Bucket Lists & Fly Fishing
Photo Credit: Jeb Hall
A few weeks ago I had the chance to knock fly fishing off my bucket list in Asheville, a beautiful small town in western North Carolina. Local friends recommended a guide and I booked an afternoon that turned out to be perfect- sunny but not too hot, with a pleasant occasional breeze.
To be honest, I was a little nervous. I’d long ago put fly fishing on my bucket list after watching A River Runs Through It and realized the whole experience would put me out on a limb as I’d only fished twice in my life, as a child in the mountains of northern Italy with my uncle. I didn’t recall loving it- looking for ideal spots, waiting for a bite, figuring out how to manage the hooks, being sad for the fish, and trudging back out of the forest hours later.
I thought fly fishing would be adventurous- waving the line in circles overhead to land it smoothly in the water, standing tall in the flow of the current, victoriously capturing dinner and relishing time in the great outdoors. Well, some of that happened!
My guide Jeb was patient and knowledgeable, handy traits for an instructor. He explained that our efforts were “catch and release” so that spared me the ordeal of cleaning a fish, which was a relief, I conveniently purchased a fishing license at the shop and borrowed boots and waders (overalls) before we headed out to a nearby stretch of the Davidson River, leased by the outfitter.
Jeb strode into the river and I followed. He showed me how to cast the line and clarified that it was quite unlike what I’d seen in the movies and thankfully much simpler. Within a few minutes I had a fish on the line and successfully reeled it in. Ironically it was one of the biggest rainbow trout I caught that day. Jeb collected it in the net and told me how to hold the fish with two hands to pose for a photo. I looked at him and then down at the fish. Pick up the fish?! Why would I do that? Yet it does seem to be part of fishing culture to show off one’s bounty. I reluctantly reached down and grabbed the fish, awkwardly smiling for the requisite picture. I was glad to learn the barbless hooks are kind to the fish and was surprised one didn’t dart away immediately after his release.
Jeb was always aware of where the fish were and sometimes suggested I shift two steps to the right or forward. He carefully observed the first fly on my line as it rested gently on the water’s surface, watching for any sudden movements, then shouting for me to “pull” when it jerked. In responding late, I missed several fish and a few got away even after biting, as I learned how best to reel them in. I began to get into the rhythm of it and understood how fisherman can develop strong arms! What I enjoyed most was being outside, standing quietly in the cool river and occasionally having a chance to look up at the mighty trees shimmering in the breeze and see the water flow over a small dam upstream that had been provided energy for a factory long ago.
In the end, I caught seven fish that afternoon, with a few of them slipping or perhaps even jumping out of my hands as I laughed, making for fun photos.
A friend asked if I’ll go back and I’m content with the experience of that special day. I’m proud of myself for trying something that took me far beyond the normal bounds of my day-to-day life and even happier that I could do it in nature and in the company of someone so skilled at his craft.
What’s on your bucket list?