Soul Fly Keys to Success, Part I

Prepping for a trip to Soul Fly Lodge entails logistics, packing, and also mental preparations. Our team and our Trip Planner & Outfitting Guide are available at any time to help with the first two elements, but the latter requires some further details and also some work of your own. To assist, we’ve composed the Soul Fly Lodge Keys to Success and have even posted them on the skiffs as friendly reminders.

These Keys add up to an approach to angling that we’ve found to be successful and enjoyable, and we encourage all Soul Fly Lodge guests to keep these in mind before, during, and after their trip.

Read on for the Soul Fly Lodge Keys to Success, Part I. And stay tuned for Part II!

Fish Reward Positivity

Positivity in fly fishing is an amalgam of optimism, confidence, and open-mindedness. This state of mind is largely chosen by the angler and the result is that every day on the water is a good one, seemingly no matter what happens. The positive angler is the one who believes in their abilities, has confidence in their tackle - especially their fly - and trusts their guide. They have faith that the wind is at their back, metaphorically, even if it isn’t actually at any given time. They believe that that same wind, combined with skill, will eventually and inevitably bring their fly to the right place at the right time. Carrying positivity doesn’t mean that we disregard our mistakes or shortcomings but instead allows us to receive them without our own judgment and then learn from them.

Bringing a positive outlook to the skiff sets the tone of each day and helps open up our minds to see the many, varied sights and spectacles that arise while fishing the Berry Islands, in addition to the fish caught: a mirror-like reflection of sky on the flats; hues of water never-before seen; a tailing permit that inspects the fly impossibly long only to decline; turtle grass waving hypnotically in the current; an end-of-day Hail Mary cast that lands perfectly and is rewarded. The cold beer that follows a positive day on the water surely tastes better than any other.

Seek Out Teachings

The flats are always changing and so while our previous angling experiences help prepare us for the next one, there is always something more to be learned. The Soul Fly Lodge community is filled with freely-shared expertise and teachings awaiting those who seek it out. Fishing with your guide on the flats skiff is the obvious venue in which to learn, but there are many more hours during the day to find mentorship and add to our knowledge bases. Sometimes what needs to be done is to ‘poke the bear,’ encouraging a guide or staff member or even another guest to share their stories and experiences, and go into detail. We might be surprised by what we learn. Or, before leaving the lodge for the day, pull a guide or staff member aside and share a challenge of our own from the day before. Coming to Soul Fly with the wherewithal to seek out teachings will undoubtedly leave us better anglers.

When mentally preparing for your trip to Soul Fly Lodge, in addition to visualizing the casting and the fishing and the catching that you’ll do, be aware that there will be moments when it doesn’t go according to plan and when you’ll need to rely on, or ask your guide or a staff member or perhaps another angler for help. Be ready to embrace these moments when they arrive so that the teachings presented can be absorbed. While actively seeking out teachings may not be in everyone’s nature, simply being ready and willing to accept them will also achieve the same results.

Ask Questions

Related directly to the previous Key to Success is our encouragement for Soul Fly Lodge guests to ask questions. While somewhat obvious, what may not be so clear is what to ask or when. For starters, a great question to ask our guide at the start of the day relates to their ‘clock’, or their perception of direction and distance. As example: make a cast and then ask the guide to report back what distance and time (i.e. 11 o’clock, 10:30, 2 o’clock, etc.) was just casted. This exercise will get us attuned to the guide’s gauge so when they spot a fish and ask us to cast “40 feet at 10 o’clock”, for example, we know exactly where to put the fly. Another question that’s sure to yield benefits is in the instances when a fly is followed but the fish doesn’t take it. Guides are typically coaching anglers through these situations as they happen, but a thorough ‘post-mortem’ of the encounter, when the pressure of the moment is off, is even more insightful. Further, ask a guide to demonstrate the presentation they want us to make. Learning by watching is often just as helpful as hearing instruction.

Consider coming prepared to ask questions. If there are aspects of our angling that we know we’d like to improve, write them down and bring those questions to the lodge for the trip, or to the skiff for the day on the water. And, don’t hesitate to email us before or after the trip! Additionally, encourage our fishing partners to do the same and then engage in their conversations with guides or staff - we may find there are details we hadn't previously considered, or we may be able to share our unique perspectives to help our friends understand. Some other questions to consider are more broad in nature and are probably best discussed when not on the water or over a beer. Examples include, How can I improve my casting? How can I be better at feeding bonefish? What are some things I can work on until I see you next year?

Stay tuned for the Soul Fly Lodge Keys to Success, Part II…