Interest in a fly fishing forum section?

[thinhorn_AK]

Anybody else have a fish species Life List?

I have a list of 10(ish) fish I'd like to catch on the fly, at least a solid representation of the spiecies, before I float upside down myself.

Redfish, Dorado (Mahi), Bonefish, Permit, Golden Dorado, Taimen, Stripped Bass, Giant Trevally, Roosterfish, Tarpon, and a bonus, Striped Marlin.

Steelhead and at least one type of Salmon are probably the biggest voids I should probably include, if I can let go of the nice round number of 10.

I've already caught Golden Trout and Grayling, which otherwise would have probably made the list. Triggerfish are the most odd species so far.

Maybe if I just drop the ones I've caught and add the one's I haven't, the wife won't even notice! Actually, she likes doing this as much as I do so she'd be all for the additions.

Hoping to add bonefish and if the Good Lord's willing a permit this May in Belize and a Salmon in AK in August.

Yup. I had a huge list but I’ve been lucky to check a lot of it off the past few years. Still on my list;

-a big tarpon, like 100+lb
-golden dorado
-roosterfiah
-GTs
-taimen

I’ve been able to catch lots of salmon,’rainbow trout, grayling, a few steelhead, bonefish, tarpon, permit, and some other stuff. Those bonefish in Belize are small (Mexico too), when I chase them there, I take a 7wt, they are much bigger in Hawaii and the Bahamas.

 

[307]

... and just when you think your list is set you remember Muskie and Dolly Varden...

But, then the idea of a DIY Fish Life List is appealing too or adding a requirement that they be caught on flies you personally tied... This topic is perfect for overthinking.

***I really don't like fishing with a guide, but it's simply a necessity in many of the tropical areas.

Ahhhh, and Peacock Bass, so freaking cool to see when they're all bright and colored up.

 

[Dos XX]

Yup. I had a huge list but I’ve been lucky to check a lot of it off the past few years. Still on my list;

-a big tarpon, like 100+lb
-golden dorado
-roosterfiah
-GTs
-taimen

I’ve been able to catch lots of salmon,’rainbow trout, grayling, a few steelhead, bonefish, tarpon, permit, and some other stuff. Those bonefish in Belize are small (Mexico too), when I chase them there, I take a 7wt, they are much bigger in Hawaii and the Bahamas.

I have caught some pretty big bonefish in the Bahamas. The Biggest bones I have ever seen were in the Bahamas in February. The conditions were not good, and they were not willing participants.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

... and just when you think your list is set you remember Muskie and Dolly Varden...

But, then the idea of a DIY Fish Life List is appealing too or adding a requirement that they be caught on flies you personally tied... This topic is perfect for overthinking.

***I really don't like fishing with a guide, but it's simply a necessity in many of the tropical areas.

Ahhhh, and Peacock Bass, so freaking cool to see when they're all bright and colored up.

Too many cool places to fish and interesting fish. I saw a video about a trip to the Amazon to fish, the were dredging some big old sharp toothed things up. Also arapaima, the largest freshwater fish out there.

Dolly Varden are neat but super annoying when you’re trying to catch rainbows and they keep taking your fly. Arctic char too.

 

[MarlinMark]

I am going to Colorado and am trying fly fishing for the first time. Any beginner tips?

I would get with a local fly shop where you are at to get a few casting lessons before going. Flatten the learning curve. I hate trying to teach someone on the water while we are supposed to be fishing.

 

[eamyrick]

I would get with a local fly shop where you are at to get a few casting lessons before going. Flatten the learning curve. I hate trying to teach someone on the water while we are supposed to be fishing.

This 100%. I’m pretty much self taught but in the beginning my wife got me a 1 hour casting lesson and it flatten the learning curve dramatically. (And YouTube university)

Also-a lot of my first trips were solo, 12-13 hour days fishing at Yellowstone. You tend to learn a lot casting all day by yourself.

 

[Ferrulewax]

This thread needs more photos

 

[Fireflyfishing]

I vote “Fishing” sub-forum rather than “Fly-Fishing.”

 

[Acorn]

Supplemental nutrition on a hunt a few years ago, back when I was stubborn enough to tote around an extra 5 lbs of fly fishing gear.

 

[307]

Too many cool places to fish and interesting fish. I saw a video about a trip to the Amazon to fish, the were dredging some big old sharp toothed things up. Also arapaima, the largest freshwater fish out there.

Dolly Varden are neat but super annoying when you’re trying to catch rainbows and they keep taking your fly. Arctic char too.

Arapaima look like amazing fish but the method of trying to catch them on a fly looks terribly boring. Blind casting and extremely slow retrieve in the jungle doesn't seem like my idea of a good time. But, those red tipped scales might make it worth it.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Arapaima look like amazing fish but the method of trying to catch them on a fly looks terribly boring. Blind casting and extremely slow retrieve in the jungle doesn't seem like my idea of a good time. But, those red tipped scales might make it worth it.

For sure, Id still love to do it. It's like catching sailfish on the fly, they chum the water then you cast into it, sort of strange but I'd still love to do it. I just like catching fish on a flared, I'm no purist.

 

[Treeratslayer]

For sure, Id still love to do it. It's like catching sailfish on the fly, they chum the water then you cast into it, sort of strange but I'd still love to do it. I just like catching fish on a flared, I'm no purist.

I think catching one would be 1% of the fun. Being in a place like that, seeing creatures that seem out of a kids imagination. That’s the fun. But that 1% sure would make for a great photo.


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[Treeratslayer]

Supplemental nutrition on a hunt a few years ago, back when I was stubborn enough to tote around an extra 5 lbs of fly fishing gear.
View attachment 1011430View attachment 1011431View attachment 1011432View attachment 1011433

I can’t break that habit no matter how hard I try. I love hunting beyond words but no part of me can walk by a lake like that and not fish it.


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[Treeratslayer]

I vote “Fishing” sub-forum rather than “Fly-Fishing.”

I guess my theory is it would break down into subs. Like currently there’s what? Big game hunting? And under that elk, deer, sheep…. Fishing could be the same. Fishing and then fly, spin, etc.


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[thinhorn_AK]

I think catching one would be 1% of the fun. Being in a place like that, seeing creatures that seem out of a kids imagination. That’s the fun. But that 1% sure would make for a great photo.


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yeah it would be awesome. anymore, when people talk about moving to different places for hunting opportunities, I just think how short hunting season is. fishing Eason is longer, move somewhere for fishing and just travel to hunt.

 

[Treeratslayer]

yeah it would be awesome. anymore, when people talk about moving to different places for hunting opportunities, I just think how short hunting season is. fishing Eason is longer, move somewhere for fishing and just travel to hunt.

And looking at tag allocations, they’re about to get a lot shorter. Catch and release allows much more freedom, and you can still see some wild places. Wife and I are looking to go to NZ next year to explore and do a little fishing. Can’t afford to get a rifle over and game back but a fly rod is a carry on!


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[mntnguide]

Just got back from Belize, hoping to go back again this year. I just love flats fishing, right there with roosters off the beach. . Already did Mag bay twice and got to free cast to giant schools of marlin, mahi etc which was a blast, but dont need to do it again now. Seeing a permit tailing on the flats is right there with seeing a giant shadow in a big surf wave of a rooster coming after your fly when it comes to adrenaline.

Id say my top 2 bucket list fish right now would be Golden Dorado in the jungles of Bolivia. Dont have much desire for the bigger water stuff where you just blind cast all day. Then GTs is also high up there, just as much for the adventure to get to the areas they call home. Sea run browns in Tierra del fuego would be cool as well, but I tend to want to spend my money on going warm tropical places when it comes to fishing trips.

Until my next trip out of the country, ill have to rely on steelhead season pretty soon and then some summer highcountry trips with the horses. But might throw in another trip south of the border for permit if a deal presents itself on short notice.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Just got back from Belize, hoping to go back again this year. I just love flats fishing, right there with roosters off the beach. . Already did Mag bay twice and got to free cast to giant schools of marlin, mahi etc which was a blast, but dont need to do it again now. Seeing a permit tailing on the flats is right there with seeing a giant shadow in a big surf wave of a rooster coming after your fly when it comes to adrenaline.

Id say my top 2 bucket list fish right now would be Golden Dorado in the jungles of Bolivia. Dont have much desire for the bigger water stuff where you just blind cast all day. Then GTs is also high up there, just as much for the adventure to get to the areas they call home. Sea run browns in Tierra del fuego would be cool as well, but I tend to want to spend my money on going warm tropical places when it comes to fishing trips.

Until my next trip out of the country, ill have to rely on steelhead season pretty soon and then some summer highcountry trips with the horses. But might throw in another trip south of the border for permit if a deal presents itself on short notice.

Did you land a permit? I’ve landed 3 but yet to land a grand slam. My first trip to Mexico I got bonefish and permit one day, tarpon and permit the next, 3rd day I only got bonefish. I just couldn’t deal the deal.

Where in Belize where you fishing? I’m going there for a few weeks this summer, I’ll probably just stick to ambergris caye and caye caulker.

 

[mntnguide]

Did you land a permit? I’ve landed 3 but yet to land a grand slam. My first trip to Mexico I got bonefish and permit one day, tarpon and permit the next, 3rd day I only got bonefish. I just couldn’t deal the deal.

Where in Belize where you fishing? I’m going there for a few weeks this summer, I’ll probably just stick to ambergris caye and caye caulker.

unfortunately i did not this time. . We got hit with a bad cold front with lots of wind and rain..made fishing tough. caught lots of good sized bones. The good days we had, we saw a lot of permit. And in reality, the only reason i didnt hook up was my fault, i should have been casting before the trip, but i didnt and paid the price. 1st morning, 5 minutes into the first flat I had 6 tails at 80-100ft...and totally messed it up, and messed up a good number more through the rest of the trip. Our guide did all he could to put us on fish, and we saw a lot, just didnt get one to the boat. . We were in Southern belize, Blue Horizon lodge and I will 100% go back there. . Ive fished northern belize out of El pescador, and I personally wont go back there compared to the stuff out of placencia for permit. We saw very few other boats, whereas up by san pedro, they are all over. We were less than 10 minutes each morning from lodge to fishing, which was nice. Our guide said during spring/summer an average day for them is 10+ good shots on permit a day. They also get a lot of really big migrating tarpon around too. Which place did you fish in Mexico? id like to do the ascension bay stuff as well, a friend fished with Kay fly fishing lodge and caught a super slam one day and saw lots of permit on that trip.

 

[307]

Already did Mag bay twice and got to free cast to giant schools of marlin, mahi etc which was a blast, but dont need to do it again now.

I see this comment fairly consistently. It's more of a "one and done" experience where other types of fishing tend to warrant return trip(s) with no real end in sight.