Fly fishing casts its spell

A couple of hours of fishing on the Provo River in mid-April were enough to convince her to make a financial investment in her new-found hobby.

"I loved it!" Ramsey said of a fly-fishing class offered last month in Park City, meant to introduce women to the sport. "I drove straight from the river and bought my own gear."

Ramsey was one of about 30 women who turned out for a free class offered by Trout Unlimited, High Country Fly Fishers and Jans Outfitters. The three-day class included an introduction, a session on casting and a fishing trip to the Provo River.

"Trout Unlimited has many facets," said Bob Dibblee, president of the Utah State Council of Trout Unlimited, who organized the class. "One of the things we do on a local level is to promote fly fishing. We also do a lot of river restoration and work on legislative issues."

Dibblee said he began fly fishing about 15 years ago, after his son got hooked on the sport.

"I've always enjoyed fishing," he said. "I call (fly fishing) the crack cocaine of fishing. It's just a very exciting way of fishing. It's a bit more technical. I really, really enjoy it."

Dibblee and the other members of Trout Unlimited met with the women on a Wednesday night. About two-thirds of the prospective anglers had never fished, and most were looking for something enjoyable to do outdoors.

"I like the catch-and-release, and I really just like being out in nature," Ramsey said, noting some of the wildlife she saw on her brief outing. "This is great for me."

The first thing prospective anglers should understand is that there is more to fishing than throwing some bait in the water.

"Fly fishermen get to know more about entomology," said Larry Culley, a guide for Jans Outfitters. "Every day out there is different. That's the wonderful thing about fly fishing ... And it's always rewarding."

In fact, fly fishermen swear that catching fish is not a requirement to having a good time.

"I don't know of anyone who can have a bad day on the river, even if they're trying," said Culley.

The theory of those who already love the sport is simple: Try it; you'll love it.

Dibblee said they offer this classes to men and women, but they usually teach them separately. He said the sponsors occasionally get questions about whether or not husbands or boyfriends can come along.

"We say, 'No, this is just for the ladies,' " he said.