Editor’s Note:

The world of fly fishing is rich with wisdom from seasoned anglers who have honed their craft over years of experience. Their tips and techniques are invaluable, offering deep insights into everything from perfecting a cast to selecting the right fly for any situation.

But sometimes, amidst all that expert advice, it’s refreshing to hear from someone just starting out—a beginner navigating the learning curve in real time.

In this interview, we’ll explore the perspective of a novice fly fisher- Joe Hultzen. Joe had the opportunity to fly fish for the first time in Montana (what a way to start!) and he tells us about his early challenges, small wins, and the simple joy of picking up a fly rod for the first time.

For those who are new to fly fishing or thinking about giving it a try, this conversation will hopefully feel both relatable and encouraging.

Wooly Buggin: Tell us about your first fly fishing trip!

Joe Hultzen: The first day of the trip involved a float down the river with a guide. Let me tell you, if you are a beginner like me, and you’re able to do it, this is the way to go. You cover a ton of water over the whole day, you have a knowledgeable guide telling you where to throw your line, when to mend, and changing out flies for different spots of the river. It’s worth the time, effort, and expense to hire a guide to get you started.

Let me say, when I brought in my first fish on a fly rod the very first thing I thought to myself was “I get it”. I get how so many people can obsess and put some much effort into this sport. Getting that fish in the net is something I am always going to remember. We spent the day floating down the river, catching fish, telling stories, and taking in the sights, it really was an amazing first day.

The next two days were equally amazing, just without the fish. I ended up getting skunked the next two days and I could not have cared less. This may be in part due to the first day being so successful, it may be in part that I was never expecting to catch a fish in the first place, it also may just be part of my “go with the flow” attitude, who’s to say. In my opinion, maybe 1% of fishing in general is about actually catching a fish, fly fishing is no different. Enjoying the moment you’re in and the process involved with what you’re doing is what made fly fishing so enjoyable. Actually catching a fish, for me, was just extra.

WB: Before this trip, had you ever fly fished before?

JH: Before my first fly-fishing trip, I was about 30 minutes more experienced than an absolute novice. I had practiced with a fly rod casting in the driveway and listened about the basics of where to look for fish, when to strip line, and how to bring in a fish. Beyond that, I had never cast a fly into the water, let alone caught a fish with a fly rod. That isn’t to say I was a complete novice to fishing in general, I had used spinning reels and baitcasters plenty of times, and even had some success on some lucky occasions.

WB: What motivated you to try fly fishing?

JH: Fly fishing always looked interesting to me from the outside. That stereotypical image of a fisherman in the middle of the river with a long line behind him and that bend in the rod just before the cast. Wading through the water, searching for slow-moving spots in the river, with a net on their back, all while being surrounded by beautiful scenery, it definitely has its appeal.

I also saw it as a challenge, something that I knew was difficult, something I had never really tried, and something that I wanted to take a stab at. Having friends and family that were into it also peaked my interest. Something that I had been hearing about for years but never had the time to take up.

WB: What were your perceptions of fly fishing before trying?

JH: That it was impossible to even get the line out into the water. That I would be tangled in line from the start and I would be picking flies out of the trees and bushes. I thought that if you didn’t have the perfect cast, that the fish would know and turn their nose in disgust. While it may be partially true at times, that was not the case for most of my trip.

WB: What was your first impression when handling a fly rod?

JH: It felt incredibly light and fragile. Was difficult to control at first but eventually I was able to get the hang of it. A lighter touch was always the way to go.

Going into this fly-fishing only trip, I knew going in that I wouldn’t have the luxury of being able to pick up a spinning reel that I was more comfortable with if things got tough. I was going to have to figure things out and make it work no matter what. Oddly enough, that was comforting to think about. I knew what I was getting into and knew that it was going to be a challenge, which in its own way made things easier. It was obviously helpful to have someone with me who had more experience and actually knew what they were doing. Someone that could answer my questions, and offer advice when I was struggling was a necessity.

WB: What was the most challenging part of learning how to cast?

JH: Finding the rhythm of casting took a minute and when to bring the line forward was something I had to get used to.

WB: What’s one mistake you made early on that taught you a valuable lesson?

JH: Casting is more about rhythm and touch than strength. There were a couple times when I wanted to get the line further out, learning that a softer longer touch more than a strong one was the way to do it.

WB: How did you feel after your first successful catch?

JH: “I get it”

WB: What do you wish you had known before your first fly fishing trip?

JH: When to set the hook. I was much more used to feeling the fish and setting based on feel. Setting the hook here is more based on sight, especially at the beginning when you may have a little extra slack in your line. Because of this, fly fishing feels more mentally draining than other types of fishing. The fact that you need to stay focused at all times, keeping your eye on the line or indicator can be exhausting and may lead to some frustrations.

WB: How has your perception of fly fishing changed since you started?

JH: That it is more accessible and intuitive to pick up than I originally thought. It doesn’t take years and years of practice to get the fundamentals down and be able to a least get a fly in the water. With a little practice you can get your fly in the water, and with a little luck you can land a fish.

WB: What piece of advice would you give a beginner who is just starting to fly fish?

JH: Broadly speaking, the main piece of advice I would give to someone interested in fly fishing is this: Don’t get hung up on actually catching fish. That may sound weird to say but it takes a lot of pressure off yourself, especially if you are a beginner. Enjoy the place you’re in and the people you’re with. Try to learn a few new things, and don’t be afraid to mess up a bunch, it’ll happen.

Through all that, you are bound to get a bite and get that picture of a beautiful brown or rainbow in your hands. If you don’t, it would probably still be a pretty fun trip.

WB: After your first trip, would you say that fly fishing is hard?

JH: No. It may have been a little intimidating at first but it certainly is not hard. Once you simplify everything to its most basic pieces and get to the point where you can get your fly in the water, everything becomes pretty intuitive.

WB: Now that you’ve had a real taste of fly fishing, would you go again?

JH: Of course. Now that I know the basics I would be much more comfortable taking a quick day trip somewhere. Especially seeing how easy some of the rods and reels are to transport I can see myself putting together a basics kit to have ready to go whenever the mood strikes.