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Wow, sounds like you hit the ground running! WTG.
One book I truly love is "Hatch Guide For Western Streams".
I will tell you when, where, what. Plus it gives several different patterns for the same fly.
Plus a small hand book so you can pack it in your gear.
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Thank you Flygoddess, yeah I got a little carried away. I will look that book up right now. Thanks again.
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I second FG's recommendation on the Western Hatches book. It's always in my tackle bag.
My two cents is to buy a handful of standard patterns such as Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulator, Renegade, Hopper, etc. These seem to work in almost any situation.
I learned the most about fly fishing standing on the Trial Lake Dam and casting to cruising fish. There is little behind you to catch your back cast and Uinta trout are usually willing to hit any fly.
Personally, I think the Provo is not the best place to learn unless you have someone with you who knows the river.
I think what makes fly fishing a life-long passion for so many is there is always something new to learn and dozens of different techniques to master. I don' think anyone ever forgets their first fish caught on a dry fly.
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Thanks kandersonSLC, I forgot to mention I have my uncle to help me out he has a cabin up there and is out pretty much every weekend. He invited me out so I couldn't pass that up. On the flies I think I have a few of those you are talking about. If not I will be getting my hands on some. I also found the book on ebay for cheep I am biding on it right now, so I hope I get it.
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Third on the book and for fly tying books I'd try youtube first. Dozens of patterns and a lot of really good tiers on there too.
As for what's working on a given river you can call Fish Tech and they'll tell you right over the phone.
Good luck and don't get discouraged it takes a while to get the hang of it.
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I've only been fly fishing for about a year now, but I will second that the Provo is not the place to get your feet wet. I think I hit the Provo 4 or 5 times before ever getting a fish. I'm now able to catch fish consistently on the middle and lower though. It would probably be easier with a mentor however, so I'm sure you will do fine.
Books that helped me:
Handbook of Hatches: Introductory Guide to the Foods Trout Eat & the Most Effective Flies to Match Them.
The Fly Fisher's Playbook: A Systematic Approach to Nymph Fly fishing.
&
Dynamic Nymphing: Tactics, Techniques, & Flies from Around the World.
I don't think I would have understood anything from Dynamic Nymphing just starting out however, I would probably hold off on that one for a little bit.
Cabelas does a good class for when you are just starting out. It's every Saturday morning and it is free. They go over some insects, how to tie various knots, and then they take you outside and work with you on your casting.
I also took a nymph fishing class at Four Seasons Fly Fishing. This class was completely valueless (but costs $100). My instructor showed up over an hour late, he could not identify most of the bugs we came across, and he had no confidence in what he was teaching. I thought I would get something out of this class because of the "On the Water" portion, but that was not the case. Reading "The Fly Fisher's Playbook" gave me far more information than I got from this guide and, if I remember correctly, it was only $3.95 on my kindle.
I hope this was helpful. I know the people here have 10 times the experience I do, but I had a frustratingly slow start because I do not know anyone that fly fishes, and I found these resources invaluable to my introduction.
Now that I am into it one year I try to hit a new section of river once or twice a month and I am almost always able to get into several fish. Good luck! I hope you find this sport as rewarding as I have so far.
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Thank you grunttwice, for the write up. Also I am hooked just got back yesterday. The wife and I have a blast, we each caught fish, and total caught and landed 6 or so each. Nothing big but it was awesome. Pictures to come didn’t take my camera but my aunt took some pics. I also found out that I won the ebay bid of .99 and $4 shipping on the book”Hatch Guide of Western Streams." So far I am loving this new sport and so is the wife. Also thank you all for your help it is much appreciated.
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really fast. So my question is. What is the best book (s) to help me identify the different species of bugs, to use for the different times a year? I plan on tying my own flies and a fly tying book would probably help me best. Did I just answer my own question? I know I need to do my research more but thought I would come over here and ask to help narrow it down to the best book(s) out there. Also thanks again for the help. Also I am sorry if this has been asked over and over again. [/font]