The Try-it Girl tries a different spin on an old Florida pastime

TAMPA - Fishing. If you ask a fisherman, it's more than an activity or a way to pass the time. Fishing is a state of mind. That's something I understood just minutes into my first fly fishing experience. 

I grew up in the Bay area, but never seemed to catch that bug. The only time I'd ever really been fishing was back in high school. I was too squeamish to bait the hook. Worse, all we caught was a stingray.

That may have been my last fishing trip if someone had not suggested I go fly fishing.

Honestly, the only thing I knew about fly fishing was that Brad Pitt did it in that movie, "A River Runs Through It."

I was missing one very important advantage of fly fishing - no live bait.

That was the first thing I learned from my casting instructor, Enver Hysni of Tampa Bay on the Fly.

Hysni's next suggestion was a little practice on dry land.

Fly fishing is all about the cast, an artful mix of strength and finesse. Instinct tells you to try and throw the line, reaching out and pushing. The best way to send that line into the water is with a quick transfer of energy.

Keeping your elbow bent and shoulder relaxed helps you maintain power. Then, imagine the motion of cracking a whip. A fluid motion combined with a sudden stop on the back and forward swing will send energy right through the line.

It may sound intimidating but it's just something that comes with practice. Lucky for me, Hysni says women typically learn faster. Men tend to approach fishing the same as they would golf or baseball, with sheer strength.

Most women haven't built that muscle memory yet, making it easier to just relax and concentrate on a new technique.

I'm not sure I'd say I picked it up quickly but I was definitely trying to channel that finesse factor.

I was also starting to see that fly fishing could be a great family activity. Anyone, young or old, can learn to cast. You can spend time together inside learning fly tying techniques or outside on the water.

Soon, it was time to head for the water and try this practice out for real. Standing in the waters off Picnic Island helped me relax a little more. I kept casting, trying to zero in on just the right groove.

This is the place you can really see the appeal of fly fishing. You can leave your real life on the shore and just enjoy the water flowing around you.

A little focus will help you scout out the perfect fishing spot. Watch for pockets of water that seem just a little more choppy than the water around it. There are likely fish underneath. You may also have luck aiming for areas where the grasses thin out or stop all together. Big fish like to hang out here to catch other fish as they swim by.

I guess the big question is, "Did you catch anything." No, I didn't and I didn't really expect to. I was happy to just soak up as much of the technique as I could. Let this serve as a warning to all you fish, though. I will be back and next time, I'll be ready for you.

As Hysni says, there is always something new to learn about fly fishing. If these basics intrigue you, you can head to Tampa Bay on the Fly to pick up even more. The business is brand new but they’re already planning casting classes and fly tying workshops every Tuesday night. The shop is located at 4203 W El Prado Boulevard in Tampa.