What new things did you learn this season?

This season I tried some new things that worked really well. I used a Moffit contact leader but used conventional flies instead of their system. This leader for nymphing or for wet flies was fantastic for me. Not only did the flies go deep without added weight but the sensitivity is off the charts.
I also had fantastic success with a simple wooly worm fly I tied to imitate golden stoneflies. Super simple, #12 nymph hook, yellow body(dubbed), palmered black and brown rooster hackle(I think it is called a furnace hackle, but I cant remember if that name is correct). Oh, peacock herl on the dorsal surface. Got that fly from Allen McGee's excellent book,"Flymphs and soft hackle nymphs". Also, his emerald caddis is a great pattern. Super simple ties that worked very well for me. I was surprised how simple a fly can be and still fool trout. Of course, I always make little improvements to suit local conditions.
This year because of low and clear water when I was able to fish I used some very small flies and was once again astonished at how trout can find and feed on such tiny flies and naturals. I had a lot of success with a tiny black bodied soft hackle with starling hackle. Really tiny but was one of my most consistent flies all season. I caught giant steelhead with a single,tiny, red yarn egg fly. It never ceases to amaze me that big trout will bother with such tiny food.
What did you learn that was new to you?

I learned that only calling your girlfriend once while on a week long fishing trip will get you dumped! :o

I learned pretty much everything I know as this was my first full season fly fishing. The most important thing I leaned is that if you want to improve, you have to put the time in.

Time on the stream is by far the best teacher of the art of fly fishing; BUT reading this forum, and learning from others can certainly change your learning curve for the better!!

My fly fishing IQ has cerntainly gone up being on this site.

Not to be so committed to corp America so I can spend more time fishing. I envy trout bums poor as hell but always having a good time catching fish and traveling.

As we edge towards winter, maybe we'll take more time to reflect. For now, I would say that '09 went along with what we envisioned last winter. At that time, Aaron, Torrey, Dave, Mike and I were speculating that the Euro methods would generate productivity in pocket water "like nobody's business.". Well, that's exactly what happened. For most of this year, we've been fishing together and talking excitedly by phone, all the while revelling in numbers and sizes of fish. These quick-hitting methods involve having your flies in the water longer and more often, while achieving perfect drifts. It is far quicker to adjust rod angle and anchor fly weight, than split shot and indicator placement. There were many occasions this year when I landed doubles, and with my friends, oftentimes quadruples! We never stop learning, but at this point I feel pretty good about our approach, flies and success. The challenge is finding the time to practice these methods; can't wait until my leaves are all raked up. :)

I learned a lot of valuable lessons some taught by the trout, many learned from other anglers and one real important one that I learned on my own.

It goes without saying that I learned how to outsmart trout in more ways this year but, I also learned that there are more than one way to approach angling situations and that sometimes not fishing by means that you are comfortable with will not only make you better but you will also realize that the method that you are trying is better than the one that you previously would have used.

I learned out in Montana that TPO needs to be about more than "Euro Nymphing." I am a diversified angler, so should be everyone on the site. I watched a good friend struggle out there and it upset me that I was part to blame for it. So many people read this site and go to pocket water and hammer fish. Well, I am sorry to bear the bad news, it does not always work. Dry flies, wet flies, and streamers can all have their day.

I have also learned and probably the biggest lesson is that there is no real way to prove who is the best fly fisherman. You can go to competitions for sure. However, the best angler can, catch trout at night, catch big trout, cast well and accurately, streamer fish, fish wet flies, match the hatch well, nymph any method, can dry fly fish well, can fish rivers and stillwaters and a host of other things. So until they have a fly fishing "Olympics" of sorts there is no best.

I am sure that I can come up with more but this is a starter...

No one is blaming you Aaron. At times I did indeed struggle in Montana, so let's talk about why. I went out there expecting to Euro nymph the pocket water in the Madison, but found myself instead in spring creek conditions on the Beaverhead. Low gradient with almost no bottom structure, consistent depth, heavy flow for wading and steep vegetation on both sides. I am barely an average roll caster, and was totally out of the indicator mindset this year. Coupled with 95deg arid heat, mosquitoes and crowds...you bet it was tough. It would not have made much of a difference, but I think the 9.5ft 6wt handicapped me a bit too. I still caught some and had great company, but it just wasn't really my sort of fun. Of course I need to diversify...but will never have the time to devote on stream with all the techniques; amongst life's responsibilities, you do the best you can with the time you have and try to enjoy it. That's all you can do.

Alain,

I was referring to Bob. We have him and others so gung ho over the Euro-Nymphing when we should be helping everyone build skills in all areas. I felt bad that he could not catch the fish at Poindexter. I know that I am going to work on the casting with him big time. Also, I am going to make video tips that have other techniques besides Euro-Nymphing this upcoming year.