How to fly fish
The fishing rod is the most important tool for fly fishers, as this is what is used to cast the fly line and then to control it. In the beginning, it is recommended to use a hollow fiber glass rod instead of a bamboo rod. Fiberglass rods are lighter and far more flexible, and require less maintenance. Plus, they are relatively cheaper and do not need to be stored as carefully as bamboo rods. Once you gain in experience, you could switch to a graphite rod. Not only is a graphite rod stronger, but being thinner and lighter it is far more maneuverable, hence the line can be cast far more swiftly and much further away.
Usually, fly fishing rods are longer than the usual fishing rods. The reel is also fairly simple, as it is usually used only to recover the hook and the lure – perhaps with a fish caught at the end of it! Before they cast the line, fly fishermen generally loosen it, pulling some of it from the reel, to create slack. This helps in casting the lure freely to the area the fisherman has targeted.
The fishing line used in fly fishing is also quite different compared to those used in normal fishing. The fly fishing line is larger in diameter and is therefore completely visible. Some of them are designed to float on the surface of the water, while others sink under the surface. A tippet is attached at the fly line’s end, which is what actually does the fishing. This is about 6 feet in length with the lure being tied to the end of the fly line. This contraption is the reason the fish are unable to catch sight of the fly line and fools them into thinking that it is a real insect that they are seeing.
The next thing that fly fishing beginners need to familiarize themselves with is the lure. While it is true that the lure is supposed to mimic insects like flies, but these days, they have become much more specialized. With the evolution of this sport, fly fishing buffs now are going in for lures that mime the exact prey of the fish they set out to catch. Hence, once you learn the basics of casting and using the lure, in order to refine your skill even further, it would be helpful to learn about the specific feeding habits and baits of a variety of species of fish. The main kinds of flies that you will find in a shop dealing with fly fishing gear are emerging bugs and dry flies, wet flies, streamers, nymphs, saltwater flies, panfish and bass flies, and steelhead and salmon flies. However, modifications can be made to the basic flies according to any kind of fish, and there can be nearly endless combinations and color patterns that can be designed.
As is quite evident, fly fishing is a fascinating sport. The best way to gain expertise in it is to seek instructions from an experienced master. He/she will not only tell you more about lures, reels, rods and lines, but also give you information about the best spots for fly fishing.