Archive for February, 2008

Published by Fly Fishing on 27 Feb 2008

Fly Fishing Reels

Your fly fishing reel can be as important as your fly fishing rod. At one time, many people thought of the fly fishing reel as just storage for your line, but it has evolved into so much more. The reel can make a big difference in being able to drag in your fish or failing to do so.

Most fly fishing reels are made of aluminum. When using, the fisherman strips line off the reel with one hand while casting with the other. He (or she) then retrieves the slack line by winding it back up on the reel. The type of reel you use depends on the fish you are trying to catch. Some reels are better suited for larger fish as well as more demanding conditions while on the water.

Your fly fishing reel should have a solid handle that is easy to manipulate. Some reels come with double handles ? one on each end of the spinner ? that makes it much easier to grab hold of and wind up. Which one you choose is up to you!

The spool holds the fishing line. Attached to the spool on the outside is a small weight called a counter balance. This assures that the reel spins smooth and true without any interference from the rod or the angler. Many spools have exposed rims. This actually serves a very useful purpose when you are struggling with a fish. You can cup your hand on the outside of the room so you can play with the fish and save your tackle if you are using light flies.

The drag on a fly fishing reel creates pressure and prevents the line from free spooling or back lashing. You can have a click drag on your reel which are springs that put pressure against a gear stopping it from moving. These reels are noisy, though, so keep that in mind. Disc drags are either pads or gears that have calipers like brakes on a car. As the pressure on the gear increases, the pad clamps down stopping the drag.

The reel clamps to your fly rod with a ?seat? that clamps down on the handle with ?feet?. All reels are made to the same standard so the seats that are on fly fishing rods with handle all fly fishing reels. So, basically, you can pick out your rod and then choose the reel you want and not have to worry if it will fit your rod.

Choosing your fly fishing reel depends a lot on what type of fishing you will be doing. If fishing for large game fish, you will want one that can handle the pressure of the weight of the fish. If you are just fishing for trout and bass, you will want a standard reel that will make bringing your fish in just a little bit easier.

Published by Fly Fishing on 25 Feb 2008

Fly Fishing Lures

In the general sport of fishing, you use lures to catch your fish, however, when you are fly fishing, the word fly fishing lures only marginally applies. Sure, you are trying to lure the fish to your bait, but when you are fly fishing, you use flies to entice the fish. So when we talk about lures in the sport of fly fishing, we are really speaking about flies.

You see, fish eat bugs. They rely on flies, grasshoppers, and other insects for their food source. When you are fly fishing, you attempt to mimic the look and movement of their food. Therefore, the lure that you are providing them with are called flies.

There are all sorts of fly fishing lures, or flies, that you can use depending on the area you are fishing and the type of fish you want to catch. Most of these lures are available at commercial retail outlets, but you can also make them yourself. The key is to have several different lures available to you so you can adapt to the situation you are fishing in.

Take a few moments when getting on the river or stream to observe the types of insects that are around you. Take a small net like they use for goldfish and skim the top of the water. See what you collect inside and then use a lure that looks like the bugs in the net.

Whatever type of fly or insect that is predominantly in the area is what the fish are feeding on. You?ll catch more fish when you lure them with what they already know are food sources. While most fish will eat whatever they can find, if they are used to seeing may flies on top of the water, they will be more apt to bite than if you dangle a caddis fly over their heads.

Your fly fishing lures should be simple. Regular fishing lures are often huge with all sorts of shiny danglers and bright colors. They, too, are meant to mimic food sources, but the idea of fly fishing is to catch fish using the natural food that is always available. That?s why flies are kept simple looking and small.

You can lure fish to your line using a variety of tools. But when you are fly fishing, lures become one of the most important tools you can have in your arsenal. Using the right fly fishing lures, or fly, is so important. It can make a big difference between catching a ton of fish or just a few. Choose your lures carefully when fly fishing and reap the benefits!

Published by Fly Fishing on 20 Feb 2008

Fly Fishing Gear

The term fly fishing gear can be used to refer to a lot of parts of your fly fishing supplies. In this article, we?ll discuss various piece of fly fishing gear that are important to have on hand. You already know you need a rod and reel, but there?s so much more involved in your fly fishing gear.

Of course, you?ll need to have a variety of flies to use as bait for the fish. Flies are meant to mimic the look and movement of a fish?s natural food source. Some fish prefer different flies, and when you use what they are used to eating, your chances are better of landing a bite. Keep several different types of flies close at hand so you can choose the right fly for the specific fish you are angling for.

You will also need to have several different weights of lines so you can switch them out if you find yourself in waters with larger fish. Of course, your fly rod has a lot to do with what line to use, but if you have an 8 nwt rod and are finding some 10 pound fish, go ahead and switch to a 10 nwt line to increase your chances of winning a fight with that prize-winning trout.

Part of your fly fishing gear includes what you wear while fishing. You?ll need to have a good pair of waders so you can keep dry while going after your fish. Pick a pair of waders that will meet your fishing situation. Chest high waders are usually a good choice because they allow you to wade in all depths of water.

You will also need a fishing vest with lots of pockets that will hold your flies, line, and other pieces of gear. The pockets should fasten with Velcro so that you have easy access to what you need. You don?t want to be on the water and realize you need a different fly only to miss out on a passing school of fish because you were fumbling with your pockets.

A good pair of fishing pliers is almost a necessity. Many rivers and streams are exclusively catch and release water. That means that once you catch the fish, you need to let it go. This helps propagate the population and promote healthy fishing at all times. You will want an easy way to get the hook out of the fish?s mouth without causing harm to its body. Fishing pliers are designed to do just that.

Finally, your fly fishing gear should include a waterproof camera. If you are lucky enough to land a whopper, you?ll want to document it as part of your prize!

When you are amassing your fly fishing gear, things can eventually get out of hand. Many fly fishermen have an abundance of gear with the possibility that they might need something specific in a certain situation. That?s just fine, but the essentials that are listed above are a start!