On the Fly: Recovery room

One of my favorite things about fly fishing is the release of the fish. There is a moment shared between both of you, especially if this is a fish you’ve been trying to catch for an hour, day, season, or lifetime. Eye contact is made. You get a chance to size each other up, and you both are hoping the other treats you well. Whether we are talking about the fish or the angler, this applies to streams, lakes, and saltwater, too.

After the fight-or-flight instinct and your skill plays out, you get a moment to hang out together. Some fish fight tooth and nail until you wrestle them in; others seem to find a sense of inevitability and calm. Some fish splash you in the face as you are trying to be gentle and release them; others will stay by your feet or the boat and hang out a while. Each fish is different, just like the angler.

I don’t know if there is a better feeling you can get on the river or saltwater flat when you look back down to check on the fish in the “recovery room” and realize they have swam off. It gives you a grateful feeling to know they swam away unharmed, albeit with a temporary sore lip or confused look. Making sure the fish swims away under their own power is even more important (I think) than selecting the right fly, making a perfect cast, or any of the multitude of factors involved with catching it in the first place.

Some struggle, others fight, some stay calm. This applies to the fish and angler, alike. I hope you get to size up a nice fish soon and make some eye contact before you let them go.

This report is provided every week by Taylor Creek Fly Shops in Aspen and Basalt. Taylor Creek can be reached at 970-927-4374 or TaylorCreek.com.