Fly Fishing Techniques

there was a fish swimming in the water, the fish thought if that fly drops 6 inches, i can eat it. The bear on the bank thought if that fly drops 6 inches, that fish wil jump out eat it and i can eat the fish. The hunter thought if that fly drops 6 inches the fich will jump up and eat it the bear will catch the fish and i can shoot the bear. The cat spotted the sandwich in the hunters pocket thought if that fly drops 6 inches the fish will jump up and catch it, the bear will catch the fiush, the hunter will shoot te bear and i can get that sandwich out of his pocket. the dog thought if that fly drops 6 inches the fish will catch the fly, the bear will catch the fish, the hunter will shoot the bear, the cat will eat the sandwich and i can eat the cat. so the fly dropped 6 in. the fish got the fly, the bear went after the fish, the hunter went after the bear and fell in the water, the cat fell in the water. Moral: everytime a fly drops 6 inches, a p-u-s-s-y gets wet.
this was much better when i first heard it so dont judge it by what you are reading. please just read it and tell me if it is funny or not.

Fly fishing Minnesota smallmouth bass on the St. Louis River using a Clouser Minnow.

http://www.arrowheadflyangler.com

In fly fishing, flies are generally divided into four types of artificial flies. (Flies are also called lures in some countries.) 

They are:

1       Dry flies

2 Wet flies

3 Nymphs

4 Streamers

The categories of flies can cross into each other.  There are no real strict guidelines for classifying the flies as depending on the countries, traditions of terminology.  (Some anglers also classify emerges as another category of flies. These sit partially underneath the surface and partially on top of the water, imitating things like newly emerging mayflies.)



Dry flies sit on the top of the water.  They imitate insects sitting on the surface like mayflies, midges, caddis flies, beetles, grasshoppers, spiders and spinners to name a few types. They can be fished still, drifting with the current or wind, or fished with small twitches or rapid pulls. Using dry flies can be exhilarating experience as you can see the fish strike the fly.   Dries are used seasonally in lakes and rivers and are generally effective when fish are actively feeding on insects on top of the water.  Dry flies are normally made of light buoyant materials or are tied with hackles that help the fly sit on the water surface.  A floatant spray or gel is applied to the dry fly to make it buoyant.  A couple of false casts will also help dry it.



Wet flies as the name suggest that the fly is fished in the water, either.  The flies can imitate small baitfish, leeches, frogs, crawdad’s and swimming insects.  Wets can be fished just under the surface with dead drifts, slow twitches up to fast retrieves.  Some times a take will occur as the fly is sinking.  For getting wets deep down, weighted or bead heads are effective, especially when combined with intermediate or sinking fly lines.



Nymphs are a very effective and a common world wide food source in rivers and lakes.  Nymphs can be fished on the drop, drifting, and slow to medium retrieves, either just under the surface or deep down. They imitate the underwater stage of insects like mayfly nymphs, stoneflies and damselfly nymphs. A good portion of a trout’s diet consists of nymphs in most seasons and waters. A long leader and tippet is effective for nymphing, especially in clear or over fished waters.

Streamers are bigger wet flies imitating baitfish like minnows, sculpins and bigger appetizing food.  Streamers usually work best near the bottom and are generally quickly retrieved for salmon, bigger trout and also for saltwater fish. Bigger flies like streamers, may also result in a bigger catch, although don’t be surprised when your four inch streamer lands a small twelve inch trout.  Artificial streamers can be colorful and have a mixture of assorted fly tying materials.

Dry flies, wets, nymphs and streamers are all effective in the right environment. The secret to getting the most out your fishing is to use different techniques and test all the time. Don’t be afraid to try different types of flies and patterns, especially if the fishing is slow. So no matter what country you live in and regardless of how you classify your flies, just make sure you have various types of flies to cover all fly fishing conditions and fish. Now you are ready to catch the big one!

© 2008-2009 Fly Fishing Fish





By: Craig Alan Howlett

The back cast, or overhand cast. How to cast line with your fly rod using this technique.

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

On-stream basic fly fishing techniques, part 4.

Some tips from local guide Scott Taylor

Captain Jeremy Librett catches his customers another Blue Marlin fly fishing off the Costa Rica pacific coast. Year after year Captain Librett was successful is achieving this feat.

Flats fishing the lower Florida Keys…. It is solitude and shallow water every where. It is sight fishing from the bow of a skiff…searching for bonefish in crystal clear water… casting to in coming redfish…tailing permit…rolling tarpon.. It is dolphins and turtles…ospreys and egrets…cruising rays, barracudas and sharks…. Sight fishing on the flats, combines many of the elements of hunting and fishing. You see the fish, before you cast to it. Whether you are fly fishing for permit, tarpon or bonefish, seeing the fish turn and eat is a thrill. Florida Keys flats fishing requires focus and a good presentation to get the fish to eat your offering. It is some of the the most challenging and exciting fishing there is… For the shallow water angler, fly fishing or spin fishing, the rewards are great. The fish are increadably large, fast and strong.

The method originated from an ancient fishing form called angling; the very reason why it’s called angling is because of the hook hanging at the end of the line of a fishing rod. Fly fishing has innovations of its own and the noticeable tool for this method is the use of artificial flies or the fly lures. Usually, artificial flies are tied with thread, feathers or fur but there are other options too which include ribbon, tinsel or beads and for extra weight, lead is used.

The reason why the artificial flies are “accessorized” is because specified species needs to be attracted. By using the right combination of the fly; which includes the size, weight and color, to the line, rod and reel, the chances of catching a desired species is high.

Color and size of the fly is mentioned because it adds to the fly’s camouflage effect, which is meant to imitate local insects, a main course for the fish (but this is done specifically to catch attention of aggressive, spawning species).

The size of the fly ranges from the largest (#2 ) to the smallest (very small at #22). The line to which the fly is hooked also plays an important relationship with the fly because primarily, it’s what casts the fly. It really depends on the purpose of the angler. There are heavy lines for sinking purposes and light ones as well to keep the fly afloat. In fact, a fly line can plainly be cast without a fly which makes it different from the basic fishing rod and reel method.

The significance of the fly is high in fly fishing since its main purpose is to act as a “food” for the species.





By: Shareen Aguilar