First-Time Anglers Explore Fly Fishing at Bon Tempe

Before their respective sessions began, to Olivia & Haleigh and Burree & Chris, fly fishing was a true mystery.  Eager to get fishy, they cruised into Fairfax full of questions and little idea of the joy they were truly getting themselves into.

We discussed the basics of the sport, including how rods and lines work, and how fly fishing differs from traditional fishing.  Then we let the feeling of the rod and line take over.

After one hour with a rod in hand, everything clicked. The questions started to fade away, and the zen-like feeling of fly casting took over. Before hour two, we were on the water and targeting fish, discussing where the fish hide and how they feed.  At Bon Tempe, we were on the lookout for Bass (both smallmouth and largemouth), as well as Bluegill.

We discussed the techniques we use to trick fish into taking our hooks. Bass have a lateral line along the body, from the gills to the tip of the tail, which is made of pores specialized to detect low-frequency changes in the water. These frequency changes are caused by water displacement from bugs, frogs, birds, or smaller fish that they prey on.  

Casting our line into fishy areas we dance the flies through the water, or across the surface (depending on the fly of choice), making lifelike movements. Soon we are attracting fish. The casting turns into fishing and the fishing turns into catching when Olivia hooks and lands her first Largemouth Bass on the fly. The clear, low, clean, freshwater of Marin County has now turned into a playground for these new anglers! 

Garrison Fishing Guides specializes in instructional intros and hands-on learning for first time and novice anglers. Curiosity is all it takes from you, we will handle the rest. We will work with you to define the sport and put a reason behind every action taken. Questions will get their answers and you will understand the fundamentals of what to do with a rod, reel, lines, and flies.