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Wright & McGill Ladies Fly Fishing

Posted on: May 21, 2008

Posted in: News From Chris, Wright & McGill
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I talked to Al Noraker, the brains behind our Wright and McGill line of products, about a great event he just conducted – a “Ladies Let’s Learn Fly Fishing” program here in Denver. This is the story Al told me.

This was the second “Fly Girl”, ladies fly-fishing class I’ve held at the local Bass Pro Shop here in Denver. The classroom sessions  included topics on equipment, fly presentations and rigging, casting and even an introduction to fly tying. At each session we promised that, if they attended at least 3 of the 5 classroom sessions,  they would be invited to spend a day on the water.

Our on the water day finally arrived and just as you might expect from an early spring day in Colorado, the weather did not cooperate. We decided to head off to famous Spinney Mountain Reservoir. The weather turned really bad even for the Rocky Mountains as a huge cold front with high winds moved into the area creating less than optimal fly fishing conditions.

Even with very tough conditions, these ladies were not going to cancel this trip. Temps were in the low 20’s but the wind made it feel like a January ice fishing day. I jumped out of the truck and climbed into my waders as quickly as possible. Not only to cut the wind but to take away any doubt that we weren’t going to do this fishing thing. The wind was blowing a solid 30 mph with gusts much higher, it was just flat cold!! After a quick group shot to remember the day, we were off on the first fly-fishing adventure for most of these ladies.

The long walk in helped get he blood flowing but we were now partially protected by a small hill and the wind really wasn’t bad here. Seemed like a good place to start fishing! We had already decided to use a still fishing technique from our classroom sessions. We would suspend small emerger patterns or scuds under a strike indicator and wait for the take. We spaced everyone apart along a few hundred yards of shoreline and began fishing. These gals had learned so much in a short period of time and they were already very good casters. However, the wind was getting stronger and making it VERY difficult to get long accurate casts to where I felt the fish would be cruising. I was so impressed with their determination. There were already big macho types that were scrambling back to the warmth of their vehicles as other ladies kept working the fly lines. They wanted to catch fish SO bad! I moved up and down the bank to offer any help that I could.

Hours went by and no fish. I was so bummed but the wind was getting worse and the ladies were freezing. I finally gathered up the ladies and made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. I told them how proud I was of their determination and the fact they stayed out in conditions that I would not normally fish in myself. I said, “we can keep on fishing or go to my cabin, build a big fire and have lunch”. As much as they wanted to catch fish, I only had to offer the fire and lunch one time. As we packed up and headed back to the cars, I could see the happiness on each face. They had learned something new and if they could fish in these conditions, just think how much fun they will have on a warm summer day casting to rising trout. This will all seem like a distant memory then. Cheers to my Fly Girls, I was very proud of them and I hope to see them on the water many times this summer. Great job ladies!

If you are interested in signing up, contact Wright and McGill for the next class this summer. You can reach us at info@eagleclaw.com or 720-941-8700. Ask for Al or Chris.

This story even comes with a happy ending. Anna, one of the Fly Girls, would not be stopped by a little weather. A few days later she went back up to Spinney, determined to find her first big trout on the fly. I am happy to tell you those classes paid off! What a great first fish. Based on that smile, I think she is hooked!