Expectations. We all have them during our lives. And sometimes those expectations are reasonable and are met. 

Other times, perhaps more often than not, they they not. For example, as parents, we expect our kids and even our dogs to behave in certain acceptable ways. Those are valid expectations, even though some of the time, our kids and even our dogs just do not comply.

Of all the expectations we have, those associated with fishing—and fly fishing in particular—are more likely than not to be fraught with disappointment and frustration. Expectations to catch fish in lakes and ponds, which is not always easy, are more reasonable than expecting to catch trout in streams and rivers. 

Compared to flowing water, lakes and the fish that live in them are not subject to all the vagaries associated with rivers. Lakes normally are more stable environments, where the various species that inhabit them live in specific zones, dependent on temperature and feeding requirements. For example, species like trout and salmon require cold water, and as water temperatures warm, those fish move into the cooler depths during summer. 

On the other hand, warm-water species like bass and panfish prefer inshore, warmer temperatures. So fishing for lake species is not as complicated as fishing for trout in rivers. Anglers who fish for warm water species in lakes and ponds only need to be aware of the areas those fish inhabit and get their bait into those areas. 

In comparison, anglers who fish for trout in rivers are subject to all kinds of issues with which lake fishermen need not contend. For example, early-spring high flow and cold temperatures impede fly hatches and trout feeding. Furthermore, as the season progresses, the lack of rainfall can result in low flows, high water temperatures and trout in stress—with no fishing. Plus heavy rain can cause flooding, which could also result in no fishing. 

Fly hatches also play a major role in the expectations we have as fly fishers. Each year, there is a sequence of mayfly and caddis hatches to which we all look forward. Yet there are days when those files don’t hatch. There are also days when the flies hatch and the trout don’t rise. 

To complicate matters, most anglers who fly fish carry a huge amount of gear, including hundreds of flies, many different patterns, an assortment of leaders and all kinds of other fly fishing aids. A wealth of equipment that lake fishermen just don’t need, in which a rod or two, a tackle box and perhaps a bait bucket will suffice. Much less equipment to contend with and complicate fishing.

So while it’s not uncommon for fly fishers to have expectations when they go fishing, there are so many variables, including stream conditions, water temperature, fly hatches and anglers’ skill level, that can lead to unfulfilled expectations. Few trout caught.

One of the traps associated with fly fishing is as anglers, we might expect certain events to occur when we go fishing. For example,  when anglers go to the Catskill rivers, at the end of April and with normal water conditions, there are expectations that the Hendrickson mayfly will be hatching. When that fly does appear, there will be a lot of unhappy anglers. 

Expectations can be so profound that I have heard angling friends tell me after a trip to Montana that the outing was a disappointment, because it did not meet expectations. At least part of that mindset is based on the fact that when anglers spend a good deal of money, travel long distances to fish and don’t catch a lot of trout, they might feel they did not get their money’s worth. I find that kind of mindset after a trip to a beautiful state like Montana—fishing aside—to be sad and unfortunate. 

Fly fishers who are inclined to become disappointed and frustrated when their expectations are not met after they go fishing, should think about changing their mindset and goals. I’ve always looked forward to a day of fishing with great anticipation and excitement. I have learned over the years not to expect to catch trout. Instead, look forward to a day in nature, a day on the river, hoping for a trout or two to come to my flies. Looking for more than that, expecting more than that in fly fishing, is bringing a less-than-useful thought process to a sport that is rarely easy and mostly difficult, even on the best days. That’s why those of us who have embraced this gentle sport have come to understand it’s all about the fishing, not the catching—expectations aside.