Here’s the second part of our interview with Steven Palmer; read Part 1 here if you missed it yesterday.
You spend a fair bit of your professional fly shop time teaching people the fundamentals of tying and fishing with Orvis’ impactful introductory programs; what’s the best advice you’d give ahead of time to an absolute novice signed up for your casting class?
I’d say before someone purchases anything fly fishing come to a free class or a private lesson and let me show you how easy it can be to learn the basics. I want to instill the good habits right from the start and get them pumped about taking what they have learned and applying it to fishing. Once they know the fundamentals of a cast and how easy it can be then let’s talk more about gear and what’s going to fit their needs. Afterwards they can practice what they have learned and hone their skills with their own gear.
What is the essential point (or points) you’d want to make sure every first timer with a fly rod in their hand remembers?
First of all practice makes perfect with no intention of catching a fish. I’d recommend practicing not only casting but knot tying and stripping the fly when you’re not on the water focused on fish. If you look at any accomplished fly fisherman its second nature to them that they learned by repeatedly practicing these skills over and over.
What do you have on the calendar for trips this season and what are your top bucket list destinations for the next several years?
I have a few trips this year all of which I’m super excited to either take people on their bucket list trip and be there to cheer and help while they experience it for the first time. Or going on my own trips and having new experiences for myself and bringing back the knowledge to help others.
At the end of May I’m hosting a trip to Louisiana for Redfish with some great guides Bailey Short (Southern Flats Louisiana) and Lucas Bissett (Low Tide Charters). I still have one spot left!!
Then in early July I plan to head to California for a weekend with a friend that lives there to chase Mako sharks on the fly which should be exciting new adventure.
Followed by another hosted trip this time to Calgary – Alberta, Canada on the Bow River and other Northern Rocky Mountain streams with Josh Nugent (Out Fly-Fishing Outfitters) chasing Browns, Rainbows, Cutthroat and Bull Trout.
And the one of my bucket list trips that I am most excited about will be a trip I planned last year to Christmas Island for this October. I’ll be on the search for Giant Trevally, Blue Fin Trevally, Trigger Fish, Milk fish and anything else I find swimming the waters off the island.
Some of my bucket list trips I am shooting for in upcoming years would be but not limited to:
- Boliva- Golden Dorado with Angling Frontiers
- Chile/Patagonia
- Cuba
- Mongolia
- Russia
If you could encourage fly fishers to do just one thing in terms of stewardship this next year, what would that be?
I think one of the simplest things we can do as fisherman is to pick up litter. Keep a small mesh bag in your pack next time you’re out fishing pick up any trash you see. Not only will it help but it will encourage others to follow your lead or at least discourage them from littering.
Where can people follow you and learn more about your trips and schools?
They can always find me at the Orvis Store in Plano, Tx. I’m more than happy to talk fishing and help in any way I can. Also keep up on Orvis.com/Plano to sign up for classes and events and by following the store Instagram at Instagram.com/OrvisPlano and on my personal account Instagram.com/___BDK__.
