Great day on the Grand, 2 tiny fish...

My buddy has been urging me to try the Upper Grand for fly fishing. I finally took his suggestion last week and got skunked. I wasn't too worried since I haven't landed a fish in about half a year. Met a bunch of nice people, had a good time.
Today the wife's on vacation. Kids are with grandparents. I raced up after work.
I took his suggestion for where to go. Got there, found some fish, worked my way to them, then tried to figure out what they wanted.

I'm newish to fly fishing, and have had almost no success at it.

Today I presented and adjusted. And was rewarded, in my small way. A pair of small browns, one about 10", the other 8".

I couldn't figure out how to entice the larger fish, and wanted to move on, so I did.

Last time I saw a bunch of stocked trout stacked at the second location. While I was trying to entice them a nice sized res came over, had a look, and then decided my technique was poor. I was hoping to have another chance...

I arrived, sat, and had a look. Seeing nothing, I thought I'd just get in and search. Then I get the 'seen any' and I have a quick chat with the guy.

Went a bit up river, came back down, found him sitting on the bank. Sat down.

And hour, maybe more, I left with a huge amount of knowledge; about hatches, timing, temperatures, different systems, just so much. So many regular posters say do the leg work, and talk to people. They are right.

It was a great afternoon. Thanks Vince.

Learning all that new stuff is better then catching fish. Sounds like a great trip out.

I always learn something new when I go out fly fishing. And never underestimate the shallow rapids when you're doing the leg work...try a few casts if you may. I would say dries are great at this time on early morning or late afternoon. caddis pups, midges and larvaes on high noon...

A day out is better then sitting in front of a computer living life through someone else’s eyes.

There’s been many a times I would do more talking with others or just sitting at the side of the river observing then actually fishing. I remember when I first started fly fishing over 20 years ago and all the help I received from the veterans of the sport. I find it awesome that more and more people are starting to pick it up and give it a shot.

Glad to see you had a wonderful time out, I frequent those waters very often and at some point probably bound to bump into me, just watch for the guy with the green bass pro hat...

Yep, it was a good chat. Extended to rivers closer to home.

And how building community helps people and fish. He told me about his network of friends. As we sat he got text after text of emergence news. People sharing with a group the results of their hard work.

Made me think of all the garbage people report about on here, the disrespect people have towards others, and to fish. No way you get on his text list if your out snagging, poaching, or being a ass to others.

I feel your pain. Today I was out on the Saugeen, and didn't even get a strike. Yesterday, on the Credit, I caught 8 brook trout between 6 - 9 inches long (all released). I also started fly fishing this year, and have had a lot of success in terms of numbers, but the biggest fish I've caught have been a 12 inch brook and a 12 inch brown. I can't help thinking I'm doing something to spook the larger fish.

I'd like to think that it's just the time of year, but I'm not convincing myself . Still, even though I was skunked today, it was a great day on a gorgeous river.