Fishy Fridays by Confident Angler: One fly fishing tip, one fly to try, and one inspirational post to get you fired up to fish this weekend. 🎣
Hey Reader,
Be honest. How many times have you shown up to the river with a plan, a perfect forecast, and sky-high expectations... and then nothing goes right? Yeah. Me too. More times than I want to admit.
It happens to everyone. And sometimes there’s nothing you can do about it except adjust your mindset.
I always have big expectations when I go fishing. Always.
The conditions, the river, the time of year. All of it feeds the story I'm telling myself on the drive over. And honestly? I don't think that's a problem. The excitement is part of it.
But here's the thing. Some of my worst days on the water started because I couldn't let go of those expectations once I got there.
The fish aren't cooperating. The hatch never shows. And suddenly I'm frustrated. Not because the fishing is bad. But because it doesn't match the movie I was playing in my head.
I've started catching myself in those moments. When the frustration creeps in, I take it as a signal that I'm focused on the wrong things.
I stop casting for a minute. I slow down. I look around. I notice where I actually am. And I let myself be grateful for it.
When I stop chasing a specific outcome, I'm more present. I notice things I was missing. I adapt faster. I enjoy the day even when the fishing is slow.
And weirdly enough? I often catch more fish when I stop trying so hard.
You don't have to show up with zero excitement. Just practice letting go of the story once you're out there. Slow down. Look around. Fish the moment you're in.
Some caddis species stay active through winter. Trout eat the pupae as they drift along the bottom or rise toward the surface.
The Deep Sparkle Pupa has a soft, buggy look. The sparkle dubbing catches light and looks alive in clear water. Dead drift it near the bottom or swing it through slower runs. A slow lift at the end of your drift can trigger strikes.
📸 One Inspiring Post
Good beard. Good brown. Good times.
New Zealand-based, @igor_slavik_ landed the only take of the day, and just look at that face. That's the kind of joy you can't fake. One fish. Totally worth it.
P.S. If you’re tired of guessing but don’t want to hire a guide every time, a Trip Blueprint Session gives you the best middle path. In 90 minutes, we’ll build a complete plan so you can show up prepared and fish independently with confidence.
Here's what Cody had to say about one of these sessions...
I’ve been fly fishing for about five years, mostly self-taught through YouTube and guided trips, but I still felt stuck when it came to confidently reading water and dialing in the right rivers and gear. I decided to book a Trip Blueprint session with Derrick, and it was exactly what I needed.
He walked me through specific river recommendations I’d been struggling to figure out and shared practical gear setup tips and tricks that immediately made sense. The session boosted my confidence and gave me a clear path forward instead of more guesswork.
If you’re lacking confidence in reading water, tying knots, or getting your gear set up properly, I highly recommend contacting Derrick. He’ll help you reach that next level.
Note: Some links in this email may include affiliate links. I only recommend gear I use and trust. If you buy through these links, it helps support Confident Angler at no extra cost to you.