Twenty Twenty-Fun
With 2020 in the rear view mirror we can all look forward to getting back to normal in 2021. Like most people at the start of a new year, I look forward to setting resolutions and goals for the upcoming year in hopes of accomplishing those goals by the end of the year. While most of my goals revolve around fly fishing, I believe it’s important to set goals so that you have something to strive for and something to measure yourself against. Call me shallow, but I like being able to say I’ve quantifiably accomplished something during the year. In regards to fly fishing I think it’s especially important to set annual goals if you wish to become a better angler. With that being said we all know life gets in the way of reaching our goals sometimes, but setting multiple goals some of which are more easily obtained than others will help advance your skills.
While we all like to have lofty goals due to the excitement it brings, setting realistic goals and reaching said goals will shape you into a much better angler. Striving for something simple such as learning to double haul will not only improve your casting but help you obtain others goals for the year, lets say catching a redfish on fly for example. By practicing your double haul at home and accomplishing that goal you’ve now improved your chances of catching a redfish on fly when the time comes for you to make that 50ft cast to tailing redfish. Now this isn’t to discourage you from setting those big goals but it's important to take it in stride. Too often I see beginning fly anglers with very high expectations from the start but keep in mind its a marathon, not a sprint.
Last but not least, have fun with it. While some goals may be challenging and even frustrating at times its important to remember the reason we fish in the first place. With that being said here are a few of our personal fishing goals for 2021
Jacob Eanes:
Catch 10 new species
This is an ongoing goal of mine and it helps encourage me to travel and learn new methods of fly fishing. Some of the species I hope to catch this year include bowfin, freshwater drum, buffalo, and sharks among other things.
2. Catch a new species of gar and a new salmonid
I mean this is just a cool one. Gar are one of the most interesting native species we have and I also have a healthy infatuation with all things salmonid.
3. Lake Nottely Striper
This is my local lake and its about time I figure out how to tackle its largest predators. Hopefully I can tie into some bass large enough to tow me and my little jon boat around the lake.
4. Carp on a 1 weight
In the spring, Lake Nottely carp come shallow and are easy to target with small flies and light tippet. As such, I want to challenge myself to catching one of these hard fighting fish on my lightest rod, a 1 weight Redington Butterstick!
Collin Fuller:
Like the article suggest I have three primary goals for this year each a little more difficult than the last
Learn to tie a Game Changer Fly
With COVID-19 giving me more than the usual downtime at home this past year I became more obsessed with fly tying and began filling boxes for various species accordingly. There is something special in catching a fish on a fly you tied as simple as it may sound. One of the biggest innovations to fly tying was the Game Changer by Blane Chocklett. If you haven’t heard of of this style of fly before I highly suggest checking it out (Game Changer Fly) . Learning to tie some variation of a Game Changer has been a goal of mine since I started tying and with the extra time spent this past year learning new techniques I now think it’s something I can accomplish with a little practice.
Learning the Carp Fishery in the Greater Nashville Area
Since moving to the Nashville area and spending a few hot summer days poling the muddy flats of various rivers I have become more intrigued to figure out the Common Carp fishery in the area. After gathering solid reports from friends and others in the industry this off season it has become a priority of mine to fish for Carp more often come spring and summer
Catch 10 new species (Prioritizing 4)
Like Jacob, the ongoing quest to catch new and unique species on fly helps us learn more about a particular fishery and encourages us to visit new areas as a result. Catching 10 new species by 2022 is obtainable but there are a few fish that have been haunting me since starting this challenge. Longnose Gar, Bowfin, Shoal Bass, and Muskie are 4 species I plan to dedicate extra time to this year in hopes of knocking them off my list
