Shareen Aguilar asked:


One important part of fly fishing is the rod. A fishing rod or also called the fishing pole is always associated with the sport called angling. Choosing the right rod for your fly fishing experience is very important. The right combination of reel and rod also matters heavily as well.

There are several types of fishing rods to choose from but for fly fishing specifically, the rods are longer, thinner and more flexible. One reason why fly rods are meant to weigh light is because rods made like this are the only ones that can cast even the lightest fly. So, you have to realize that the overall characteristic of a fly rod should be lightweight. Also for casting, the line used works together with the weight of the rod, the weight of the line acts as a helper to how the rod is able to cast the fly.

Next, the material of a fly rod varies too. Most of the rods today are made of composite materials such as carbon and graphite, carbon and boron or fiberglass materials; a more innovative version compared to the original bamboo split material. As for the sizes, you have choices between the #0 sizes to the #16 ones. You’ll have to decide first what size of species you want to catch, the type of water condition where you’ll be fishing, the wind and of course the weight of the line before selecting the the type of rod.

The #0 rods are usually used for the smallest species from freshwater, while the #16 rods are for larger ones on saltwater seas. Also, in selecting the type of rod you want to use for fly fishing, familiarize first the parts of it because unlike other types of rod, fly rods don’t have the usual handle extending just right below the reel although there are rods that have very little handle too. The reason for this is to prevent from any casting interference.

These are the primary qualities you may want to take note of before getting yourself the fly rod you want. Don’t forget to make sure, above all else, that you are comfortable with the type of rod you will be using. Don’t get the extremely long rod if you can’t even handle it yourself.

Brian Barnard asked:


Spend a day learning to fly fish and open up the door to a lifetime of angling adventures and memories. Upon completion of this full day, comprehensive school, you will be skilled and confident enough to pack up your fly fishing gear and head out to enjoy a trip on the water of your choosing. The elements of the sport we feel are essential for beginners and cover in the school are as follows:

· Equipment Knowledge and Selection

· Casting Techniques & Presentation

· Reading Water

· Wading Techniques

· Fishing Knots

· Fly & Leader Selection

· Fly Presentation

· Proper Fish Fighting Techniques

· Lots of time spent fishing!

The setting for our fly fishing schools is a sportsman club in Manchester, Indiana. The location is a short drive from Cincinnati, Ohio. The club is comprised of 1000 pristine acres of rolling hillsides housing 14 ponds and a man-made trout stream. The waters are home to largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, panfish, trout, carp, and catfish. In addition to the breathtaking scenery, a newly remodeled lodge with full amenities is at our disposal.

The fly fishing schools run from March-August. The cost of the school is $175 and includes all fly fishing equipment, a hearty lunch, and beverages. Accommodations at the lodge or nearby casino hotels are available, and we would be happy to make those arrangements for you. The schools are limited to 4 or 5 participants, ensuring a lot of personal attention.

2008 Introductory Fly Fishing School dates:

March 29th

April 5th

April 12th

May 10th

June 7th

June 28th

July 12th

August 2nd

The following items are recommended items for the beginning flyfishing school:

· Flyrod and reel if you own one. If not, one is provided as part of the class.

· Sunglasses-Polarized sunglasses are strongly recommended as they help cut the glare on the water allowing you to “see through” the water.

· Sunscreen

· Hat

· Hiking shoes or similar. Recommend against wearing open-toe shoes

· Bug Spray-usually not bad but you never can tell.

· Camera

· Any personal medications

· Clothing recommendation is long pants (lightweight) and a short sleeve shirt (no bright colors)

· Rain gear if appropriate.

(If you have any questions regarding what to wear or bring, please do not hesitate to call and ask us. We will be more than happy to review the checklist with you.)

To reserve a slot for an upcoming school, please call us at 513-871-3474. If you cannot attend any of the available dates above, you can email or call us and we will place your name on a list and contact you if we open additional school dates. Private schools are also an option if the dates above do not fit your schedule.

For more information, feel free to contact the school instructor, Brian Barnard, at Brian@BestGear.com.

Steve W Sharpe asked:


When you are fly fishing, tying the right knots can make a world of difference in your success or failure. It’s important to not only select the right knot for the situation but also to tie it properly. Poorly tied knots will mean lost fish and frustration for you, so knowing about the right knots and how to tie them can be a huge part of the fly fishing experience.

Before you tighten a knot, moisten it with saliva or with water you are fishing on. This will help the knot slide and seat properly. Lubrication also decreases excessive heat which can weaken the monofilament. Heat is generated by friction created when the knots are drawn up tight. Moistening the knot will reduce this heat and allow you to have good, strong knots.

Tighten knots with a steady, continuous pull. This is called seating the knot. Make sure the knot is tight and secure. To check this, pull on the line and leader to be sure it holds. It’s better to test its strength before you cast rather than to have it break once you get a hook.

There are plenty of books available that give step-by-step instructions on how to properly tie specific knots. You can also find many tutorials online that can show you how to tie specific knots.

You will need to know how to secure your line to the reel. This is called “Backing to the fly reel” and there is a specific knot as to how to achieve that. When you are backing to the fly line, you should use either an Albright Knot or a Nail Knot. The Nail Knot is also good for using when tying the fly line to the leader.

When securing the leader to the tippet, good knot choices include the Surgeon’s Knot or the Barrel Knot. Securing the tippet to the fly can be achieved easily with a Clinch Knot or a Duncan’s Loop.

It has been said that the weakest part of a fly fisherman’s equipment is his knots. A fighting fish will test every link in between the angler and itself. If one of these link is lacking, the line will break and the fish will be lost. Unless you’re really eager to share a “the one that got away” story, learning to tie knots can be the most important part of your fly fishing experience.

Some fly fishing knots are simple to do – others are a little more complicated. Practice tying knots before you get on the water. Become proficient at it and be sure you can do it in low light in case you have a broken line. There is no one knot best for any specific situation – the choice is personal. But when you are fly fishing, you need to depend on your knots and it’s worth taking the time to learn properly.

Craig Alan Howlett asked:


Trout and other fish have common feeding behavior.  Understanding these feeding clues are good fly fishing fundamentals that will make fly fishing more fun and productive.   These clues are telling signs of what type of foods the trout are eating and whether the food is on top of the water or subsurface.  A wide brimmed hat and a good pair of Polaroid sunglasses will reduce glare from the water and help you spot these vital clues.

   

1        A normal rise with bubbles indicates that trout are taking food off the surface.

2        Trout leaping out of the water may be feeding on flying insect like dragonflies and damselflies, spinners and caddis flies.

3        Tailing trout with their head down fossicking and tails in the air indicate feeding on nymphs, pupae and scuds.

4        Smelting.  Trout are taking baitfish and are aggressive in their feeding, sometimes there will be bow waves as the bigger fish rush in and attack the baitfish in the shallows.

  

5        Slashing means the trout are feeding on fast moving insects like caddis moths and grasshoppers. Slashing can also indicate feeding on snails; this can be exciting but hard fishing.

6        Porpoising indicates trout feeding on emergers.  With abundance of food in some cases the trout will be predictable in their direction of feeding before the surface again.  Landing a fly well in front of the fish porpoising can be effective.

  

7        A swirl or small whirlpool means the fish are feeding below the surface.

8        Bulging also points to feeding just under the surface.  Sometimes the trout will angle up towards the surface and stop as they take the food causing a bulge in the water.

9        Sipping indicates trout feeding on smaller insects like ants or spent spinners low on the water surface.

10    A normal rise without air bubbles is a sign of the trout taking emergers right under the surface tension of the water.  

 Studying the water and feeding behavior of trout and other fish will increase your knowledge and observation skills.  These indicators will increase your chances of landing the trophy fish as you can then select the right imitation fly, equipment and techniques to match the hatch! 

© 2008-2009 Fly Fishing Fish

John Savage asked:


Fly fishing is a spectacular hobby. Very few pastimes combine so many interesting features. From physical dexterity to a knowledge of biology to a mastery of area entomology, fly fishers are able to explore so many exciting topics in their quest for those thrilling moments when a fish leaps and takes a fly in his mouth.

As with so many worthwhile pursuits, however, it isn’t always easy. In exchange for the fun, fulfillment and excitement offered by the hobby, one must put forth a genuine effort. Fortunately, much of the work is fun. Any angler would enjoy reading more about the hobby and the game he or she will be pursuing. Anyone with the slightest interest in fly fishing won’t mind practicing his or her cast until the body’s muscles have memorized each element of the motion.

Successful anglers should be role models for all of us. They have combined three powerful traits that can help anyone to live a better and more successful life. Consider the two keys to fly fishing success. While you do, think about how those lessons might apply to anyone’s life and how fly fishing just might be something of a microcosm of life.

Patience is a virtue. That sentiment has been expressed so many times that it has almost lost its meaning. Clearly, the message has been lost by many of us as we move through our hectic lives at warp speed, rarely even stopping to catch our breath. Those who fly fish, however, have acknowledged the importance of patience and have made it part of their lives.

A day of fly fishing may feature scores of struggles with potential trophy fish. A day fraught with that kind of excitement, however, is no more likely than a day spent with only a single nibble. No-catch days are common, yet the fly fishing master will still stand in that unmistakable posture, casting again and again, waiting patiently for his opportunity.

Those who don’t practice patience find themselves switching casts, flies and locations so often that they rarely have a line above the water. The only successful anglers are those who have patience.

Knowledge is power. That’s another old cliche many of us disregard. We jump in headfirst without knowing exactly what we are doing and without the information necessary to successfully confront a challenge. An angler, on the other hand, comes to the stream with knowledge. He or she understands the equipment, the stream, the weather, the fish likely to be swimming about and a host of other factors.

Those who attempt to fly fish without that kind of knowledge are far more likely to have their patience tested than the well-informed, who are able to maximize their chance of success. Those who fish with a box full of tackle and a mind full of data are the ones most likely to leave happily at the end of the session.

Does all of this mean that those who fly fish are somehow superior to those of us who don’t? I am sure a few fly fishing advocates might argue that is the case, but that really isn’t the point. The crucial thing to recognize is that fly fishing encourages both the development and use of a few mental habits from which we all could certainly benefit.

Fly fishing is an object lesson in the value of patience and the power of knowledge. It shows us that taking those two concepts to heart can be the difference between a fulfilling experience and frustration. That’s an important lesson no matter how it is taught.

Imagine how peoples lives might be improved if everyone committed themselves to being knowledgeable and found it within themselves to be a little more patient. It’s hard to argue that the world wouldn’t be a better place. Will fly fishing make you a better person? Not necessarily. Then again, it may remind you and those around you of the value of those two key attributes. Fly fishing is patience and knowledge in action and the result is really quite amazing.