My background is in the health and wellness industry. It has been my way of life and career for the past 25 years. My idea of exercise is a planned workout and good nutrition. Upon meeting my husband, it was a great surprise to me, that the ‘job’ he did everyday was in itself…a workout. Fly Fishing is usually not thought of as ‘exercise’ but the duration of the day, wading through high waters, balance, endurance, hydration and nutrition are all contributing factors that can make or break a great day of fishing. The physical ability of the angler can enhance or detract from a great day of fishing. If you are not physically able to get to the prime spot, unable to sustain the duration of the day or unstable in the water, causing a lot of commotion and scaring the fish your day on the water may not constitute a ‘great day on the water’.
A recent adventure to Montana allowed me to experience firsthand not being prepared for specific conditions of a sport. I was ‘scouting’ for an outfitter in Southwest Montana during the hunting season and having difficulty breathing. I was not acclimated to the high altitude and initially found the hikes challenging. This experience stimulated the thought process in my head! If someone in fairly good shape found High Altitude Hunting challenging, how would a sedentary person who enjoys this great sport feel when they embark on the hunt? Their experience and success would be greatly decreased due to lack of preparation. I should have trained for the experience more sport specifically…BEFORE I traveled out west. I now offer a High Altitude Conditioning program for Big Game Hunting out west. The program is designed to be performed during the off season to get in and stay in shape for on season! Fly Fishing is no exception. A stagnant winter will lead to the de-conditioning of the muscles, balance, core strength and skill that is crucial for a ‘good day on the water’. Staying in or getting in shape during the ‘off season’ will definitely enhance your fly fishing season.
Preparing for the season:
Several physical components are utilized during a day of fly fishing. Muscular endurance is one such component. Wading in high waters is difficult, especially if you have been stagnant for the entire winter. Not only do you have to wade in the streams but you do it for hours on end. Conditioning for the duration will build muscular endurance, decrease muscular soreness and the potential for injury.
Balance is another physical component and probably the most neglected of all the components of fitness for any sport. But for fly fishing wading out into deep waters across slick rocks having good balance is key. Falling in may feel good on a hot day and be quite entertaining to your fishing buddies but it can definitely be a bummer if you scare off a good pocket of fish or worse injure yourself! Incorporating balance activities in your off season training will help with the unstable conditions fly fishing provides and even enhance everyday activities.
Core strength may be a term you are familiar with in the fitness industry but did you know fly fishing’s center physical component is good core strength. The ability to stabilize the spine requires core strength and enhances all the other physical factors of fly fishing. It will allow for better balance for wading and casting. The ‘effort’ put forth to stay vertical will be less so your endurance will be greater. An off season core strengthening program, sport specific for fly fishing will have tremendous value for your health and fly fishing success.
Nutrition:
Let’s face it…we treat our cars better than we treat our bodies. Days on the water are long…especially on a hot, sunny day. You would never drive your car all day long and not fuel up. Your body functions quite the same way. Carrying snacks and eating throughout the day will provide the energy and nutrients you need to make it through the duration of the day. When selecting snacks think NUTRIENT DENSE not CALORIE DENSE. Nuts, fruits and granola bars are just a few suggestions of foods easily portable and will last through the day. They will have the highest nutrient value and give you a great base of vitamins/minerals and fuel for your day on the water.
Hydration:
I can’t express the importance of proper hydration. Water is the medium of every process in the body. It is essential in vitamin processing, muscular recovery and organ functioning. Keep in mind the body will pull water from non-essential parts (muscles/joints) to hydrate essential parts (organs). This process can lead to fatigue and musculoskeletal injuries that will certainly detract from a great fishing experience. Dehydration can ZAP ones energy. And energy is what you need to sustain throughout the day. Increase water intake NOW…prior to your scheduled guided experience to deter dehydration. Limit alcohol, caffeine, antihistamines and other products that ‘strip’ the body of water. I recommend consuming half your body weight in ounces per day in water. This process can be achieved over a thirty day-building up- period. If this amount is not possible, drink enough to cause urination at least every three to four hours.
All the above activities and suggestions should be put together in a structured program specific to your medical history, exercise history, current physical condition and personal goals. Proper technique is essential and will allow you to gain the most benefit out of your off season training program and decrease injury potential during the program and on the water. Nutrition is key for sustaining energy and fueling your body properly for the sport. A professional fitness trainer can design a program that will fit your needs and get you prepared for the upcoming season. As an online fitness consultant and co-owner of a fly fishing outfit, I have the access and know-how to set up a program to enhance your day on the water. For more information or to contact me directly visit my website at www.trainedbytracey.com.
The sport of fly fishing is wonderful not only due to the physical benefits is provides but for the serenity and connection with nature you experience every time you walk out on the water. And I assure you it will be a lot better…above the water…
May you have the best fishing season!
Happy New Year!
