Welcome to "You Can Do This," a look at activities worth trying for people of all abilities in the Sacramento area. To suggest an activity, email smcmanis@sacbee.com.
The activity
Fly-fishing
Where to do it
Heck, the American and Sacramento rivers are right here. Other prime fly-fishing spots are the Sacramento River around Redding and north of Shasta Lake, and along the Delta, in Lake Tahoe and the Sierra, and the Trinity and Klamath rivers.
What's the big deal?
Sam Yee, one of the few Federation of Fly Fishing certified casting instructors in the Sacramento area, says: "I really just like to watch and observe nature. It's almost like going back to the cave man days, pretend you are hunting and gathering. It's a very peaceful but also challenging (activity)."
Want to learn?
Yee gives free casting lessons at the monthly meeting of two local clubs, California Fly Fishers Unlimited (www.cffu.org) and Fly Fishers of Davis (www.dcn.davis.ca.us). Yee also is available for private fly-casting lessons at Sam4homes@aol.com.
"Some have the knack and pick it up right away," Yee says. "You can go into a little pond and fly-fish on your first day."
The cost factor
"The sport is kind of expensive, it's true," Yee said. An entry-level rod and reel can be purchased for about $200, with additional costs for accessories. Several shops can assist with equipment: Kiene's (www.kiene.com), American Fly Fishing (www.americanfly fishing.com) and Fly Fishing Specialties (www.flyfishing specialties.com).
Read up
Several websites offer instruction, among them:
• www.theflyfishing-guide.com.
• flyanglers-online.com.
• www.virtualfly-casting.com.
Tell us why you love it
Already a veteran fly angler? Tell us what you love about it. Share in the comments field below.
– Sam McManis smcmanis@sacbee.com
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