Embrace the Suck

Uncomfortable is where the magic happens. Tackle that gnarly stretch of river you've been eyeing. Experiment with flies you have zero confidence in. Heck, switch hands and cast with your off arm for a day. Feel clumsy? Good. You're learning. The best anglers aren't content with "good enough." They're the ones who embrace the suck, who fail spectacularly and get back up grinning. That's how breakthroughs happen. That’s how you discover your next favorite fly. That’s how you figure out your casting ain’t that bad when the focus is on technique–no matter which arm holds the rod. And get a grip. You’re fly fishing. Really, how sucky can it be?

In this week’s edition:

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IN THE RIFFLES

Image by Mike Doughty

Trying to catch trout in water you’ve never fished before is like trying to find treasure without a map. There is no "X" marking the spot, no wise sage to tell you where to cast or what fly to use. You can, of course, try randomly casting flies and hoping for some sign of life. But you can be a lot more productive catching trout on new water by starting in the right places with the right techniques. In short, you need to prospect…


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