The Rise!!!!!

Most people buy a 9-foot 5-weight, a random fly assortment, and then fish it like a spinning rod. That's why they blank.

Three things that change it on trip one:

1. Stop false-casting. One or two, then put the fly down.

2. Fish the seam — the line where fast water meets slow — not the pretty pool in the middle.

3. A size 16 pheasant tail or elk hair caddis will outfish 90% of the "trout pack" in the shop.

Do those three and you will hook a fish before you "feel ready." The rest is just repeating it on purpose.