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Fly Fishing
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Published: October 24, 2006
In fly fishing, the most renowned method for catching trout and salmon, fish are caught by using artificial flies cast with a fly fishing rod and a line heavy enough to carry the fly to its intended target.
The most common type of cast used in fly fishing is the forward cast.
In this type of cast, the fly attached to the line is whisked into the air, back over the shoulder until the line is straight. Then it is whisked forward, sending the fly out and to gently land on the water.
Today, fly fishing is used to catch a wide variety of gamefish, including pike, bass, panfish and carp, as well as various saltwater species, such as redfish, snook, tarpon and bonefish.
Flies
In fly fishing, the fly, which refers to anything tied to the end of the tippet, is designed to be cast by a fly rod in an attempt to catch a fish. A fly fisher’s efforts usually create one of three flies: a dry fly, a wet fly or a streamer fly. Depending on the type of fly used, once on the water, the fly may either sink or float in an attempt to catch fish.
Dry Fly
A dry fly is an artificial lure meant to float on the water’s surface, mimicking the mayfly. The mayfly sits on top of the water until its wings are dry, enabling it to fly. During this time, fly fishers throw their artificial lures in an attempt to deceive the fish into striking. In certain situations, dry flies may also resemble a variety of terrestrials, including grasshoppers or beetles.
Wet Fly
Wet flies, which are heavier so they stay under the water, cover a broad range of depths, some of which include sitting no deeper than in the surface film, and quickly sinking. In fly fishing, wet flies usually imitate small nymphs, larger shrimps, sow bugs and scuds. Also, it is important to note terrestrials get wet when they are trapped in the water. Therefore, when considering wet flies, one should expect to see a wide variety of “wet” insects lending themselves to numerous types of fly patterns.
Streamer Fly
Producing a suitable imitation, a streamer fly is fished wet. Resembling minnows or some other swimming creature, this type of fly tends to have unique names, including the Muddler, Minnow, the Blacknose Dace, the Woolly Bugger, the Marabou Leech, the Zonker and Whitlock’s Sculpin.
Important Fly Fishing Tips
When fly fishing, there are numerous things a fly fisher must keep in mind. As a safety precaution, never cross a fast-moving river; use a sturdy walking stick with a slip-resistant bottom to improve stability. Also, because fish have a keen sense of hearing, remember to tread softly when approaching the water.
A fly fisher should wear polarized sunglasses to reduce the water’s glare. These particular sunglasses also can help a fly fisher see underwater, as well as to distinguish their dry fly on the water’s surface. In addition, when choosing a fly fishing wardrobe, be sure to blend in with the surroundings by avoiding both white and bright-colored clothing. Camouflage clothing helps a fisher hide from the fish’s eyes.
Finally, when handling a fish, be sure to use wet hands in order to protect the delicate layer of “slime” covering the fish’s body. Avoid contact with the fish’s gills, which can easily be damaged. Also, in order to avoid drying out the tiny membranes in the gills, do not keep a fish out of the water longer than 30 seconds.
Common Fly Fishing Terms
Before attempting to go fly fishing, it is important to recognize various terms relating to the sport.
Breakoff: freeing a hooked fish by either unintentionally or deliberately breaking off the leader tippet and the connection to the fish; usually results from a mistake on behalf of the fly fisher
Pressure: the strength used by a fly fisher against a hooked fish during the struggle to bring it into the net
Pumping the Fish: a fly fisher’s ways of forcing a fish to “surrender;” begins by using the butt of the fly rod in a lifting motion. Once the rod has been lifted, it is lowered so the slack line can be recovered and placed back on the reel
Put Down: a fly fisher’s error in presence or presentation; results in the failure to catch fish
School: the gathering of a group of the same species of fish; more than likely, the school is seeking baitfish to eat
Striking the fish: positioning the hook in the fish’s mouth
Sources:
“Fly Fishing.” Wikipedia. 21 Oct 2006.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly_fishing
Macnair, Douglas G. “A Lexicon of Fly Fishing.” ActiveAngler.com. Red Raven Press, LLC.
21 Oct 2006.
http://www.activeangler.com/articles/flyfishing/ articles/doug_macnair/lexicon.asp
“Previous Fly Fishing Tips.” ActiveAngler.com Red Raven Press, LLC. 21 Oct 2006.
http://www.activeangler.com/resource/tips/staff_fl y_fishing/past_tips/index.asp
The most common type of cast used in fly fishing is the forward cast.
Related Articles
Today, fly fishing is used to catch a wide variety of gamefish, including pike, bass, panfish and carp, as well as various saltwater species, such as redfish, snook, tarpon and bonefish.
Flies
In fly fishing, the fly, which refers to anything tied to the end of the tippet, is designed to be cast by a fly rod in an attempt to catch a fish. A fly fisher’s efforts usually create one of three flies: a dry fly, a wet fly or a streamer fly. Depending on the type of fly used, once on the water, the fly may either sink or float in an attempt to catch fish.
Dry Fly
A dry fly is an artificial lure meant to float on the water’s surface, mimicking the mayfly. The mayfly sits on top of the water until its wings are dry, enabling it to fly. During this time, fly fishers throw their artificial lures in an attempt to deceive the fish into striking. In certain situations, dry flies may also resemble a variety of terrestrials, including grasshoppers or beetles.
Wet Fly
Wet flies, which are heavier so they stay under the water, cover a broad range of depths, some of which include sitting no deeper than in the surface film, and quickly sinking. In fly fishing, wet flies usually imitate small nymphs, larger shrimps, sow bugs and scuds. Also, it is important to note terrestrials get wet when they are trapped in the water. Therefore, when considering wet flies, one should expect to see a wide variety of “wet” insects lending themselves to numerous types of fly patterns.
Streamer Fly
Producing a suitable imitation, a streamer fly is fished wet. Resembling minnows or some other swimming creature, this type of fly tends to have unique names, including the Muddler, Minnow, the Blacknose Dace, the Woolly Bugger, the Marabou Leech, the Zonker and Whitlock’s Sculpin.
Important Fly Fishing Tips
When fly fishing, there are numerous things a fly fisher must keep in mind. As a safety precaution, never cross a fast-moving river; use a sturdy walking stick with a slip-resistant bottom to improve stability. Also, because fish have a keen sense of hearing, remember to tread softly when approaching the water.
A fly fisher should wear polarized sunglasses to reduce the water’s glare. These particular sunglasses also can help a fly fisher see underwater, as well as to distinguish their dry fly on the water’s surface. In addition, when choosing a fly fishing wardrobe, be sure to blend in with the surroundings by avoiding both white and bright-colored clothing. Camouflage clothing helps a fisher hide from the fish’s eyes.
Finally, when handling a fish, be sure to use wet hands in order to protect the delicate layer of “slime” covering the fish’s body. Avoid contact with the fish’s gills, which can easily be damaged. Also, in order to avoid drying out the tiny membranes in the gills, do not keep a fish out of the water longer than 30 seconds.
Common Fly Fishing Terms
Before attempting to go fly fishing, it is important to recognize various terms relating to the sport.
Breakoff: freeing a hooked fish by either unintentionally or deliberately breaking off the leader tippet and the connection to the fish; usually results from a mistake on behalf of the fly fisher
Pressure: the strength used by a fly fisher against a hooked fish during the struggle to bring it into the net
Pumping the Fish: a fly fisher’s ways of forcing a fish to “surrender;” begins by using the butt of the fly rod in a lifting motion. Once the rod has been lifted, it is lowered so the slack line can be recovered and placed back on the reel
Put Down: a fly fisher’s error in presence or presentation; results in the failure to catch fish
School: the gathering of a group of the same species of fish; more than likely, the school is seeking baitfish to eat
Striking the fish: positioning the hook in the fish’s mouth
Sources:
“Fly Fishing.” Wikipedia. 21 Oct 2006.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly_fishing
Macnair, Douglas G. “A Lexicon of Fly Fishing.” ActiveAngler.com. Red Raven Press, LLC.
21 Oct 2006.
http://www.activeangler.com/articles/flyfishing/ articles/doug_macnair/lexicon.asp
“Previous Fly Fishing Tips.” ActiveAngler.com Red Raven Press, LLC. 21 Oct 2006.
http://www.activeangler.com/resource/tips/staff_fl y_fishing/past_tips/index.asp
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