#24, Tips for the Begginer FLy Fisherman, some Essentials

Things you need to get started

As you learn how to cast a fly rod and subsequently learn how to catch fish on the fly I’m sure by now there may be a level of frustration that you may be feeling, but we are going to cover "tips for the begginer fly fisherman some essentials", by talking about lines, leaders, flies, rods. It can be overwhelming, how are you to learn everything you need to fly fish. Do not fear, help is here, I’m going to walk through 5 points that might help you get a handle on all of this avalanche of information.

Is the Checklist too long?

As I was learning to fly fish, (about 150 years ago,) another quick story to bore you with. In 1980 I was working in a sports shop as a ski repair technician. One of the people who worked with me was a very avid fly-fisherman. Tom was always showing pictures of trips taken and fish. He would always tell me “Fly-fishing was the most fun you could have standing up”. I would always just grunt at him and tell him “I’m a bass fisherman! and would just growl at the idea of fly-fishing”.

Then came that fateful weekend I grabbed a fly rod that was stashed in the closet of that cabin on lthe lake.

I came back to the sports shop a few days later with a sheepish grin, asked Tom “if we walked to the fishing section if I could get set up for about $100.00”?. I bought a 6 wt. Fenwick rod, Scientific angler reel, and line, a small box and about a dozen flies a spool of tippet, I was all set to fish. Over the next 9 months I used the daylights out of that rod and caught hundreds of fish. I was fortunate enough to have Tom show me the ropes of learning to fly fish.

Eventually I bought another rod that “needed” and then another, and another and so goes the sickness of the tackle junkie. I still have that first Fenwick rod and reel. Once in a while I will see it in the closet and think fondly of those times we spent together.

5 Things to get started

1 of 5: Rod and reels

You can see my first Fenwick carried me a long way. Starting with a very basic rod and reel will get you on the water and catch fish, and more importantly learning. A combo kit costing $100 will work in the beginning for learning and catching fish if you are not able to spend more, not to worry. A more costly rod and reel combo will cast better have a better warranty and may feel lighter in your hand, but again both will catch fish. As your skill level increases and you finally have a need for that next rod, by all means go and by your next rod.

2 of 5: Knots

You’ve got that rod and reel combo, you are learning to cast and getting better, and if you have read some of my prior posts you may have a basic grasp of terminology. Here are a few steps to help yourself become better and spend less time “fussing on the water” as I call it, is learning to become proficient at tying knots. This skill can either give you more time fishing or less time fishing. I watch so many angles struggle on the banks of the river as they cuss like a sailor at the frustration of the knot tying process.

 Download some PDFs on tying knots, read them learn the names and when to use them, spend time learning to tie them. Practice, sit in front of the T.V. and tie knots while commercials play, and in no time will you be comfortable tying the different knots. If you get the hang of knots you can quickly re-tie when you break off in the bushes (while squirrel fishing), believe me we all squirrel fish, but if you can re-tie quickly and calmly in no time at all, and will get a fly right back in front of that giant fish right in front of you.

3 of 5: Nymphing

As a new fly-fisherman I would recommend that you learn how to fish with a Nymph. I love dry fly fishing, It is one of the finest experiences out there in fly fishing I think. Seeing the trout rise up and sip in your fly off the surface is something you don’t easily forget. I still remember the time I caught fish on a dry fly. However, trout spend around 80-90% of their feeding time under the water. That means you need to get down there in order to catch some fish.

Nymph fishing intimidated me tremendously when first learned the basics of fly-fishing. I didn’t know what I was doing and missed a lot of fish as I started out. Weights, split shot, strike indicators, getting stuck on the bottom, it was a lot to take in, I could never tell if I was deep enough or if the fish took the fly and I didn’t notice. I really felt like I just sucked at it.

Practice again was key here. I’ve spent years learning to nymph fish. To this day I still go out and practice different nymphing techniques to fish sub-surface flies. It’s an ongoing process, but it pays off. If you can spend time learning to become comfortable and proficient with a Nymph, you will have such a good time, and your catch rate will grow very quickly.

4 of 5: Entomology, what’s that?

Entomology is the zoologic term used to study insects. If you have read my previous article called “what the heck do fish eat” awesome I appreciate you, if not I would say it might be time to back up the wagon and read through it. In this article I talked about the different types of food that are available to fish. As a fly-fisherman it is your job to give that fish the right type of hamburger or pizza they are eating. If you are not familiar with some of the basic terminology you might struggle.

For example, you’re on the water and having issues catching fish, when the angler on the far bank yells at you “that he is using a #14 caddis emerger”. What the heck is a caddis emerger?. My point is exactly, if you have a basic grasp of the simple ideas behind entomology, you might be able to quickly grab the right fly and grab some fish for yourself.  I promise the more time you spend practicing and doing these things, overtime it become almost second nature to you.

5 of 5: fighting and landing fish

As you learn to catch fish you will no doubt have had times when you may have struggled to land fish. If you are keeping a fish to eat, that is your right, but if you are learning to practice “catch and release” fishing, then there is a few things you need to be aware of. Try to land a fish in the quickest manner possible.

If you completely exhaust a fish there is a good chance the fish might die, unless you have fully revived that fish when you release it.  To revive a fish, simply hold the fish down in the current so water can flow over the gills this allows fish to re-gain their strength, soon the fish will be able to swim off under its’ own power.

Limit the time the fish is out of the water, either in net or your hand. Let’s pretend you just ran a 50-yard dash, at the end of the race you are told to hold your breath. This is similar to what fish must endure after being caught. So, if you are practicing catch and release, try to keep a fish in the water as much as possible. These simple things will help ensure that the game fish in your local waters stay heathy and productive, for years to come. Remember it is our job to protect our fisheries and hopefully enjoy them for many years to come.

The Goal

In conclusion, get comfortable with your equipment, and learn to tie knots, learn some basic entomology and get used to Nymph fishing.

I know that this will seem like a partial list to some of you that are reading the list I have compiled. I promise if you have the time to follow me in the articles I prepare for you, there will be more advance items to come.

I want you to be able to get on the water, enjoy your time out there, and begin to feel comfortable in some of the topics we cover.

Tight lines

Gary