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[F437]Fly Fishing For Smallmouth

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If you ask any fly fisherman if he gets any catfish, he'll probably tell you that he sure does... accidentally! Chances are, he's targeting bass, trout or crappie and a cat gets snagged somewhere along the way. On the other hand, if you ask a catfish man if he ever tries fly fishing, he'll probably tell you that it's just too darn difficult to catch catfish with flies.

The truth is, it's not as tough as everyone makes it out to be. It's just that nobody does it. And, why not? For one thing, fly fishing works best for fish that are feeding near the surface, and cats are bottom dwellers. For another thing, catfish like to put up a good fight, and many fly fishermen have had fly rods snapped in half by feisty catfish.

Fly fishing is actually a great technique for catching channel cats in rivers. It doesn't work so well for flatheads or blues. The best way to learn how to fly fish for cats is to get out there and do it, but there are some tips that will help you along the way.

Know Your Stream

You really have to know when and where the catfish are biting in order to catch them with a fly. Catfish are looking their hardest for food usually in the early spring during spawning season, and in the late fall when they're trying to fatten up for winter. Depending on the river or stream, you may find catfish on the surface all year round. It's a little like gambling; if you get a few hits, you should keep on going and ride your luck. Most anglers find that if they get a few catfish early in the day, they'll have a lot of luck all day long. On the other hand, if you spend a while out there casting flies and get nothing, it just might not be the right time or place. If you haven't caught anything within five minutes, move on to another spot on the river. Once you find a spot where they're biting, stay until you get a few.

The best places are always around obstructions like dams or log jams, where the catfish will be in calm waters. Look for a spot where there is some activity at the surface of the water. Even if you're not sure it's a cat you see, as long as something is biting and you can see it, there are sure to be cats there as well.

Good Gear for Fly fishing Catfish

Fly fishing for catfish won't probably catch you a giant trophy sized fish. Most anglers catch channel cats that are under 10 pounds fly fishing. You should use a fly rod that is anywhere from 5-7 weight. You don't want the rod to snap, and you also don't want it to be so heavy you don't feel the fish bite.

A long rod helps with control. Once you catch him on the end of your line, you're going to want to ease him to the shore without losing him. A nice long line will help you to keep his head above water as you pull him to shore.

A word on tying flies - it's tough at first, but you'll get used to it! Casting is tricky, too. Just be patient and remember that trial and error is what makes you a pro!

Every fly fisherman has his own type of flies he like to use some purchase them and then some of us like to tie our own. Fly tying is more of an art with basic training which most people can learn over a short period of time.

Dry fly fishing is the best classic form of fishing. The artificial fly is cast so that it floats on the surface of the water. As the fly passes over the fish it will rise to the surface and strike or take the fly.

With the fly rod you will attempt to stop the fish from spitting out the fly and get it tired enough so you can land it in your net. With fly fishing you will see all the action as you cast the fly and play the fish for a strike. The fly is very visible on the surface to the fish. You will see the fish take the fly on the surface however trout and other fish tend to feed under water so if you see the fish rising to the surface it is time to use a dry fly.

Wet flies will sink under the surface of the water an may be passed in front of the fish there bye causing the fish too strike at the fly,

Nymph fishing is very popular after the flies lay eggs on lakes or in streams and they hatch out as nymphs. As the nymphs make their way to the surface the fish will take them. When they get to the surface they will hatch into a flies.

When nymph fishing the imitation nymphs you us will be weighted to stay below the surface of the water. This will be far more of a challenge for you as the action all take place under the surface of the water and you will not be able to see if a fish is about to strike.

Most fish can be caught on a fly but the most common are trout, salmon, chars, and most game fish. In most areas the trout are the most popular and you will find them feeding mostly on small insects in shallow water. If you live on the coast you find salmon fishing with a fly rod a very rewarding challenge. Hooking a 30 or 40 pound salmon on a fly rod will give you a work out running up and down the beach trying to play the fish out to land it .

The fly fishing sport has gained ever increasing popularity over the years. Most will agree it just not about catching the fish but in the delivery of the fly and the skill and knowledge in the pursuit.

Some fly fisherman regard fly fishing as the holy grail of fishing. It is more relaxing and some say a better past time than golf. The sport of fly fishing see people from all walks of life. Some say it is more environmentally friends than the other type of fishing because it does less harm to the fish then other styles of fishing.

The art of fly fishing will get in to your blood and you will peruse the quite of the streams or the solitude of the ocean beaches to capture you prey. Most anglers will catch and release if they are fly fishing.

Sammy Salmon has been having fun fishing for years and wants to share all his knowledge with you so be sure to visit him at

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