to BCS. About a four hour drive or so, just over the border in the southeast corner of Oklahoma. Pay for a morning's instruction with a guide at the fly shop if you want. Sleep in a cabin at the state park. Back in a day or two.

I will have to take you up on that sometime soon. Thanks

Family used to own a fly fishing club here in Colorado. Had about 40 properties. I learned by fishing with guides, got better "testing" club properties.

Some of the best advice I got, you can fly fish in a wrist cast. It is not about the wrist, it is the arm. Backcast is the preparation for a jab, forward cast is a boxing jab

Go to the coast and hire a good fly fishing guide. IMO that's the absolute best/most fun way to learn and it will translate to most places. Don't focus on catching fish, focus on presentation and technique. The fish will come and once that happens, you have a problem that will last a lifetime:-)

Fly fishing salt water is the toughest type of fly fishing you can do! The wind, the waves, the distance, the accuracy you need, the quickness of the shots.

Take lessons from a pro and start in your local pond, but most importantly take lessons.

Justified said:

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I have always been intrigued with learning how to fly fish. I don't own a boat anymore or live in proximity to a wide mountain stream. But still wouldn't mind learning the fundamentals. I live in the Brazos Valley area which is not a Mecca of fly fishing. Thanks

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Find some friends that are also interested. I have 2 buddies and we all started fly fishing 3 years ago. The first two trips we hired a guide the first day and used what we learned the rest of the week.

Headed to Steamboat in the fall and we just have to figure out where the public access areas are!

I would suggest you start on the Cimmeron river near the palisades. There are more fish per mile on that river than any other.

You will hardly cast more than 20 ft in the mountains. It's all about getting into some good holes without breaking a rod or something else. The hardest part is getting used to dropping a fly in tight areas without getting hung. Expect to lose some flys.

Start here: Aggieland Fly Fishers