A large part of the allure of fly fishing for most of us are the beautiful, wild locations we find ourselves in, regardless of our quarry. Whether a tailwater in Colorado, a tropical saltwater flat in the Yucatan, or even the Los Angeles River, fly fishing trips also tend to be adventures, often in unknown areas. We are also drawn by the all-consuming attention required by the challenge of hooking fish, often focusing our attention on a small patch of water watching for a strike. One of the basic concepts in military and law enforcement training is something referred to as Situational Awareness.

 
Situational awareness means remaining aware of your environment, and perceiving changes in it over time, so you’re always aware of any potential danger and any necessary reactions. It’s considered a necessity for survival, whether a person is on a battlefield or crossing a busy street. Reduced to its simplest terms, it seems that one of the main draws to fly fishing is putting ourselves in unusual environments while trying to lose all sense of situational awareness! If any animal species did this on a regular basis, extinction would likely follow. Contrary to what we would like to think, fly fishing is actually a more dangerous sport than golf, a fact supported by statistics.

So, now that we understand that we are putting ourselves in potentially dangerous environments and getting distracted, what’s next?

This month’s presentation is perhaps the most important one you’ll ever see. We will learn about many of the dangerous situations we may encounter while fly fishing, how to prepare for them, and how to respond to them. A second aspect is understanding that fly fishing is also an athletic pursuit, and to continue to enjoy it we don’t want to get sidelined by injuries. The program will be presented by a highly experienced pair of guides who just happen to be married to each other. Wanda and Gary Taylor have fly fished all around the world and witnessed injuries, natural disasters, and wild animal attacks.

Wanda Taylor has been fishing since she was four, taught by her grandmothers in the mountains of north Georgia. Her love of fishing increased when she married Gary Taylor, a professional fly angler. Within their partnership she became a fly fishing guide, casting instructor, Fly Fish TV hostess, and an outdoor writer. Wanda teaches fly fishing topics locally in Tennessee and Georgia, as well as nationally at IFFF expos, Trout Unlimited festivals, and conclaves. She was the first woman certified by the IFFF as a Master Certified Casting Instructor, and has been heavily involved in organizations like Project Healing Waters and casting for Recovery.

Gary Taylor grew up in the Blue Ridge mountains of Georgia, and taught himself to fly fish at the age of ten. He started guiding on the Hiwassee River in Reliance, Tennessee, and then moved on to the saltwaters of South Carolina and Florida. Also an IFFF Master Certified Casting Instructor, Gary received the Orvis Guide of the Year Award in 1993-94. Gary and Wanda are on the pro staffs of TFO, Aqua Design, and Chota, and Gary is also on Patagonia’s pro staff.  

For more info, check out www.dryflyeroutfitters.com and www.garyandwandataylor.com.

Learn something which may save either your arm or your life this Thursday evening, 7:30 p.m., April 9^th, at the San Marino Masonic Lodge, 3130 Huntington Drive, San Marino, 91108.