So, you want to learn how to fly fish? Fly Fishing is a great hobby and even considered a sport in many areas as well. Fly fishing attracts people for many reasons. Whether you are looking for a challenge or you desire a connection with nature, you can learn how to fly fish and enjoy every bit of it. However, before getting started, there are certain things you should know. It isn't just about catching the fish. You should know how to get started, what gear to use, and more.
There is good news for you. Fly fishing is an ancient sport, and this means many people have learned how to fly fish. You can pick up a fly fishing rod, learn the basics of the sport, and start catching fish. No matter where you live, this can be a lot of fun. If you want a quick and easy way to learn how to fly fish, you should check out the Drifthook Fly Fishing System.
Fly anglers can choose any species - whether that be saltwater or freshwater. You can choose to fly fish in your home town or when you go on vacation. There are many options for fly fishing all across the country. You should also know that fly fishing is an affordable hobby. There is some gear that costs a little bit more than others, but to start out don't feel like you need to get the most expensive equipment.
Getting Yourself Started with the Cast
Getting yourself out on the water can help you significantly improve your fly fishing skills. When starting the harder parts of fly fishing is learning how to cast. In the lure or spinner rod fishing, you will cast your line with the weights of bait, lure, or sinkers. That is how you will toss your line into the water. However, this is different when it comes to fly fishing. The weight of the line is what carries your fly to the designated target. With trout fishing, you might cast about 20 feet. However, in saltwater environments, you might need to cast out to 50 to 80 feet to catch the fish.
If you have a local fly fishing store, that is one of the best places to learn about fly fishing. Most of the major cities have fly fishing shops. You may even be able to find fly fishing equipment at your local outdoor shop. Sometimes these shops might have inexpensive or even free seminars on learning the necessary fly fishing casts. Remember, you can also learn to cast a fly rod with the great introductory videos that come with a purchase of a Drifthook Fly Fishing Kit.
If you enjoy DIY projects, you should look around shops for beginner setups for fly fishers. There are many manufacturers of these rods. You can search online for more ideas for fly fishing equipment as well. Since you won't need to have a fly for casting, you can get down to your local park or even stay in your yard to practice tossing your line out. You can try sitting a frisbee around 20 to 50 feet from where you are standing. Then, you can toss your line out to that.
Getting the Right Gear
If you want to know about the right type of fly fishing gear to get, you can check out our other posts on gear essentials or how to get started for under $300. You can also talk to your local fly fishing shop about the proper type of gear to get as well.
There is a range of different lines you can get to fit your budget. To have a great rod/reel/line setup for fly fishing, you will probably end up spending hundreds of dollars on your rod, reel, and the fly line. But if you are starting, we recommend getting the basics and going from there.
Fly rods and fly lines are weight classified, so this way you always will know what to get. The fly lines will range from one - for smaller fish - to eight - for larger fish. For example, if you want to fish for trout, bass, or panfish, you will probably want a nine-foot rod and five weight line. If you are located in a more coastal area, you may want to get a nine-foot rod and nine weight line to be able to bring those larger poundage fish.
In addition to the fly fishing line, you will also need an additional line that is called a "Leader." Leaders generally are made from nylon monofilament of fluorocarbon filament. It is similar to a standard fishing line, but it starts thicker and then tapers into a finer line. You will probably want to begin with a seven-and-a-half or a nine-foot leader.
The last set of your rig set-up is what they call the"Tippet." The Tippet is an additional eighteen or twenty-four inches of the material that you can start to add on your delegate flies. When you get your set up, we recommend that you by three sizes of tippet, so no matter what style of fly fishing you want to start with you
will have the correct size for the job. The three dimensions that we recommend are 3x 5x and 6x.
When you are learning the basics of fly fishing, you must remember that practice does make perfect. You should start by learning to cast at twenty feet. Once you can do that, you can start trying to catch fish. There are many flies, techniques, and species, so you can keep learning how to fly fish for a lifetime.
What type of Fly Fishing is there?
There are several different styles of fly fishing that are used to catch trout. As you learn the basics, you will learn about numerous techniques. We recommend starting with Nymphing where your flies sink below the water as this will be the most effective way of catching the most fish. Then as you advance you can try Dry Fly Fishing. Where your fly sits on top of the water and the fish come up to get it. There is also Streamer Fishing where your flies are larger imitating smaller fish or leaches and you strip your line around areas fish will be feeding. All of these techniques are taught here at Drifthook Fly fishing, and you can find more information on each one here in the Discover section of our website.
Where Should You Go Fly Fishing
Anywhere that there is water that inhabits fish. This body of water could be a local farm pond or a river or an ocean. If you want to perfect your cast, find a lake near you and get started. When you get more comfortable with your fly fishing gear, you can move to more significant areas of water.
My favorite place to fly fish are in tailwaters and freestone rivers, but there are many streams and rivers throughout the world where you can fly fishing for all types of species.
What Do You Need to Know Next
Fly fishing can bring you some fantastic memories. Whether you are staying in your hometown or fly fishing on vacation, you can learn how to fly fish. Every single day, fly fishers learn new things about fish and the water. With so many types of gear, you can also continue learning how to fly fish for years to come. There is always something new you can discover.
Do you want a fun hobby or sport to start up? If so, fly fishing is something you can start doing today.
About the Author
Matthew Bernhardt, a third-generation Coloradan, grew up at the forefront of the state’s fly-fishing revolution, enjoying time on the water side by side with experienced guides and lifelong anglers.
By combining his passion for fly-fishing with input from other experienced fly-fishers and guides and his fine arts degree from Colorado State University, Matthew spent five years carefully developing the Drifthook Fly Fishing System, built to help every angler catch more trout.
When he’s not spending time with his wonderful family, you’ll find him out on the water catching MONSTER trout, and he anxiously looks forward to the day when his kids are old enough to join him there.
