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Fly fishing is a beautiful sport that presents a unique contradiction of meditative bliss and exhilaration. The calming waters and gorgeous scenery can be quite relaxing, yet nothing beats the excitement of reeling in a good catch, especially as a first-timer. This guide will break down some of our top fly fishing tips for beginners to help amateur anglers get their feet wet.
Fly Fishing Gear for Beginners
Buying the most expensive fly fishing gear won’t make you become a professional overnight. However, entry-level fly fishing gear can impact your performance, so you should try to find the highest quality gear possible within your budget. The majority of your budget should go towards your rod, reel, and fly line.
Fly Rods, Reels & Lines
You can purchase your rod and fly reel separately or as a rod & reel combo. Either way, there are plenty of options within $200 to suit a beginner’s needs. Your first fishing rod should be versatile, but you also need to consider where you’ll be fishing to make the best choice. For trout fishing in lakes and rivers, a nine-foot, five-weight rod is the perfect place to start. If you plan on fly fishing in saltwater, a nine-foot, eight-weight rod is an excellent choice for catching sea trout and striped bass.
The longer your rod, the easier it is to cast longer distances. However, longer rods are more difficult to maneuver. A nine-foot rod offers the perfect blend of casting distance and maneuverability to amateur anglers.
Keep in mind that your fly line should match the weight of your rod and reel within one unit, meaning a five-weight rod should be accompanied by a four-, five-, or six-weight line. Heavier weights are useful for reeling in larger fish, but lighter lines offer more stealth and less fatigue with each cast.
Fly fishing rods are also categorized by “actions,” which refers to the rod’s flex patterns and rigidity. It’s best to start out with a medium- or fast-action fly rod, as they present a suitable balance between stiffness and flexibility, which is great for first-timers.
Leaders and Tippets
Fish can see that a line is attached to their supposed snack, which may prevent them from taking the bait. That’s where leaders come in. Leaders provide a transparent connection between the line and fly to give the appearance that the bait is by itself. The size of your leader should match the size of the flies you’re using.
A general rule of thumb is to multiply your leader size by three. If your leader size is six, then you can use up to a size-eighteen fly on a size-five leader.
Tippets extend the length of your leader. Simply match the size of the tippet to the size of the leader you are using for best results.
Flies
The best flies to fish with depend on the species, season, location, and conditions. The easiest way to figure out what types of flies to use is by talking to the folks at your local bait shop or other fishermen in the area. Most people would be glad to help out someone who is new to the sport.
You want to match your fly as close as possible to the real thing, including its size, movement, color, and shape. Otherwise, it’s important to figure out what species you want to fish and what those fish tend to eat. Plenty of fly assortments are labeled according to the species you’ll fish, making shopping for flies a bit easier.
Fly Fishing Accessories
Other fishing accessories to consider:
Fly Fishing Tips for Beginners
Once you have your gear down pat, you’re ready to start your new fishing adventures. Here are some general tips and tricks to help you learn the art of fly fishing.
Practice Your Fly Cast
Practicing your cast is crucial to success in the water. If you don’t have quick, easy access to a river or other body of water, you can practice your cast in an open area of land. Just be careful of your surroundings to avoid any injury. You can also practice without the hook for extra precaution.
Find Out What the Fish Are Eating
You don’t need a degree in Entomology to know what type of bait to use for fly fishing. Your best bet is to ask local fishermen and fly shops about what type of flies to use. If that’s not an option, go to the area you plan to fish and dip your net or look under rocks in the river to scour for nymphs and insects to see examples of what the fish may be eating. From there, you can create flies that imitate the insects you see, since they are most likely what the fish are eating.
Locate the Best Areas to Find Fish in a Stream
To catch a fish, you must first become the fish. Ok, not really, but understanding how fish behave will help you land more during your outings. Fish often seek protection from predators and the current, so you can likely find some hiding under large hanging tree branches, in undercut banks, and behind rocks in fast-moving currents. If you see an area that looks like it would be a good hiding spot from predators or would give fish a break from the fast-traveling current, that’s most likely a great spot to try and cast your fly.
Be Safe and Have Fun
Safety is your top priority, so keep in mind that powerful currents can knock you off balance. Also, the bottom of the river might have slippery rocks, which is why wading boots with good traction are a must. If you see a storm brewing, it’s a good time to pack up and head home, especially since some of your fishing equipment can attract lightning. It’s also ideal to bring a fishing buddy along for the journey.
Lastly, don’t forget to have fun! Fly fishing is an amazing sport with many nuances to grasp. There’s far too much to learn about fly fishing from a single article, so utilize the internet and fishing enthusiasts to gradually grow your skills and expand your knowledge.
Go From Fish Flies to Fish Fries
Take in these tips to get your start in the fly fishing game, and hopefully you will be reeling in delicious dinner in no time. Make sure to check out all of our fishing gear and fly fishing accessories for sale to bag the basics you need to begin your fly fishing adventures.
