"Dave Mc" wrote...
What do you think is the most important aspect in fly fishing?

Your at a gold medal, medium sized stream, trout are 10" to 20"
and they're all over the place, but won't take anything. The area is well
fished, the fish are spooky but also used to fisherman being around so, they
don't run and hide. No hatch, no fish rising.

Casting?- putting the fly exactly where it needs to be.
Fly selection?- match what they're eating!
Presentation?- drag free, correct depth.
Stealth?- don't let them know you there.

None of the above. I just got back from fishing a stream much like you describe,
and the most important aspect is to not have some freakin' a-hole on the
opposite bank wade - no splash like a baby in a wading pool - within ten feet
upstream of the run you're trying to fish, then stand 10 feet away from you
while he casts into the pool you were stalking that now has no fish. Then make
sure he doesn't get a phone call and talk on the phone like he's in a busy bus
terminal.

Hmmm, I guess I *am* a little ****ed. ;-) I spent the whole weekend with
honey-dos just so I could disappear for a few hours today to get some peace and
quiet on the stream for the first time this season. Yeah, that worked out well.
--
TL,
Tim
http://css.sbcma.com/timj