Kalyn Hoggard | Monday, 17 March 2025
Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to fish with a wide range of individuals, each possessing different skill levels. There is something to be said about spending a day fishing with someone who has strong fishing and casting abilities, but that has been the exception rather than the rule for me. Often, clients, friends, and family members are unable to present the fly exactly as they should, which can significantly influence whether or not a fish will bite. If you are the type of person who guides or leads someone toward improving their fly presentation, you are likely familiar with the common outcome. When someone hands a rod to a knowledgeable fisherman, they are likely to catch a fish. They may even catch it in the same spot you’ve been fishing, using the same fly, while successfully executing what they have been coaching you to do for the last thirty minutes.
This is where we encounter a dilemma. From the perspective of a fly fishing guide, who ultimately wants the customer to be successful, there is an urge to grab the rod and show the client exactly how to present the fly. Perhaps they will learn something from your demonstration that will enable them to catch fish for the rest of the day, or the rest of their life. Furthermore if they aren’t having much success, then they may believe that your flies, rigging, or spot selection may not be up to snuff. In that case, a little proof of concept may really restore their faith in you. By demonstrating you are taking the risk of inadvertently catching the biggest fish of the trip, or catching a fish immediately upon request, which may offend the client. Unfortunately, I have experienced the fallout of upsetting a client after they said “Well, how about you show me how to do it?” I obliged, and ended up catching a large fish. Leaving the proud and boisterous client greatly offended. This situation affected my tip and led to a lot of baseless comments directed at me in the local shops and around town. However, I have also had instances where I demonstrated the cast, the presentation, and proved that fish can be caught in the way I suggested. Leading to a much more enjoyable outing for everyone involved. I’ve also been humbled to discover that I was indeed not getting the fly down deep enough, and had to live with the grin on the face of my buddy for the rest of the day. After he quickly and effectively manipulated the rig and caught several fish out of the spot I had been working.
As I have come to understand, the outcome heavily depends on the individuals involved. The demonstrator needs to be genuinely teaching rather than merely trying prove a point, and the learner must have an open mind, be willing to learn, and not allow pride to get in the way of a good time. In this situation, the outcome can transform into a wonderful workshop that fosters learning, team building, and a morale boost. However, variability in either person's approach may lead to a negative experience that detracts from the learning process and can cause lasting resentment.
So, what’s the right way to demonstrate on the water? As a learner or a client with a guide, do you ever hand the rod over and have someone show you how to do it?
The picture above depicts my favorite head shape on a brown trout. Coincidentally, I was guiding on that day. To make a long story short, I guide for lake-run fish off the Great Lakes in the United States. After the day’s guiding was complete and the client was taking off his waders, I politely asked, “Do you mind if I fish that run we were working on earlier, real quick?” As often happens with us fishing enthusiasts, I managed to hook into a fish, and this one was an absolute monster. I apologized as soon as I set the hook, and after many jumps and powerful runs, a true trophy came to the net. This is where I feel torn. This was obviously a great fish; this brown trout had the face our dreams are made of. Yet, I still have mixed feelings about catching it. The morning had been rough for fishing, the fish didn’t want to cooperate, and I caught this monster right in front of someone I would have preferred to see catch it themselves. It still haunts me. Should it?
It can be difficult to describe all of the nuances of a properly casted, managed, and presented fly. Sometimes the only thing you can do is demonstrate it, and you aren’t always blessed with “dead water,” places to do it. So as a teacher of the fly, remember to do your best to remain humble, unless they are a buddy, obviously. As a learner of the fly just remember if you hand the fly savvy person the rod they may very well catch the fish you are after.