If you plan to fish the Lower Stanislaus, Lower Tuolumne, Lower Merced or Lower Sacramento rivers, the Steelhead punch card and Striper stamp are required. Waders are not required but without them, one should expect to get wet. During the winter months and at specific rivers, this can be most unpleasant. Waders can be rented at just about any local flyshop. Wetsuits can also be effective in keeping you warm, if you don t mind being wet.
Beginners learn how to locate fish, how to choose a fly and basic nymph fishing techniques.
Depending on the river, beginners are taught either aerial or water casting. After the initial instruction, folks can pretty much go their own way or they can continue to fish close to the instructors. The main contrast between beginner trips and non specific trips, where beginners attend, is one of attentiveness. During beginner trips, I will pretty much volunteer information ad naseum and stay by your side. I ll pretty much keep to myself and fish unless you ask questions and show an interest in learning.