Fly Fishin’

Have you ever been fishing? Many people would answer yes to this. In America alone, according to the American Sportfishing Association, there are nearly 40,000,000 anglers. But; have you ever tried Fly Fishing? Well, If you enjoy fishing of any kind I strongly suggest you try it. But, and this is very important. Learn How To Fly Fish Properly. If you go out with your new fly fishing gear, tie on your fly, cast, and hope, it’s likely that you’ll catch nothing, and then you’ll become disillusioned.

There are many things to learn first: Rod selection, line selection, leader and tippet selection, casting techniques. I could go on and on. But what I’m saying is, get the basics right first.

Fly Fishing is learning to imitate nature as you fool the fish into taking your carefully selected fly. Then feeling the exhilaration as you maybe hook a Smallmouth Bass and skilfully reel it in as it jumps and fights for all it’s worth on the surface, trying to throw the hook. Or perhaps a big trout that threatens to break your line.

O.k. so you can get the same thrill from bait fishing, and once you’ve hooked a fish, the way you reel it in is much the same. But it’s the skill of catching the fish which makes Fly Fishing so exhilarating.

So which is best, Bait Fishing or Fly Fishing? The answer is that neither one is better, or worse than the other. They’re just different. There is more to learn for successful Fly Fishing, it’s true, and some people just don’t want to learn about hatches, fly patterns etc. The skill of Fly Fishing is to make the fish see the fly and believe it’s a real insect and not a threat, or something to ignore. In my opinion, when you catch a fish this way, the feeling you get is 100 times that, of putting live bait in the water and waiting for the fish to bite.

Most novice anglers start with bait fishing. And it’s the best way to introduce children to fishing. But for me, and every Fly Fisherman I’ve ever talked to, bait fishing just doesn’t give the excitement of Fly Fishing.

Learn how to Fly Fish properly and it’s unlikely that you’ll ever want to go back to bait fishing.



By: William Carter

About the Author:

fly fishing

If you have heard of fly-fishing and you do not know what it is, it is a style angling that has a history tracing back to the ancient times. Fly fishing has a big difference from the fishing style we are used today which uses a reel and a rod, the fly-fisherman goes into the water and lures the fish to bite using his expert skills. The main difference of fly-fishing from the fishing style we are used to is the bait and method being used by the angler and also the fly fishing equipment.

Although fly fishing equipment has a reel and a rod it works differently from the usual open spool reels. Fly rods are made up of fiber glass or other complex materials and are flexible and light. Before catching a fish or purchasing your fly fishing equipment you must know the type of the fish you are going to catch because fly rods have different lengths. Usually a fly angler catches a salmon or a trout but it can also be an effective way of catching other types of fish.

Another distinctive feature that a fly rod has is the kind of fishing line which is usually thicker comparing it to any other kind of angling line.

Fly rod is not just an important fly fishing equipment but the weight, type and color of the artificial fly is also a part of the art of angling for a fly fisherman. There are various categories of flies they are partially submerged flies, surface floating flies and below surface flies each has its own particular way of casting.

Fly fishing equipment usually can be costly but not all the parts are expensive the most expensive part is the flying rod, flies and flying line are not. For people who are experienced in fly fishing they can eventually make their own flies to use. When you make your own fly you can customize it and most of all you can save a lot of money. If you want to experience how it feels to do fly fishing the best method to do it is with the help of an expert and he can also give you complete details regarding fly fishing equipment.

If you are the kind of person that loves adventure, likes doing things differently fly fishing is one great activity to be involved in. Somehow fly fishing is an “antique technique” that has been handed down from generation to generation. Fly fishing is a leisure that can last forever with the correct knowledge and equipment.



By: Abhishek Agarwal

About the Author:

Fish eat bugs, plain and simple. So why not try to catch a fish by mimicking a bug? Thats what fly fishermen have been doing for centuries. Fly fishing began as a method to catch salmonids, which include mostly salmon and trout. Today fishermen use this method to attract a variety of fish ranging from carp to saltwater fish off the coast of Caribbean islands.

Fly fishing differs from traditional lure fishing in a couple of different ways. First of all, the fly fisherman has a longer, lighter rod and a heavier line. The fly fisherman will use his lines weight to cast his incredibly light weight bait: a hand tied fly, whereas lure fisherman will use the weight of their bait to cast their line.

The fly fisherman will aim to mimic a live bug by slapping their line against the water, causing a commotion on the top of the water and hopefully attracting fish to their realistically made flies. The flies come in a variety of colors and styles, ranging from felt and feather construction designs that look like frogs, minnows, and even shrimp. Additionally, flies come in two varieties: dry and wet. The dry fly, like it states, floats on top of the water and does not tip below the waters surface, while the wet fly will find itself submerged underwater thanks to the fishermens drastic cast.

Fly fishing is a genuine art. It takes time, practice, and skill to make the task look both doable and easy. A fly fisherman will start with his rod in front of him. He will hold a length of string in his free hand, and then swing the road behind him, directly to an angle behind his head. Then he will swing the rod forward to an approximate 45 degree angle, allowing the free line to move forward and slap against the water. As stated before, he hopes that this disturbance will mimic that of a bug on the waters surface and draw his food to his line.

Fly fishermen have a variety of methods and terms for casting. Different types of casts are used for different reasons. For example, a fly fisherman may want to use a false cast to draw a different kind of lazy fish to them.

The right kind of fly will also make a difference to a fisherman. Some fisherman scratch their creative itch by creating their own flies while others rely on the experts to tie them the best kind of fish, egg, worm, or mouse for their fly.

Regardless of how they cast or what they use for a fly or even where they fish, every fly fisherman will cite the incredible benefits of fly fishing with relaxation topping out the list.



By: Yuki Shoji

About the Author:

fly fishing

Fly fishing is a sport that has emerged over the years and has taken on a form of a science and an art. In addition to the right equipment you must have the proper knowledge if you want to be successful in this sport. You are expected to have the proper outfit that includes all the gear needed for a fly fishing trip. This includes the clothing, foot wear, fishing rod and tackle and most of all the knowledge of he habits of the fish you are angling to catch.

The basic wardrobe of a fly fisherman is the fly fishing vest that contains a lot of pockets that is used for the various tools and tackle an angler needs to catch his trophy fish. A small pocket made out of tanned sheep skin and worn in the front of the vest is a good accessory for keeping those additional flies and hooks. Another good accessory that most fishermen like to keep handy is a spring loaded spool that has a pair of nail clippers hooked at the end. This is handy when you have ot cut the line and either remove the catch or let it go.

The fly fishing vest should also have a big pocket at the back where you can tuck in some light rain gear just in case. A small ring at the back of the collar of the vest will come handy to keep the net out of the way.

Fly Boxes should be wisely chosen. These should be small enough to tuck away in one of the pockets. Ideally a fly box should have 2 to 3 chambers to keep the different flies and tackle. The sections in the fly box keep the wet flies and the dry flies separate. Some small vials are also pretty handy to store the wet flies after a catch.

It is important to keep a spare spool complete with reel just in case the one on the rod gets spoilt. You never know when it will and it is best to have one spare handy instead of abandoning a perfectly good fishing trip.

If you are planning a fly fishing trip into a thickly vegetated area such as a swamp you are best advised to keep some insect repellant as well as some rash cream handy with your kit. Insect bites and allergic rashes are common fishing trips.

Equally important for the fly fishing kit are sun goggles, gloves, a flash light and small pocket knife and don’t forget the first aid kit. Last but not the least is the wading boots. These are usually hip length leather or rubber boots. Care must be taken not to wade deeper than the length of the boots for obvious reasons.

With the right accessories, you can have the fishing experience of a lifetime.



By: Abhishek Agarwal

About the Author:

fly fishing

Here’s my top 5 Western States, spring “Bait Fishing holes” for Trout.

 

I’m not a fancy fly fisherman; I’ve tried it and just can’t get the knack. I like to sit, relax and enjoy the surroundings while I fish. I also like to keep and eat what I catch.

 

I based my top spots on these factors; great fishing, great views and the ease of getting there.

 

So here goes;



Owyhee River.

Spring Fishing (before April), on the Owyhee River, in Southern Oregon is fantastic. This 10-mile stretch of river below the Owyhee Dam is just 30 miles from my home in Ontario, Oregon, or about 80 miles out of Boise. So here’s a little local knowledge.

 

You may be saying, “This is a famous Fly Fishing spot”? Yes it is a favorite “Trophy Brown Trout” haunt for Fly Fishermen, but here’s a little known secret, it is also open to “Bait Fishermen” and a skilled fisherman with bait can land more of these big Browns than the fly fishermen.

 

 This river has a rustic beauty all it’s own, especially in early spring when the sparkling white snow still clinging to the valleys and hillsides. The river is low and slow this time of year and you can easily see the monster Browns rising for the bugs floating on the surface. There are hundreds of these Browns in every hole. You can easily catch a huge Brown Trout here, ranging from 2 lbs to 20 lbs and Rainbows 20 inches up.

 

Be advised you must immediately return the huge Browns to the river, but you can keep and eat any Rainbow Trout or Bass you catch. This is why there are so many monster Browns in these holes, they never leave the river; they just get bigger and smarter.

 

Legal “Bait Fishing” is allowed here, but you must have a thick skin, as you will get looks from the purest (Fly Guys) as they pass.  This river is very clean and free of the Lead Poisons prevalent throughout the Western Rivers, so you can safely eat the red meated Rainbows and the occasional Bass.

 

You can easily drive in and camp, right beside the river, free of charge. Be sure to pack out all you bring in and keep it clean. Just set up your chairs and do some relaxing “Bait Fishing” or you can put on your waders and chase the Browns up and down the river. Wading is simple along this shallow easily accessible river.

 

Bring your four-wheeler or canoe and easily traverse the long winding riverbanks. Make sure you pack a lunch and have plenty of bait, as the nearest store is 10 to 15 miles away.

 

Tip; try a Night Crawler and Split Shot, drifted in the current.

 



Horsethief Reservoir:

 In late spring try Horsethief Reservoir, just 10 miles above Cascade, Idaho.

 

This little lake is my favorite spot, spring, summer or fall. In the springtime, (Late April) right after “Ice-Off”, the trout fishing is amazing. You can limit out in a hour with catch-able Rainbows from 8 to 14 inches, with the occasional 20 incher.

 

But that’s not all, let me tell you a true story; In the early summer my friend, Scotty, and I, went to Horsethief for a day trip, traveling out of Cascade, where I was living. We set up right beside the Dam, our usual spot.

 

While lounging on a grassy bank, beside the pristine clear blue water lake, I was looking out at the tree lined far shoreline. Suddenly, a rush of waves and a dark blur in the water at my feet startled me. It took me a few minutes for me to realize that it was an Otter, rushing in to steal my stringer of fish. Sure enough the Otter had swiftly rushed in and stole my metal stringer and the five Rainbows caught that morning.

 

After calming down, I looked out across the lake and to my amazement, not 50 yards out, was an entire family of Otters frolicking and happily munching on our mornings catch. I’ve always wondered, “Was it legal to catch another five fish”?

 

A little later on, my friend Scotty was busy chasing a wild ring necked duck away from his tackle box, the duck kept trying to steal his bait. The ringed necked duck just wouldn’t go away, he hung around all day, might have been because I tossed him tidbits every once in awhile.

 

We settled back down and caught a few more “Bows”. I had replaced my stringer, making sure to tie it tight. I then laid back and was gazing up at a pair of Osprey’s floating above us in the blue cloudless sky.

 

I was just slipping off for a nap when the water ten feet in front of us exploded, spraying both Scotty and me with water. An Osprey had dived into the lake, right in front of us, arose and flew away with a nice trout grasped tightly in its talons.

 

It was a special “wildlife day” that morning, and the experience was really unforgettable. Nature’s at it’s best is usually there every time I visit this wonderful lake. I’ve seen Deer, Elk, Moose and even a white Wolf at this high mountain retreat. This great fishing hole is easy to get to and sports many lakeside campgrounds. It has majestic scenery and the fishing is peaceful, quite and fruitful.

 

Tip; use Rainbow Power Bait, a small slip weight and a No.14 gold treble.

 

 

June Lake “Opening Day”

You’ll find it in the High Sierras 50 Miles north of Bishop, CA.

“Opening Day” is the last Saturday in April. When I lived in Southern California, we never missed an opening day in the Sierras. We loved the excitement of the moment as thousands of California fishermen rushed to stake out their favorite holes.

 

June Lake is one of these opening day hotspots. It’s another gorgeous high mountain lake with crystal clear water and forested banks. On “Opening Day” June Lake’s Rainbows are huge, ranging from 12 to 30 inches. I’ve caught 6 to 8lb lunkers from shore on opening day.  

 

One opening weekend a group of us went up a day early to stake out our favorite spot, the park at the south end of the lake. In order to beat the crowds to this spot we slept out on the park grass next to our set up chairs. This was working out well except for the cold, April in the High Sierras brings below freezing weather at night. We were hiding down deep in our bags when the park sprinklers came on, washing us out and back to our camper to dry off and warm up. All except my son Joshua, he was sleeping in a waterproof down army mummy-bag. He slept through the entire watering and when we went back out we saw a solid sheet of ice over his entire bag, but he said he was warm inside.

 

That morning when the flare went off, we had our spot and began to fish. We caught several lunkers of 5 to 8 pounds. We entered them into the lakes fishing derby, but the contest winner for the day was over 10 pounds.

 

Tip; Try a slow retrieve with a white marshmallow on a No.12 treble with split shot.

 



Blue Mesa Reservoir

Near Gunnison, Colorado; at the South end under the highway bridge, in May.

 

May is absolutely a great time to fish this lake; if you’re a shore fisherman you’ll love the spot under the bridge at the Gunnison end near the rivers inlet. I’ve caught my limit of large Rainbows every time I’ve fished it in May.  Occasionally a shore fisherman ties into one of the huge Lake Trout inhabiting this lake, they can go up to 50 pounds.

 

My son Jeremy at 7 years old, caught a 4lb Rainbow under this bridge with a child’s fishing pole, he brought it in all by himself.

 

In May and late summer, you can drive right up to the bridge along an access road cutting off the highway, but don’t try it in June. In June the rains make the road a bog, I know, it cost me $100 to get towed out. You still can get there in June, just park off the highway and climb down the rocky side of the bridge.

 

Toss out green or rainbow Power-Bait next to the bridge pylons and wait. Watch your poll they hit hard.

 

 

Eleven-Mile Canyon

You’ll find this canyon 70 miles west of Colorado Springs on the Upper Platte River.

 

This stretch of canyon is breathtaking; the river winds eleven miles up through the canyon until it ends at the Dam at Eleven Mile Reservoir.  This stretch of river is so beautiful that my wife and I have decided to have our ashes placed in these waters when we go to that fishing hole in the sky.

 

There is plenty of “drive in camp spots” along the river. The fish are usually smaller pan-sized Trout, but are plentiful and then there is that occasional lunker. You can also catch monster 40″ pike that roam these waters.

 

What I like most about fishing these waters is that on a warm spring day you can hop over to one of the mammoth rocks in the river and drift a “Colorado Orange Indicator” and meal worm along the current and watch it drift for a 100 yards or until you get a strike.

 

When my youngest son, Jeremy, was a tot, I would tie a rope to his life vest and then around my waist. Off we would go rock hopping and fishing all day long.

 

All the waters in this general area are great in the spring, but if you’ve never visited the Platte River in Eleven Mile Canyon you’re missing something special.

 

So forget about this recession, go fishing.

 

Let me know your favorite fishing “Holes” on my Blog at http://www.mysiteforsoreeyes.com 



By: Robert E Golden

About the Author:

Fly fishing for steelhead fish can be a challenging and rewarding experience. These amazing fish share their heritage with the Atlantic and Pacific salmon. Although they are native to the West Coast of the United States as well as in Russia, they can also be found in the tributaries of the Great Lakes. This is because they were planted in the lakes many times in the 1800’s.

There are numerous places you can go when fly fishing for steelhead. As we’ve already said, they are most plentiful in the Western United States. You can find plenty of steelhead in the rivers of Northern California, Oregon, and Washington state.

Steelhead are cousins of the rainbow trout and have a decidedly chrome-like coloring. They are amazingly acrobatic and can provide any fly fisherman with a fulfilling challenge when trying to catch them.

Most of the fly fishing techniques used to catch steelhead are based on those historically developed to catch Atlantic salmon. Flies are cast downstream from the angler on a floating or sinking line. The take, which can sometimes be quite violent, usually occurs towards the end of the swing. You can also use nymphing methods usually used by trout anglers.

Winter steelheads are often considered the “hard core” of fly fishers, sometimes enduring hours of repeated casting in cold water and freezing conditions for that one tug that can occur when you least expect it. Many fly fishers will spend a lot of time trying to land that prized steelhead only to be frustrated near the end.

The main thing to keep in mind when fishing for steelhead is to practice a lot of patience. For people who fly fish for steelhead regularly, the success of a day consists of one good hook. You will not see big numbers of catches like you will on trout rivers. Keep a positive attitude and watch what the fish are doing.

Most steelhead pockets are found downstream, but other anglers know this as well. Steelhead are most plentiful in the cold, winter months, but you can often find several other fly fishers trying to fish the same spot in hopes of landing their fish. As you can imagine, this is not especially good for the fish or the fisherman. Practice appropriate etiquette when on the river fly fishing for steelhead.

You will probably need a 9 foot single hand rod or a 12-15 foot double handed rod for best results. Line weights should range from 7 to 9. The best flies to use when trying to land a steelhead include the Wooly Bugger, the Conehead Zuddler, and the Black Bear Green ****.

Fly fishing for steelhead can be an amazingly gratifying experience when you are patient and wise when it comes to the natural patterns of these fish. When you are able to land one, you will be surprised at how much fun it is to reel it in!



By: Steve W Sharpe

About the Author:

fly fishing

Distinctly different from any other method of angling, fly-fishing is a style angling that has a history dating back to ancient times. While some fisherman may use a rod and reel to sit back, relax and perhaps catch a fish; the fly fisherman wades into the water and uses his honed skills to lure the fish to bite. Fly fishing has several distinct characteristics that make it different from any other style of angling, the main being the technique and bait used, and the special fly fishing equipment the angler uses.



Fly-fishing has developed, as a standard, a variant rod and reel that works a bit differently than the traditional closed or open spool reels. Fly rods are light and flexible, and usually made of fiberglass or other composite materials. Fly rods are made to different lengths, so when you choose your fly fishing equipment, it’s best to know what species of fish you’re after. Traditionally the fly angler seeks to catch trout or salmon, but other species of fish have been known to be responsive to the fly angling method.



The fly rod has another unique feature, that is, the type of fishing line a fly rod uses is usually thicker than any other type of angling line. It’s the weight and thickness of the line, combined with the weight of the fly, that gives fly-fishing it’s unique casting techniques.



Although the fly rod is an important piece of fly fishing equipment, it’s the type, weight, and color of the artificial fly that affects the art of angling for the fly fisherman. Flies fall into three different categories, surface floating flies, partially submerged flies, and below surface flies, each having it’s own specific style of casting.



Fly fishing equipment can be expensive, but don’t worry, the fly rod is usually the most expensive purchase, the flies and fishing line are relatively inexpensive. Often, experienced fly fishers will eventually learn how to create their own flies to use. This gives your fly fishing experience a custom feel to it, and can cut down costs dramatically. If you’re a beginner, finding a mentor can be the best way to learn about and get the feel of each article of fly fishing equipment.



So, if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a seasoned angler or just interested in learning about fly-fishing, try it out! Fly-fishing is a sort of ‘antique technique’, passed down from generation to generation. With the right knowledge and correct equipment, fly-fishing is a hobby that can last a lifetime.



By: Paul Winter

About the Author:

fly fishing

Fly casting is a skill that most fly fishermen would probably consider the most integral skill of fly fishing for trout. Certainly it is the most recognizable trait of fly fishing.

BUT, if catching fish is as important to you as a great looking cast is, then you may actually need to be careful just how much casting you do.

Fly fishing has far more in common with hunting than it does with other forms of fishing. This is because trout are such a timid creature and are so easily spooked. Although it is not such an issue if you are fishing deep in large bodies of water or in wide, fast flowing streams, it is still for this reason that casting can also be your worst enemy when trout fishing.

The classical ‘Long cast’, although a beautiful thing to behold, and even more beautiful to perform, does have it’s limitations. It was designed to deliver a lure to a timid quarry, who would be spooked by splashing sinkers or floats or any of the traditional fishing equipment and tackle generally used for other, less discerning species. The whole concept of doing this with a whip-like rod and line was indeed an ingenious one.

Trout, and particularly Brown Trout, see everything. And the bigger the trout, the more they see. The fly fisherman standing plain view false casting is an obvious predatory threat and will cause a fish to disappear into the depths, without you even knowing the trout was ever there.

To catch good, wild trout in smallish or still waters you must become an ambush predator and learn to think like a hunter. This, the element of surprise, is one of your greatest skills when fly fishing for trout. Believe it or not, even above good casting skills.

Dressing to be reasonably well camouflaged, keeping low and not making any fast or large movements, all play a role in not alerting a potential target trout to your presence. Even making sure you don’t step heavily on the ground as you approach the fishing spot, keeps your footsteps from resonating through the water. Sound travels very well under water, particularly for a creature who has receptacles designed to hear within an aquatic environment.

Without a doubt, you will have to cast, and the better practised you are at casting with a fly rod, the less movement you must make to get your fly into the position you want it. So there is a good argument for spending time casting, just for casting sake. This is best done in an open place, preferably over water if you have the luxury, like a dam or lake, but anywhere that you are not going to catch any unwanted items will do to improve your skills.

If you want to be successful, don’t just trudge up to the waters edge and start casting out into the middle of the lake or stream. The bulk of the aquatic life that the trout source as their food items are usually located towards the edges of the water, and near to the aquatic plant life also.

With this in mind, the trout will more likely be keeping as far out of reach of their own predators as possible, while maintaining a presence (cruising in still waters, on station in faster waters) close to their preferred food source. Larger fish preferring deeper water for security, and structures or irregularities for potential dietary supplies.



By: Wayne Smith

About the Author:

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