My fly rod and reel overlooking Lake Strobel, Argentina
Introduction to Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is a fun and unique way to fish. Instead of relying on the weight of the lure or bait to cast, you use the weight of the special fly line and whip it backwards and forwards to cast the fly, which is often almost weightless. Fly casting is an art form, one that I am sure I will never fully master. The tackle used for fly fishing is quite different than what is used for conventional fishing, and often requires that you take out a second mortgage. I've given a quick summary below.
Rods used for fly fishing are usually longer than rods used for conventional fishing, and also more limber and light. Rods are categorized by weight, which indicates how stiff they are and how heavy of a fly line they can handle. For example, a 3 weight rod might be used for fishing small flies for small stream trout, a 6 weight rod might be used for casting larger flies for bigger trout, a 7 weight might be used in saltwater for Bonefish, while a 10 weight might be used for large saltwater fish like Tarpon. Personally, I only use rods between 5-9 weights. Rods that are smaller than that are typically used to catch fish that are smaller than I am interested in, and rods bigger than that are typically a pain to cast and are used for fish that in my opinion are better pursued with conventional gear.
Fly reels have a circular shape and typically do not retrieve line as fast as conventional reels. For smaller fish, the reels are basically just used to hold the line. For larger fish, the drag on the reels actually comes into play when the fish take off like with conventional reels.
Fly reels typically have backing, which is usually braided or gel spun fishing line. On top of that you put the fly line, which is what you use to cast. There are a whole host of different types of fly lines for different types of uses. There are floating lines, sinking lines, shooting head lines, warmwater lines, coldwater lines, etc. There is a fly line for almost any application you can think of. Fly lines all have numbers that correspond with the size of rod they are meant to pair with.
After the fly line is typically a leader, often tapered, of transparent material such as monofilament or fluorocarbon. At the end the tippet is attached, which again is transparent material, and the fly is attached to that.
Flies are made of natural materials such as feathers or animal fur or synthetic materials tied onto a hook. There are thousands of different fly patterns, and many fly fishermen and women enjoy tying their own. I actually got into fly tying as a kid, well before I did any fly fishing. It was just a fun artistic thing to do for a guy who was not very good at any other kind of art. Flies run the gamut in size from the tiny nymph for trout below to monstrosities like the huge Taiman fly shown. There are also huge flies for pelagic fish such as billfish, but personally I prefer to fish for those types of fish on conventional gear.
Fly fishing is a fun and unique way to fish. Instead of relying on the weight of the lure or bait to cast, you use the weight of the special fly line and whip it backwards and forwards to cast the fly, which is often almost weightless. Fly casting is an art form, one that I am sure I will never fully master. The tackle used for fly fishing is quite different than what is used for conventional fishing, and often requires that you take out a second mortgage. I've given a quick summary below.
Rods used for fly fishing are usually longer than rods used for conventional fishing, and also more limber and light. Rods are categorized by weight, which indicates how stiff they are and how heavy of a fly line they can handle. For example, a 3 weight rod might be used for fishing small flies for small stream trout, a 6 weight rod might be used for casting larger flies for bigger trout, a 7 weight might be used in saltwater for Bonefish, while a 10 weight might be used for large saltwater fish like Tarpon. Personally, I only use rods between 5-9 weights. Rods that are smaller than that are typically used to catch fish that are smaller than I am interested in, and rods bigger than that are typically a pain to cast and are used for fish that in my opinion are better pursued with conventional gear.
Fly reels have a circular shape and typically do not retrieve line as fast as conventional reels. For smaller fish, the reels are basically just used to hold the line. For larger fish, the drag on the reels actually comes into play when the fish take off like with conventional reels.
Fly reels typically have backing, which is usually braided or gel spun fishing line. On top of that you put the fly line, which is what you use to cast. There are a whole host of different types of fly lines for different types of uses. There are floating lines, sinking lines, shooting head lines, warmwater lines, coldwater lines, etc. There is a fly line for almost any application you can think of. Fly lines all have numbers that correspond with the size of rod they are meant to pair with.
After the fly line is typically a leader, often tapered, of transparent material such as monofilament or fluorocarbon. At the end the tippet is attached, which again is transparent material, and the fly is attached to that.
Flies are made of natural materials such as feathers or animal fur or synthetic materials tied onto a hook. There are thousands of different fly patterns, and many fly fishermen and women enjoy tying their own. I actually got into fly tying as a kid, well before I did any fly fishing. It was just a fun artistic thing to do for a guy who was not very good at any other kind of art. Flies run the gamut in size from the tiny nymph for trout below to monstrosities like the huge Taiman fly shown. There are also huge flies for pelagic fish such as billfish, but personally I prefer to fish for those types of fish on conventional gear.
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I love to fly fish. The fight is usually much better than on conventional gear due to the light, whippy rods. Some fish, especially Trout, that would come right in on most conventional gear put up epic fights on fly tackle. Also, there are some situations, such as when the fish are feeding on insects and/or require a very delicate presentation, when it is difficult to catch them on conventional gear. That is when fly fishing really shines and sometimes is the only way to catch anything.
Personally, I really enjoy fly fishing for Trout and related species (Char, Salmon, etc). Fly fishing was created originally to target those fish, and that is my favorite way to fish for them.
However, unlike many fly fishermen, I also enjoy conventional lure and even bait fishing. I have unfortunately met a number of fly fishermen who have adopted an elitist attitude and visibly look down on other kinds of fishing and fishermen. That's unfortunate and always bugs me when I see it. There is a lot to love about all kinds of fishing.
Below are just a few of my favorite fly-caught Trout, Char, and Salmon:
Personally, I really enjoy fly fishing for Trout and related species (Char, Salmon, etc). Fly fishing was created originally to target those fish, and that is my favorite way to fish for them.
However, unlike many fly fishermen, I also enjoy conventional lure and even bait fishing. I have unfortunately met a number of fly fishermen who have adopted an elitist attitude and visibly look down on other kinds of fishing and fishermen. That's unfortunate and always bugs me when I see it. There is a lot to love about all kinds of fishing.
Below are just a few of my favorite fly-caught Trout, Char, and Salmon:
Taimen, Onon River, Mongolia
Rainbow Trout, Lake Strobel, Argentina
Dolly Varden, Gertrude Creek, Alaska
Rainbow Trout, Morraine Creek, Alaska
Silver Salmon, Aniak River, Alaska