a few things I have learned that I wish someone told me.

[willis5]

Took a fly fishing class this weekend with my fiance and a friend to get them into fishing and the outdoors. Here are some things that I learned from going out on the river to fish for the first time that I learned through the experience...

1. Take a class; it will save you a lot of frustration and time (you will already get frustrated and spend a ton of time... why increase it w/o a class)

2. A fishing buddy is one of the only people that can truly appreciate your story for what it is REALLY worth.

3. You WILL fall in and get wet eventually (fiance and I did on the first day )

4. If you buy chest waders, you shouldn't think that rushing water to your chest is a good idea to wade into. hip waders and upper thigh water... again, not a good idea.

5. Ask questions and trade flies with experienced veteran flyfishermen

6. Waterproof or don't bring what you don't want wet.

7. If you don't think you will get it wet, see #3.

8. Buy a collapsable wading staff and tie it to it's scabard. it will fall out of your hand eventually, and it is invaluable when wading in turbulent water.

9. if you want to save a lot of wasted time and effort (part of the fun) get a guide on new rivers. They can show you what that river is about and give you a better base understanding to figure out on your own how to fish future rivers.

10. When someone shows you up (my fiance caught a 13 inch rainbow on a #16 hares ear) and you get skunked... at least be happy for them.

11. Stop to enjoy the beauty of what you are surrounded by.

I learned all of this on my first outing yesterday... What are some things that you have learned?

[flatlander]

Great tips! Here are a couple that I've picked up locally. They may not apply in some of the more traditional waters.

1) Bluegill can be a lot of fun on a 4 wt--especially the big ol' bulls.
2) If you are going to have 2 guys flycasting from a small boat, make sure it is a canoe. You will need all the separation you can get. But see number 6 above. Canoes aren't necessarily stable when 2 guys are casting from them.
3) Dry flies are alot of fun, but wooly buggers are the workhorse. Bring lots of them.  
4) Finally, this isn't a contest. Enjoy yourself and be happy for everyone who is catching fish. Isn't that what you really want to remember in the first place?

[eroyd]

A few off the top of my head:

1) The fishing is always better from the otherside.
2) Assume your fishing behind idiots.
3) Cover the close water before you go stomping in.
4) Try to pre-tie knotts, instead of hastily tying crappy ones on/in the river.
5) Never, ever pull out a camera to take a picture of buddy playing a record     fish.
6) While standing in a river playing a fish up close, keep your legs together.
7) When wearing chest waders, do not wait until the last second before you have to take a pee.
Occasionally, put the rod down, sit on a rock and enjoy.

[tomaldridge]

Tie good knots.  No one ever regretted tying good knots.

Concentrate on fishing, not casting.  If you want to fish over there, go over there.  

Don't try to educate fools.

[1911crazy]

I'm still new and i don't really know where to start yet but i'm trying really hard to learn what i can before i go out.  I found a hatch chart at some mail order fly places on the net that helped understand what flys to buy and what months to use them.  But its still match the hatch too.  While there is a lot too fly fishing it sure seems worth it.  I plan on going Salmon fly fishing soon here soon, I want to go fly fishing for everything too like panfish, bass, pickerel  and Pike too.  I look forward to learning too and I heard one tip that presentation is the key.           BigBill

[Major]

Just remember that 90% of a fish’s diet is insects so why fish with anything else?   I fly fish, spin fish and even baitfish but the fly-fishing is always the most productive.  

I find wet flies and nymphs are the best followed by streamers.   Don’t worry about long casts… like someone else already said, fish the close water first before you walk in it and don’t get your legs too far apart or a fish will go between them and wrap you up in your own line.   I had a steelhead do that to me once.   It sounds funny now but it wasn't at the time.

[cgturner7]

Mind the line you strip in.  It's tough to fight a fish (bonefish!) with the extra line wrapped around the butt section.

Increase your odds by using a twin-fly/dropper set up.  

Get stuck flies unstuck with a quick roll-cast.

Look down at your waders every once in a while to see if any insect life is crawling up.  This will give you a clue as to which fly to use.

[SQUACKS]

let me see if i can remember a few.

 1. even if the trout are rising like crazy, look behind you before you cast.

 2. that split shot you pinch to your leader will feel like it weighs a pound if
     it hits you right between the eyes.

 3. a barbless hook can be removed easily from a fish.....and just as
     easily from your nostril.

 4. a mosquito hatch in the evening is rightfully a hatch. not a pleasant
     hatch...but a hatch none the less!

 5. a salmonfly is a really big fly but it does not posess the ability to knock
     you down and bite your arm off...i hope!

 6. running water does strange things for the anatomy. be
     prepared!...often!

 7. be courteous! when you see a fellow angler standing on the bank
    wearing the best simms waders, the best orvis vest, the best rod and
    reel money can buy and he has a 2 inch bobber on it fishing the rod
    like a cane pole, do not laugh out loud and in his face! be polite.....
     snicker in your sleeve!

 8. give advise freely. fish are always taking #32 comparadiggers so tell
    everybody that will listen that's what your catchin em on! it's worth a
    few giggles watching them trying to tie them on! remember the sleeve.

 9. there is no trout worth the gas money it costs to get next to one so by \
     all means have fun!

                                            luck!