Basically, fly fishing is not only one of the fastest growing sports; it is one of the foremost forms of conserving natural resources as well as providing aquatic recreation.
Fly fishing is, very simple when three things are right: you must have a suitable rod; you must get a line to match it; and you must learn correct casting technique.
For people who wish to know some tips on fly fishing, here is a list of some pointers that could help anglers harness their fly fishing skills:
1. Material of the rod
For one of moderate means, and especially for the beginners, hollow glass is advised since it will require less care than bamboo and will not take a set if improperly handled or stored.
2. Line
Your fly casting skill will not progress with a mismatched rod and line. About 99 times in 100, the troubled fly caster has a line much too light to bring out the action of his rod.
That is why it is important to know that on any given rod, the fly fisherman should use the same size line for anything from small trout and bluegills up to the largest sea fish.
In choosing the size line, anglers should get a C level, an HCH double-taper, or a GBF three-diameter. This choice is based on the fact that a high percentage of fly rods bought nowadays are hollow glass, and that a great majority of these works best with lines of those sizes, almost regardless of lengths or weights.
3. The correct casting technique
In casting, it is important to get about 20 feet of line out front. Anglers should always remember to cast a straight line. Avoid jerky movements even if it is on a faster mode in order to do so.
Best of all, the angler should be relaxed because taunt muscles will ruin his casting.
Boiled down, there should be no reason why you should not learn the fundamental principles just as easily as those who now enjoy fly fishing.
Probably, the best and surest way to learn to cast successfully is to spend a day on the stream with some fisherman who is a competent caster.
Lessons learned on the stream are the best tips you can acquire anywhere in your quest for learning fly fishing.
Fly fishers come out in the spring, casting their fishing flies out over water in the early morning sun. Often the streams are crowded not just with other anglers but with swimmers and tubers who scare away the fish. Finding that dream spot on a stream can be difficult but rewarding, and the dedicated fishers continue to cast their lines through the summer and fall. And when winter comes, that is the time to put away the fishing flies and wait for spring to return. Or is it?
The fish aren't hibernating, so why should the fly fisher? There are fewer people on the river. The fisher doesn't have to get out at daybreak, since even the fish know better than to be out when the temperature is near or below freezing. Instead, an experienced winter fly fisher will amble down to the river about midday, taking advantage of the brief window of opportunity to find the fish rising in sunlit pools.
Winter fishing usually calls for wet flies rather than dry. The fish are sluggish in the winter and don't want to chase fishing flies, so it's best to drop the fly right in front of their nose. Winter flies often have a brass bead so they can sink more quickly than glass or plastic fishing flies with lower densities.
Motion and color are important when choosing the right winter fishing flies. Materials like rabbit strips and marabou work well, as does anything that will catch the light. White and yellow are good colors, though black and red seem to work well too.
Use a hook with a large gap, such as a scud hook or a size 10-14 singer-style hook. Sparse fishing flies work better than denser patterns. Nymphs tied to a tapered leader are usually the preferred winter fishing flies. Attach a split shot 10 inches above and a strike indicator far enough up the line to keep the fly drifting just above the river bottom.
Winter fishing requires attention to more than just your fishing flies. Long periods in the cold, not moving, maybe even standing in the water, can bring hypothermia on quickly. Dress in layers and add more clothing than you think you'll need. Mentally check your hands and feet throughout the day and if you start to lose feeling, it's probably time to go in.
Winter fishing sessions are shorter than in other seasons; as little as an hour or two. Bring along the right fishing flies, the right techniques, and the right equipment and winter fly fishing can add a whole new dimension to your fishing experience.
Both Nicky Pilkington & Christine Harrell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.