I have been reading and hearing a bunch about being safe while fly fishing.  Hats and glasses are a must, especially for the novice (me).  Also, it is a good idea to bend down the barb on your fly hooks.  This way if someone gets hooked it will pull straight out.  The other benefit to bending down or filing off the barb is that setting the hook will be easier.  A too-light hookset motion or excess slack in your fly line can mean the difference when reacting to a strike and the new, more streamlined hook will penetrate easier. 

On my second attempt at fly fishing I took my daughter.  I gave strict instructions for her to *not* walk behind me.  I periodically looked over my shoulder and all went well until she decided to look for skipping rocks.  With her head down, she wandered the shoreline.  I was feeling pretty good about this whole "casting" thing, and became overly focused.  She wandered behind me and my fly caught her. 

The hook was stuck in her finger (a blessing in itself) and the barb tip of the hook was just showing - it hadn't passed completely (another blessing).  With a firm pull it came out cleanly.  The moral of the story: As a fly fishing beginner I had no business casting without looking back first.  When stripping the line in, it takes just a quick look to make sure it is still clear before lifting the fly out of the water.

People are naturally curious about fly fishing and have come up behind me to observe.  It happens quite a bit.  Whether or not you bring a little one, look - lift - cast. 

Ever read the story about the mouse and the lion?

Buster the Lion