Fly Fishing at the North Fork Ranch
I woke earlier than usual, that soft, silent beat of excitement drumming inside me. A quick kiss to my happily sleeping husband and a hot cup of coffee in hand, I was ready for the day. I double checked my fly-fishing gear, not willing to miss out on what today had in store. The chill of my leather seats reminding me that summer was not quite here yet even though we had just broached May. It was already 6 AM, but the world seemed asleep on this bright and sunny Saturday. I-25 normally jammed with vehicles all in a rush to somewhere, lay silent ahead of me, it seemed almost as grateful as I was for the reprieve.
The rising sun on my left, booming mountains on my right and the whisper of adventure on the horizon; the dream. Coordinated by Colorado Women Flyfishers and located at the North Fork Ranch, the day was packed full of seminars, time on the South Platte and short breaks in between for breakfast and lunch, they run a tight ship. I walked in the door only to be immediately greeted by a group of women who seemed as excited as I was, all eager to learn and even more happy to fish together. The energy in the room was palatable among the 20 or so of us present. The minute I had turned off 285 and hit the dirt road towards the ranch, the world became a different place. Cell phones and laptops tucked away, thankfully taking us back to a more primitive time. The trees looked greener, the sun brighter and the water, the water just about takes your breath away. Over the years they have created a unique environment for trout to thrive here, growing larger and healthier each year. The North Fork Ranch is Orvis Endorsed and shows in every arena. We spent a blissful morning in the lodge, learning from their guides on areas ranging from casting, rigging up, and entomology. Between all the guides present, there were over 80 years of experience, an honor indeed to learn from these knowledgable men.
After a delicious homemade lunch boasting sandwiches, soups, and an out-of-this-world 7-layer dessert bar, we all but lumbered outside. Bellies full, we spent the next few hours practicing casting and then techniques on the water. The ease with which the guides handled their fly-fishing gear impressed us every time. We giggled and clapped in awe when the guide in charge of the techniques on the water seminar accidently caught a beautiful rainbow during the demonstration. Their willingness to share their knowledge and educate us to become better fly fishers had us all dumbstruck with appreciation. The tips and tricks they shared were game changers for any fly-fisher seeking to become better at the sport.
By the time we headed to the water, my mind kept churning over one of my favorite pieces of advice from the day: “The moment you feel that fish on the line, set your hook and then relax, find your Zen and begin working the fish in.” Unfortunately for me, Zen was the last thing I felt when I had a fish on the line. At times, the excitement bubbled over to small shrieks of glee and giggles of laughter; it wasn’t pretty, and it was far from the Zen mode this expert guide suggested. But just as life is a process and it is said it more about the journey than the destination, I vowed to get there one day.
As the afternoon sun shone bright, we disbursed onto the South Platte, each headed to find a spot to settle in and fish. Our minds swarmed with all the information we had learned that day from high sticking to setting the hook to working the fish in and mending our line when needed. The list goes on. I few of us clustered upstream and all found cherished stretches of water. I settled in at an area that looked to have a nice flow, a few seams and ripples, indicating a healthy trout environment. I had my eye on a beautiful, deep pool just below the edge of the property line. My nymphing rig was loaded with flies that I prayed would be the chosen food for the day. Trout are picky beasts; it’s one of my favorite things about them. Beyond technique, I have learned that so much of this sport is about using the right materials for the water you are fishing; it can be a challenge. Some days I seem to check every box with ease, others I feel like I am wrestling a bear to find what will work. It is this appeal that keeps me coming back, always learning. One week you have finally figured it out, your landing fish left and right. The next, you don’t catch a thing. It is a humbling experience but also the reminder that fly fishing is an art, and it is about the journey after all.
Back to the river, on the verge of catching fish (fingers crossed!) that edge of excitement travels to the sides of my extremities. No matter how many times I find myself at the edge of the water, it never changes. In truth whether I land a single fish or not, the real treat is the chance to be there, present in a moment where the sound of the river washes over you and your focus hones in on one thing. And thus, this is the closest I have ever been to finding my Zen.
A Rainbow Warrior and Peg-Egg fly through the air, and I take the deepest breath I have taken all day. My eyes remain glued to my indicator, and within seconds, it gently dips below the surface, I quickly set the hook downstream. I remind myself of the guide Tim’s recommendation; “the last thing you want to do when you have a hot fish is to stop the line.” So, I don’t, I let him out and bring him back in, slowly working him towards me in a tango. With no one else in sight, I finally feel the weight of him in my net and sit back with a humph. First fish landed and still hours on the water ahead of me. He was a beauty, those cherished rainbow colors glancing off the sun with a bright sheen. Several hours on these esteemed waters flew by between helping to land fish for others and landing my own. There were smiles all around as we bonded over fly-fishing, good food and an epic day at the North Fork Ranch.
In the end, I did find that rhythm, the steady beat that I chose to hold onto to instead of losing my cool when a fish was on the line. I realized that finding my Zen was going to be a daily accomplishment rather than a won & done situation. And for the final time that day, I remind myself that it is ALL about the journey rather than the destination.
-Kathryn
