Over the years I have had the chance to teach fly fishing to several people. Most of them were acquaintances at the time. Now as I look back I realize that each of those acquaintances have become close friends and fishing partners over the years. Some have become closer friends than others but all of them could now be considered friends.

There even a couple of them that have become far better fly fishers than I am. But I have to take a little joy in the fact that they are very good and I actually had a small hand in that. Sure, they got good on their own. Through practice and persistence they have honed their skills to in some cases, master level in my eyes.

Many have become very proficient fly tyers and have boxes full of patterns that look like they were professionally tied.  They cast with an effortless ease and precision that can make an experienced angler stop and take notice.

Some of us don't get the chance to fish as much as we would like to and may not have honed our skills to that master level but we have a friendship that has developed over the years by a mutual bond of loving the outdoors and the creatures that live there.  Now and then we get the chance to meet and fish together and tell stories about trips we've made on our own. We laugh and eat and yes, we even sometimes consume adult beverages.

It is these trips that we all look forward to and talk about and plan for. We come together from different parts of the country for a few days with good friends and fly fishing. These are the memories that we all carry for a lifetime. Memories that may not have been possible had we not taken the time to teach fly fishing to someone we know.

So when you have the chance to teach fly fishing to someone, maybe just an acquaintance, take that opportunity.  You might be taking the first step towards making a friendship and memories that will last a lifetime.

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In fly fishing, learning to tie the right fly fishing knots can make all of the difference in landing or losing your fish.  It’s important to use the right knot as well as to tie it the right way.  A badley tied knot will mean a lost fish, flies and frustration, so knowing the right knots and how to tie them can make all the difference in your fly fishing success or failure.

When you tighten a knot, get it wet with saliva or with the water you're fishing in.  This will help make sure that the knot slides and seats properly. Lubrication also cuts down on heat that can weaken the monofilament leader.  Heat is created by friction that happens when the knots are pulled tight.  Getting the knot wet will reduce the heat and you will have a good strong knot and land more fish.

Seat the knot by tightening in with a steady pull makeing sure the fly fishing knot is good and tight.  To check the knot, pull on the line and leader and the tag end to be sure it holds.  It’s a lot better to check your knots strength before you cast instead of having it break once you get a fish to take the fly.

Different knots are used for different things. For example, for tying the backing to the fly line use either an Albright Knot or a Nail Knot.  The Nail Knot also works great for attaching the fly line to the leader. The Surgeon’s Knot or the Barrel Knot are both good choices for tying the tippet to the leader. The Clinch Knot or a Duncan’s Loop are both god choices for tying the fly to the tippet.

In my experience, the weakest link in my fly fishing is usually a poorly tied knot and they have cost me some very nice fish. A decent fish in fast water will put a real strain on your equipment and really put your knot tying to the test every time.  That's why learning to tie a good fly fishing knot is one of the basic skills that every fly fisher must have. The ability
to tie  good strong fly fishing knots will make a big difference in how many fish you bring to net when your on the stream.

When you first start getting into the sport of fly fishing, there are many new skills and technics that you will need to learn.  Other than taking a class,  You can look to fly fishing videos to  help you learn and improve your skills.  These videos are usually done by expert fly fishers and fly fishing  instructers that are qualified and very good at teaching their sport.

A novice fly fisher can get  confused about casting and which casting technique is the best to use in different situations.  While it might seem simple, casting really isn’t.  There are various ways you can cast your line to catch the fish so Unless you have someone who can actually be with you  and teach you how to cast, a fly fishing video can be the next best thing. I actually learned to cast from a video and have passed that video around to many of my friends when we were starting out in the sport.

You can also find fly fishing videos that focus on different species of fish and teach you how to recognize and imitate their natural food sources.  Being able to tell the difference between a steelhead and a rainbow trout can be difficult for new fly fishermen.  Fishing videos can show you how to tell what the difference is and what you need to know to identify what they like to eat and how to fish for them.  This can help you so that you know what flies to use when you are fishing for that specific fish.  There are videos on trout fishing and fly fishing for bass as well as various salt water species.

Fly fishing videos are also great when you are thinking about a trip to a specific fishing destination.  Many lodges and fly fishing resorts are happy to provide a promotional video showing their location and what they have to offer.  When you are looking at a specific fly fishing spot, a video will let you know what to expect and can be a big help so you are better prepared for your fly fishing trip!

There are companies that will offer you a complete series of videos showing you everything you’ve wanted to know about fly fishing.  Everything from how to tie flies to how to cast to where to find the fish and how to present your fly to the fish. They will take you through the whole process step by step and make you feel like a pro before you even get to the water and cast your line.

Another advantage to fly fishing videos is being able to see the fish actually take the fly.  Granted, it's not like being there but it can be very be helpful to see how the fish reacts to the fly. It's also great entertainment to a fly fisher to watch a jumping fish fight with the scenic background found in these videos.  Overall, when you can see the fish the action, it can make you a better fly fisher.

Fly fishing videos are not only a great way to learn, but they are good and informative sources of entertainment if you love the sport of fly fishing or just love nature and the great outdoors.  If you love the sport of fly fishing, videos can definitely offer enjoyment as well as outstanding instruction. The bottom line, whether you are a pro or a novice, fly fishing videos can make you a better angler.

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One skill that every fly fisher needs to learn to Use is the double haul for longer casts.  Thank you for staying patient as I attempt to describe the process of using the double haul for longer casts. This is just a short outline of what happens when you do a double haul in your fly fishing cast.

The double haul is an effective tool to have in your arsenal when you need to cast a long line. Espesially if you are casting a heavy or wind resistant fly, the double haul will allow you to get the fly farther across the water so that you have the chance to show your fly to more fish.

I spend quite a bit of time fishing bigger water and often use streamers which are heavy and wind resistant flys. It takes more effort to cast them and you really improve your odds with longer casts so that you cover more water. That's why I find the single haul and double haul essential skills to have in my fly fishing arsenal.

Here is my effort at describing the double haul...

Pick the line up off the water like you would anytime you are going to cast.

As the fly and line clear the water, give a short pull on the line with your line control hand. This helps increase the line speed in the back cast and will cause a tighter loop to form.

Now complete your normal back cast and let the line straighten out behind you.

Start the forward casting stroke and give a short pull of the line with your line control hand at the same time. Now you have really increased the line speed of the forward cast, causing momentum that will propel the fly and the nine much further.

Let the fly and line settle to the water as you would with any other cast

This may be a little basic and hard to understand without actually seeing someone do the double haul. So if you know an experienced long liner, ask them to show you the double haul casting stroke.  With a little bit of practice you will find that you can double your casting distance. And when you get a chance to cast to a Bone fish or a big Red fish or a Bass that is too far away for a normal cast to reach, you'll be glad that you took the time to become proficient at the double haul.

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• Beginner Fly Fishing Tips (webmanmarketing.com)

Ok, we've all suffered from the adrenalin rush and still do on the odd occasion. Fly
fishing is a thinking sport, so stop, wait, and think before you put a foot near the water.
You'll be glad you did.

Maintain the enthusiasm of fly fishing beginners

Fly fishing beginners often have an enthusiasm that spills over into a desire to get out on
the water, throw a fly at the lunker trout who has escaped capture for 10 years, and prove
that their modern equipment has huge advantages over the bamboo sticks their
grandfathers still use.

Now if we could tap some of that enthusiasm and blend it with a good dose of the intense
pondering of the old timer, serious angler, we'd wind up with a pretty good mix. The old
timer would remember what it was like to be a new comer, and the novice would channel
some of the enthusiasm into a more subtle appreciation of the art of fly fishing.

Advantages of being fly fishing beginners

There is nothing like watching fly fishing beginners to get you to check on your own
techniques. After all beginners will watch other fishermen closely and try to imitate their
methods. I've seen many an angler suck in his gut and fine tune a sloppy cast when a
beginner is nearby.

Beginning fly fishers are allowed mistakes. We may gently laugh at them, and then give
them some tips, but when an old timer bird nests his cast or hooks himself in the neck,
there is nothing but embarrassment all round.

A fly fishing novice can get away with asking questions. Many of us who have fished for
years somehow feel that it is a slight on our abilities to admit we don't know something. I
wonder how many of us would be much better fishers if we asked another "pro" how to
improve our roll cast technique.

Helping fly fishing beginners

There are enough fish to go round especially now that catch and release tactics are being
practiced regularly. Giving a few tips to a fly fishing beginner is good for the sport. If
you see someone who needs a hand, go help him or her out (be sensitive about it though).
You never know, that novice might lead you to the spot where your trophy fish is
waiting.

Teaching is the greatest teacher. As you help out a beginning fly fisher, you often learn or
are reminded of tactics that you once practiced, but have let slide. Your fishing, as well as
the students, will improve.

Etiquette 101 for fly fishing beginners

As a fly fishing beginner you will lose friends more quickly by one small breach of
etiquette than any other. That breach involves invading another fisherman's water.

There is nothing more annoying than hooking into a fish and suddenly finding you're the
bosom buddy of complete strangers. Fishermen who don't understand or don't care about
fishing etiquette will cast flies right where you are standing even before you land your
fish. As you walk to a quiet spot to release the catch, they'll step into the very spot you
were casting from.

If you want to remain on speaking terms with other anglers, give them plenty of room
and ask before either crossing their waters or fishing nearby. If you need to go by, get out
of the water to do so. If you are in close proximity to someone who has hooked a fish,
pull your line from the water until he has landed his fish.

Skills for fly fishing beginners

There are many places where fly fishing beginners can learn the techniques of the sport.
Initially I recommend that you find an instructor who can teach you the rudiments of
casting. Casting is fly fishing and a competent cast is vital if you are to become a
successful fisher.

Other techniques can be learned from books, magazines and from the Internet. An
extremely worthwhile pastime for fly fishing beginners is to watch other fishermen.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Most anglers will be happy to give you advice. You
might have to pay by listening to great stories, but you'll learn a lot.

Getting started right with fly fishing lessons

For the beginning fly fisher, fly fishing lessons are not a bad idea. In fact there are valid reasons for an experienced fly fisher to take a lesson or two to familiarize him or her self to new waters.

A guided trip is something like a lesson on the water, as the guide will usually give tips about fishing the particular stretch you are working. This is often the way to go for the more experienced fisher.

What to expect from fly fishing lessons

You can take fly fishing lessons that are specific to different aspects of the art such as casting, tying flies, or knot tying. Or you can sign up for more generalized classes on the basics of fly fishing.

Fly fishing lessons come in beginner, intermediate or experienced levels. Even the old timer can learn something new. With the development of new techniques and tools a lesson can keep you in touch with what is going on in the fly fishing world.

Checking out fly fishing lessons

Fly fishing lessons are offered through a wide range of vehicles. You can sign up for a semester at a college or university, or attend a clinic offered by your local fishing tackle store or fly shop.

The fishing tackle store will likely promote the product that they sell, that's what they're all about. The benefit of these clinics is that the tutors have first hand knowledge of local waters and tips will be directed to them.

Sometimes local parks will conduct clinics. A recent one where I live was about catching walleye, but the classes range in scope and subject and are also locally specific.

What you'll pay for fly fishing lessons

Be prepared, many fly fishing lessons don't come cheap. You'll be spending anywhere from $30.00 an hour to over $500.00 for a couple of days. That only includes the lessons, not gratuities. You might pay a lot more depending on what's included.

A group lesson will be cheaper than a private one. Find some friends who are keen to go fly fishing and share the costs.

Online fly fishing lessons

You can access many sites online and find fly fishing lessons on all aspects of the craft. Some are very detailed with pictures or videos that demonstrate correct techniques.
Manufacturers of fishing equipment will often have articles and lessons on general fly fishing topics that can be very informative. You'll be told why their product is the best to use naturally, but the information is usually generic and can be applied no matter what product you're using.

Magazines and fly fishing lessons

Another source for fly fishing lessons is in the magazines that are focused on this form of fishing. There are heaps of them out there. Go look at the newsstand in any bookstore to see a selection.

Fly fishing lessons are available from many sources. How you learn is as important as what you are learning from when choosing which way to go.

If you learn well from reading and then applying principles, good on you. I would still recommend that you take a lesson from a well-versed and capable teacher.

Learning with someone beside you will give you instant feed back on any problems that you have and help you learn some of the small tricks of fly fishing that can make a big difference in your success on the water. Sharp hooks.

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.

Fly fishing basics: what you need

Even a beginner fly fisher needs tools. Rod, reel, line and some flies will get you a starter kit, but knowing how your tools work together is an essential ingredient of fly fishing basics.

Fly fishing basics: the fly fishing rod

Fly Fishing Rods come in many lengths and weights. In order to make the right choices you need firstly to consider the type of waters you will fish. For general purposes a 4 -5 weight 9-foot rod should do the job.

Experienced fly fishers may have several rods in their armory. As you gain more experience you might consider buying a shorter rod for those times when you are fishing waters with a lot of overhanging vegetation.

Fly rods also come in a variety of materials. The most commonly used rod today is made from graphite. Buy the best model that you can afford. A good rod will last many years with careful handling.

Fly fishing basics: the line

Your fly fishing lines are the tool that will carry the fly to where the fish are (if you have aimed it right). Fitting the line to the rod is one of your fly fishing basics. If you are not sure, ask a knowledgeable salesman in your local fishing store.

Fly fishing lines come in different shapes, commonly known as tapers. Weight forward, floating lines are the easiest for the beginner to cast.

You can always fish a wet fly on a floating line, but never a dry fly on a sinking line. The floating line is usually the line of choice even for the more experienced fisherman.

When you buy your line also buy something to clean it with. The line eventually wears out, but keeping it free from accumulations of dirt and film from the water will extend its life.

You'll also need to buy some backing (100 yards recommended) for the times when the trophy trout strips all your line from your reel. Braided nylon or Dacron is the best choice. Use an Arbor Knot to tie your backing line to the reel.

The strongest knot for tying your fly line to the backing is the nail knot. Alternatively you could use an Albright or a Spider Knot

Fly fishing basics: the leader

The leader is the third section of your fly fishing line and choosing the correct line is another of the fly fishing basics. The leader consists of a length of monofilament (colorless will prevent it from spooking wary fish). The leader will varying in length according to fishing conditions but can be anything from 5 to 15 feet.

The diameter of the fly line and the end of the leader that will attach to it should be about the same. The leader can then taper down to a variety of diameters to suit whatever the fishing conditions are. The rule of thumb is the smaller the fly being used the small the tippet material.

Attach the leader to the fly line with any of the following knots: the Albright, the Blood, the Surgeon's, or the Huffnagle. To attach the tippet to the fly a Cinch or Improved Cinch knot are the most commonly used.

Fly fishing basics: the reel

If you are going to skimp on anything when purchasing your fly fishing equipment, the fly fishing reel is where you might be able to do so. But remember, if your reel fails when you are trying to land a lunker trout, you'll wish you had chosen differently.

There are almost as many fly fishing reels as there are spinning or bait casting reels. You need to consider a couple of things before buying.

What type of drag mechanism does the reel have? The traditional 'spring and pawl' system is fine for fishing with a light weight tippet for small fish. If you are going for the big buggers or something like bass you'll need the disc drag reel.

A cheap reel will wear out quickly, a quality reel will last a lifetime with proper care. It's worth the investment if you plan on fly fishing for many years.

If you are a lefty like me, you'll need to buy a reel that can be changed to a right hand retrieve as you'll be holding the rod in your left hand.

Fly fishing basics: the flies

You'll see fishermen on the river with a huge assortment of flies in their tackle. A fly fishing basic selection will get you started. You can always add to them as you spend more time on the waters.

I recommend that you have the following in your kit in sizes 14, 16 and 18 some Elk Hair Caddis and Adams for dry fly fishing. Midges in the smallest sizes always seem to be on the trout menu.

For wet fishing I usually have a couple of nymphs again in the 14 -18 sizes. Some Woolly Buggers in size 10 or 12 are good for exploring the bottom waters. The remaining essential item to your fly fishing basic kit is a selection of flies.

Ask your local fly shop about the current hatches and add a selection of flies to imitate them.

Basic fly fishing: added extras

There are a few additions to your fly fishing basic kit that would be nice to have if not essential. These include a vest with many pockets to carry all your goodies right there on the water.

Fly fishing waders are necessary for fishing in cold waters. You can find several different materials and weights to suit your conditions. They come with or without attached boots.

I recommend chest waders without the attached boots. You can purchase boots for comfort and fit which is always nice for a long day on the river.

When wading with chest waders, keep the safety belt in place as it will help keep water out if you ever take a dunking.

A hat is great for keeping the sun off your head but even greater for diverting the miss-cast fly from your face. If you look at other fishermen you'll see that hats come in all shapes and sizes, and personalities!

Putting it all together: fly fishing basics

You have all your kit; you look the part; now its time to wet your line. Fly fishing basics involve putting everything together so that the fly at the end of your line does what you want it to do.

Learning the cast is the first fly fishing basic task. Practice at home if you have a decent back yard, or the nearest park will suffice. Make sure that you are using a hookless fly for safety's sake, yours and others.

Aiming at a target can help improve your accuracy, but the very best of places to fine tune your skill is out on the water where wind, temperatures and water conditions vary.

Knowing how to cast is the one skill that you need. If you can cast, you can fish, it is as simple as that.

Even if you don't know how to read the waters, if you can cast you can fish everywhere and sooner or later you will cover an area where a fish is holding. The fisherman who reads the water like a pro will not catch fish if he can't cast to those waters.

Fly fishing basics: stop, look and listen

Once you have mastered the fly fishing basics of casting, you need to learn this valuable lesson. Every time you go fishing the mantra of stop, look and listen should be echoing in your mind.

The consistently successful fly fisherman will spend several minutes surveying the waters he is going to fish. Even if he has fished that spot for several years, he'll take time to notice what is happening on the river at that time.

Look at what is going on in and around the water before you throw your line. What hatches are occurring? Are the fish rising? Where are the likely holding areas? Is the water so clear that you'll need to fish from well back with the lightest of leaders?

You will likely go home with a smile on your face if you take the time to answer these questions.

Fly fishing basics are not hard to master. The time you spend learning directly equates to the success and enjoyment you reap when you begin casting your line on pristine waters.