Getting Great Catches With Fly Fishing Flies

If you are into fly fishing, then definitely you have encountered fishing terms such as artificial fly, wet and dry flies and fly fishing flies. In fact, the term fly fishing will not be without the flies. However, it must be clear that flies, even the artificial ones, can be used for other forms of fishing.

In the game of fly fishing, the main concept is that we try to catch the fish using some form of fly which closely resembles whatever kind of prey your fish is after. In the world of flies and preys, the most popular water insects that are imitates as artificial flies are Stoneflies, Caddis and Mayflies. They are the most commonly imitated insects even during those early times and development of the sport of fly fishing, even up to the modern times.

How are artificial fly fishing flies exactly made?

In the early times, flies that are artificially created are usually made of the combination of feathers, animal hairs or furs; all these three are tied to a fish hook by the early fishermen in order to mimic fish preys, albeit quite crudely. These materials were formed to create imitations of the usual insects and tiny animals (Caddis and Mayflies, as earlier mentioned) and baitfish.

Nowadays, with the modern era of fishing, advanced materials such as synthetics, rubber and mylar are mixed with natural components to produce to highest quality fly fishing flies. The imitation is cunningly so close that even the veteran will be amazed by the resemblance of the fly to the fish prey it mimics. Now there are numerous preys that are being imitated by artificial fly fishing flies such as water and land insects, worms, spawn, small amphibians and reptiles, crustaceans and even birds.

Construction of fly fishing flies

Basically construction of artificial fly fishing flies is done using the method of fly tying. This process involves basic tying tools as well as the components of the fly pattern that are being tied and the pattern to mimic. Fly tying equipment effectively assembles all materials to the fishing hook. Such materials are the common ones like feathers, hooks and furs. When tying flies, natural as well as synthetic components are needed. On the other hand, a fly pattern represents the blueprint needed for fly creation. With a fly pattern, you will know the appropriate size of hooks, the colors, as well as the assembly method.

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Fly Fishing, Beginners Guide to the Types of Fishing Flies

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

Fly Fishing Equipment Guide – Learn More About The Items You Use

If you have heard of fly-fishing and you do not know what it is, it is a style angling that has a history tracing back to the ancient times. Fly fishing has a big difference from the fishing style we are used today which uses a reel and a rod, the fly-fisherman goes into the water and lures the fish to bite using his expert skills. The main difference of fly-fishing from the fishing style we are used to is the bait and method being used by the angler and also the fly fishing equipment.

Although fly fishing equipment has a reel and a rod it works differently from the usual open spool reels. Fly rods are made up of fiber glass or other complex materials and are flexible and light. Before catching a fish or purchasing your fly fishing equipment you must know the type of the fish you are going to catch because fly rods have different lengths. Usually a fly angler catches a salmon or a trout but it can also be an effective way of catching other types of fish.

Another distinctive feature that a fly rod has is the kind of fishing line which is usually thicker comparing it to any other kind of angling line.

Fly rod is not just an important fly fishing equipment but the weight, type and color of the artificial fly is also a part of the art of angling for a fly fisherman. There are various categories of flies they are partially submerged flies, surface floating flies and below surface flies each has its own particular way of casting.

Fly fishing equipment usually can be costly but not all the parts are expensive the most expensive part is the flying rod, flies and flying line are not. For people who are experienced in fly fishing they can eventually make their own flies to use. When you make your own fly you can customize it and most of all you can save a lot of money. If you want to experience how it feels to do fly fishing the best method to do it is with the help of an expert and he can also give you complete details regarding fly fishing equipment.

If you are the kind of person that loves adventure, likes doing things differently fly fishing is one great activity to be involved in. Somehow fly fishing is an “antique technique” that has been handed down from generation to generation. Fly fishing is a leisure that can last forever with the correct knowledge and equipment.

Fly Fishing Tips for Success

Most serious anglers have refined their techniques over time and experience in order to improve their catch.  Reading up on new techniques and products are also good ideas, and so is listening to other angler’s stories.  However, it is still good to remember the fly fishing basics.  Anglers have been catching fish with the basic rod and line for centuries, so going back to the fly fishing fundamentals or the ABC’s of the sport will go a long way in improving not only your fly fishing technique but your catch as well.  So, what are those fly fishing basics we have forgotten?

Getting the Cast Right is Crucial

One of the most important fly fishing basics is the cast.  The cast is probably the most talked about topic among anglers.  A cast that is too forceful will cause the line to hit the water hard which startles the fish.  Even experienced anglers have a hard time switching from a typical cast to a good fly fishing cast.  What usually happens when you fish with a typical rod and reel is that the bait and hook are heavy and they are what pull the line to the designated target.  In fly fishing, it is the opposite.  The fly is almost weightless while the line is heavy.  When casting from a fly fishing rod, the line pulls the fly behind it.  This is why a light and gentle touch is one of the most important fly fishing basics.  Even the most experienced angler forget this technique once in a while so it is important to practice, even when you are not in the water.

How to Practice Casting

In order to keep the gentle touch, practice in your yard.

Tie a piece of yarn on where the fly usually is.  Cast your rod back and forth and aim for a distance some 10-20 feet away.  Work on your cast until you hit your target consistently.  Even if you are an experienced angler, working on your cast is a good part of the fly fishing basics.  Just like a good golfer practices his swing all the time, a consistent and accurate cast is just as vital to fly fishermen. Take Time to Study Currents in the Water

Another oft forgotten fly fishing basic is reading the water and using common sense.  When fishing in water where the water runs fast, you may want to toss your line to the edge as most fish prefer this area so as not to be dragged by the swift current.  During hot summer days, fish may want to hide in shaded areas like fallen trees, so look for good cover.  In fly fishing, the distance between you and the fish is smaller, so you will need a lot of patience so you can stand still and not disturb the fish.  These tips may seem obvious but some anglers forget these fly fishing fundamentals in their rush to cast their line into the water!

Don’t Spend Money on Fancy Equipment to Improve your Performance, Spend Time Developing Your Skills for Free

Most of us get caught up in the technology or product or techniques of fly fishing that we forget to concentrate on the fly fishing basics.  We have to remember that by giving attention to the fly fishing basics, we increase the chance of having fun thereby increasing the chances of having a fun filled fishing experience.

Fly Fishing – the decision to start

So you’ve decided you want to learn how to fly fish, or at least look into taking it up – this will be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made. Fly Fishing is, without doubt, one of the most rewarding sports I’ve been involved in. It’s not just about catching fish, in fact far from it. Fly fishing has taken me to some of the most beautiful places in the world, just me, my rod and nature. It will take you to places that very few people in the world will ever get to experience and it will only cost you the gas for your car to get there!

So what is so great about fly fishing and why should you learn how to fly fish?  Picture this, a crisp morning, you’re sitting beside a mountain fed river that has been there for thousands of years longer than you. The sun has not yet come up; you’re waiting for it to get light enough so you can see you’re line on the water. While sitting there you are contemplating what will be the result of your first cast of they day. Last night you spent hours tying flies, setting up your rod in front of the fire while having a beer with mates, talking through the prospects of the next day. The sky begins to brighten, you decide it’s time!

Standing in gin clear water you strip out line, preparing for your first cast of the day. You lift the line off the water, elevating the two flies you selected as you’re killer flies for the first part of the morning. You’ve got plenty of line in the air; you decide it’s time to throw the first cast onto the water, the line loops out on itself, softly cutting the water. You see the flies present themselves to the water, you’re now fishing…

You follow your line as it makes its way through its drift, waiting for the first chance of a strike. The sun is slowly starting to come up, you know it’s breakfast time for the rainbow trout you’re about to fool. You see an indication of your line going under the water, STRIKE and then the greatest feeling you can get on the water – tap, tap, tap on the end of your rod; the fish is on! You’ve successfully fooled your first fish of the day into swallowing the fly you tied last night using natural materials, a bit of thread and a hook. Adrenaline sets in; did I hook it well, where will I land it, how big is it, are thoughts that rush through your mind. You softly play the fish, it takes you back into the main flow, runs down stream and then runs toward you, it’s more of a challenge landing the thing! Eventually the fish tires and gives up, you’re able to net it, get your mate to take a quick picture then return the fish to the river to allow it to fight another day!

And as I say, catching fish isn’t just what it’s all about. Fly fishing offers so much on so many levels – I’ve taken dozens of first timers out on the water and every single one of them have loved it, fish or no fish, they’ve all appreciated the skill of the sport, the environment in which we’re lucky enough to practice it and the sense of accomplishment at even just getting the flies on the water.

In two minds about whether to Learn to Fly Fish? Didn’t think so; see you on the water…