Casting in Fly Fishing

Casting is a fundamental skill in fly fishing. It is the foundation of the sport thus it should be done correctly to achieve the desired results. Below are a few things about casting that one should keep in mind when going fly fishing for the first time.

- It all starts out with the grip. The proper casting grip is one which has the thumb on top of the rod. This helps the fisher apply a greater force when casting.

- Before casting, any slack on the line should be removed. This would allow for a smooth forward and backward cast.

- The line must fly towards the direction where the person points the rod during the cast.

- The size of the loop depends on how the rod tip is moved when casting.

- The distance of a typical cast is usually a number of meters away from the caster. Long distance casts are achieved by tons of practice.

The newbie may not get it right on his/her first few tries at casting. However, with the proper guidance from a more experienced companion and a lot of time dedicated to practice, the correct way of casting can be achieved.

Ideally, 15-30 minutes spent on practicing per day can help improve the beginner's technique.

As a word of warning, practicing casting can be a dangerous activity. That is why beginners are advised to do their practice away from the water and away from a lot of people.

Fields are ideal spots to do this as there is a large room to accommodate errors that may prove dangerous in otherwise constricted areas. …Read more >>

Fly Fishing Knots

Learning how to do fly fishing knots, or any fishing knots for that matter, is an essential skill that any fishing enthusiast should have.

Different knots serve different purposes like tying two lines together, shortening a particularly long line, to name two.

Below is a list of some of the most popular knots used in fly fishing. A description accompanies each of them to show how they are used in real-world fishing situations.

Slip Knot - this is probably one of the most basic and most important knots in fishing. This knot is used to fasten the line to the spool.

Constriction Knot - this is the type of knot which is used to tie two lines together, especially those made with different materials. However, its use isn't advised on modern lines made of different materials.

Albright Knot - not to be associated with the former British Prime Minister, this knot is primarily used to tie the backing to the fly line. It can also be used to join lines of different diameters.

Surgeon's Knot - a simple and neat way of tying to lines together. It can be best described as a double overhead knot.

Barrel Knot - also known as the Blood Knot, this is another way of tying two lines together. Although weaker and more complicated than the Surgeon's Knot, it is a neater way of tying a knot.

There are several more knots that fishing enthusiasts do, but those listed above are by far the most popular and effective. …Read more >>

Fly Fishing Equipment - Fly Rod

There are several pieces of equipment used in fly fishing. This article will discuss one of its most fundamental equipments which is the fly rod. This is where the fly line is attached.

The fly rod comes in several sizes. Its length typically ranges from as short as 6 ft to as long as 13 ft.

Aside from the length, fly fishing rods are measured by their weight. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the value of the weight, the smaller the fish it can catch.

For example, a fly rod of 0wt (zero weight) is enough to catch a small trout. For bigger types of fish such as a salmon, a fly rod of a heavier weight is used.

A fly rod's weight is also important in determining the weight of the fly line that can be used with it. So a rod of 10wt requires a #10 line and could not use a line of a different size.

There are rods which can accommodate a variety of weights but they tend to compromise performance for flexibility.

Bamboo is the traditional material used as a fly rod. It is prized by fly fishing enthusiasts for its surprising strength in typical conditions.

It can be pricey though, which is why others choose rods made of alternative materials such as fiberglass and graphite. The two are chosen for their durability (they are not prone to rusting) and performance (they are lighter compared to other materials).
…Read more >>

Introduction to Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing is an angling method that aims to catch fish using artificial flies. Traditionally, salmon and trout are the types of fish caught using this method. But in recent times, a wide variety of fish have been added to the list like pike, carp and striped bass.

As an angling method, fly fishing differs from other methods in its technique for casting. Other methods rely on the weight of the lure to pull the line.

But in fly fishing, the line is cast rather than the lure since the lures used in this method are too light to be cast.

Casting in fly fishing can be compared to the way a whip unfurls when it is being cracked. It is said that a good angler can unfurl his/her line even before he/she does the return motion when casting.

This angling method has been around as early as 200 AD. It was first mentioned in a book entitled "Natural History", written by a Roman author named Aelian.

One chapter of his book mentioned in passing the Macedonians' way of catching their fish. It talked about how they tried to lure fish using imitation flies that they made themselves.

Based on Aelians description, the methods that they used are closely similar to the methods and purpose of the modern-day fly fisher in catching fish.

While it has been around for two millennia, fly fishing remains a relevant and exciting method of angling until this day and will remain so in generations to come. …Read more >>

Fly Fishing Safety

Fly fishing is a fun and exciting thing to do. However, it can be dangerous if done without the proper safeguards.
Thus, this article discusses the safety practices that should be observed when going fly fishing.
The first thing one should remember is to familiarize oneself with the waters that he/she intends to go fishing.

However, if it is the person's first time to go fishing in a particular area, it would be a wise move to bring a wading staff and wear a pair of boots. It helps the person have a sure footing in unfamiliar waters.
Also, before setting out on a fishing trip, the person should check the local weather forecast. That way, he/she does not endanger himself/herself by setting out during a particularly bad weather.

But if the weather is good, he/she should still bring enough provisions and protective gear just in case the person finds himself/herself in a nasty weather condition.

Since help would probably be hard to come by in fishing areas, having enough supplies and protection will help the person prepare for the worst.
It would also be good to remove the barb in the hook. Without a barb, it would be easier to remove the hook just in case somebody gets caught with it.

There are several ways to remove the barb without destroying the hook like hitting it with a piece of rock until the barb gets flattened out.

In sum, safety in fly fishing should be of a paramount concern when doing this outdoor activity. It ensures a worry and injury-free fly fishing trip. …Read more >>

Fly Fishing Equipment - Fly Reels

Fly fishing is a sport which requires special pieces of equipment in order to be done. The fly reel is one of these equipments and plays an important role in fly fishing.

The fly reel is the one which holds the spool of line used in catching a fish. Also, it functions as the piece which controls the line.

If more line needs to be released or if the line slackens, it is the fly reel which adjusts the line to the desired length.

This piece of equipment can be made out of different materials. However, in saltwater fly fishing, aluminum is the material of choice because it is rust-proof. Saltwater is a highly-corrosive element, thus the need for a component made of aluminum.

Usually, fly reels are manually-operated. However, mechanical ones are favored by those who intend to go fly fishing in more demanding situations like those which involve long and arduous runs.

A typical fly reel has the retrieve on only one side. However, modern-day reels have interchangeable retrieves, meaning that the user can choose where to place a retrieve depending on which hand is stronger or on the type of fishing that he/she intends to do.

For example, right handed big game fishers prefer to have the retrieve to their right. Interchangeable retrieves are good for those who want to have a versatile reel. Also, it can save money compared to buying a specific retrieve for a specific need. …Read more >>

Fly Fishing Terms

Like in any other sports, fly fishing has its own set of terms and jargon to talk about everything related to this activity.

While it makes communicating with other fly fishing enthusiasts easier, it can be confusing to the average person, much less to those who are just starting out with fly fishing.

To help out beginners, below are some fly fishing terms which will let newbies get the hang of them and let them understand what other more-experienced fly fishers are talking about.

Back-cast - is the act of casting the line by first throwing it backwards, letting it unfurl, then casting it forward.

Buzzer - a term that refers to flies or any other insect that flies over the water.
Cover - the act of casting a fly to an area with a good number of fish.

Fly - an artificial lure which attracts fish by imitating a natural lure or by getting its attention with the lure's bright colors.

Fly Line - the line usually made of synthetic material to which the hook is attached.

Fly Reel - the object which holds the line. It comes in several types depending on several factors which include the materials used and function.

Fly Rod - the rod used specifically for fly fishing. It is usually made of bamboo, fiberglass and graphite.

Jig - a small and metal-headed artificial lure which usually has feathers on it.

What is listed above is only the most common terms used in fly fishing. However, they are enough to let beginners get by in conversations about the activity.

There are others more out there that beginners can pick up as one gains experience in this angling method. …Read more >>