Moving Forward In Your Game

[Paul Bourcq]

Wanted to share some things that have made some huge strides in my game.  In an earlier post Dejon touched on confidence.  That is what I want to talk about and hear your thoughts on.  

Confidence is generally described as a state of being certain either that a hypothesis or prediction is correct or that a chosen course of action is the best or most effective.

With that said I have been working very hard on all aspects of my game for some time now.  As Dejon said I constantly break down my walls and build them up. Aside from beat strategy, flies, techniques, and orgnization I have thought (to a fault) in my head what someone else was doing.  What is Team USA doing, what is Devin Olsen,Lance Egan, Josh Stephens, George Daniels,Todd Oishi,Dejon,Loren Williams,Team Stonefly,Chris Lee, how did Dan Oas kill us on the Arkansas at the Cup, how did Michael Drinan catch so many damn fish downstream, and so on.  I would be lying if I told you Ive not had the conversation about why are they better than us with plenty of people.  I believe the answer is once you truly know your own game you expect to win.  At the end of the day it doesnt matter what they did to win.  The question is what did I do to lose?

This past year I have been fortunate to travel the country and fish locally and afar with the finest fisherman I have ever fished with.  And after all of that I came to this.  I cant fish another mans game.  Josh Stephens told me this 3 years ago when i first started.  i remember him saying that it wouldnt make sense for a while but that  I have to be confident in what I do.  Sure we all are confident at this or that technique or fly.  But to go out and know 100% that I can win, and not only that but to expect myself to win is the key.  I look back at all the conversations i have had this past year with legends of the sport and the only things that stick are not the flies or techniques but comments like the following.

George Daniel-"Sure that will work, fish your game"
George Daniel-"I didnt read alot of fishing books, mainly mental edge books from competitors"
Lance Egan at Nationals-"I just really have alot of confidence in it so I fish it alot"
Michael Drinan-"It was just a parachute adams but I trust it 100%"
Loren Williams-"use whatever leader you want just make sure it does the job for you"
Joe Humphreys"I dont care if you fish a peanut just throw it and expect to catch a fish"
Issac Dean-"I dont care what my boat partner is fishing, I have confidence in my setup and my flies"

When I really examined what I was taking away from competitions and days on the water with guys i look up to i realized that the days of what fly, or imitating techniques was long over.  When you reach a point where you can honestly tell yourself that you trust your game and the thoughts of what somebody else is doing is the least of your worries you will improve leaps and bounds.  That single change has helped me have my most successful year to date.

So my question now is what gives you confidence?  Is it time on the technique or fly?  Is it competition proven?  Is it beating the field with it? Do you try to win or do you expect to win?

[Anita Coulton]

Great post Paul!  I feel you've hit the nail on the head here.  It's easy to get caught up in the mix of what fly, what rod, what technique the "big dogs" are using.  Since they are having success with what they're doing, it's natural to want to do that too. 

Confidence is something that you have to develop yourself.  You won't get it by watching or imitating.  It's developed by time on the water, and tearing and rebuilding the walls, in addition, it's always questioning asking "why" and "what happens if......."  There are SO many variables in this sport, that it's not hard to become overwhelmed listening to this person or that person.  We all have weaknesses in our game.  Being willing to go out and WORK on those weaknesses will utimately be what moves you forward, and develops YOUR confidence.  Spend time watching and learning from the big dogs.....there are things to be learned from everyone we fish with....big dog or not.....it's such a diverse sport.....we all do it a bit differently....and that's good!

[Todd Oishi]

I focus on catching that first fish and then keep pushing myself to catch "just one more fish". I try to not worry about what the rest of the pack is doing and focus on my own fishing, as worrying or second-guessing simply won't help to put a fish in my net and will most likely result in dropped fish or missed opportunities...

It's important to remember that at most competitions a variety of patterns and techniques led to the success of those who stood on the podium. But more often than not, the key to their success was proper preparation and having confidence in the knowledge that they've gained during and as a result of that process.

Having a solid "backup plan" is extremely important as well, as it allows you to "keep your head in the game", as a result of being able to maintain your confidence and composure during those times when things aren't going your way...

Just remember that it's not what you can't do that will hold you back, but rather what you think you can't...

[Dejon Hamann]

This really is the pinnacle of all our study and pursuit eh? I could write a bible on this subject but I'm on my phone and my fingers are fat.

For me confidence comes from "letting go", popping two pieces of chewing gum in the masher, and then just fishing.

[Mark Hanes]

Well said Paul. I learned the hard way at nationals with a couple bad sessions that you have to fish your own game.  I have a tendency to watch what the guys upp stream and down stream are doing and somtimes that gets me in a funk.  Really you are not fishing the same water so who cares what they do.  I noticed I finish within the top of my group when I just fish how I know how to fish..  All I need to do know is do that in every session and worry about where I place later. 

Hopefully my new mind set pays off on Sunday.

[Bob Lux]

Those are some good thoughts. Even though I have only been comp fishing since earlier this year, I feel that I have made huge strides and 90% of that is confidence. Not just confidence that you will do well, but confidence in how you are fishing (your go to flies, setup, etc)

When I fished the SE regional, I had no idea what I was doing when it came to comp fishing. I was too wrapped up in what I read and how to do the whole comp fishing setup. I totally abandoned what I normally do. What I didn't realize is that I could do what I normally do, but I just had to combine it into a different style of setup. I got way too caught up in what I saw in books, the internet, what other guys were doing, etc.

It really started making sense on the Saturday afternoon of the Nationals. I did okay on Friday, but go skunked on the lake (like a lot of us did). I remember riding to the lower Nan and telling Dan Oas in front of me that I was going to fish mad now. I got quite of few chuckles on the bus, but I was partially serious. I had the confidence in what I was doing, I just needed that mental boost. I did poorly in the regional on the lower Nan and that is why I was going to fish "mad". The water was at it's highest for the day, but I payed it no mind. First few casts in, I got into fish that found themselves off the hook. The good news is though is that I found fish and they took. About an hour in (a little late in the beat for any win), it all suddenly clicked. I had confidence in my flies and I had mental confidence, I just needed the two to meet. When it did, it was like a revelation. I started getting into fish one after another. I had run out of time, but it all of the sudden worked. Now, I think I finished middle of the pack for that beat, but to me it was a huge victory.

The next day, I had the trophy section and I woke up telling myself I am winning the beat. I didn't win the beat that day, but I did well enough to only be beat out by two Team USA guys. The thing was though, I had that whole new focus thing working and everything I did was calculated with confidence as soon as I stepped into the stream that morning. I had a internal message to myself that I was the person to beat that day. I didn't walk around beforehand telling people I'm going to win, I just told myself that I was the person to beat and fished that way.

I think as a competitor in any sport, you have to tell yourself your are the person to beat. I don't think you need to go around before a comp telling people you're the man and you're going to win. That's cockiness and there is a big difference between confidence and cockiness. This is just my take on things and you can take it as you will. Bottom line is when it is time for the comp, fish what you know and how you know to fish. Don't worry about such and such catching this and that on fly x dropped with fly z wiggled four times in a run. Use your practice time to get your confidence flies and techniques mastered, then apply that to a comp. I know I have a long, long way to go to get better, but I'm not going to stop trying.

[Pat Brechbill]

I've only got the experience of fishing one single person comp and I would say that I agree with the statement of fishing your game. I would also add that in addition to confidence you also need conviction. I'm pretty good at not getting distracted by what others may or may not be doing. I try and fish what tools I'm good with and apply it to the water I'm fishing. I know Paul has been a big influence with that part of my development and I thank him for that. I still get pretty nervous in the first 15 minutes of a session, but after that I can stay pretty focused on my strategy. I think it's really important to walk your beat and plan your strategy on how you'll fish it. I'm not saying to be rigid and not go to a plan B if you see something different while fishing, just don't second guess yourself on the water too much or you'll be chasing your tail and losing your confidence. I do feel that you have to believe you are going to catch a fish on every cast to be successful. Just my .02 cents.