Anyone can Learn Fly Fishing
Fly Fishing June 26th, 2008It is not difficult to learn fly fishing. Learning a few basic technics will have you catching fish in no time. Fly fishing beginners can get a book from your local library and study the advice given. You can search the Internet for online fly fishing lessons and practice the instructions.
While books and Internet lessons will give you an idea of how to fly fish, my advice is that you get some personal instruction. Whether this is given by a professional or by an experienced friend matters not.
Learn fly fishing casting techniques
To best learn fly fishing casting techniques, you need to have on the water instruction. It is important that you have someone to correct your mistakes before they become habits.
Casting is the most important technique to master, and this is where the novice makes the most mistakes. One lesson in casting can make the difference between a person who fly fishes and a fly fisherman, or woman.
The importance of reading the water when you learn fly fishing
Another aspect of the craft when you learn to fly fish is the trick of reading the water. An experienced angler can often be recognized before he or she makes a first cast.
Experienced anglers will spend several minutes just looking at the water. They are not looking for rising fish necessarily although they enjoy that sight immensely. They are looking for areas of the water where fish are likely to be holding.
Fish have needs. The three basic needs are protection from predators, relief from strong currents, and food supply. This applies whether fly fishing small streams , or using lake fly fishing techniques . When you learn fly fishing you'll learn to recognize which areas of the water will provide fish with those needs. Where two or more of the conditions are found, fish are likely to be holding.
The way the waters flow, the debris and boulders in the water, and the vegetation on the banks all provide clues to a fish holding area. As you learn to read the waters you will begin to recognize what they are telling you.
Learn fly fishing vocabulary
Most sports have their own vocabulary, fly fishing is no different. As you learn fly fishing you will learn to understand words specific to the art. Here are a few definitions that you will encounter.
Drift (dead drift) refers to the movement of the fly as it floats on the current. A natural movement of the fly is the aim of the angler. Drag is the fly fisherman's nightmare. If the fly moves against the current or behaves in an unnatural way it is dragging. Drag will send a trout flying off to parts unknown.
Floating line is a fly fishing line that floats on the surface of the water. It is designed to fish dry flies, but can be used to fish wets as well. It is the easiest of the fly lines to cast. It is the line of choice for many anglers and the best for the novice to use.
Sinking lines sink below the surface and are used when fishing flies on the river or lake bottom.
Hackles are feathers commonly used in tying flies. They particularly refer to chicken neck feathers, but are often used to define any feathers on a fly.
Fly fishing strike indicators are added to the leader to show (indicate) when a fish takes the fly. It is also used to show where and how the fly is traveling and are most often used when fly fishing nymphs. Indicators can be as simple as a piece of wool or colored paste attached to the line.
A leader is a piece of monofilament attached to the fly line. It can be knotted, unknotted, of various weights, and of various lengths from a few feet to over 15 feet. The fly is tied to the leader.
Mending the line involves flipping the leader to help create a natural drift for the fly. If the fly line moves ahead of the fly, it can spook wary fish. Mending the line can prevent this from happening and can give you a longer drift.
These are just a few of the terms you will encounter when you learn to fly fish.
There are many skills to master when you learn fly fishing. Having a personal teacher to start you off will ensure that you understand the techniques. After you have learned the basics, practice and time on the water will fine-tune your skills until the day comes when you realize that you too are a fly fisherman or woman.








August 25th, 2008 at 5:02 am
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