Going fly fishing with a guide? Here are 4 things you really need to know

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#4  ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE

The other crucial aspect of a successful partnership is two-way communication. While you should heed the expert’s advice, it’s also fine—even essential—to ask for your needs to be accommodated. If you want to exclusively fish dry flies, even though it might reduce your chance of success, say so. Similarly, if throwing a weighted nymph is starting to hurt your shoulder or you’d prefer to get out of the boat and wade for a while, tell the guide. You are the client, after all, so you should have the kind of fishing experience you want. Just be cordial about it.

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Finally, along with communication and cooperation, don’t forget to throw in a little relaxation. For most of us, fly fishing with a guide is a rare treat, making it easy to get laser-focused on results or to put pressure on yourself to fish perfectly. When you do that, however, you can lose sight of the big picture: you’re in a beautiful spot, tossing flies at interesting fish with the tutelage of an expert angler. That makes it an A-plus day, no matter what. So, if you start to get tense or frustrated, remember to take a breath and appreciate your surroundings—then go stick that wall-hanger.

For more tips on honing your fly-fishing skills, go to www.outdoorcanada.ca/thesmallstuff.