New to Fly Fishing

mrs whodunit · #1 07/31/12, 09:18 PM

I am new to the sport and I caught my first fish in a small lake near here. It was a crappie about the size of my hand. I threw it back since the lake is surrounded by farm ground and probably has lots of pesticides in it.

Anyway, I had been talking to DW about the fact that I really don't have any hobbies and thought this might catch my interest. She found 7.5' rod, reel, carrier and fly box for $10 at a yard sale. She figured it would be a good cheap way to get started.

Anyone else fly fish and have any good tips?

mrs whodunit · #2 07/31/12, 09:27 PM

Oops! DW switched usernames on me...anyway, this was me, whodunit.

pheasantplucker · #3 08/01/12, 06:07 AM

I have a flyrod and used it years back...I never got real proficient at it, but I'll tell you it's a thrill to catch some hefty bream or some crappies...I have landed some fairly big channel cats and it's about all you can do to contain yourself. What a rush! It can be quite technical, and I imagine being a lazy "self teacher" I'm sure I developed a lot of bad habits and techniques. There's a lot to read on the subject, and there are schools throughout the country where you can go to learn, but those are quite pricey. I sometimes would simply let line out and "troll" in my canoe.

whodunit · #4 08/01/12, 11:20 AM

Yeah this was basically just standing on a dock and casting maybe 3-4 times, then just slowly bringing it in. We used a bead head (wet fly) which is designed to sink a bit. I was bringing it in and felt some tension ans then felt the "wiggling". It was pretty cool since it was probably the biggest fish I've caught in years. A few weeks before this we went fishing while camping and were catching little brookies on a bobber set-up. Yesterday I did try a wet fly but one that floated more (maybe it wasn't a wet fly?), but there was no evidence the fish were feeding off the top, so I go hits at all.

jross · #5 08/01/12, 03:12 PM

It is most important to keep a fly line clean, especially a floating one. It can be as simple as pulling 20 yards off and reeling the line through a paper towel to using fly line cleaner. I suggest getting a book so you can learn the right knots, about leaders, tippets etc. You can practice in the yard with a 1 inch piece of yarn tied to the leader. Don't get too wrapped up in getting distance, but just do short casts. Remember to stop the backcast at one o'clock and release the line forward between ten and eleven o'clock. If it snaps like a whip you are starting the forward cast to soon. You learn to feel the rod start to "load", which means it is picking up the weight of the line as the line straightens out behind you A 7.5' rod is probably 4,5,or 6 weight so is good for trout and panfish. It should tell you what weight line should be used on the rod butt just above the rod handle.

**alleyyooper** · #6 08/03/12, 05:38 AM

The libary is a good place to find books on the subject. Many go into the different casting methods. the best type of flys to use in the different conditions and type of fish targeted.
Best bet is to check with the local sportsman club and see if there is a fly fishing club or any one at the sportsman club it's self that would take a rookie under their wing.

Fly fishing can be a lot of fun, fly rods are used to catch just about every fish named today. Some fly fisher men are on the snobby side too.

Al

Wintergrower_OH · #7 08/03/12, 12:36 PM

The 7' 5 is good for mountain streams . You will have a learning curve for a while . Take some lesson and join a club to ease the learning curve . You will need to learn knot tying , about bugs , type of fly line to used , behavior of the trout , etc . Once you become season fly fisher you will need to move up to 9' or longer . After a while you will have a collection of rods . Being organized with your flies is important . Most guys go through their boxes a few times a year to straighten or organized them again and again .

whodunit · #8 08/03/12, 07:49 PM

Thanks for all the responses.

Yeah, knot tying is first on the agenda since I lost two flies yesterday to that issue. I lost another in some tall bushes (of course 20 feet above the water).

I have also heard about the "snobbery" of some. Definitely NOT into that and just looking for a good, wholesome hobby.

Wintergrower_OH · #9 08/04/12, 05:37 AM

Snobbery comes from thinking that you have learn everything you need to know about fly fishing and don't need to share it . Put your money into a rod first , then a reel . Check out high sticking technique or French nymph . Currently the most popular technique for presentation . I believe yellow dog fly fishing outfitter is out your way . The good news is their is plenty of American made product in fly fishing . You will hear the term weight allot and length of the rod . Also the action of the rod . This is important for the size of fish and size of stream , creek or river .

**alleyyooper** · #10 08/04/12, 05:45 AM

Won't be long and the fly tieing bug will kick in. Some ting to do on a cold blustery winter day when you don't want to be outside. Nothing like catching fish on a fly you tied your self, then another rush when you start catching them on rods you put together from a blank.

Al

jross · #11 08/04/12, 09:42 AM

If you really want to get a fly fishing snob to go berserk, ask how big a nightcrawler your rod will handle.

suzyhomemaker09 · #12 08/07/12, 10:23 AM

free kindle book on this available today...

Beginning Fly Fishing: Top 10 Reasons Why You Are Not Succeeding With Fly Fishing and What to Do About It: Rick Grubb: Amazon.com: Kindle Store