This is a tale of my first year’s journey fly fishing. It’s a tale of my quest to learn, to peel off the multitude of fishing layers like a Vidalia onion, of a passion and yes, an obsession to fish. Actually, this first column acknowledges many of you in the DVWFFA membership who took me under your wing and infused me with your confidence-building pointers. To you, I will always be ever grateful for your kindness and concern. And, the joy I see on your faces when you and I are in the stream fishing focused.

In subsequent issues, I’ll share with you some of my learning curves in the hope that you benefit from my novice trials and errors. As a result of DVWFFA, “I’ve come a long way Baby”---I grew up not wanting to sweat, nor get into mud. Now, I am a fly fisher who thinks there is nothing finer than to be in full waders in the middle of a stream. After concentrated effort to nymph, I like nothing better than to look up and realize I am in another one of God’s Green Cathedrals. It’s awesome and humbling. For me, it’s not so much about catching fish as it is fishing with the fish. I treasure this slice of life. So here goes….

“Don't forget to share your fish tales with your sister DVWFFA members.” That’s from Mary Kuss’ email. I thought about it some and then decided that if it encourages one sister to expand her fly-fishing, or to affirm another’s pleasure in a fly-fishing experience, I’d pen some words. It’s about what my life’s been like in one year’s time, since April 2003 when Kathleen Baker invited me and I joined DVWFFA. This began a whole new chapter in my life due in major part to some extraordinary women who encourage and support others in their efforts to shake the awkwardness of newbie-hood and enjoy the sport of flyfishing—layer by layer—learning and practicing. 

Here are a few of the highlights of my first two seasons:

Fly Fishing Clinic at the Kettle Creek Lodge in Oleana, PA, June 2003—Best-ever comprehensive introduction to fly-fishing in June thanks to Mary Kuss and Rabbit Jensen. Laura and Steve are great hosts and the food is nourishing and so good. Also, this is a great time for all the experienced DVWFFA fishers on the variety of area streams nearby; 

Little Juniata River, in July. Thanks to Donna Trexler, who talked me through wading some difficult spots and techniques for reading the water, and to Mary Kuss who took me under her wing one morning and off we went to fish together. This instilled more confidence building that I needed desperately, and all because I offered her my favorite cooked Scottish oatmeal for breakfast. That’s the congeniality and besides, Mary wants to help fishing sisters. After Mary headed home, Dee Lehman explained how she learned to differentiate between the myriad of flies by learning to tie her own. Her wise words were, you won’t forget the different types when you tie the flies yourself. She too, took me on the stream and I learned some more about reading the hatch. 

And, then there was a second Kettle Creek trip in September, in the cabin this time, with coordinator, Susan Proulx. I met Shelley Caney for the first time and enjoyed a delightful trip both up to Kettle and back and all the fishing spots in between with the group of us. Susan made every effort to get the attendees well prepared for the trip with the information she sent in advance and her willingness to explore new fishing spots which she, Judith Palmer and Eleanor Peterson so joyfully tracked through the Pennsylvania Gazeteer to locate new fishing spots. 

Eileen Baltz and I have enjoyed the Yellow Breeches. Eileen continues to mentor me when I ask those questions you’ve always wanted to ask but were afraid to feel foolish. No fear of that with Eileen or any of the DVWFFA members. Next, husband Patrick and I were guided on the Yellow Breeches by Tom Baltz who I’ve acknowledged (in an earlier newsletter) as an excellent guide with the gift to teach new skills to eager flyfishers. Nymph Fishing on Spring Creek, Fisherman’s Paradise and Benner Springs with Tom and flyfishing guide and author, Don Bastian from the Bellefonte area was another layer of learning. 

And then, there was a wonderful and encouraging invite from new DVWFFA member, Lisa Doricchi who invited members to come to Chesapeake City and fish the Susquehanna Flats for stripper off her boat in April 2004. Lisa captains this boat admirably well through all the fishing spots. I joined Jennifer and Georgia and had the time of my life casting off the bow while the winds blew and the waves had us dancing in the breezy salt air. Thanks to Susan Eggert’s enthusiasm and capabilities we learned and tried our hand at salt water fly casting. That’s a whole new ballgame. Although catching was spotty for the surrounding boats as well, Lisa did get a striper though not the size she’s used to hauling and releasing.

As though that wasn’t enough, Lisa arranged to have us fish for bass and crappie on a large private lake using a Jon boat and Lisa’s other boat. And fish we all caught—lots and lots of them. Susan Eggert eased me through the pains of fishing while sitting down in a boat and not getting my line wrapped around my shoe ties. My frustration level was reduced in direct proportion to her calm, reassuring manner. Also, traveling with Jennifer made the round trip to Maryland enjoyable and gave me an opportunity to learn about her fishing trips West and those out of the country. 

On another note, Kathleen Baker and I wanted to join our husbands at Kettle Creek to fish the spots we’ve come to love. And this came to pass on May 12-14, 2004 when we met at Kettle Creek Lodge with husbands, Dean and Patrick, our son, Brian and the Baker’s friend Jim who was just beginning to flyfish. We fished before and after breakfast, all day and after supper. The stream condition was elevated but falling; fishing was good but catching spotty and the conversations filled with hearty laughter. The forests of Potter County are very special, so lush with early spring greens the streams’ intoxicating smell, welcoming your feet to wade in the waters and FISH ON.

It was special when Brian took me out at 5:30 Friday morning. We went to a spot he had found the day before, where the heavy mist was still in the grass and the undisturbed spider webs showed that no one had passed before us. He taught me to crawl to the stream’s edge, and how to flyfish while sitting on the steep bank along a deep hole with easily spooked fish. His observations of the waters, the pools, the riffles, the currents and the fly selection were as on target as I heeded his nuances for casting to the target. I caught my trout as I cast across my body and upstream on a slight curve. I could never have done that without Brian's fishing guidance. What a pro to learn from, I feel it was a Mother's Day gift of a lifetime. It made my heart sing and rested my soul in a sweet peace.

As a result of my casting practice at Kettle Creek, Pat and I decided to fish at Clarks Creek on Sunday. I caught 5 trout from several points within one area, my all time best ever. I matched the small hatch and caught all my fish on a creamy Sulphur, size 16. Usually, I’m in the stream to practice casting and more casting. This time, I retrieved the same Sulphur from this one overhanging branch successfully--three times because I used the technique Mary Kuss taught us. I knew it tested fate and my knot-tying. It wouldn’t be the same next month though, when the trout at Clarks Creek would be wary, the water lower and even clearer. And, the fish would be too spooky to be easily fooled or too well fed on the naturals to want my presentation. But, that's the fun of hoping and trying. And my special thanks to Patrick, for being a staunch supporter of my flyfishing experiences, we love to fish. That only means there is more to learn and to perfect and that I will eternally be humbled by the mass of intertwining tippet that occurs when you know you shouldn’t have done whatever.

I had been having great trouble casting to a target, getting any distance and being consistent. Nor was I able to internalize techniques to improve my repertoire when the waters presented varying challenges. So, in May 2004, I attended the Wulff School of Fly Fishing that ran from 8:00 PM Friday night through Sunday-- till we said our sad goodbyes to the staff and our nineteen colleagues. We recalled what an incredible learning experience Joan Wulff and her staff provided, including, Floyd Franke who has just published an excellent salt water flyfishing book entitled, FISH ON! Subsequently, I have found that through diligent practice of Joan’s techniques, I significantly improved my casting to a target. And, when I stray from those principles, I am able to regroup and regain my composure and focus. That program remains one of the most useful tools for me. I’ll have more on that in a subsequent newsletter. (For those of you who are considering attending the Wulff School in 
2005, just do it; you will not regret the experience. And, the Beaverkill Valley Inn had an attractive package. It was close to the School, convenient and the food and ambiance delightful, not to mention that I fished the Beaverkill just a bunch of steps from the Inn’s front door!!!!)

In June, Shelley Caney and I met more DVWFFA members on the Fishing Creek trip. We stayed at the Fishing Creek Angler Lodge, a trip that Nancy Simpson ably coordinates. Fishing in a variety of areas was very helpful to me and I had a chance to fish with the girls to dusk searching out the waters for trout. Along with Judith Palmer, 
Nancy Jacobson, and Wendy Flegal, we shared some wonderful stories, and laughed till our sides hurt and tears flowed. I will remember Judith obliging our request that she lead us in thanksgiving with her lilting voice—such a simple joy. Our fishing guides, the fishing stories after, meals together, laughter and sharing fishing information make each trip with DVWFFA sisters a special time that builds lasting memories and friendships. 

And finally, July 2004, Eleanor Peterson encouraged me to join her at Ultimate West Flyfishing in Cranbrook, British Columbia. We fished several rivers for the Westslope Cutthroat trout, a feisty fresh water trout that originated in the Kootenay Rockies in southeast B.C. and averages 1 to 2.2 pounds. We had a splendid five days, red-letter days catching trout after trout while we waded, rafted and drift fished, and in some places, had the extra bonus of a little white water for extra fun. The forests were remote and exquisite; we fished dry flies-only in pristine waters. And best of all, our guide extraordinaire, Jason Harvey took us to fishing holes that he enjoys. We stayed in the lovely Tartan Trout Guest House hosted by Sandra and Gary Gow that “specializes in soulful solitude and spectacular dry fly fishing the way it once was.” Sandra and Gary extend themselves to provide helpful information prior to the trip and a memorable experience in a safe setting. It was a trip that Eleanor and I truly enjoyed- not only the fishing but all the ambiance of Canada’s beauty and the gracious people we met.

Perhaps this has encouraged you to take advantage of the wonderful events DVWFFA has to offer--attractively priced packages and its incredible members. Check out the opportunities in your own community to raise your bar of experience flyfishing. 

PS, a number of us midstaters meet together monthly at Magnolia’s Restaurant just for dinner and a long leisurely discussion on flyfishing and life’s happenings. We look forward to these sessions and come away feeling good. It’s DVWFFA that continues to encourage its members to get together and share their knowledge and the joys of fishing. And, for that I am especially grateful to the officers and membership who warmly welcome women to the stream. 

--Diane Dougherty--