In short, yes, fly fishing is hard when you start. However, like any other worthwhile skill, the more you practice, the easier it will be. From setting up your equipment to learning how to cast a fly rod, with a little dedication, you can quickly improve your fishing skills. Lucky for you, this ancient sport has collided with the modern world, and it has never been easier to pick up a rod, learn the basics and fish anywhere you live.
Fly fishermen can pursue any species of game in fresh or saltwater, from the industrial Midwest to the suburbs of the Sun Belt and coastal cities. Aside from the extensive fly fishing opportunities across the country, getting into fly fishing is actually not that expensive. With some expert advice on the equipment that matters, you can get into the sport with little upfront costs. There is a good chance that, no matter where you live, some supplier will offer a fly fishing class.
Whether it's a sporting goods store, a fly-fishing store or even a community college, there are many places that offer free (or low-cost) classes to learn the art. Orvis is a great place to look, they offer free classes in 42 states. They tend to start with a class part on what I've covered earlier (but more in-depth), followed by practical instructions on lines, knots, flies, and throws. Depending on the store, they will also have next-level classes, which sometimes include practicing in a stocked pond.
As with any other sport, it takes time to practice the basics of fly fishing and get used to what you need to do to cast, match your flies and even where to look for fish. It takes craftsmanship and real skill to cast your line, flies themselves are works of art and, as we will see, you become a real master of the environment. While you can fly fish for bass and pike with surface lures when conditions are right, there are several times of the year when different species of trout are close to the surface and catch dry flies or small nymphs. From fishing rods, fly reels, choose fly lines, fly fishing leaders and tippets, to the millions of flies, waders and gadgets.
Flies can also be lost or worn out, but you can reuse them indefinitely with a little care and maintenance. When you buy your set up, get a tippet reel to replace what you cut when changing flies or breaking the line, and make sure it matches the leaders you choose. Fly fishing is defined as a type of fishing that uses artificial “flies” to attract and catch fish. We'll focus on finding water with fish in rivers, because it seems that's where most people have the hardest time.
These flies make up almost the entire core of the trout diet, and you can use them in virtually any trout water in the world and fish. This is not a term for tying the fly to your line (as I initially thought and very naively), but rather a term for making your own flies rather than buying them. If you live in a coastal area, consider using a 9-foot 9-weight rod to cast larger flies and catch larger fish. In general, the flies that are best for fly fishing are those that are constantly seen on sale in a variety of fly shops.
In a flowing river or stream, when your line and fly is drifting and undulating with the current, it is very difficult to tell if that soft tug on the line is a fish, or just a rock, or even the pull of the water itself. Dry flies are the most common and are designed to look like flying insects that land and float on water. From Oregon to Arizona and almost everywhere in between, those flies have put fish in my net steadily for the better part of two decades. While a pair of comfortable shorts, flip flops, and a lightweight sunshirt, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat are just about everything you need on a trip to the Florida Keys, other climates and quarries will need a little more.
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