My grandfather passed away some time ago and his last request was that we spread his ashes at his favourite fishing spot, Sapeye Lake. It's in the middle of nowhere (no offense, folks from the Chilcotin) in British Columbia, so it has taken us a while to organize the trip, but we're finally headed out later this spring.
He left behind for me what seems to be a decent fishing rod, a net, some hand-tied flies, and fishing line. Unfortunately he wasn't a great dad or grandfather and us fishing together wasn't ever going to be in the cards, so I've never been. But even though I didn't know him well I'd still like to give fishing a try while we're out there, because as flawed as he was I am grateful that he thought to leave me something. So I picked up a fishing license and figured I'd do some fishing at the lake.
Problem is that I've got no idea where to start and am a bit overwhelmed at the prospect.
First of all, other than a fishing license, what else do I need? Having brainstormed, I'm thinking a sharp knife, something firm to hit the fish with (presuming I get that far), a towel to help grip it, a pair of pliers to remove the hooks. Something to keep the fish cool in, maybe. Anything else?
Secondly, what do I need to learn or do before I get out there? I did some research on how to remove hooks and kill a fish efficiently (I don't want them to suffer for my inexperience) and I suppose I'm going to have to learn how to string my rod and cast it, but what else?
Third, does my equipment even go together? I remember offering my father in law some of the flies my grandfather tied and him scoffing at me because he wasn't fly fishing. Do they not work if you aren't fly fishing? Is the rod I have a fly fishing rod? It's pretty light, and my grandpa almost entirely fished in lakes, so I feel like odds are it's appropriate, but I'm really not sure.
Oh, and because I know this is relevant information, my understanding is Sapeye Lake is largely home to Rainbow Trout, so that's what I anticipate catching. If I manage to catch anything.
Anyway, any and all advice is greatly appreciated – I appreciate your veteran knowledge!
Posted by WandersongWright
7 Comments
1. Flies don’t work well with a open faced reel since they are too light I’d try to get some other lures or a fly fishing rod and reel.
2. Learn how to tie an improved fisherman’s knot. It’s pretty easy and should do you just fine for most freshwater species.
3. Get a Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis for the are you plan to fish so you know what the laws are.
Sorry for your loss ❤️ so you have flies for a fly fishing rod and then a conventional spinning rod and reel. Depending on what you’re fishing for. Get some little Cleo spoons, rooster tail/mepps/panther martin spinners. Some artificial baits like rapala’s. Depending on how old that reel is, it would be beneficial to get new line. Then for bottom fishing you need some hooks, swivels, snap swivels, clamp on weights or sliding egg sinkers. Get some monofilament or flourocarbon line to use as leader. (The line you will use to tie from a swivel to a hook. If you have bass around, get some senkos, bullet weights and worm hooks. Also if you have stocked trout ponds, get some power bait and a rod holder.
Water bobbers will help get the flies out there. They will work in high altitude lakes for trout, if that’s what you’re after.
What you have here is spinning rod and reel that is not compatible with flyfishing.
You have few options here, set up the rod you have with a new line and get few lures (small spinners and spoons since those work very well for trout). Other option you can use instead of lure fishing is to set it up for bait fishing(either the bottom rig or with the float).
If you want to use the flies, you would need to get a completely new setup for it, so i would sugest to start with the above option since fly fishing is not exactly the most user-friendly begginer introduction into fishing world.
Great place to get into it is checking “Addicted Fishing” youtube channel, as they are pretty much exclusively focusing on trout and salmon fishing, or simply put the “trout fishing tutorial” or similar term in youtube search. Explaining the fishing is very broad and i always recommend complete beginners to watch some youtube videos to start or ask for some help from a friend that fishes if its possible.
Booze
seems you thought of everything you need.. maybe instead of towels buy a glove and get it wet before you grab the fish. something firm to hit the fish with almost always exists in nature.
your setup doesnt really go together but ive been using flies with a spinning rod too, get a bubble float it will help you cast the flies. if you want alternatives to flies bait is always good, i think in bc they like cooked shrimp but maybe thats a lower mainland thing. could also get some spinners size 2 i think would be good.
What line do you have? For trout 4-8lb is usually fine. The rod has its rating for lure weight and line strength on the underside before the first eyelet
For rainbow trout you can use flys and a water bobber to cast out further but use a long 4-6” long leader before the fly
Id get a tackle bag or box, a knife, needle nose pliers or hemostat forceps, a stringer….kinda like what you said already. Instead of a towel get a net preferably one that’s rubberized.
If you want some more spinning rod specific techniques and gear Id also get some spinners like rooster tails and spoons like kast masters. CD rapalas or some small jerk baits. If you plan on using bait like worms or soft plastics you can get some bobbers I like the slip style ones, some bait holder hooks size 6 and smaller, swivels or snap swivels and weights like split shot and/or some bullet or egg style ones for bottom rig fishing.
Some advice…really focus on line management, close your bail before you start reeling after casting, keep your tackle presentation as simple as you can and practice knot typing. I use Palomar, uni, surgeon, and rapala knots mainly.