The Water Column Freestone Aquatics Monthly Newsletter—Fall 2009

Winter 2010 Photo Essay Classic Colorado trout

Freestone Aquatics

Father & Son Fly-Fishing Isn’t Always Easy by Shawn Bratt

My father and I have fished together for nearly 25 years now. Along the way I’ve fished with many other fathers and sons and it’s been interesting to compare their relationships to my dad and I. I’m sure many of my friends don’t forget fishing with us. We still get invited on trips but I think it’s more to do with having boats than our relationship.

I was fortunate to watch a friend from nine years old grow up fishing with his dad. They have a very fun relationship. The dad would ask me where to take a trip each year, and I would pass along ideas from the South Fork of the Snake to the Bow River in Canada. I was always invited but often not able to tag along. The dad spoiled his son with cool trips. At 12 he caught a 22” brown on the Henry’s fork. When he was 15 he landed a 34” bull trout on the Bow. I enjoyed days fishing with them on the Platte and teaching the son more of the technical details about fishing to picky fish. I’d taught the son how to tie and seeing him pick off tough trout on the surface with his own creations was always a treat. The key to their relationship was that the son listened. The dad wasn’t out to teach him everything, just to make sure they had a good time.

Another relationship that has been interesting is watching a father and son get into the sport together. The dad thought the sport would be great for the two of them to do together. The son took to fly-fishing quite quickly and eventually was guiding before high school was up. Shawn and his father Rudy Freestone Aquatics, Inc PO Box 271229 Phone: 303.807.7805 Littleton, CO 80127 Fax: 303.972.6412 www.freestoneaquatics.com The Water Column Freestone Aquatics Monthly Newsletter

Father-Son Fly-fishing Continued:

I’ve always enjoyed fishing with these two. They have also taken some outstanding trips, but it’s great to fish with them on their home waters. The father realizes how much his son knows and welcomes his input. It’s not to say they don’t have a skirmish once in a while, it’s easy to be hard on your dad when he’s not listening.

My father and I have had an interesting time. He helped me get started fly-fishing, and quickly I was out fishing with friends from school. One trip to the Bighorn my dad built a rod holder for the raft. The design didn’t support the en- tire rod length. Sure enough when dad hopped out of the boat on the rod holder side, he got caught up and ended up snapping 2 rods. I had built both those rods, and I was clear in letting him know my frustration. He was pissed for breaking the rods but probably more pissed at me for yelling at him. On another trip to the Horn, I pulled the boat in at the tail of a nice run. I’d seen a few fish holding as we floated by. I told dad to walk up with me and I’d set him up. He wanted to go down stream. So I take my grandfather up to the fish. After ten minutes, and while my Grand- father had his 3rd fish on, dad rolls up and wants to take a shot. I politely explained that he had his chance when he chose not to listen to me.

Over the years I’ve grown up and my father has also accepted that I’m just as stub- born as he is. I may have all the patience in the world when teaching other people how to fish, but I’m still learning to be patient with my dad. At least my dad wasn’t on the trip when I put a 6” tear in a chamber on his raft! He probably would’ve made up for the amount lip I gave him for so many years. Point to this story is that father and son fishing isn’t always blue skies and smiles. Appreciate your fishing buddies, no matter who they are, and remember that we all have something to learn from each other.

Shawn Bratt has been guiding and teaching , fly tying, and rod building for over 15 years. You will not find a more passionate individual dedicated to the sport of fly fishing and the protection of our rivers.

Freestone Aquatics, Inc - www.freestoneaquatics.com

15 Minutes of Fame The Freestone club

Fly fishing and solitude are rare things to find together these days. The Freestone Angling Club was formed to provide just that: Fly fishing for healthy populations of resilient trout in solitude. The Club works with landown- ers to supply unsurpassed angling opportunities while maintaining proper resource management and stewardship. All of our waters are managed by professionals to assure healthy and sustainable bug hatches and trout populations for years to come. We invite you to join us; Annual memberships are currently available. Please con- tact Clint Packo for more information, [email protected] - 303-807-7805.

Freestone Aquatics, Inc PO Box 271229 Phone: 303.807.7805 Littleton, CO 80127 Fax: 303.972.6412 www.freestoneaquatics.com The Water Column Freestone Aquatics Monthly Newsletter

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