Fishing is an advancing sport and there are numerous ways of fishing. Among other ways, fly fishing is a technique that provides thrill, excitement, challenge, and reward. Though it is a taxing method, the fruit you get at the end is all worth the grind. This article will open up all the hidden aspects of fly fishing and show you how to master this technique and ace your journey. So let’s dive into the marvelous world of fly fishing.
What is Fly Fishing and What Makes It So Challenging?
You’re probably wondering about the specialty of fly fishing and what makes it so different from any other method. By the end, you will have everything sorted in your mind. Fly fishing is an angling technique in which we use ultralight-weight lures. This lure is an artificial fly, hence the name fly fishing. These flies mimic real-life insects and attract prey to them. As the lure has no weight and cannot be cast by traditional techniques, it is arduous and demands specialized tackles.
History of Fly Fishing
Fly fishing has been practiced since the 2nd century. The earliest clue of fly fishing can be seen in the writing of Claudius Aelianus. The Japanese used different methods of fly fishing for food. Their traditional technique was Tenkara and another technique recorded is Ayu Fishing. Since then the enthralling technique of fly fishing is evolving with new and better technology and more effective tricks.
What Species is Fly Fishing Used for?
When fly fishermen hear about fly fishing they mostly think about trout, salmon, and grayling. Now numerous other species are targeted while fly fishing, these are bass, carp, pike, walleye, redfish, etc. With the advent of better technology and stronger equipment, large species such as tuna, wahoo, sharks, etc can also be caught. Some anglers catch unexpected prey during their fly fishing venture. You can target any fish as long as the size of your bait matches the food size of your target and the strength of your rod can handle the fish.
Types of fly fishing
As challenging as this technique is, it is also fruitful in most situations.
Freshwater fly fishing:
The gear and equipment used for freshwater is light. The rod and reel are lightweight and short in this case. Casting techniques used in freshwater fly fishing are delicate like roll casting. The targeted species in this case are trout, bass, panfish, pike etc
Saltwater fly fishing
The tools and equipment used in saltwater are large and robust. You might need to speed up your castings due to the wind. Quick and accurate casts are needed to present the fly to active saltwater creatures. The species that are gone after for fly fishing in saltwater are bonefish, tarpon, redfish, snook, etc.
Tools and Equipment Needed for Fly Fishing
You need a completely new set of equipment for fly fishing. Following is what you need and why.
Fly rod
Fly rods are generally longer, lighter, and more elastic than any other rod. They are made of composite material for greater strength and a light body. They are made as such to make false casting techniques feasible.
Fly reels
Always look for the fly reel that matches the rod. Unlike other reels, fly reels settle behind the main hand which provides great support for better castings. Be sure to check out if the drag system of your reel is smooth or not with sufficient backing.
Fly line
The fly line is made of lightweight and durable material like nylon. Its weight is less than many other lines but this is the main weighted component of fly fishing setup. Its weight is used to direct the flies towards the prey at a considerable distance and angle. It is tapered and is used with a leader and tippet.
Leader and tippet
Leader and tippet are the crucial elements of setup. A tapered leader helps in a smooth transfer of energy from the line to the fly and directs the movements of the fly with great accuracy. A tippet is lightweight and serves as the connection point between the leader and the fly.
Flies
The key difference between fly fishing and conventional fishing is the bait. An artificial fly is made up of feathers, hairs, or synthetic material. The purpose of a fly is to imitate the food source of the target, which is possible only if you understand the food source of the prey and succeed in choosing the right pattern. There are several types and patterns to choose from.
Different Kinds of Flies
The reason for the existence of various patterns of flies lies in the fact that you have to choose flies according to the species you are going after. Fly tying is an emerging art and people are making progress by creating more realistic imitations. Following are different patterns that you can experiment with.
Dry flies
Dry flies are the best option for fishing at the surface of water bodies. These flies are designed to stay at the top of the water and imitate adult insects and other food sources that fall on the water. This pattern works best for Trout, Panfish, Bass, etc. Imagine your target breaking through the surface to get your fly, isn’t it the most satisfying spectacle? The examples are
- Royal Wulff
- Adams
Wet flies
Wet flies sink into the water and appear as aquatic insects below the surface. They are useful when your prey is cruising beneath the top layer of water. The species that you can target with this are Trout, Salmon, steelhead, etc.
- Wet Ant
- Woolly Bugger
Nymphs
These patterns mimic the insects at their larval or pupal stage and are weighted to sink to the ooze of the water body. Nymphs are effective for Trout, Salmon, Panfish, etc.
- Prince Nymph
- Hare’s Ear Nymph
Streamers
These flies are in the shape of baitfish, leeches, and crayfish. They often target larger and more aggressive prey that feed upon larger food sources.
- Clouser Minnow
- Zonker
Casting Techniques
Casting is the skill that makes or breaks your fly fishing technique. Mastering the finesse of casting takes a lot of time and practice, however less than perfect castings can also prove to be highly rewarding. The speed of your cast also defines a lot about your success. Various techniques are used for casting but only a few are discussed here.
Roll cast
This is an underrated cast but can be used during lots of situations. In this, the line is rolled on the water’s surface and the fly is lifted and cast forward
Overhead cast
This is the most common technique used while casting. This works by casting the line in a straight line, first, it goes backward and then forwards over the angler’s head.
Sidearm cast
You will have to have a good speed to throw the line from the side of your shoulder keeping the fly at a considerable distance.
How to Avoid Scaring Other Fish
For instance, you aced your first cast and got a prize, now how do you take it out of the water without terrifying other fish in the area? This can be done smoothly by two methods.
- Drag the line out slowly
- Let the line drift out of the prime area
Conclusion
Fly fishing is a taxing and demanding technique that is an amalgam of patience, challenge, relaxation, and mind games. It is a wholesome skill to learn and practice. The notorious news of fly fishing hardships might scare you but trust me you will never know the rewarding and addicting element that it holds as long as you keep away from the first step.
