Over the past few years, I’ve run into more and more people who want to learn to fly fish, and I’ve had the opportunity to teach a number of newcomers the art of fly fishing. I hesitate, however, to use the word “art” to describe fly fishing simply because it’s no more of an art than any other kind of fishing. Learning to use any type of equipment to catch fish requires understanding how and why the equipment works, albeit some methods and equipment may require a bit more practice and patience. Unfortunately, there is often an atmosphere of sophistication surrounding fly fishing, leaving some people thinking they can’t learn the technique. Trust me; if I could learn to become a fairly successful fly fisherman, anybody else can do the same.
Granted, learning to cast a dry fly with a fly rod is a bit more involved than pitching a spinner with an open-faced spinning rod but following some fairly simple techniques, and putting in a little practice, can have you catching a trout or two in short order.
Keeping your rod tip at the ten and two positions on a clock face, putting enough bend in the rod, and not going too fast or too slow will lead to successful casts — but practice goes a long way towards success.
It’s probably best to actually work with someone who can coach and direct you as you work on position, timing, and power. Sure, you can get direction from books but having a knowledgeable coach goes a lot smoother.
Last year I gave some fly fishing lessons on my front lawn to some first-timers, and then I took the couple down to a local creek for the real thing — the young lady caught five trout on dry flies in a couple of hours.
Some things to keep in mind when starting out with fly fishing.
Don’t worry a lot about distance; work on short casts, and the distance thing will gradually get better.
Also, it’s best to stay in streams that are of average size and without a lot of brush or tree limbs too close behind since backcasts have a way of finding overhanging limbs. Very large streams may force you further into deeper water and may require longer casts to reach the trout, which can be frustrating.
To be honest, a great way to learn fly fishing is on a pond casting to interested bluegills. Ponds provide ample room for backcasts, and willing bluegills offer frequent opportunities to learn hook setting.
Another cast that does not require a back cast is the roll cast; again, it’s best to have an experienced fly fisherman demonstrate this technique. This cast is used for nymph, streamer, and wet fly fishing and can be very effective.
Another misconception that seems to surround fly fishing is that it requires very large expenditures to get involved.
Let’s be honest, it takes some spending to get involved in all the other types of fishing, and the same is true for almost any activity we might pursue. Unfortunately, with fly fishing, there seems to be the thought that you must go out and purchase a brand name fly rod in the $400 and up range, then you need an expensive fly reel and that special floating line; seven or eight hundred dollars later you’re ready to get started. Not so!
The truth is you can buy a complete fly outfit-rod, reel, and line for 150-200 dollars to get started, and it will last for quite some time. I often still use my $89.95 Fenwick outfit, and I catch as many fish as the guy who uses his $500 plus outfit. Granted, buying that first batch of flies may get your attention, but buying bass and trout lures these days isn’t exactly cheap either.
Sure, you should have a suitable outfit for the situation, but it doesn’t have to be real expensive; frankly, what’s more important is how well you learn to use the outfit you have, so don’t hesitate to take the step and get into the great sport of fly fishing.
