More Fly Fishing Tips

By T.L. Bush

Tip: There she blows, might be good for whales.

Beginner fly fishers may want to avoid learning on windy days. Days that have any degree of wind will require certain skills for casting. As you’re starting out learning how to fly fish, you’ll want to choose calm days so that you can practice your casting and other techniques.

Tip: Don’t just do something, Set there!

Fly fishing may seem like it’s an active sport since you’re always doing something, preparing something, and thinking about what you’re going to be doing next. However, sometimes it’s best to do nothing at all. Be patient, stand still, and just enjoy the experience. If you have to do anything, think about your top water patterns. The bottom line is that sometimes you have to wait to catch your fish.

Tip: Bonus Strikes

One thing that every fly fisher looks forward to is that bonus strike. One way that you can get a bonus strike when you’re at the end of drift with a dry fly or nymph is to let your fly swing around. Then let the fly lie in the current for about 30 seconds to see if you get that bonus hit.

Tip: The Gentle Touch

Most of the fish that you catch when you’re fishing will have sensitive areas such as their mouths and gills. Handle them gently when you remove the fly so that you don’t damage them.

Tip: Who’s really the boss?

There will be times when fish will take anything that you give them no matter if it’s similar to the insects and foods that they are feeding on or how the bait behaves. Then there will be other times when no matter what you give them, they won’t strike at all.

Don’t just spend your day casting. Beginners often make the mistake of spending the whole day casting at every riffle, undercut bank, and other likely looking fishing spot without ever achieving success. And the end result is usually that the fly is taken away at that moment that they are looking at their fly box for their next fly.

Take some time to think about what your fly is doing, what the fish are doing, what the weather is like, and what type of fish you think you might find!

Fly fishing can be either very good or very bad. Even when you have a great strategy in place there will simply be times when the fish won’t be biting. These are the days when you have to work even harder on your technique so that you take home that prize.

There will be days when you’ve planned to fish in shallow water but the weather is just too calm. You’ll find that in this situation the best time of day to fish is either during the low light of the morning or the low light of the day when it is harder for the fish to notice you. Change your strategy if you need to.

Another reason why the fish just won’t be biting is when the day is very bright and clear. These conditions bring about limitations when it comes to fly fishing such as (1) the fish being able to see you, and (2) the water becoming too hot, sending the fish to deeper depths. With these conditions present you’ll have to be very stealthy in your pursuit of any fish. If you’re going to making long casts you won’t have to worry too much about stealth since fish in deeper water will be less distracted by the bright light.

Tip: Get it together.

If you use a fishing vest to carry around your flies and lures, you’ll want to keep it as organized as you can so that you’re not fumbling around looking for something when you need it. If you’re not going to be using something leave it home so that you only take along the essentials.

Tip: Wading Safety

When you’re wading make sure that you follow a few basic rules: (1) never fish by yourself on remote lakes, rivers, or streams, (2) wear a good pair of wading boots, (3) use a good wading staff that is flexible yet strong, and (4) know the area where you’re wading. Wading is a great way to get access into those places that you couldn’t otherwise reach.

Tip: Thy Rod and now Thy Staff

When you’re fishing in water that is rough or unfamiliar you might want to carry a wading staff to keep you stable and give you better footing.

Tip: Happy Feet

A good pair of wading shoes will let your grip the bottom that you’re walking on. Choose shoes that have soles with rubber cleats since these are ideal of bottoms that are made of mud, fine gravel, sand, or soft silt.

Tip: Don’t be a “Block Head” take it with you.

Although it may seem like a small tip to mention, taking along the sun block is one thing that you don’t want to forget. After standing in a sunny stream for eight hours you’ll be glad that you remembered to bring along some protection.

Tip: Do you see what I see?

Wearing polarized glasses is one of the best things that you can do. You’ll be able to see beneath the water so you can keep an eye on your fish. Don’t forget a hat to reduce the amount of glare that you experience.

Tip: Buggy Bugs

If you want to discourage insects you’ll want to avoid wearing clothes that are red, yellow, black, white, or navy blue. These colors can attract black flies, deerflies, gnats, and mosquitoes.

Tip: Weather or not?

Wear the right type of clothing for the weather. You don’t want to be caught in a rainstorm without protective gear. Remember that it’s always easier to take off a layer of clothing than it is to be without anything to put on.

Tip: Sticking with the Basics

Try to stick to the basics whenever possible. This means carrying one or two small boxes of flies with you and fishing them to death. Many experts use only a floating line for most of the fish that they catch and they make a point of keeping their tackle to a minimum. Many novice fly fishers fall into the trap of using too many “new patterns”. Stick with a pattern and fish it for around three to four dozen drifts. This will bring you the best results.

Tip: The Marathon Running Fish!

Be prepared if a fish runs toward you. Stand on your toes and at the same time raise your rod up over your head as high as you can. Take the line and put it back over onto your second and third fingers of the hand that is holding the rod. Quickly strip the line to pull up on any slack.

If the fish starts to run away from you make sure that you keep the rod up high and slowly let out the line, letting it slide from your fingers. Be ready to palm the reel of the rod when the slack is entirely gone.

Tip: Keeping Track

One thing that you can do if you find that your favorite fishing area is giving you trouble is to keep a log each time that you fish. Make note of the problems that you’re having as well as:

v      Weather conditions

v      Water temperature

v      Current

v      The size of the fish that you do catch

v      The time of day that you fish

After a period of time you may notice a pattern occurring, such as the lack of bites on days when the water temperature is too hot or too cold.

This will be your indicating factor of what changes you have to make to break your unlucky streak, such as changing the time of day that you fish or changing the side of the lake that you fish from.

Tip: Foul Weather Fishing.

Fly fishing in stormy weather can come with its own particular challenges. A storm occurs when winds come up suddenly, without warning, and without any indication of how long it will last.

One big concern during a storm is thunderstorms.

If you’re out fishing and a storm occurs there are some precautions that you’ll want to take. You’ll want to head for higher ground immediately if you’re near the water and there are thunderstorms in the area. If there is no sign of thunder or lightning you may choose to ride out the storm and continue fishing. In this case you’ll have to adjust your fishing technique to reflect the change in weather.

Tip: Don’t take it if you don’t need it.

When it comes to fly fishing there is gear that is essential and gear that is less necessary. Focus on carrying essential gear that focuses on the day of fishing ahead. Listed below is essential gear:

v      A good rod that you can rely on.

v      A reel.

v      A variety of bait that you will be using that day.

v      A variety of flies and lures that you will be using that day.

v      A first aid kit. (At least a band aid and ointment.)

v      A rain jacket.

v      A hat and sun block.

v      Extra clothing that you can wear and take off if you get too hot.

Tip: Making a list and checking it twice or more.

Using a list can be one of the best things that you can do as you start out learning the ins and outs of fly fishing. There are many things that you can put on your list including (1) keeping track of your most successful fishing holes; (2) reminders to do things like sharpen your flies after a snag, (3) what lures work best for you, and (4) the best times to fish the river. Lists can keep you organized and on track.

Tip: Join a Club

One of the best things that you can do as a beginner fly fisher is to join a fly fishing club. You’ll get to know other anglers in the area where you live and may even be able to find a fishing buddy or two. The other benefit is that you can learn more about some of the great angling locations in your home territory.

Tip: More Tips from the Experts

The more tips and tricks that you have the better luck you’ll bring to your fly fishing. As a beginner you’ll want to try a variety of techniques until you find what works best for you and the water that you’re fishing in.

v      Working the area: Make sure that you work the area that you’re fishing as thoroughly as possible. Try a few different flies if the first one doesn’t bring you success. You might want to think about returning again at a different time of day.

v      Keep a close eye on your lines: Make sure that you keep a constant eye on your lines particularly when you’re retrieving them.

v      Avoid excess noise: The more noise that you make the less the fish will bite.

Tip 1: Practice, Practice, Practice.

I know this is a strange place to have the number one tip. But I think it should be the last thing you read so it will stay fresh on your mind.

The one thing that you need to do to enjoy fly fishing is to develop a good casting technique. That is true and the only way to get that is to practice as often as you can. This will lead to a proficiency in casting that will make all the difference between being a successful fly fisher or a one that has the stuff but no desire and will probably end up selling it.

Try practicing while standing against a wall on the outside of your house. Just imagine that there is a clock hanging on the wall that is at the same level as your shoulder. Place markers, such as black or gray tape, at the 11:00 and 1:00 clock positions. Practice casting against these markers for a few minutes each day to improve your accuracy and style.

I hope some of these tips will help you in your new venture. I know they helped me when I started and still do to this day.

Now get out there and catch something other than a cold.