If you haven’t read the original Q&A post, check it out before you read this post: http://www.flyfisherman.com/2011/12/21/fly-fishing-qa/
There next several posts will have the results of the expert panel. As you’ll see there are some statements that everyone agrees on, other statements produce drastically different results. I think there are some great lessons to be learned here and I’ll touch on the highlights after the results of all panelist’s have been posted.
First up are panelist’s Loren Williams and Scott Barrus. Both are exceptional anglers and full time fishing guides. Loren is a New Yorker (not the city type) and Scott calls Dutch John, Utah home (Green River). Each has a bio below their results.
Check out the differences between the knot tying and fly pattern selection results on the top section and the discrepancy between the thin tippet for nymphs and fluorocarbon vs. nylon for dries. Very interesting! No right or wrong answers here, just a difference of opinion. I think we’ll find many of these statements will be very consistent for all panelists and certain statements will vary greatly.
Loren Williams:
On a scale of 1 to 10 please rate each line’s importance in maximizing fly fishing success for Trout.
1 = not important, 10 = very important
How important are the following: (1-10)
Casting ability = 7
Knot tying skills = 5
Ability to read water = 10
Fly selection (available options in an anglers fly box) = 7
Fly pattern selection (Royal Wulff, hares ear, Prince etc…) = 2
Wading ability/technique = 6
Quality of the fly rod = 6
Quality of the fly reel = 2
Quality of the fly line = 6
Quality of leader and tippet = 10
Quality of hooks = 10
For the statements below please use 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 for your answers.
1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = indifferent, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree.
Ultra fast action rods are best for Trout fishing = 1
Fast action rods are best for Trout fishing = 3
Medium-fast action rods are best for Trout fishing = 3
Slow action rods are best for Trout fishing = 3
Fly pattern trumps presentation = 1
Presentation trumps fly pattern = 4
Thin tippet is more important for dry flies than it is for nymphs = 2
Thin tippet is more important for nymphs than it is for dry flies = 2
Tying your own flies is crucial to maximizing success = 4
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for nymphing = 4
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for dry flies = 4
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for streamers = 3
Nylon tippet is best for dry flies = 2
Loren’s comments:
Coming to a conclusion, using only numbers and no qualification for them, was far more difficult than I thought. I found myself wanting to explain “why” after each number-but after more thought I bet such an approach would be best for healthy discussion as opposed to debate. What I do want to say is that many of my responses are viewed from the “coup de grace” of landing the fish, not just getting it to bite. I also feel that anglers need to keep in mind that there will always be a limiting factor: sometimes it is personal skill, which can always be improved; sometimes it is equipment which has technical and budgetary confinements. In either case, if our sport is to continue to satisfy all of us, we need to keep making better gear available for more anglers and anglers need to keep growing their skills-to create that demand.
A bit about Loren:
Throughout his life, Loren Williams was exposed to, and developed a passion for, all things outdoors. Most likely, these adventures spawned Loren’s current passion for coldwater fly-fishing. Not long after his first bait-caught trout, Loren began to dabble with tying flies and fishing them; first for small pond panfish, then the logical progression to his beloved trout. By age 10 Loren could tie a decent fly and cast it well enough to catch fish. Loren currently resides with his wife Heather, daughter Mickayla, and son Ryan in Westvale, NY where he is a prominent and respected full-time fly-fishing guide and guest speaker specializing in salmon and steelhead tactics and teaching top-level trout fishing skills.
In addition his guiding career, Loren is a long-standing member of Fly-Fishing Team USA and the past head/current assistant coach of the US Youth Fly-Fishing team. Since his initial exposure to competition fly fishing in 2005, Loren has dedicated every moment of his free time to learning the nuances of competitive fly-fishing. Not only has this rekindled his passion for the sport, he has become a better angler and, therefore, a better teacher.
FlyGuy’s Guide Service
https://www.facebook.com/pages/FlyGuys-Guide-Service/112849298767679
Scott Barrus:
On a scale of 1 to 10 please rate each line’s importance in maximizing fly fishing success for Trout.
1 = not important, 10 = very important
How important are the following: (1-10)
Casting ability = 8
Knot tying skills = 9
Ability to read water = 8
Fly selection (available options in an anglers fly box) = 6
Fly pattern selection (Royal Wulff, hares ear, Prince etc…) = 7
Wading ability/technique = 7
Quality of the fly rod = 6
Quality of the fly reel =3
Quality of the fly line = 7
Quality of leader and tippet = 9
Quality of hooks = 9
For the statements below please use 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 for your answers.
1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = indifferent, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree.
Ultra fast action rods are best for Trout fishing = 2
Fast action rods are best for Trout fishing = 3
Medium-fast action rods are best for Trout fishing = 5
Slow action rods are best for Trout fishing = 4
Fly pattern trumps presentation = 1
Presentation trumps fly pattern = 5
Thin tippet is more important for dry flies than it is for nymphs = 1
Thin tippet is more important for nymphs than it is for dry flies = 4
Tying your own flies is crucial to maximizing success = 4
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for nymphing = 4
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for dry flies = 2
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for streamers = 3
Nylon tippet is best for dry flies = 4
Scott’s comments:
When it comes to fooling trout, presentation trumps all other aspects of fly fishing. On heavily fished waters such as the Green River, tippet specifics and realistic fly patterns are irrelevant without a stealthy approach, and a drag free angle of attack.
Scott has been fishing religiously since 3 years old, and picked up his first fly rod when he was twelve. Full time fly fishing guide since 1998. Has guided rivers in Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. Owner of Spinner Fall Guide Service on Utah’s Green River. Prefers to pursue the 10% of trout that are focused on the waters’ surface.
Spinner Fall Guide Service
www.spinnerfall.com
info@spinnerfall.com
877-811-3474
MORE PANEL RESULTS TO COME!
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