Contents
Fly Fishing Basics
Essential Fly Fishing Gear
The Fly Rod
The Fly Line
Hooks and Flies
The Leader
The Fly Reel
The Fishing License
Fly Fishing Accessories
How to Choose a Fly
Basic Fly Fishing Knots
How to Cast a Fly
How to Fish a Fly Successfully
How to Hook, Play, and Land Fish
Learn more with these titles from Barnes & Noble
 |
- The basics of fly rods, reels, grips, lines, hooks, flies, and other equipment
- Fundamental fly fishing knots and casting techniques
- How to choose a fly and use it to hook, play, and land fish successfully
|
 |
|
 |
|
Fly Fishing Basics
Fly fishing is a fishing technique in which the weight of the fishing line is used to cast a very lightweight fly. The fly is an imitation of a fish food item, such as an insect, minnow, or frog, and is made of hair, feathers, and thread tied to a hook. Modern materials have greatly expanded the scope of imitation for those who “tie” flies.
A Short History of Fly Fishing
Though records of fly fishing date back to 200 CE, fly fishing as we know it today—with a rod, reel, and line—began in the 1700s. It was almost exclusively the sport of gentlefolk: the trout waters in Britain were almost all privately owned, and in America, fly fishing tackle was imported and expensive. After the Industrial Revolution, though, American firms started producing affordable, high-quality tackle, so the average American could head to the stream, fly rod in hand.
Freshwater Game Fish
Most, but not all, freshwater fish can be fished with flies. The most common North American game fish caught by fly fishermen are usually divided into two groups: coldwater fish and warmwater fish.
Coldwater Fish
Most species of trout and char—among the most popular fish among fly fishermen—require cold, clean, well-aerated water to survive and reproduce.
- Trout: Brook, brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout are the most common species. They readily take flies, both on and beneath the surface of the water.
- Salmon (Atlantic and Pacific): Fly fishing for the Atlantic salmon is, in many states, the only legal means of capturing them. Fishing for these large, hard-fighting fish requires specialized tackle and techniques.
Warmwater Fish
The fish in this group have the ability to adapt to varying
water quality and temperature. They’re also aggressive: though bass and pike are usually sought with flies that mimic food items, these fish will also charge a lure simply out of curiosity or territoriality.
- Bass: Though largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are the most popular in the bass family, all bass have a devoted following among fly fishermen. Bass will explode out of the water or slash savagely at flies.
- Pike: All the members of the pike family—including the northern pike, muskellunge, and chain pickerel—may be caught with a fly rod. Flies fished just below the surface near weed beds can draw furious strikes.
- Panfish: Members of the sunfish family are great fun to take on a dry fly. Both black and white crappie are often caught on small streamers (see Hooks and Flies).
| Acknowledgments & Disclaimer |
Tags
No one has tagged this page yet... Be the first.. Log in using the link below and return to add your tag
