| You take the time to get into just the right | | | | rods are best because they can produce any |
| location in that great stream that your friend told | | | | action that you wish to use. If you are a beginner, |
| you about. You have been waiting for so long to | | | | buy a basic and moderately priced rod, or borrow |
| enjoy this time, alone, fishing to your heart's | | | | one from a family member or friend. |
| content. There are many amazing moments in life | | | | Flies and Leaders |
| but fly fishing is one of your favorite. You'll get | | | | Flies weigh very little. The fly is usually attached |
| into the waders, getting into just that right | | | | to the line by a leader that is two to three |
| location so that you can cast. | | | | meters in length (6 to 9 feet). The leader often |
| The tip of your rod should be in the four o' clock | | | | tapers to a fine end. This is called a tippet. Tippet |
| position with 20 feet (6 meters) of line extended | | | | size range from 8X, which is the smallest, to 0X, |
| beyond your rod's tip. Trap the line between the | | | | which is the largest. Tippets are set in units of |
| rod handle and your index finger. To begin the | | | | .001 inches. To match the tippet to the fly, you |
| back cast, bend your elbow, raise your forearm | | | | must subtract from eleven and multiply by .001. |
| and move the rod tip from four o'clock to eleven | | | | For example to find the diameter of a 4X tippet, |
| thirty and lift the line from the water. Pause for a | | | | you would subtract four from eleven. That equals |
| moment at this point to allow the line to extend | | | | seven. Now, multiply by .001. This size would be |
| behind you before casting the rod forward. Allow | | | | .007. What if you have a # 18 fly? How would |
| the rod to follow through as the line extends to | | | | you calculate tippet size? You would put eighteen |
| its full length in front of you. Then continue to | | | | over four and calculate. The answer would be 4.5. |
| work the line in this manner. A fish strikes. The | | | | Since there is no 4.5 X tippet, you would move to |
| fight is on and you successfully land the fish. This | | | | the next largest size, which would be 5. |
| is fly casting. | | | | Types of Fly Fishing |
| Fly fishing is an old method of angling. It was | | | | There are two types of fly fishing - dry and wet. |
| primarily developed to catch trout and salmon. | | | | Wet flies are fished beneath the water surface |
| Today, it is still used to fish these species, but is | | | | and are divided into several types, including live |
| also used to catch bass, carp, pike and a wide | | | | wet flies, lures and nymphs. Dry flies float on the |
| range of saltwater fish. The difference between | | | | water surface and are coated with a substance |
| casting and fly fishing is that in casting you use | | | | called, 'floatant' to make this possible. |
| the weight of your bait, sinker and bobber to | | | | If you are interested in fly fishing and can't decide |
| propel your cast. In fly fishing, the weight of the | | | | which equipment you need to have a positive |
| line propels your line forward and puts your fly | | | | fishing experience, ask an experienced angler for |
| into position. The fly cannot do this, as it is | | | | help. This can be a family member, friend, |
| essentially weightless. The goal in fly fishing is to | | | | someone from the local angler's club or a staff |
| present the fly gently and to always be in control | | | | member of the local fly fishing shop. Fly fishing is |
| of it. | | | | not as hard to learn as it appears to be. Have fun |
| When you fly fish, you need special fishing | | | | and enjoy that big catch. |
| equipment that includes a fly rod and reel, a | | | | The best way to enjoy your catch is to take the |
| special fly fishing line and artificial or live flies. | | | | time to enjoy the many wonders that the fishing |
| These are tied onto your hook with feathers, fur, | | | | experience offers. No matter what that first |
| thread or other materials in colors and sizes that | | | | adventure turns out to be, you can make it |
| represent natural prey. The key to successful fly | | | | amazing by spending some time learning the skills |
| fishing is balance. The rod, reel and line, as well as | | | | from an experienced fisherman. |
| the tippet all have to match in order to have a | | | | Niall Pesci is a keen lakes fisherman who is always |
| positive fly fishing experience. | | | | looking at new tools to help him catch more fish. |
| Rod, Reels and Lines | | | | Visit Fish Finder Review for more information and |
| Fly fishing rods are lightweight and long. The line | | | | great deals about the Humminbird Fishfinder 585 C |
| provides the casting weight and is heavy. It can | | | | and other Humminbird GPS and Sonar fish finders |
| be of differing density, depending on whether you | | | | and marine navigation systems. |
| want the fly to sink or float. Line is matched to | | | | This article may be reprinted in full so long as the |
| your rod by weight. Look near the fly rod butt to | | | | resource box and the live links are included intact. |
| find out what line weight must be used. Graphite | | | | All rights reserved. |