As a beginning fly fisher, you will spend a majority of your time reading all manner of material to learn how to fish. There will be many levels of sophistication to this and you will soon learn that the sport is broken down into enormous levels of detail that can seem overwhelming as you look for clarity, certainty, simplicity.

The proper gear set up, the cast, the presentation and fly pattern selection will occupy your time for years to come. Beyond that, entomology, gear hoarding, habitat, where to fish, the fly fish culture or fly tying may enhance or burden your ability to stay focused on the basics of how to read water, present the selected fly in a likely spot that would hold a fish. 

As time progresses, you will develop certain instincts based upon your studies and success/failures on the water. The accumulation of input, while fishing, is the most beneficial. The process of fishing will become more fluid as your intuition or gut instincts steer you toward successful outcomes. This is the most enjoyable aspect of fishing….intuitively stalking and connecting with ‘the moment’. 

The reality is, the more you fish, the better you will perfect not just your motor skills, but also your instincts. Presentation….presentation….presentation (casting, location, presenting the pattern to look real).