2018 Fly Fishing Resolutions

2018 Fly Fishing Resolutions

2018 is here.  It’s a weird vibe, if I am honest.  I don’t think I was ready for it.  It’s easy to think of it as another year gone, but it might be better to think of it as having another year to look forward to.  Another year to plan.  Another set of goals to accomplish.

Personally, I am jaded about New Year’s resolutions.  Something about it being what everyone else does that I mentally rebel against.  It’s not bad to have goals really, but I always think that instead of resolutions, what people really just need is a lifestyle change.  Instead of resolving to lose 25 pounds, commit to a lifestyle change of eating better and working out 3 times a week.  Instead of saying “I am going to save more money”, make an actual plan and carry it out.  You don’t need a new year to show up to do these things too, you can do it at any moment!

Sorry, I get annoyed by the resolution thing.  Maybe it is the influx of people at the gym for only the first two weeks of January that annoy me…but I digress.  This is about fly fishing resolutions!

And unlike losing weight, or saving money, or “I am going to be more intentional” (I have heard this before and WTF does it actually mean); fly fishing goals/resolutions are actually fun.  We all want to be better people, and our goals get us there…but it’s good to have fun goals too.  So what are your fly fishing goals?

Unsure?  Here are a few ideas that can help you come up with a plan:

• Get a Colorado grand slam (catch a cutthroat, brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout in one day)
• Catch 5 new species this year
• Catch an alligator on the fly
• Fish new water at least once a month
• Catch a carp because if you haven’t you should and they live pretty much everywhere
• Take a fly fishing road trip with close friends at least once
• Plan a DIY saltwater trip.  Seriously there are a ton of DIY saltwater trip options that are relatively inexpensive.  The big 3 are obviously bonefish, tarpon, and permit.  But don’t discount other incredible saltwater gamefish either such as snook, stripers, albies, redfish, black drum, sheepshead, rock bass…the list goes on.
• Teach someone new to fly fish or tie flies
• Volunteer at least once with your local conservation effort (TU, Western Rivers Conservancy, etc.) to protect and preserve your local waterways.
• Learn a new fly fishing technique (Euro nymphing, spey casting, double haul, streamer fishing, swinging flies, the list goes on)
• Watch this video below, it’s a long one, but it might help you think outside the box.  What does it take to catch a steelhead every month of the year when you still have a whole lot of work and responsibilities to take care of.  It’s a long one, so pop some popcorn and get ready for some incredible visuals.