Fly Fishing Learn to Angle Like The Pros

Table of Contents:

Introduction...3
Terminology...4
Getting the Gear...13
Vests...13
Waders...14
Rods...17
Reels...19
Lines...21
Putting Together Your Rod & Reel...22
Knots...24
Casting Basics...32
Overhead...34
Roll Cast...35
Hauling...36
Reach...37
Side Arm...38
False..39
Spey...39
General Tips...40
D-I-Y Flies...41
Where the Fish Are..50
Destinations...52
Fly Fishing Ethics..58
Conclusion..60


GETTING THE GEAR
Fly fishing isn’t the cheapest sport in the world when it comes to getting outfitted with all the gear you need. But the truth of the matter is that when you invest in some quality equipment, you’ll not only enjoy the sport more, but you’ll have better luck catching the fish you dreamed of when you have the right equipment.
Let’s start with clothing. You can wear anything you want underneath the vest and waders, but these two items of apparel are vital to successful fly fishing.
Vests
Fly fishing requires a lot of parts and accessories. You’ll have to carry them all with you, and the most efficient way to do this is with a fishing vest. These vests have many, many pockets where you can stow all your gear like flies, lines, weights, etc. Here are some things to consider when buying your fly fishing vest:
• What types of weather conditions will you be encountering during your fly fishing trips? Weather and temperature are both huge considerations when it comes to your fishing vest. If you will be fishing mostly in warm weather, get a mesh vest that is more ventilated. For colder weather, get a vest that is big enough to allow for layers underneath so that you don’t freeze!
• When fly fishing, you will probably be doing a lot of wading in water, so you will want a vest with a short waist. This will keep your equipment above the waterline and avoid damaging it.
• Think seriously about how much you will be carrying with you. Lots of pockets are great, but if you fill all of them up with unnecessary equipment, you’ll weigh yourself down. You will, however, want a vest with various sizes of pockets to accommodate the different things you will be carrying with you.
• The pockets in your vest should be easy to open and close. Ideally, you should be able to get in them with just one hand. Vests with Velcro to seal them are the best, and look for one with a “D-ring” on the back so you have someplace to hold your net.
• Make sure that you can move easily once your vest is filled with your chosen equipment. If you are weighed down too much, casting can become difficult.
• Vests come in various colors, and you will want to pick one that blends with the vegetation of the area you will be fishing. Tan is good for fishing in the West and green will match the foliage of the East.
• Also find a vest with few places where your line can get caught during casting. Lines and leaders have a nasty habit of getting caught on fly patches, zippers, sunglass holders, and anything else that sticks out on your vest
Just find a vest within your budget that meets the basic guidelines listed above and you should be ready to go.
Waders
Waders are a combination of pants and boots all in one piece that will keep you dry inside while you’re wading in the water. That’s why they call them waders! The last thing you want is to have your waders leaking while you are waist deep in a cold Colorado River in November. What do you look for in a good pair of waders? Here are a few suggestions:
• Waders can be used for a variety of outdoor activities like duck hunting, goose hunting, and, of course, fishing. Consider what your primary use of your waders is going to be. If you fish more than you hunt, then the type, thickness, and color of your waders is going to be important. Consider what the temperature of the water is going to be when you wear your waders. That will determine how thick your waders need to be.
• The material of your waders can be very important as well. Again, you will need to take into consideration why type of weather condition you be wearing them in. Here are some of the more popular materials:
o Neoprene – This is the most popular material for waders. It is very durable and can take a lot of abuse. It comes in many thicknesses, so you can choose the one that will best fit your needs: 3mm or 5mm. 3mm is best for places where it is usually of moderate weather with a few cold days. This is also a good thickness if you have to walk a ways to get to your fishing spot or if you walk a lot while you’re fishing. 5mm is the choice for colder weather spots or if you want to use your waders for hunting as well.
o Gore Tex – This type of material is relatively new and is a breathable fabric ...