All About Fly Fishing Tools of the Trade

All About Fly Fishing Tools of the Trade What You Need to Know Before You

Start Fly Fishing

Like any angling method, fly fishing makes use of a rod, a reel, and a line. These three gears are the most basic equipment that should be prepared before one start fly fishing. What makes fly fishing such an accessible pastime is that these tools can collectively be bought for under $100. There is no truth to the misconception that fly fishing is a hobby for the rich. It is neither a luxury nor a privilege, but rather, is a recreational activity for each person.

Granted, some of them are a little pricey, given their proven name and outstanding quality, one can still make effective use of the more budget-friendly varieties. In fact, the latter group is more advisable for the fly-fishing novice who wishes to learn the basics of the craft.

In this chapter, we are going to look at each of these tools and discuss preliminary matters that a fly fisher should know before he tries to lure the game fish.

Please pay attention to the appropriate gear type for the situations given. Also, allow yourself to practice the basic steps that shall be discussed in these pages. They are meant to sharpen your skills before getting your feet wet, in a manner of speaking.

  1. Equipment
  2. Fly Rod

! Definition: a special fishing rod constructed for fly fishing. This rod is longer and thinner than any other fishing rods. What is its use? Obviously, you can never cast a fly line without the use of the rod.

! Length: length varies from six feet to fourteen feet, but the most common is between 7 to 9 feet. Shorter rods are better for short casts (usually in an environment where many trees are present,) while longer rods are for long casts (usually in a body of water in between a plain land.)

! Weight: The weight is necessary in choosing a fly rod, especially in considering the type of fish you target to catch. In determining the rod weight, fly anglers use the numbering method – instead of using grams, a number system that ranges from 1 to 14 is used.

Table 1

Weight number of a fly rod and the fish type suitable for it

Weight Number Fish Type
1-4 Small trout and other small fish
5-6 Medium-sized trout and small bass
7-8 Average-sized Salmon, steelhead, big trout, big bass
9-14 Big salmon, tarpon, and larger saltwater species

 

! Design: its design is a requirement for a good bending action because its flexibility determines how well a fly line is cast.

! Action: The “action” is a subtle but important characteristic of a fly rod. It determines the kind of stroke a certain rod will accomplish.

# Slow Action Rod – good for short casts, casting small flies for small fish species in streams.

# Medium Action Rod – the most versatile kind because it works well for most fishing conditions and most fish species.

# Fast Action Rod – good for longer casts, windy conditions, larger fish, and casting large flies.

  1. Fly Reel

! Definition: light fishing reel with simple mechanics designed to hold the fly line. You can see it attached below the handle on a fly rod.

! Types: A single action reel is a type of fly reel wherein a single turn of the handle will cause a single turn of the spool, thereby letting you turn the reel the way you prefer. On the other hand, in a multiplier reel, a single turn of the handle can cause multiple turns of the reel spool which then makes it faster and easier to retrieve a line.

  1. Fly Line

! Definition: a line for fly-fishing, which is originally made from silk but is currently made of a plastic coating – this coating gives the fly line its weight which is very necessary in casting.

! Length & Diameter: the fly line usually does not exceed 105 feet in length and has a diameter of 1.5 millimeters to two millimeters.

! Types: The weight forward is a type of fly line with most of its weight in the first thirty feet of line, and the double taper or DT refers to a fly line that is reduced in diameter on both ends. When one end of a DT fly line wears out, you can take it off the reel, turn it around and use the other end.

! Weight: Just like in measuring the fly rod, the weight of the fly line is also represented by the number system, which ranges from 1 to 12, instead of using grams.

 

Table 2

Weight number of a Fly Line and its Description and Use

Weight number Description and Use
1-4 • Extremely limited rods are on this weight.

• Used for short casting on calm flat water with no real wind. (“Fly Fishing Basics: Step 1 – Fishing Tips 101”)

5-7 • Most versatile rod weight.

• Used for moderate wind and can manage heavier fish in fast water.

8-9 • Heavy lines used for big water and forceful wind conditions.
10-12 • Heavy lines used in saltwater fishing.

 

  1. Hook

Many claim that a hook is the most important part of your fly-fishing gear for the sole reason that it is what will catch the fish. This is where the fly is tied. The feather and fluff will conceal the sharp curve of the metal, and once the fish bites the lure, the pointy edge will dig into the fish’s mouth, and it will be ready for tackling.

  1. Fly Bait

! Definition: A traditional fish food item. Fly bait is an artificial imitation of a live insect that a fish type preys on. Many flies will cost around $1 to $5 per piece, depending on the availability of the species type. Some fly fishers will take much time tying it to their line only to lose it in the end, so at this point, artificial bait is preferred. These can be exceptionally light and made of hair, feathers, and thread.

! Types of artificial fly bait:

Flies that sink Flies that float
Streamers (long and skinny) Poppers (made of cork)
Wet flies Dry flies

 

! Most common natural fly-fishing bait:

# Mayflies

# Stoneflies

# Caddisflies

# Damsels and dragonflies

# True flies

# Dobsonflies and Alderflies

The distinct kinds of fly bait will be discussed in detail in the next chapter, together with an entomological study of the natural flies from which they are based.

ALL ABOUT FLY-FISHING

Best Wishes, Coyalita

See Tomorrow: “Setting Up the Rod”

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