Fly Fishing  

Our very own Dr. Redlin enjoying one of her favorite hobbies.

May has arrived!

Perhaps many of you will be enjoying a wonderful Memorial Day weekend by barbecuing, camping, or heading out to the beach. Why not try something different and head out to Yellowstone Park for fly fishing. This is an enjoyable yet peaceful sport that is excellent for all ages whether you are with your family or taking some time out for yourself.

Fly fishing involves using the angling method, which is a style used to catch fish with a rod, line and an artificial fly. The fly typically resembles some sort of an insect to lure in fish. The idea of fly fishing is to coax the fish into taking your fly instead of other food in the water. This sport can be done in both saltwater or freshwater. The season typically begins towards the end of May, usually the Saturday of Memorial weekend.

1. Core workouts

There are various workouts that can be done at home to build up your core. Squats, bicycle crunches, push ups, windmills, and even the plank position will help strengthen and stabilize your core body.

2. Balance

Balance and core workouts go hand in hand with each other. Maintaining a good stance with strong balance will help you stand your ground in the midst of a fast current. Begin with standing on one leg. Your leg doesn't need to be high off the floor. Start small by slightly raising your foot from the ground, in case you need to quickly regain balance. It is sometimes easier to maintain balance when you are focusing your eyes on one thing. Once you have mastered balancing on one leg, try doing it with your eyes closed.

3. Upper Body

Since fly fishing involves a lot of repetition and arm movements, there are workouts that you can do at home to better prepare you before you participate in this hobby. There are a number of exercises you can simply do at home. Dumbbell curls, pull overs with dumbbells, the cobra position, and shoulder presses are good examples of things you can perform at home. Even if you don't have dumbbells at home, you can find many things to use that are just laying around the house like books, canned foods, juice bottles or milk containers filled with sand.  

Bringing these three things together will allow you to have more self control and will improve your overall technique and precision. These tips will only help you benefit from your experience of fly fishing.  

Your shoulders and arms may be sore in the beginning so be sure to let your muscles recuperate before heading back out to the water. Eventually your arm muscles will build up and get used to the motions they are subjected to .

If you are interested in more information on proper stretching and more exercise ideas, check out these helpful links.  

Fishing Stretches 

Upper Body Workouts 

10 Great Arm Workouts 

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