The Complete Guide To Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing Equipment

 Choosing the Right Line

"Fly-fishing is the most fun you can have standing up." -Arnold Gingrich

Fly fishing is a fun sport but for someone who has never participated it is a bit different from traditional fishing.  With fly fishing, the fisherman is more concerned with his line than someone who sits atop a boat and drops a hook into the water would be.

The reason is that with fly fishing there is no weight on the line to hold the hook beneath the water.  In fact, in fly fishing your objective should be to keep the hook on the water’s surface. You need to rely on how the line is cast.  Where you cast it is where the hook or in this case fly will land.

There are several things you need to consider when you are choosing a fly fishing line:

1 The type of line:  There are two general types of fly fishing line.  One type floats on the water’s surface while the other sinks beneath the water.  The latter is much more difficult to use.  It is harder to cast and should only be considered if the angler is planning to cast his line into deep water.  Therefore, you will need to pick a durable line that will float.

2 The shape of the line:  There are also two shapes to fly fishing line.  One type of line has more weight towards the lead of the line.  The other has more weight in the middle of the line.  The main difference between the two is that the latter version is easier to roll and to cast.  It is the best choice for beginners and even veteran fly anglers will still use it regularly.

3 The color of the line:  Clear fishing line is still a very popular choice but many people prefer a line that has a color to it.  The reason is that once it has been cast they can follow where it is.  The lines come in several different colors and it is really a matter of personal preference.

Once you have decided on a line you may think that is all you need to do, but actually, there are several other things to consider.

The line should be cleaned regularly. Cleaning the line is very simple and when you are purchasing your line, you can ask the salesperson if they have a line cleaning kit.  This kit is designed to remove any dirt that may adhere to the line as it sits in the water.  Cleaning the line is important because you want it to roll easily as well as cast effectively and in order to do that it needs to be free of film or dirt.

Once you know which line is right for you, you will be able to purchase it from anywhere when you need it. Fly fishing line can have a long life span if it is taken care of properly.  However, eventually it will need to be replaced.  You might want to consider buying the line from the retailer you initially purchased it from or you can research the price online. 

Many online websites cater to the fly angler and offer discounted rates on gear.  This is not advisable for someone just beginning the sport but if you know your line, consider it an option.

 Critical Fly Fishing Equipment

“An angler, sir, uses the finest tackle, and catches his fish scientifically - trout for instance - with the artificial fly, and he is mostly a quiet, well behaved gentlemen. A fisherman, sir, uses any kind of 'ooks and lines, and catches them any way; so he gets them it's all one to 'im, and he is generally a noisy fellah, sir, something like a gunner.”- Dr. George Washington Bethune

Fly fishing takes specialized equipment, and what type of fly fishing equipment you buy depends on what you will be fishing for, and where you will be fishing. If you are planning to do a lot of fly fishing, in several different types of areas, then it is best to buy varied equipment.

Though you do not have to buy a lot of equipment at once, it is nice to be prepared for a last-minute fly fishing trip. Many sporting goods stores or specialty fishing stores will have what you are looking for when it comes to fly fishing equipment, but it is best to know what you want before you go shopping so that you will not be talked into buying something that you don't necessarily need.
Here is a list of some fly fishing equipment that you should have on hand:

Rods - Although fly fishing rods used to be made from bamboo, today's fly fishing rods are usually made of graphite and fiberglass. Fly fishing rods tend to be longer that most standard fishing rods, although salt water fly fishing rods are shorter than fresh water fly fishing rods. The type of rod that you use when fly fishing usually comes down to personal preference, and after you've been fly fishing for a while you usually decide on a favorite type of rod. As long as the rods are quality-made, there is no one rod that is really better than another - it is just a matter of what you decide works best for you.
Reels - Fly fishing reels come in three types: Single action fly reels, multiplying fly reels, and automatic fly reels. Single action fly reels tend to be very popular, as they have a simple design and are easy to use.

They consist of very few parts, therefore they tend to last longer, and the spool is easily turned by the handle, with one turn of the handle equaling one turn of the spool. Many veteran fly anglers prefer this type of reel, and it is definitely the best type of reel for those who are just learning.

Multiplying fly reels have different gears, and are therefore a little harder to master than single action fly reels. Though the gears on multiplying fly reels allow the line to be reeled in more quickly, the fact that the reels have more complicated parts means that they can be harder to maintain. Despite the drawbacks, many fly anglers prefer multiplying fly reels.

Automatic fly reels work with a trigger instead of a handle. Instead of manually reeling in the fishing line, with an automatic fly reel an angler pushes the trigger and the line is automatically retrieved. Though some fly anglers like the convenience of an automatic fly reel, others stay away from them because they can break easily, and are expensive to replace.

Line - Flying fishing line is heavier than regular fishing line, because in fly fishing it is the weight of the line that takes the fly out into the water when casting, and not a regular fishing weight.

Fly fishing line comes in different weights and styles, depending on what you are fishing for or what type of fly fishing you will be doing. Some fly fishing line is very light throughout, and some is weighted on the end for more casting length. Once again, the kind of fly fishing line you use depends on what you will be fishing for, and where you will be fishing.

Waders - Waders are boots that fly angler use, because fly fishing is usually done from out in the water instead of from the shore - unless you are fly fishing from a boat, or salt water fly fishing. Waders usually go up to the top of the thigh so angler can wade far out into the water without getting their clothes wet. Although waders do not help you catch fish, they are a necessary part of the fly fishing ensemble.

Flies - You certainly cannot go fly fishing without flies!  There are hundreds of different types of flies, and hundreds of different types of ways to use them. Some flies are very light for floating, and some flies are made heavier so that they will go slightly under the surface of the water.

Many anglers like to tie their own flies, but this is an art that takes some time to learn. When you are ready to buy some flies, it is best to take someone along who is a veteran fly angler. He or she may be able to give you some good tips on the different types of flies that you may need.

Though not necessary for fly fishing, it can be beneficial to buy a fishing jacket and a tackle box for your fly fishing trips. In addition, since fly anglers are usually not fishing in the shade, a hat can save you from a nasty sunburn.

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