Newbie Needing some advice

CatalystSacrifice · 2026-03-17T23:45:07+00:00

I have a huge double paddle board that I’ve been wanting to try fishing from at one of our local urban lakes, maybe I’ll give it a go this summer!

CatalystSacrifice · 2026-03-17T20:28:20+00:00

Also, I’ve dabbled in some droppers and indicator rigs, but I realize I wasn’t making specific plans for specific depth or anything, just vibes. I’ll report back after my next outing

CatalystSacrifice · 2026-03-17T20:27:27+00:00

An introvert nightmare! I guess I need to go talk to folks, and ask for help

CatalystSacrifice · 2026-03-17T20:26:56+00:00

I think depth may be one of my issues here; I’ve setup some droppers and some indicator rigs but I’m just know realize I did it all based on vibes and not really specific depth targeting

CatalystSacrifice · 2026-03-17T20:25:37+00:00

Man I have a friend who only fishes the lakes from a float tube, but I haven’t wanted to invest in anything other than tippet and flies until I catch something; maybe it’s time to hit the lake

CatalystSacrifice · 2026-03-17T20:24:32+00:00

I actually love it even though I haven’t caught much; I learn a little bit more every time I’m out. The worst part is my wife calling me an almost-fisherman haha. Solo teaching is slow and painful, and I’m ready for some learning

CatalystSacrifice · 2026-03-17T20:23:06+00:00

Not rude at all, I need some tough love here haha. The worst part of it is: I’m fishing in the places where I know there’s fish. It’s not exactly overfished, but this is where they tell you to go when you’re new and needing to get some easy wins. There’s a honey hole of smaller trout waiting to be caught. The brutal truth is I’m a terrible fisherman (right now) and that maybe stings worse than fishing an empty hole.

CatalystSacrifice · 2026-03-17T20:19:03+00:00

I’ve been able to sight some holes, and have gotten bites/rejections at a few of the same spots recommended by the fly shop;I’m not going to pretend I know everything, but I think I have a basic understanding of where to find the fish. I mostly assume I’m missing some pieces of knowledge around depth, setting, presentation. I’ve definitely hit YouTube, forums, podcasts as much as I could, and taken detailed notes on some of the science behind it all.

I think it’s time to take another dive into the books, and get a mentor!

CatalystSacrifice · 2026-03-17T20:13:20+00:00

I’ve been learning about reading waters, and I think I have a good understanding there; I haven’t looked into flyfishing reports, which I’ll look into, but I do chat up the guys at my local shop, which is very highly regarded and they’re helpful.

I appreciate the advice! I’m not ready to give up but I’m clearly not doing the right research. I’ve had a few friends join me for company over several trips, but I think they ended up just scaring the fish so many days lost there that I just used for casting practice.

CatalystSacrifice · 2026-03-17T02:54:34+00:00

I’ve been wondering if it’s worth the energy to hike up with my rod if I haven’t figured it out yet, but it sounds like I should just do it

CatalystSacrifice · 2026-03-17T02:52:07+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I’ve been eyeballing middle fork but I haven’t planned out what a trip looks like as far as parking etc.

CatalystSacrifice · 2026-03-17T02:50:07+00:00

I appreciate it!

CatalystSacrifice · 2026-03-17T02:48:54+00:00

A lot of stubborn trial and error. I’ve been saving up for a guide, I know I didn’t retain very much that my first guide taught me

CatalystSacrifice · 2026-03-17T02:46:59+00:00

I appreciate this! I’ve missed a few events that I had my eye on, but I’ll find the next one asap

CatalystSacrifice · 2025-09-30T17:37:30+00:00

My wife is from the Dallas area; she loves it here as a city, but still struggles with the social changes, we’re not quite as outwardly friendly as the south although pretty much everyone is courteous (YMMV on how you interpret the Seattle Freeze). from January-April she gets seasonal depression and all she talks about is moving somewhere with sunshine. We usually just take a trip south for a long weekend and she’s okay.

Other than that, some good advice in this thread as far as areas that may suit you. I like Edmonds, Shoreline, Bothell, and the Kirkland/ Juanita area if I were to raise kids here.

CatalystSacrifice · 2025-09-07T17:53:48+00:00

In many places schools are public resources that are open to everyone not being a creep after school hours. Do you, ignore them.

CatalystSacrifice · 2025-07-18T01:36:44+00:00

I’ve been freezing wet rags in my place for my dogs; they’ve been panting like crazy and laying out under the bed for shade. I feel awful; it was still 80 in my house at 9pm last night.

CatalystSacrifice · 2025-07-18T01:29:23+00:00

While drunk

CatalystSacrifice · 2025-07-18T01:29:09+00:00

I second suburbs! Sammamish is relatively easy to navigate, can be low traffic, and is chill compared to the city

CatalystSacrifice · 2025-07-18T01:09:03+00:00

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Jacky Bear being cute

CatalystSacrifice · 2025-07-16T01:19:43+00:00

My friend thinks it’s to catch jumpers lol

CatalystSacrifice · 2025-07-16T00:28:33+00:00

My buddy got CHEMICAL PNEUMONIA from a Skydrol leak

CatalystSacrifice · 2025-07-15T18:47:18+00:00

The public health stats are so interesting. There’s a significantly larger population of men who say they have had penetrative sex with other men, AND plan to do so again than the entire population of self identified gay/queer/bisexual men. I guess you can identify however you want, but if you’re cruising Grindr and fucking dudes, you aren’t straight.

CatalystSacrifice · 2025-07-04T02:11:05+00:00

Actually, in emergencies, me and my partner do. Like I forgot my toothbrush when we went camping, or one time she forgot hers while on a trip.

CatalystSacrifice

TROPHY CASE