Fly Fishing

Marilyn Roberts asked:


Types of flies are also known as patterns. What exactly is being fished for and under what conditions determines the type of fly that is used. There are many different patterns that are used in fly fishing. They can be broken down into five main categories: wet, dry, streamer, nymph, and terrestrial.

Wet Fly

As the name inplies, wet flies resemble insects that are under the water. This includes dead insects that are coming up and emerging from the water. This type of fly can also be made to look like bigger water creatures such as leeches or crawfish.

Dry Fly

Just as with the wet fly, the name also gives away what it is imitating. Therefore, a dry fly is meant to look like an insect that stays on top of the water. While fishing with a dry fly it is usually necessary to dry the fly several times.

Streamer

This is a type of wet fly but it is meant to look like an injured bait fish. Streamers are larger than the other types of flies. They are used to catch larger fish that are predatory.

Nymph

A nymph is another type of wet fly. It is supposed to look like an insect that is coming out of its cocoon or its larval state. A majority of fish like to eat insects in this state.

Terrestrial

Terrestrial flies can be used as wet or dry flies. They are made to look like larger insects that mistakenly jump into the water and drown. These can be either made to look like an insect desperate to free itself from the water or as an insect that has already died and is simply sinking into the water without movement.

In fly fishing there are many different types of flies. While each type of fly has its own type of fish it is supposed to catch, many anglers will use any type of fly that they think will work on the fish at a certain time. The wet flies, dry flies, streamers, numphs, and terrestrials are the most used and most popular types of flies and will help bring a fisherman a lot of success.

Decisions can be critical when you are deciding on your fly strategy. Is there a color to prefer for the morning as opposed to the evening? Will those trout really even notice the difference between your flies or will any do when twilight hits? Should you tie your own or have professionally produced flies? Have fun and experiment and eventually you will find what suits your style of fishing and the type of fish you are trying to catch.



Jaxon

Ryan Simpson asked:


If you are considering taking up fly fishing as a hobby then two of the reasons probably include enjoying the beauty of nature and breathing in the beautiful fresh air. Fly fishing is one of the sports where you can truly enjoy the nature around you and experience the calming effect of the water.

There is no speed involved with things flying by you too fast to notice, there is no rush to go anywhere, and there are no guarantees that you will catch any fish.

These attributes of fly fishing make it an ideal weekend or vacation sports if your purpose is to be outside in nature and fully relax far away from the hustle and bustle of normal day to day life.

The fly fishing rod is lighter and shorter than the average rod used for other types of fishing. These rods are on average around 9 feet long with a weight of about 5 ounces. However, the length of the rod will depend on the size of the stream that you want to fish in. Smaller streams will require that you purchase and use a shorter rod.

The fly fishing line is usually heavier than the usual line used for other types of fishing. These lines are manufactured to either float on the surface of the water or to sink into the water.

The fly lure that you choose will depend on the type of fishing that you want to do and the species of fish that you want to catch.

Some fish seek their food from amongst objects that float on the water surface and to catch these fish your lure needs to mimic floating insects. Other fish get their food from objects in the water and to catch those you lure needs to mimic those objects.

The experience fly fisherman always carries a wide selection of fishing lure because what worked yesterday might not necessarily work today.

With fly fishing, the time of the day, the temperature of the water, the glare of the sun on the surface of the water, the speed of the water in the stream, and other factors determine what type of lure will work.

Fly fishing is such an established sport that the fishing lures have been divided into official categories. These are the dry flies and emergers, the nymphs, the streamers, the wet flies, the saltwater flies, the bass and panfish flies, and these salmon and steelhead flies.

Enjoying fly fishing requires a little bit of preparation and knowledge acquisition and thereafter it is learning from experience whilst enjoying the beauty and serenity of nature.



Cierra

Spencer H asked:


I know the magnetic releases are great, but I don’t really want to drop the twenty bucks on one if there is a simpler solution.

Trent

Greg F Williams asked:


Fly fishing for bass is one of the most popular types of fly fishing there is. The thrill of your first time to catch a largemouth bass, can be counted as one of the most thrilling fishing experiences you will have. Most anglers will use spinning or casting reels to catch bass. But if you really want a challenge, then you need to try fly fishing for one.

Fly fishing for bass certainly will not win you any fishing tournaments. But it is the most challenging way you will find to catch bass. It is far removed from most fly fishing techniques, such as fly fishing for trout in a mountain stream.

The rod used is heavier than those used for catching trout. Rods for bass fishing are usually 8 weight, a rod such as this is required because this type of fish takes some landing. Also the fly used would be larger as well. The leader used for this type of fishing would be shorter as well, 4-6 feet, with the tippet at around a 8 pound test line.

The best way to catch your first fish, is to cast your line from a boat towards shore, making sure it lands underneath trees and there branches. A technique that is known to work well, is simply letting the fly rest on the water for a period of time, then snap it across the water quickly, this is a great way to get the attention of any bass that are there. You will find that the popping sound of this action will attract the fish and then you can make your first strike.

Some of the best fishing you will find is in smaller bodies of water. Small county lakes and slow moving creeks are perfect for fly fishing. Slow moving creeks are a favorite, this is because can use the shore to cast from and position your fly in a favorable position, such as, beneath trees.

The thing about this type of fishing, is the fight the fish will put up, will make it seem far larger than it is. A two to three pound bass caught will seem and feel like a six pound fish. All this adds to thrill and excitement of your new fly fishing experience.

Fly fishing for bass is not only an exciting experience, it is also fun to do. So next time you are thinking of going fishing for bass, put aside your normal rod and reel, then give fly fishing a try. You will not regret doing so and will have the most thrilling fishing experience that you will ever have. Also just think about the tales you will be able to regale your friends with, about your new found experience. So are you up to this challenge?



Lilly

Steven James asked:


Fly fishing differs from regular fishing because you don’t use a heavy lure and a light line. Instead, using a fake fly on the end of the line, you cast out a heavy line with a thinner leader on the end. Often a color of ribbon, thread, or fur is tied to the fly. This gives fish the impression that what they see is a bug that they eat. Fly fishing lines are much heavier than regular fishing line, but are often designed to float. There are two types of fly fishing. Dry fly fishing involves the fly remaining on the surface of the water. Wet water fly fishing involves sinking the fly down into the water. Both methods are very effective. The use of the techniques is up to the person fishing and the circumstances on “fishing trips.

Fly fishing is practiced throughout the United States and Canada. The most common states for fly fishing are Montana, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, California, and Alaska. This is because of the amount of fish flowing through the Rocky Mountain area. West Yellowstone is considered the major hub for great fly fishing. More fish are caught here than any other location. Areas of Canada including Alberta as well as other water areas throughout the world are great locations for fly fishing.

Fly fishing is a great sport enjoyed by fisherman all over the world. This method of fishing requires artificial flies, and a rod that is very flexible. The sport of fly fishing has been around since at least 200 A.D. The first knowledge of the sport is found in books written during that time period. Today the sport remains very popular. Most people fly fish for trout, salmon, and bass.

This sport of fly fishing continues to be very popular, with no sign of letting up any time soon. Fly fishing enthusiasts spend lots of time and money fly fishing. They buy the best equipment and travel to the best fishing locations, hoping to be lucky enough to catch that great fish swimming upstream.



Samuel

Team AMP asked:


I’m new to fly-fishing, trying to find a good spot in CA. Also ratings and advice for websites, Blogs, books, and DVD’s on how to fly fish and equipment, especially what fly patterns and rivers are best. In-addition what is the hatch for all rivers in California? Plus recommendations and reviews on tweekend getaway in Central California for trout fishing rivers, like Guides, Bait stores, campsites, cabins and motels around Yosemite and Kern River. Most important; whitch, river, spot, when and on what flies will be hatching this month?

Jerry

Allen Bohart asked:


Fly Fishing is a unique form of fishing that is as artistic in nature as it is technical. Fly fishing has evolved from being a sombre pastime to an extremely passionate sport among anglers. Fly fishing, initially developed for catching trout and salmon, quickly developed into a favorite recreational habit for many around the world looking to take a sabbatical from the rigors of daily life.

Unlike traditional forms of fishing, fly fishing involves the use of an artificial fly as bait. The fly is tied to a hook with the use of fur, thread, feathers and other similar materials. The basic logic behind this is to create an illusion of food that attracts the fish to the hook.

There are two major fly fishing forms, one being the traditional dry fly fishing and the other wet fly fishing. Out of these, dry fly fishing is widely regarded as the classic form in which the angler casts the bait upstream to catch trout or salmon. The sight of a fish jumping upstream in anticipation of bait beats most other fishing experiences hands down and this is just one the many reasons why more and more people are attracted to the charms of fly fishing.

Fly fishing is generally regarded to be one of the toughest forms of the fishing sport and demands a lot of patience and skill from the fly fisherman. As fly-fishing fun requires agility and sharpness, the correct selection of fly fishing rods holds utmost importance. There are many different types of fly fishing rods around the market and one should always pick out an appropriate fly fishing rod after review of certain aspects such as their weight, length, and the place where fly fishing is to be attempted.

One of the best ways for a fly fishing amateur to kick start things is to try out his luck using a bamboo fly fishing rod. Most fly fisherman swear by them due to their lightweight and greater flexibility. Bamboo fly fishing rods were the first fly fishing rods to be created and their immense flexibility makes them an asset to both amateur fly fishers and astute fly fishers who prefer a much more refined style of fly fishing. However on the down side, bamboo fly fishing rods are much more delicate and as making them requires substantial skill, they are pretty heavy on the wallet too.

Great alternatives for bamboo fishing rods are graphite fly fishing rods and fiberglass fly fishing rods. Graphite rods do tend to be a bit on the stiffer side but their additional strength, performance, and durability does indeed give fly fisherman a lot of options to work with. On the other hand, fiberglass fishing rods have grown in stature and number over the past decade or so and are now the most common fly fishing rods around the fly fishing community. Fiberglass rods are strong and also have the added advantage of being flexible and durable. However, they do tend to be a bit on the heavier side and much of their usage is dependent on the strength and the skill of the fisherman wielding them.

The act of fly fishing is best enjoyed in the company of friends and relatives. Fly fishing offers the best way to spend a dull afternoon in the lap of nature with close friends and relatives complete with competition to make the biggest catch. So, go ahead and take a dip into the charm of fly fishing and find a great way to enjoy your much cherished weekends.



Rohan

Michelle Bery asked:


Everyone knows the basics of fishing. There’s a rod, reel, fishing line, hook, bait; you cast the line, wait for a bite, and reel in your dinner. Experienced fishermen know there is more to it than that, but for most of us that description appropriately sums it up. However, there are many types of fishing, such as salt water and fresh water, and perhaps the most artful of them all, fly fishing. You have probably heard of fly fishing - it has been in recorded history for nearly 2000 years - and you probably know that it does not involve fishing for flies, but if that is all you know then a primer in fly fishing basics can bring you up to speed.

Unlike other forms of fishing, fly fishing does not typically use any kind of organic bait, live or dead. Instead, fly fisherman use artificial flies - ribbon, string, hair, feathers - as a lure to attract fish. The artificial flies are attached to the hook and line, and the fisherman attracts fish with movement that makes the fly look like an insect that is moving on or above the surface of the water. The nature of that artificial bait is the first and most important element to understand when examining fly fishing basics.

Another aspect of fly fishing basics, an aspect that separates fly fishing from most other variations of fishing, is the way the line is cast. Other kinds of fishing rely on casting a line and attracting fish with the bait, but fly fishing requires a much more skillful method of luring the fish. A fly fisherman casts his lure toward the fish and uses rhythmic movements to make the lure fly above the water, skimming the top, or even diving under the surface, all in an effort to replicate the movements of an insect that might entice a hungry fish to strike.

If you understand fly fishing basics, you might wonder what you need to give it a try. Fly fishermen usually use rods that are longer and lighter than typical fishing rods. The reel used is typically quite simple because it is generally used only to retrieve the hook and lure - and hopefully a fish! Before casting, fly fishermen usually create slack in the line by pulling some from the reel. That slack allows the lure to fly freely to the targeted area. Choosing the proper lure is another aspect of fly fishing basics that one should understand before setting off to cast their line.

Fly fishing implies that the lure is intended to resemble the characteristics of flies, but fly fishing is hardly limited to that. The sport has evolved in recent years, and many fly fishermen now choose lures and casting techniques that mimic the primary prey of the fish they are attempting to catch. However, specific baits and the eating characteristics of various species of fish are beyond the realm of fly fishing basics.

An understanding of fly fishing basics is not enough to prepare one to head off to the nearest lake or stream. If you are interested in expanding your knowledge, or trying fly fishing yourself, spend some time reading on the subject, and if possible seek the tutelage of an experienced fly fisherman. Only then can you begin to understand more than fly fishing basics, such as specific recommendations on rods, reels, line weight, lures, and most important, the great places where fly fisherman must make a pilgrimage.



Edward

luke m asked:


I am currently in Rochester Minnesota receiving some treatments. I am new to fly fishing and with a lot of down time i would really like to get some lessons casting, and tying, and everything i can i guess. I am also willing to do some driving if need be.

Eric

big bad wolf asked:


I’m going camping in a couple weeks real close to a place full of trout. My friends and i want to go fly fishing and were wondering what kind of tackle we would need we have the poles from a friend i was just hoping for some help on a few pointers.

Monica