7 Levels of Fly Fishing

I have met as many kinds of fishermen as stars in the sky. Lots of varying personalities and skill levels make for pure enjoyment and this pastime would not be as fun if we were clone like and boring. This list has little to do with style preference, meaning dry, nymph, or streamer. If I included those variables this would be painfully long. I like comparing it to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs believing that there are strong parallels between the two. Physiological, psychological and the end result being Self Actualization. Which level are you?

1. Catch a fish, any fish on a fly. Does not matter what size or what method. Any fish on a fly. Love to have these folks in the boat. No expectations, believe every word out of your mouth, and have a great time.


2. Catch lots of fish. Size again not important, just having the rod bent all day is the goal. Nymphing guides dream, until he can't feel his arms anymore from too many row-a-rounds. Soaking the net is really cool.


3. Land a big fish. Monster battle, biggest fish of your fishing career. First big fish, for most it is 20", a respectable fish. Fun for guides too, means the clients will rebook.


4. Catch lots of big fish. Natural progression in your fly fishing evolution. Who doesn't want to catch a boatload of big fish. It is infectious...the Missouri is the place to pull this off as we have a 17" average. 19" average if your fishing the Mo with a Bighorn guide, and using his measuring stick.


5. The Impossible Fish. Hunting, finding, and catching that prick of a brown, who is a 2 footer, plucking spinners 1" from the shore, tucked behind 3 overhanging sticks, upstream, wind from the north...you've seen these fish. Guides love this level. Can kill enough time in the boat to devour both lunches, yours and your clients, and all you have to do is find a few of these fish, sit back and relax. All fish are catchable and it is real exciting to see it executed well.


6. Self Actualization. The finest of all 7 levels. Sit back and enjoy the day. Catch a few fish, chat with your fishing partner (see Blog entry: Choose your fishing partner wisely), nice lunch with a $3 bottle of red, make some casts at the impossible fish, or not. The level 7 guest is an outstanding guest in the boat. They are happy, non competitive, well adjusted and possess good angling skills. It's the fella who actually does practice casting in his backyard. The only fights in the boat are in regards to which fisherman isn't going to fish at that sipper on the shore. They just suck it all in, no rush, self actualization.


7. Worst of all levels. You become a guide. Not recommended for any readers of this blog. I love being a fly fishing guide and most guides are happy individuals. My suggestion is that you enjoy the 6 previous levels, moving amongst them freely, because it is OK and advisable to like fishing. There are dark sides to living the dream, just ask your guide.

Hope you can identify with one or all of the 7 levels of fly fishing. You will definitely know when you have reached level 7, if you look like one of those guys in the picture above...sunburned, tired, glazed, confused eyes, and vacant of all emotion.