I started fly fishing in my early teens. I lived in a small town in Oregon and grew up fishing and hunting with my family. I am not sure what caused me to switch from bait fishing to fly fishing, but the transition wasn't easy because money was a luxury. I remember my first fly rod - a Berkeley 8-foot, 7-weight and my first line - a level 7 weight. I also remember no matter what I did, I was never able to cast that level line like the guys in the fishing magazines.
In time, and with money from my paper route, and doing odd jobs (including the ever-popular lawn mowing and weeding), I was able to buy a double taper line and a Pflueger Medalist reel. My grandfather, knowing that I was interested in fly fishing, gave me his old Union Hardware bamboo fly rod. After adding a few cheap flies, a metal Perrine fly box and a vest, I was on the water feeling like Lee Wulff. Within a couple years, I taught myself to tie flies and even had a little business selling flies at the local sporting goods store. During my transition to fly fishing, the main lesson I learned was that fly fishing did not take a lot of money, but did take some skill, patience, an appreciation of nature and an understanding of what fishing gear worked and what fishing gear simply looked good.
The Fishmaster
I bought this little beauty for a couple hundred dollars and after a couple coats of paint, and a few pieces of new wood, I was hooked on boating. Posing with her is my brother. If you look closely you will see the top of an RV. That is for a later post.