Everything I have learned about fly fishing in Maui - Part II

When I ran up on Terry Doyle, my first fly fishing contact in Maui, he was not sure what to think. I frantically explained that I was a passionate fly fisherman from Montana and needed to know what he knew about Maui fly fishing. He was kind enough to oblige, and while in the heat of excitement I forgot most of what he told me, but a few things did not slip by.

He told me that Hawaii bone fishing in particular was not as prolific as many other parts of the world. However, he explained that while quantity might be lacking, size is not. Then came the bad news, Maui is not really the best place to bone fish. There are many other places off the big island of Hawaii and off Oahu that have much better bone fishing opportunities. He assured me however that Maui is home to bone fish.

At that point, I really did not care. Visions of standing in my shorts instead of in my waders, virtually no gear and warm sunny days would make it worth it even if I did not catch anything. I also expected to be on my own figuring out what to do and where to fish so my chances for success remained low anyway.

He also pointed out that the reef system stretched out along the southern coastline for three miles and could be waded out to nearly 1/2 a mile. Plenty of exploring to do for sure. Composed of sandy channels and lava shelves with interspersed rocky reefs, it seemed to hold endless possibilities.

Terry asked where I was staying and I pointed to the building where our condo unit is. Envious, he explained that I was very fortunate and again pointed out that there was not a better place on Maui for fishing. You see, our condo sits just to the west of this major reef structure. Such close proximity ensured several things. One, I could be fishing in minutes, if two, the tide and weather allowed. Anytime I could sit on the lanai contemplating my next strategy in full view of my fishing spot.

After we parted ways, all I considered were the possibilities and how I should never leave a fly rod at home regardless of where I go. So I started the countdown to my next trip in the winter of 2008. I also did a few internet searches, yielding virtually nothing about Maui, but plenty about bone fishing in other parts of Hawaii.

During the course of my trip preparations later that year I met Jim and Matt at the Kingfisher Fly Shop in Missoula Montana. They fed me some details on that first meeting and assured me that when I was doing my final preparations to stop in and they would take care of everything. I don't know how to describe the amazing service. It was only days before our flight and I was provided one of the finest fly rods made by Winston a reel of course and a selection of flies as well as several spools of various line types. They have consistently done whatever they can to take care of any need I have had and with a serious focus on customer service.

So with gear in tow and literally no knowledge of what to do with it, other than what I knew to do on a Montana river we headed to Maui. In my final post, I will finally share all of my secrets about fly fishing in Maui.

Everything I have learned about fly fishing in Maui - Part I

Every so often life throws you a winning lottery ticket. That ticket can take many forms, for example a free drink at McDonald's instead of an impossible to win Monopoly game piece. In my case, I have won several lotteries in life.

The first at age 3, my parents moved us from Iowa to Montana. Each waking breath I take I am thankful for that decision. The next was a father who took his son fishing - a gift that will never fail. And then, I was introduced to fly fishing.

Blessed to live in a state that boasts some of the world's finest waters and opportunities, it never occurred to me that fate would strike again - a place of our own in Maui.

Who could imagine having a home in Montana, a love for fly fishing and the outdoors and then a place on a magical island we have now come to love. Our first winter here in 2007 was three weeks of bliss. We immersed ourselves into the island life, hiking, swimming, snorkeling and I even brought a bike over from the mainland. Even though I watched a lot of the locals fish, it never once occurred to me that I could fly fish in Maui.

Because of an ancient fish pond and sea wall, our condo unit is oceanfront and actually sits less than 40 feet from the shoreline. From the lanai we see most of the daily activities, snorkelers, canoes, kayaks, whales, paddle surfers, turtles and several folks who should keep their clothes on. One evening late into that first trip, I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a fly fisherman on the reef that sits just to the east of our building. A pair of binoculars confirmed that he was indeed fly fishing.

Heart pounding, six flights of stairs and a 1000 yard sprint later, I met the man who would change my wife's trips to Maui forever. His name is Terry Doyle - a Maui artist and taxidermist. In heavy breath I met him right as he hit the beach coming off the reef. He happily obliged my desire to learn more about what he was doing and answered about 400 questions.

It was the start I needed. Enough to be dangerously ignorant, but to attack the waters boldly. Now I just needed some gear and more advice.

Find out in my next post what Terry taught me about fly fishing on Maui and how Jim and Matt at the Kingfisher Fly Shop in Missoula helped me kick off a new passion.