Fly fishing basics are easy to learn. It is a fun, relaxing, rewarding outdoor sport enjoyed by thousands of enthusiasts around the world..

How Old Is Fly Fishing?

The first reference to fly fishing, according to Dr. Andrew N. Herd at www.flyfishinghistory.com, was about 200 C.E. and comes to us from a man named Ælian. In his writings, he makes reference to Macedonians catching fish in a stream with a fly manufactured of crimson wool and a hook attached to a short length of line and a six or seven foot pole.

Where Can One Fly Fish?

In the mind of most, fly fishing is relegated to the trout stream and the small lake but with the right gear, fly fishing can be used to catch almost any kind of fish in almost any kind of water from huge striped bass in the Atlantic surf, to panfish in the sultry ponds of the South, to immense King Salmon in the Kenai river of Alaska.

The key is practicing the proper technique for the gear and obtaining the proper gear for the desired fish.

My First Fly Fishing Experience

When I began, I didn't have a teacher. Instead, I simply bought a rod and reel at a discount store and took them home. Thinking no one was watching (though they were), I tied a sinker on the end of the line and headed to the yard. I did my best to imitate what I had seen fly fishermen do, and my confidence soared when a pretty loop formed above my head. With great panache, I snapped the rod forward. I heard a snap from the line and felt a whack on the back of my head from the sinker. The line fell at my feet, and I dropped the rod on the grass. Rubbing my head, I heard laughter from the house. In defeat, I headed to the garage for the instruction book that came with the rod and reel—the same one I didn't think I needed because fly fishing looked so easy.

What Is The Right Fly Rod for Me?

Once, split bamboo fly rods were the preferred choice for novices and masters alike. In many cases, the quality of those handcrafted rods bespoke hundreds of hours of singular labor to build an expensive rod with just the right action and power. Today, however, graphite rods built with modern manufacturing techniques usually outperform bamboo rods.

Initially, the fly-fishing novice should use a smaller, lighter rod. An eight foot graphite rod with a high modulus number is relatively stiff and enables the beginner to pick the line up off the water easier and gives one more power for longer, more effortless casts.

In smaller streams, choose a shorter rod, a six or seven footer at most. It's more easily maneuvered in the brush alongside the stream.

Fly rods are rated according to line size. For example, a five to seven weight line should be used with a five to seven weight fly rod. Using mismatched line and rod makes for misery and discouragement, especially for beginners.

What Is the Difference Between Fly Rods and Regular Fishing Rods?

Knowing the purpose for the fly rod, reel, and line aids learning the proper techniques to use them.

When fishing with a spinning rig, casting rigs, or even spin casters, the idea is to send the lure or bait out to a specific spot on the water by casting, jigging, trolling, ,or a combination of those techniques.

When fly fishing, the reel simply serves as a place to store the line. The rod actually casts the line, carefully stripped from the reel and left lying at the feet or in a specially made net, carrying the nearly weightless fly to the desired spot.

In general, the techniques used with a fly rod are much more limited than those typically used with the other types of rods and reels.

Setting Up the Fly Rod Reel

The first thing to do after purchasing the fly rod and reel and the proper size line and backing is to install the backing on the reel.

Simply tie the backing to the reel and turn the handle until there is enough on the reel. Depending on what size fly rod and line one is using, there may be as much as one hundred and fifty to two hundred feet or as little as fifty to seventy five feet.

Now the fly line leader must be tied to the fly line. Fly line leader comes in two basic styles, knotted and knot-less. Knotted leaders consist of several short sections, say about two feet long, of decreasing sizes of monofilament fishing line tied together end to end. Knot-less leaders are also known as tapered leaders. They are factory tapered monofilament. The heaviest end is tied in turn to the end of the fly line (or backing). The lightest end of the leader is called the tippet. The fly is tied on the end of the tippet.

What Kind of Knots Are Used to Tie Line on a Fly Rod?

Some fishermen use a short monofilament connector in between the fly line and the leader to facilitate changing leaders.

It is best to use a "tube knot" to attach this monofilament connector to the fly line.

Now tie a "perfection loop" in the free end of the monofilament connector to accept the butt end of the leader. Just use a standard loop to loop knot to make this connection.

Finally, use a "double clinch", or "Trilene" knot to attach the tippet to the fly.

What Kind of Baits Are Used in Fly Fishing?

The most common "baits" are actually "flies", different sizes of lures made with a host of different materials, e.g. feathers, hair, thread, foil, small ribbon, etc., and a hook of a particular size. These are made, for the most part, to simulate "the hatch" or small bugs and other insects that are commonly found on the water. It's what most fish feed on, in broad general terms. It is important to match the proper fly with the type of fish sought and the conditions in effect at the time. Fly fishing clubs, and fishing literature are a good first source to learn what fish bite what bait when.

Practice: The Difference Between Fish and No Fish For Dinner

The finer points of fly casting can take years to master, but take heart, one can learn the basic overhand fly cast in a few hours of practice. Then, head for the water.

• First find an open area with no dogs, children or windows in the immediate vicinity. It may be best to pick a time when the spouse is gone shopping as well.
• Now strip off some line from the reel and let it lay on the ground at your feet, or in the water if you are attempting this on a lake or stream.
• Avoid pivoting the casting arm at the elbow. Instead, lock the wrist and forearm and move them together through a level plane.
• Point the fly rod in the direction of the cast and lift it in the air until all (or most) of the line is moving.
• Propel the line into the back cast over the shoulder with a short, fast speed stroke accelerating smoothly. This causes the rod to bend and generates enough power to draw the line backward over the shoulder as it follows the rod.
• Stop the rod just past vertical, at about 11:00 o'clock and pause allowing a loop to form as the line shoots backward.
• Just as the back cast forms a J-shaped loop, stroke the rod forward slowly at first, accelerating smartly and stop it at about the 1:00 o'clock position. If all has gone well, the line should shoot forward and settle gently on the water's surface. Now lower the rod tip and begin fishing.

And congratulations!