Re: [VFB] Why I Fly Fishing/Tie Flies?

[Eddie D]

Compared to all the other stories I've read, this is going to sound like it belongs in a picture book. I've enjoyed reading all of your stories so far, and now its my time to contribute.


I learned what a fly rod looked like 2 years, 5 months, and 15 days ago. I learned how to cast it a day later. I went up to Fishing Camp in North Central Pennsylvania for a week. I think my parents went to the beach that week, and at first, i was mad. HAH! they got cheated. It was a small camp, 5 other guys up there, and no one knew how to cast. The first time I picked up a fly rod, it was a 600 dollar rod(the guy running the camp is rich). Once we had casting down, we all wanted to try it out on the smallies. Ken(the rich guy) said no way. He made us tie on a hook and bait it with worm. Then he spread us out a little along the trout stream and told us to catch the big one. The big one was a 3 pound "legend" of a brown trout. After about 2 hours of fishing, most of the guys got bored. We were catching those little brookies. 3-6 inches, but they could tug. 4 guys headed up to the cabin. Jack Flood(who used to be on list) and I stayed behind, and our friendship was infused. So was our love for fly fishing. We must have caught 30 brook trout a piece using worms, and after a while, that big ole' brown came out. I put that worm right infront of him, and he took it. Took the hook and 6 inches of tippet with him too. Ken then allowed Jack and myself full use of his "not so top of the line but still cost 300 dollar" rods. Once he knew we were seriously into it, he told us about flies. He gave us each a box of flies to use with his rods. We took them everywhere with us for the rest of the week. We would occasionally catch some small mouth on them, and on the 6 hour drive home, we both would not shut up about how we were going to be fly fishing legends. We both went home and bought the same kit to tie flies, along with our own fly rod/reel getups. I've been hooked ever since. I've been known to bring in my vice and some materials to school and sit and tie flys when there was a substitue or no real class. The teachers dont know what to say, so I get away with it. I live, breathe, eat, sleep, and talk about fly fishing. Constantly. No like literally. I draw out new patterns on my test answer sheets, im thinking of new ways to improve flies, the perfect colors to match this fly that just landed on my desk. Its a full blown obsession. Thats my story, and im stickin too it.


-Eddie Dillon
Tidewater Fly Co.



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