Friday 29 January 2010
Thursday 28 January 2010
Fly Fishing with Streamers
Fly fishing streamers is often over looked by fly anglers, especially trout anglers. Streamers is a category of flies fly fisherman have given to loosely mean food other than insects. Generally, being smaller fish, it could also be crayfish, leeches, and crustaceans. Bass and salt water anglers, are more familiar with the theory that big fish eat littler fish. However, as our sport is dominated by trout anglers we think insect first and many times that is as far as our thought process goes. However, big fish eat little fish, always have and always will. Fish are indiscriminate feeders and will eat what is presented to them. They don't have preferences, they take what they are given. And the nice thing about little fish is they are always present.
In most rivers and lakes there will be almost always be fish fry of one kind or another present. With the predominant season for fish fry being the spring, they easily will be present until late fall, and often year around. But even if fry are not around, minnows are present year around, sculpins, silversides, alewives, smelt, the list is endless. And even if you say there are no minnows available where you fish, well, trout are cannibalistic, if your fishing waters have big trout, then it also has little trout. In short, the 'hatch' is always on when you are fishing streamers.
Besides year around availability, another advantage of fishing streamers, is your average catch is going to be larger. Fish are masters of energy conservation and expenditure. They will not pursue food if it costs more energy to catch then they will receive from its consumption. That is why in the winter they will not chase food, you literally have to hit them in the nose with it. This fact, helps us to understand the feeding habits of large trout. A large trout holed down deep, not particularly interested in eating, will consume a minnow, if given the opportunity, no matter what. They might not rise up to devour size 22 Tricos, unless they are in a feeding mode, but given a minnow that they only have to lunge for, is an opportunity they won't turn down very often. That is a lot of energy consumed without a lot of energy exerted.
Techniques for fishing streamers vary from nymphs somewhat. A little action imparted by your rod tip, can help convince your targeted prey that the minnow is injured, thereby increasing strike potential. If casting into a river, the current will help you greatly in imparting 'swimming' action onto your streamer. Raisng and then lowering your rod tip, can also aid in the action. Vary the tempo until you find something that works. If fishing in lakes and ponds or from a boat on a river, you will need to retrieve. Again vary the tempo, using short bursts followed by a count or two of idleness. Allow your streamer to fall, often times the strikes happen when your fly is falling.
Favorite trout streamers include Woolly Buggers, both beadhead and non-beadhead. Mickey Finns, Jannsen's Minnows, and of course the veritable Muddler Minnow and its cast of imitators. Bass fisherman have also used the same patterns for years and years. Saltwater patterns all virtually fall under the streamer category with perennial favorites being the Lefty's Deceivers, Clouser Minnows, and Crazy Charlies. As well as various crab and shrimp patterns.
Trout fisherman might have to bulk up their gear a little, depending on what they are used to fishing with. 6 wt rods are usually preferable, with enough stoutness to cast the bigger fly, and fight those sure to come bigger fish.
About the Author
Cameron Larsen is a retired commercial fly tier and fly fishing guide. He now operates The Big Y Fly Company. http://www.bigyflyco.com/flyfishinghome.html He can be reached at info@bigyflyco.com. This article will appear in the Big Y Fly Fishing E-Zine at Http://www.bigyflyco.com/Bigyflyfishingezine.html
In most rivers and lakes there will be almost always be fish fry of one kind or another present. With the predominant season for fish fry being the spring, they easily will be present until late fall, and often year around. But even if fry are not around, minnows are present year around, sculpins, silversides, alewives, smelt, the list is endless. And even if you say there are no minnows available where you fish, well, trout are cannibalistic, if your fishing waters have big trout, then it also has little trout. In short, the 'hatch' is always on when you are fishing streamers.
Besides year around availability, another advantage of fishing streamers, is your average catch is going to be larger. Fish are masters of energy conservation and expenditure. They will not pursue food if it costs more energy to catch then they will receive from its consumption. That is why in the winter they will not chase food, you literally have to hit them in the nose with it. This fact, helps us to understand the feeding habits of large trout. A large trout holed down deep, not particularly interested in eating, will consume a minnow, if given the opportunity, no matter what. They might not rise up to devour size 22 Tricos, unless they are in a feeding mode, but given a minnow that they only have to lunge for, is an opportunity they won't turn down very often. That is a lot of energy consumed without a lot of energy exerted.
Techniques for fishing streamers vary from nymphs somewhat. A little action imparted by your rod tip, can help convince your targeted prey that the minnow is injured, thereby increasing strike potential. If casting into a river, the current will help you greatly in imparting 'swimming' action onto your streamer. Raisng and then lowering your rod tip, can also aid in the action. Vary the tempo until you find something that works. If fishing in lakes and ponds or from a boat on a river, you will need to retrieve. Again vary the tempo, using short bursts followed by a count or two of idleness. Allow your streamer to fall, often times the strikes happen when your fly is falling.
Favorite trout streamers include Woolly Buggers, both beadhead and non-beadhead. Mickey Finns, Jannsen's Minnows, and of course the veritable Muddler Minnow and its cast of imitators. Bass fisherman have also used the same patterns for years and years. Saltwater patterns all virtually fall under the streamer category with perennial favorites being the Lefty's Deceivers, Clouser Minnows, and Crazy Charlies. As well as various crab and shrimp patterns.
Trout fisherman might have to bulk up their gear a little, depending on what they are used to fishing with. 6 wt rods are usually preferable, with enough stoutness to cast the bigger fly, and fight those sure to come bigger fish.
About the Author
Cameron Larsen is a retired commercial fly tier and fly fishing guide. He now operates The Big Y Fly Company. http://www.bigyflyco.com/flyfishinghome.html He can be reached at info@bigyflyco.com. This article will appear in the Big Y Fly Fishing E-Zine at Http://www.bigyflyco.com/Bigyflyfishingezine.html
Wednesday 27 January 2010
Sunday 24 January 2010
About Buying Fly Fishing Flies Online
For many fly-fisherman, fly-tying is a serious hobby. Given that tying your own flies provides so much satisfaction, why buy flies online?
For many fly-fisherman, fly-tying is a serious hobby. Not only is fly-tying economical, it is enjoyable. Nothing beats the thrill of mastering a new fly pattern, or creating specialized flies for ones' unique fishing situations. Also, one cannot underestimate the sense of adventure that accompanies the fly-fisher on the prowl for the perfect materials, whether browsing the local fly shop, ransacking a craft store, or even salvaging road kill.
Given that tying your own flies provides so much satisfaction, why buy flies online?
Obtain local fly patterns
The first reason is that as your fly fishing experience grows, your desire to test new and foreign waters increases. As a result, your need for localized patterns becomes more important. Sure, you want to do the research and tie your own variations of the Club Sandwich before you hit the Snake River for the first time, but there's something to be said about fishing the tried and true local patterns on your initial outings to foreign waters. With that idea established, you can either buy these flies from a local shop or purchase them online. I recommend doing both.
Say you live in New Jersey and you're planning your first trip to Colorado. You and your buddies plan to hit a few a rivers within 10 days. Before you go, do research on the internet - find out what's hatching on these rivers when you plan to visit them, and what patterns work best. Then, based on your research, purchase enough flies online to cover you while fishing these waters. Now you have a safety net - you won't have to worry about not having enough flies for the rivers you'll fish at the end of your trip.
Next, research local shops on the internet - find out who the proprietors are and when they are open for business. Now this idea might seem obvious to many of you, but make it a point to stop at these shops before you fish. When you arrive, ask them about recent fishing activity and what flies they would recommend. Tell them about your trip, let them know you found their site on the internet, and ask for their advice. Tell them what flies you already have and ask about what else you may need. If your budget allows, purchase as many of the flies they recommend.
Save time while supplementing your current collection
There comes a time in which your energy is better focused on fishing than tying flies. A typical North American fly-fisher and fly-tyer spends the "off" months tying flies for the season ahead. Many fisherman focus the bulk of their tying efforts on the winter months to prepare for spring, summer, and fall fishing. If you are one of those anglers who feel like they never have enough flies, purchasing your "basic" flies online can leave you time to focus on the more specialized, region-specific flies that you might not find on the web. For example, why not buy your attractor flies such as Adams or Stimulators, so that you can concentrate on the special mayfly flies that you know will require special attention to detail? The same idea applies to those "hard-to-tie" flies - if you dislike tying size 24 Tricos, why not buy those items online so you have more time to crank out the flies you prefer to tie?
Also, consider how much your time is worth. Think about your fly-tying time as if you were a professional fly-tyer. How much is an hour of your fly-tying time worth? If it takes you two hours to tie twelve size 26 BWO emergers, you might be better off spending $10 on a dozen of the same fly so that you can use those two hours to tie 18 Rusty Spinners.
Variety
No matter what you want to purchase, nothing beats the internet for window shopping. I have seen the same fly pattern tied three different ways on three different sites. This variety allows you to find the best pattern that matches your intended fishing location. For example, if you plan to fish faster moving water, your parachute patterns might need a bit more hackle, or even a brighter post. On the other hand, if you plan to fish tailwaters, your mayfly patterns might need to sit lower on the water. By the same token, if you intend to fish mostly in the spring, your mayfly patterns might need to be a lighter color than if you intend to fish in the fall.
By browsing different sites for the same patterns, you will be able to compare patterns and ascertain the right fly for you. The best way to do this is to open two or three browser windows at a time on your computer. Then go to different sites in each browser and compare the patterns you are interested in.
Save money
Quite simply, buying flies online can save you money. Not only can you find discounts for large orders, the actual cost of individual flies can be lower than if you purchased flies from some of the larger fly fishing retailers. The best online merchants often charge as little as 65 cents (sometimes, even 50 cents for fly patterns). One disadvantage is that you don't get to inspect the flies before you purchase them, unlike in a store. I recommend buying a few different patterns your first time so that you can determine not only the quality of the flies, but the consistency of the quality across different patterns. For example, a good initial purchase might include a stonefly nymph, a caddis pattern, a mayfly emerger, a mayfly dun, and an attractor pattern. This way you could check the various elements of typical flies such as tails, dubbing, hackle, deer-hair, and hook strength.
Types of web sites
There are hundreds of web sites that sell flies online. These sites fall into two categories: companies that only sell flies, and fly shop owners who run web sites for their businesses.
Businesses whose sole purpose is to sell flies online usually have a greater amount of flies available. One advantage these sites offer is that they are more likely to offer discounts on larger purchases. Also, their web sites tend to be more user-friendly (though not always). Many of these sites typically include advanced functionality that make selecting and purchasing flies easier on the user. The best of these sites allow you to set up personal accounts or use "shopping carts" to store your selections before purchasing. In this manner, the purchase experience is more convenient. Shopping carts tend to be "persistent" - in that a visitor may select items to the cart one day and return to the site at later time to find that the shopping cart still contains the previous selections. This allows you to select items you are interested in, leave the site and do more research, then alter or add to your selections later.
Fly shop web sites, on the other hand, typically present the user with flies specifically relevant to the area that the fly shop services. You have a better chance of purchasing flies that are most effective to the area you want to fish if you purchase them from local fly shops. Furthermore, you are supporting the local economy of the area in which you desire to fish. Many fly shop web sites also include online hatch charts which can inform you of flies you most likely need.
The authors experience
In the spring, and summer I do a lot of fishing on the Delaware River in the Catskills Mountains of New York. Throughout the winter I will tie a decent amount of the flies I actually need. As spring approaches, I have found that supplementing my collection with web-bought flies ensures that I am ready to meet the various hatches encountered in the spring. Any Delaware River fly fisherman will tell you that hatch-matching is a critical part of success on this river. In my limited experience, I have encountered days in which four or five different hatches took place. On top of that, the hatches change from week to week. I have ensured a decent modicum of success by checking local hatch charts ahead of time and then purchasing a dozen flies from week to week.
Hopefully, these tips will help you increase the amount of flies you own, and enhance your fly-fishing experience.
Article courtesy of Steve Clark of TotalFlyFishing.com at www.totalflyfishing.com.
For many fly-fisherman, fly-tying is a serious hobby. Not only is fly-tying economical, it is enjoyable. Nothing beats the thrill of mastering a new fly pattern, or creating specialized flies for ones' unique fishing situations. Also, one cannot underestimate the sense of adventure that accompanies the fly-fisher on the prowl for the perfect materials, whether browsing the local fly shop, ransacking a craft store, or even salvaging road kill.
Given that tying your own flies provides so much satisfaction, why buy flies online?
Obtain local fly patterns
The first reason is that as your fly fishing experience grows, your desire to test new and foreign waters increases. As a result, your need for localized patterns becomes more important. Sure, you want to do the research and tie your own variations of the Club Sandwich before you hit the Snake River for the first time, but there's something to be said about fishing the tried and true local patterns on your initial outings to foreign waters. With that idea established, you can either buy these flies from a local shop or purchase them online. I recommend doing both.
Say you live in New Jersey and you're planning your first trip to Colorado. You and your buddies plan to hit a few a rivers within 10 days. Before you go, do research on the internet - find out what's hatching on these rivers when you plan to visit them, and what patterns work best. Then, based on your research, purchase enough flies online to cover you while fishing these waters. Now you have a safety net - you won't have to worry about not having enough flies for the rivers you'll fish at the end of your trip.
Next, research local shops on the internet - find out who the proprietors are and when they are open for business. Now this idea might seem obvious to many of you, but make it a point to stop at these shops before you fish. When you arrive, ask them about recent fishing activity and what flies they would recommend. Tell them about your trip, let them know you found their site on the internet, and ask for their advice. Tell them what flies you already have and ask about what else you may need. If your budget allows, purchase as many of the flies they recommend.
Save time while supplementing your current collection
There comes a time in which your energy is better focused on fishing than tying flies. A typical North American fly-fisher and fly-tyer spends the "off" months tying flies for the season ahead. Many fisherman focus the bulk of their tying efforts on the winter months to prepare for spring, summer, and fall fishing. If you are one of those anglers who feel like they never have enough flies, purchasing your "basic" flies online can leave you time to focus on the more specialized, region-specific flies that you might not find on the web. For example, why not buy your attractor flies such as Adams or Stimulators, so that you can concentrate on the special mayfly flies that you know will require special attention to detail? The same idea applies to those "hard-to-tie" flies - if you dislike tying size 24 Tricos, why not buy those items online so you have more time to crank out the flies you prefer to tie?
Also, consider how much your time is worth. Think about your fly-tying time as if you were a professional fly-tyer. How much is an hour of your fly-tying time worth? If it takes you two hours to tie twelve size 26 BWO emergers, you might be better off spending $10 on a dozen of the same fly so that you can use those two hours to tie 18 Rusty Spinners.
Variety
No matter what you want to purchase, nothing beats the internet for window shopping. I have seen the same fly pattern tied three different ways on three different sites. This variety allows you to find the best pattern that matches your intended fishing location. For example, if you plan to fish faster moving water, your parachute patterns might need a bit more hackle, or even a brighter post. On the other hand, if you plan to fish tailwaters, your mayfly patterns might need to sit lower on the water. By the same token, if you intend to fish mostly in the spring, your mayfly patterns might need to be a lighter color than if you intend to fish in the fall.
By browsing different sites for the same patterns, you will be able to compare patterns and ascertain the right fly for you. The best way to do this is to open two or three browser windows at a time on your computer. Then go to different sites in each browser and compare the patterns you are interested in.
Save money
Quite simply, buying flies online can save you money. Not only can you find discounts for large orders, the actual cost of individual flies can be lower than if you purchased flies from some of the larger fly fishing retailers. The best online merchants often charge as little as 65 cents (sometimes, even 50 cents for fly patterns). One disadvantage is that you don't get to inspect the flies before you purchase them, unlike in a store. I recommend buying a few different patterns your first time so that you can determine not only the quality of the flies, but the consistency of the quality across different patterns. For example, a good initial purchase might include a stonefly nymph, a caddis pattern, a mayfly emerger, a mayfly dun, and an attractor pattern. This way you could check the various elements of typical flies such as tails, dubbing, hackle, deer-hair, and hook strength.
Types of web sites
There are hundreds of web sites that sell flies online. These sites fall into two categories: companies that only sell flies, and fly shop owners who run web sites for their businesses.
Businesses whose sole purpose is to sell flies online usually have a greater amount of flies available. One advantage these sites offer is that they are more likely to offer discounts on larger purchases. Also, their web sites tend to be more user-friendly (though not always). Many of these sites typically include advanced functionality that make selecting and purchasing flies easier on the user. The best of these sites allow you to set up personal accounts or use "shopping carts" to store your selections before purchasing. In this manner, the purchase experience is more convenient. Shopping carts tend to be "persistent" - in that a visitor may select items to the cart one day and return to the site at later time to find that the shopping cart still contains the previous selections. This allows you to select items you are interested in, leave the site and do more research, then alter or add to your selections later.
Fly shop web sites, on the other hand, typically present the user with flies specifically relevant to the area that the fly shop services. You have a better chance of purchasing flies that are most effective to the area you want to fish if you purchase them from local fly shops. Furthermore, you are supporting the local economy of the area in which you desire to fish. Many fly shop web sites also include online hatch charts which can inform you of flies you most likely need.
The authors experience
In the spring, and summer I do a lot of fishing on the Delaware River in the Catskills Mountains of New York. Throughout the winter I will tie a decent amount of the flies I actually need. As spring approaches, I have found that supplementing my collection with web-bought flies ensures that I am ready to meet the various hatches encountered in the spring. Any Delaware River fly fisherman will tell you that hatch-matching is a critical part of success on this river. In my limited experience, I have encountered days in which four or five different hatches took place. On top of that, the hatches change from week to week. I have ensured a decent modicum of success by checking local hatch charts ahead of time and then purchasing a dozen flies from week to week.
Hopefully, these tips will help you increase the amount of flies you own, and enhance your fly-fishing experience.
Article courtesy of Steve Clark of TotalFlyFishing.com at www.totalflyfishing.com.
Friday 22 January 2010
Thursday 21 January 2010
Fly Fishing, The Top 10 Myths
The old myths are shattered. You'll be introduced to fly fishing in an entirely different way. Fly fishing is no longer considered difficult to learn or expensive to participate in. You'll soon come to realize that this sport is easy to learn, and will reward your efforts with many fantastic days on the water!
Learning to fly fish is an excellent way to utilize all of the natural resources that are available to everyone -- world-wide. Oceans, streams, lakes, bays and estuary's literally teem with game fish, and are easily accessible . By learning to fly fish, you will enjoy the natural world around you, get some easy exercise, relieve the strain of everyday life, and even better, there are no greens fees or country club dues - no membership tab, and no lines to wait on!
Here's the list of myths:
1. Fly Fishing is difficult
Fly casting will take a few practice sessions to become proficient enough to hit the water -- but that's all you'll need to get started. Why not take a look at some online fly fishing lessons (see the resources section at the end of this article) -- then practice in a park, your backyard or another private place. Hit a lake or pond, where you won't find many obstructions behind you to get in the way. Catch a few pan-fish, learn to land fish - now you're ready for the stream, ocean or wherever you'd like to fly fish!
2. Fly Fishing is expensive
It simply is not. Fly fishing can be expensive if you spend a lot of your hard earned mullah on premier, top of the line (dare say - overpriced?) fly gear. Don't go bottom of the line either - inexpensive equipment is hard to use because inexpensive materials are heavier and not as stiff as quality graphite. Very inexpensive gear simply does not hold up to rugged fishing use - and we are rugged, aren't we?
So -- look around. There are some great deals on beginner fly fishing outfits -- don't let the word "beginner" scare you away. This gear is not only fairly priced, but the rods are specifically designed to be easier to cast and will last a long time if you take care of them. Take this from a fly fisher that broke his very first (and precious!) fly rod in the hatchback of a Toyota Celica! Some fly rod outfits even come complete with a protective rod & reel traveling case!
3. You can only Fly Fish for Trout
You get the picture. Trout stream, pipe in mouth, tweed jacket, leather patches, wicker creel...
Wrong. Today's fly fishing is so much more exciting than that (but if the above excites you - by all means - knock yourself out!).
I took up fly fishing in my early twenties as the result of a childhood memory of my father and other fly fishers on the famous Beaverkill in Roscoe, NY. Let's just suffice to say that there was a lot of tweed and wicker in the '60's. Today the world has changed! Now -- picture this forty-something year old with his wife on the flats in the Florida Keys hunting down barracuda, bonefish and permit. All tropical, all cool, all hot, we were fishing machines -- it was everything you'd ask for in the excitement department!
Species: so many - let's see, OK - trout, bass (large-mouth and small-mouth), carp, pike, pickerel, perch, sunnies, crappies, steelhead, salmon (many varieties - and Lox is not a variety of salmon!), then there's striped bass, bluefish, false albacore, bonito, weakfish, bonefish, barracuda, permit, mangrove snapper, snook, Spanish mackerel , jack crevalle. Oh the list goes on! But I'll stop.
4. Fly Fishing has to be done in Exotic Locations
Although the Florida Keys are very nice, as well as New Zealand, Christmas Island, Belize and the like...
There are so many places close to home that can and will provide you with the total fly fishing experience. Your local park probably may have a stocked pond. That pretty little stream with the bridge that you cross every day -- may be a trout stream. The beach that you take the dog to for a run -- there are fish to catch there! Fly fishing is a great sport in that it enables you to open your eyes and enjoy the world around you.
Then again, a vacation sounds nice too!
Places: rivers, streams, creeks, brooks, tributaries, lakes, ponds, farm ponds, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, bays, estuaries, jetties, flats, reefs...
5. You need a PhD in Biology to Succeed
You won't need a PhD in any subject to succeed in fly fishing! You might think so after conversing with some fly fishers. The reality is that you can over-complicate this sport as much as you'd like. Yes, here are times that fish are selective (won't take the fly you're fishing) --- but in most cases you can dupe them with a selection of about two or three flies properly fished.
6. You have to be an Olympic Athlete to Fly Fish
Just as in any other sport, you can participate to the level of your physical abilities and derive complete enjoyment! Groups continue to build handicap access sites on streams and lakes -- all over the US (and worldwide), and you can find a location to fly fish right outside your car!
7. You can't learn to Fly Fish on your own
Many have, and many will. Guides, fly shops, fly fishing schools and the like will try to convince you that you'll need those expensive lessons to get started. We disagree. And here are the key words -- "to get started". There are so many great resources for the beginner fly fisher -- just read a little, online or off, and get out on the water and fly fish!
8. I thought you had to attach a real live fly to the end of the line
Negative. Fly Fishing is all about imitating fish food with a hand-made "fly", often constructed of fur and feathers, but can also be constructed from man-made materials. The key here is imitating the natural food of the species of fish your are fly fishing for. For instance, saltwater species often feed on small minnows -- and saltwater "flies" often imitate small fish or minnows.
9. I can't do it, I tried once
Here's the thing about fly casting: You are not casting any weight at the end of the line as with a spin rod. You are casting the fly line itself. Here's a simple analogy: pretend that you are holding a stick with an apple pushed onto the top. You want to toss the apple across the room to your friend. You would have to swing the stick and abruptly stop the swing to let the apple fly off the top of the stick and hurl across the room to your waiting friend. Just imagine now that the stick is your fly rod, and the apple is actually your fly line. Fly casting is much the same as the analogy: your forward cast will start, just as when you swung the stick, and then stop abruptly to allow the fly line to hurl forward. See the resources at the end of this article for a cool animation that you can view, explaining the basics of fly casting.
10. You have to cast really far to catch fish
Most fish are you'll be targeting are within 30 ft -- or, you can get to within 30 ft of them. To cast to a fish this far away, you only have to be able to cast 21 - 23 ft of fly line, taking into consideration that most leaders (your terminal tackle) are 7.5 to 9 ft. We know, for certain, that with one or two practice sessions -- you'll be casting at least that far!
AnglerUniversity.com [http://www.angleruniversity.com] is an online resource for beginner fly fishers that combines online fly fishing lessons (with animations, video, and photos) with a fly shop that offers fly fishing combos, fly rods, fly reels, and accessories. Check out a couple of the resources below for fly fishing information and gear. When you're ready to fly fish -- make AnglerUniversity.com your first stop on the Internet!
I've included a couple of resources for you to check out:
Online Fly Fishing Lessons [http://www.angleruniversity.com/enroll3.asp]
Basic Casting Animation/Lesson [http://www.angleruniversity.com/lessons_intro.asp]
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Incantalupo
Learning to fly fish is an excellent way to utilize all of the natural resources that are available to everyone -- world-wide. Oceans, streams, lakes, bays and estuary's literally teem with game fish, and are easily accessible . By learning to fly fish, you will enjoy the natural world around you, get some easy exercise, relieve the strain of everyday life, and even better, there are no greens fees or country club dues - no membership tab, and no lines to wait on!
Here's the list of myths:
1. Fly Fishing is difficult
Fly casting will take a few practice sessions to become proficient enough to hit the water -- but that's all you'll need to get started. Why not take a look at some online fly fishing lessons (see the resources section at the end of this article) -- then practice in a park, your backyard or another private place. Hit a lake or pond, where you won't find many obstructions behind you to get in the way. Catch a few pan-fish, learn to land fish - now you're ready for the stream, ocean or wherever you'd like to fly fish!
2. Fly Fishing is expensive
It simply is not. Fly fishing can be expensive if you spend a lot of your hard earned mullah on premier, top of the line (dare say - overpriced?) fly gear. Don't go bottom of the line either - inexpensive equipment is hard to use because inexpensive materials are heavier and not as stiff as quality graphite. Very inexpensive gear simply does not hold up to rugged fishing use - and we are rugged, aren't we?
So -- look around. There are some great deals on beginner fly fishing outfits -- don't let the word "beginner" scare you away. This gear is not only fairly priced, but the rods are specifically designed to be easier to cast and will last a long time if you take care of them. Take this from a fly fisher that broke his very first (and precious!) fly rod in the hatchback of a Toyota Celica! Some fly rod outfits even come complete with a protective rod & reel traveling case!
3. You can only Fly Fish for Trout
You get the picture. Trout stream, pipe in mouth, tweed jacket, leather patches, wicker creel...
Wrong. Today's fly fishing is so much more exciting than that (but if the above excites you - by all means - knock yourself out!).
I took up fly fishing in my early twenties as the result of a childhood memory of my father and other fly fishers on the famous Beaverkill in Roscoe, NY. Let's just suffice to say that there was a lot of tweed and wicker in the '60's. Today the world has changed! Now -- picture this forty-something year old with his wife on the flats in the Florida Keys hunting down barracuda, bonefish and permit. All tropical, all cool, all hot, we were fishing machines -- it was everything you'd ask for in the excitement department!
Species: so many - let's see, OK - trout, bass (large-mouth and small-mouth), carp, pike, pickerel, perch, sunnies, crappies, steelhead, salmon (many varieties - and Lox is not a variety of salmon!), then there's striped bass, bluefish, false albacore, bonito, weakfish, bonefish, barracuda, permit, mangrove snapper, snook, Spanish mackerel , jack crevalle. Oh the list goes on! But I'll stop.
4. Fly Fishing has to be done in Exotic Locations
Although the Florida Keys are very nice, as well as New Zealand, Christmas Island, Belize and the like...
There are so many places close to home that can and will provide you with the total fly fishing experience. Your local park probably may have a stocked pond. That pretty little stream with the bridge that you cross every day -- may be a trout stream. The beach that you take the dog to for a run -- there are fish to catch there! Fly fishing is a great sport in that it enables you to open your eyes and enjoy the world around you.
Then again, a vacation sounds nice too!
Places: rivers, streams, creeks, brooks, tributaries, lakes, ponds, farm ponds, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, bays, estuaries, jetties, flats, reefs...
5. You need a PhD in Biology to Succeed
You won't need a PhD in any subject to succeed in fly fishing! You might think so after conversing with some fly fishers. The reality is that you can over-complicate this sport as much as you'd like. Yes, here are times that fish are selective (won't take the fly you're fishing) --- but in most cases you can dupe them with a selection of about two or three flies properly fished.
6. You have to be an Olympic Athlete to Fly Fish
Just as in any other sport, you can participate to the level of your physical abilities and derive complete enjoyment! Groups continue to build handicap access sites on streams and lakes -- all over the US (and worldwide), and you can find a location to fly fish right outside your car!
7. You can't learn to Fly Fish on your own
Many have, and many will. Guides, fly shops, fly fishing schools and the like will try to convince you that you'll need those expensive lessons to get started. We disagree. And here are the key words -- "to get started". There are so many great resources for the beginner fly fisher -- just read a little, online or off, and get out on the water and fly fish!
8. I thought you had to attach a real live fly to the end of the line
Negative. Fly Fishing is all about imitating fish food with a hand-made "fly", often constructed of fur and feathers, but can also be constructed from man-made materials. The key here is imitating the natural food of the species of fish your are fly fishing for. For instance, saltwater species often feed on small minnows -- and saltwater "flies" often imitate small fish or minnows.
9. I can't do it, I tried once
Here's the thing about fly casting: You are not casting any weight at the end of the line as with a spin rod. You are casting the fly line itself. Here's a simple analogy: pretend that you are holding a stick with an apple pushed onto the top. You want to toss the apple across the room to your friend. You would have to swing the stick and abruptly stop the swing to let the apple fly off the top of the stick and hurl across the room to your waiting friend. Just imagine now that the stick is your fly rod, and the apple is actually your fly line. Fly casting is much the same as the analogy: your forward cast will start, just as when you swung the stick, and then stop abruptly to allow the fly line to hurl forward. See the resources at the end of this article for a cool animation that you can view, explaining the basics of fly casting.
10. You have to cast really far to catch fish
Most fish are you'll be targeting are within 30 ft -- or, you can get to within 30 ft of them. To cast to a fish this far away, you only have to be able to cast 21 - 23 ft of fly line, taking into consideration that most leaders (your terminal tackle) are 7.5 to 9 ft. We know, for certain, that with one or two practice sessions -- you'll be casting at least that far!
AnglerUniversity.com [http://www.angleruniversity.com] is an online resource for beginner fly fishers that combines online fly fishing lessons (with animations, video, and photos) with a fly shop that offers fly fishing combos, fly rods, fly reels, and accessories. Check out a couple of the resources below for fly fishing information and gear. When you're ready to fly fish -- make AnglerUniversity.com your first stop on the Internet!
I've included a couple of resources for you to check out:
Online Fly Fishing Lessons [http://www.angleruniversity.com/enroll3.asp]
Basic Casting Animation/Lesson [http://www.angleruniversity.com/lessons_intro.asp]
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Incantalupo
Wednesday 20 January 2010
Get To Grips With Your Fly Fishing Lures
You use lures to catch fish, however, in fly fishing, the word lure only marginally applies. Of course you are trying to lure the fish to your bait, hence the name, but when you are fly fishing, you are really using flies to entice the fish. So when we talk about fly fishing lures, we are really talking about flies.
Fish rely on flies, bugs, and other insects for food. When you are fly fishing, you are attempting to mimic the look and movement of their food. There are many kinds of fly fishing lures, or flies, that you can use depending on the area you are fishing and the type of fish you want to catch.
It is advisable, when getting on the river or stream to observe the types of insects that are around you. Skim the top of the water with a small net, see what you collect and then use a lure that looks like the bugs in the net.
Many lures are available at commercial retail outlets, but you can also make them yourself. The key is to have several different lures available to you so you can adapt to the surroundings you are fishing in.
Whatever type of fly or insect that is predominantly in the area is what the fish are feeding on, so you will catch more fish when you lure them with what they already recognise as food.
Your fly fishing lures should be simple. Regular fishing lures can be very big with lots of bright and shiny danglers. They are also supposed to mimic food sources, but the idea is to catch your fish using the natural food that is always available. That’s why flies should be simple and small.
When you are fly fishing, your lures are most important, so using the right lure, or fly, can make a big difference between catching lots of fish or just a few.
Choose your fly fishing lures carefully and reap the benefits!
For a free trial to try out a new record breaking fly fishing lure that is not available in retail outlets, visit : http://scotland-welcomes-you.com/fishing_in_scotland.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Gatens
Fish rely on flies, bugs, and other insects for food. When you are fly fishing, you are attempting to mimic the look and movement of their food. There are many kinds of fly fishing lures, or flies, that you can use depending on the area you are fishing and the type of fish you want to catch.
It is advisable, when getting on the river or stream to observe the types of insects that are around you. Skim the top of the water with a small net, see what you collect and then use a lure that looks like the bugs in the net.
Many lures are available at commercial retail outlets, but you can also make them yourself. The key is to have several different lures available to you so you can adapt to the surroundings you are fishing in.
Whatever type of fly or insect that is predominantly in the area is what the fish are feeding on, so you will catch more fish when you lure them with what they already recognise as food.
Your fly fishing lures should be simple. Regular fishing lures can be very big with lots of bright and shiny danglers. They are also supposed to mimic food sources, but the idea is to catch your fish using the natural food that is always available. That’s why flies should be simple and small.
When you are fly fishing, your lures are most important, so using the right lure, or fly, can make a big difference between catching lots of fish or just a few.
Choose your fly fishing lures carefully and reap the benefits!
For a free trial to try out a new record breaking fly fishing lure that is not available in retail outlets, visit : http://scotland-welcomes-you.com/fishing_in_scotland.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Gatens
Fly Fishing - Don't Miss Out!
The incredible art of fly fishing was initially developed as an angling method to catch salmon and trout. Whilst its predominantly enjoyed by the older generation of anglers,this time tested technique is fast catching the attention and interests of a whole new generation of enthusiasts. In recent years, interest in fly fishing has surged as baby boomers have discovered the sport. No matter what your skill level is, fly fishing can be highly rewarding.
The two major misconceptions about this technique is that it's difficult to do and expensive. If you are a beginner fly fisherman, get started by: Getting involved with other sportsmen from your community or try a fishing club. Treat yourself, your spouse or your entire family to the pleasures of the sport. Explore new water,discover resources and start your fishing journey. If your looking for a place to fish,you can research all major rivers and many lesser-known ones on the internet,obtaining helpful fishing and information about each. With thousands of miles of fishing tributaries and lakes the opportunities are many. You can go fishing in the morning before work for a hour or two if you live close enough to good fishing water. I used to live in Cody WY and many anglers fished at sunrise and sunset for an hour or two trying to get one of the monster rainbow trout from the local lake.
Fly Fishing Equipment
Compared to the gear of other sports, fly fishing gear has changed very little over the years. When going on a fishing trip you want to be sure you have all the proper fishing gear such as flies,lures and accessories. There is nothing worse than getting to your destination and finding out you forgot something.
For the most part,the gear used today is not so different from how it was yesterday. It's just important to pick the appropriate fishing equipment, for the type of fishing you will be doing. A fly rods length factors into the fishing rods action. Shorter rods generally have less action than longer rods because they generate less torque when casting and reeling. Use medium-sized eight or nine-foot fishing rods in most fly fishing conditions. Beginners find medium-action fly rods easy to handle. Stiff fast-action fly rods bend at the end of the rod and do not have a lot of give.Graphite fishing rods are more expensive than fiberglass rods but lightweight graphite fly rods typically allow more accurate casting.
Fly Fishing Knots
The fly line and leader are important parts of fly fishing physics. Learning to tie the proper knots to attach your leaders and flies is critical. Some of the most common flies used in fly fishing include dry, nymph, and streamers. A detailed discussion of most of these knots is available in any good book on fishing. Your fishing education will progress rapidly if you take advantage of the free information you can get at the library. In a good book you will find fly fishing knots that will cover just about every situation you will encounter where a specific knot is needed.
Learning to Cast
Unlike other casting methods, fly fishing can be thought of as a method of casting line rather than a lure. Besides the obvious difference in the actual method of casting, normal fishing and fly fishing also vary in the equipment used. If you would like personalized instruction, there are hundreds of fly fishing schools scattered about the world. So,if you have never been fly fishing before, a great way to learn is to take few lessons from a local instructor. Taking lessons from a professional instructor to learn the basics and perfect your technique will speed up the learning curve. This means you'll have a lot more fun fishing. If you can't cast you can't catch a fish. There are many Fishing Shops and guides whom teach basic fly fishing classes both off the water and on.
Continue to Learn
Get as much information you can from books, magazines, and videos on fishing,fly casting, tying flies and tying knots. Join a fishing club to further your fishing education and enjoy the company of interesting people that enjoy fishing. With the right fishing equipment and information on hand you will have a lifetime of fun fishing.
I've been fly fishing my whole life, over 30 years. It seems like I'm always learning something new. I try to share what I know with people because that's how I learned. I make this information available for FREE at http://flyfishingeducation.info/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Disrud
The two major misconceptions about this technique is that it's difficult to do and expensive. If you are a beginner fly fisherman, get started by: Getting involved with other sportsmen from your community or try a fishing club. Treat yourself, your spouse or your entire family to the pleasures of the sport. Explore new water,discover resources and start your fishing journey. If your looking for a place to fish,you can research all major rivers and many lesser-known ones on the internet,obtaining helpful fishing and information about each. With thousands of miles of fishing tributaries and lakes the opportunities are many. You can go fishing in the morning before work for a hour or two if you live close enough to good fishing water. I used to live in Cody WY and many anglers fished at sunrise and sunset for an hour or two trying to get one of the monster rainbow trout from the local lake.
Fly Fishing Equipment
Compared to the gear of other sports, fly fishing gear has changed very little over the years. When going on a fishing trip you want to be sure you have all the proper fishing gear such as flies,lures and accessories. There is nothing worse than getting to your destination and finding out you forgot something.
For the most part,the gear used today is not so different from how it was yesterday. It's just important to pick the appropriate fishing equipment, for the type of fishing you will be doing. A fly rods length factors into the fishing rods action. Shorter rods generally have less action than longer rods because they generate less torque when casting and reeling. Use medium-sized eight or nine-foot fishing rods in most fly fishing conditions. Beginners find medium-action fly rods easy to handle. Stiff fast-action fly rods bend at the end of the rod and do not have a lot of give.Graphite fishing rods are more expensive than fiberglass rods but lightweight graphite fly rods typically allow more accurate casting.
Fly Fishing Knots
The fly line and leader are important parts of fly fishing physics. Learning to tie the proper knots to attach your leaders and flies is critical. Some of the most common flies used in fly fishing include dry, nymph, and streamers. A detailed discussion of most of these knots is available in any good book on fishing. Your fishing education will progress rapidly if you take advantage of the free information you can get at the library. In a good book you will find fly fishing knots that will cover just about every situation you will encounter where a specific knot is needed.
Learning to Cast
Unlike other casting methods, fly fishing can be thought of as a method of casting line rather than a lure. Besides the obvious difference in the actual method of casting, normal fishing and fly fishing also vary in the equipment used. If you would like personalized instruction, there are hundreds of fly fishing schools scattered about the world. So,if you have never been fly fishing before, a great way to learn is to take few lessons from a local instructor. Taking lessons from a professional instructor to learn the basics and perfect your technique will speed up the learning curve. This means you'll have a lot more fun fishing. If you can't cast you can't catch a fish. There are many Fishing Shops and guides whom teach basic fly fishing classes both off the water and on.
Continue to Learn
Get as much information you can from books, magazines, and videos on fishing,fly casting, tying flies and tying knots. Join a fishing club to further your fishing education and enjoy the company of interesting people that enjoy fishing. With the right fishing equipment and information on hand you will have a lifetime of fun fishing.
I've been fly fishing my whole life, over 30 years. It seems like I'm always learning something new. I try to share what I know with people because that's how I learned. I make this information available for FREE at http://flyfishingeducation.info/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Disrud
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