Fishing is a sport that demands patience in all it\’s various forms. I find that some more specialist areas, such as carp fishing, can reap huge rewards given the size these fish can grow to, but require a lot of patience.
The majority of my fishing has been what I call \”wander fishing\”.
This is because if I wasn\’t catching fish, I would just move along the river until I did! That way I was always moving and never bored or sitting still.
Fly fishing is really what it\’s all about, for me at least.
I had always avoided this branch of fishing, thinking it was beyond my financial means and difficult to master.
Tip 1. I was wrong!
Don\’t let these myths put you off as they did me. Unless you want to fish the best rivers the UK for example, has to offer, fly fishing is not elitist. You will meet people from all walks of life.
Tip 2. Don\’t buy everything separately.
There are Fly Fishing Combos to suit all pockets, which generally include reel, rod and line, plus a few flies as well.
Tip 3. Don\’t just buy the cheapest you can find.
It is arguable that you are more dependant on your rod for fly fishing success than in any other type of fishing. A fly fishing combo gives you the chance to perhaps spend a little more than you might have for a superior set of tackle.
A fly fishing rod is very different to any other type of fishing rod. Because you are casting a line, not a baited, weighted mono filament, the technique employed is a little different, and relies on the performance of the rod and your technique, rather than strength. Read up about them before purchasing to gain some understanding as to what to look for.
Tip 4. Don\’t complicate things!
There is no need to buy huge amounts of kit. If you are also a keen course fisher, it may be that you are used to carrying large amounts of peripheral equipment – ground bait and a selection of hook baits and possibly a huge tackle box. Fly fishing does not require this level of gear, in fact, very often you can carry all you need in the pockets of your fishing vest.
Tip 5. Dress Properly.
Most fisheries insist on wearing some form of eye protection, given that a fly is cast backwards as well as forwards, putting a passer by at risk from getting hooked. Buy polarised sun glasses as these also help you to spot fish. In addition a multi-pocket jacket or vest will allow you to dispense with carrying any sort of bag, useful when you are moving around and wanting to travel light.
Tip 6. Move Around.
Some people will fish in the same spot all day, even if they are not catching. With fly fishing, it\’s important to \”cover\” the water in front of you by fishing to the left, right and centre, and at different depths, (you do that by counting off in seconds to give the fly time to sink, unless you are dry fly fishing). but if after, say half an hour, you have had no response at all, move to a different area.
Tip 9. Don\’t worry if you find casting difficult.
Learning to cast is perhaps the most difficult thing to achieve in fly fishing. Most people naturally feel that the big fish lie as far as possible away from you, and that you therefore need a big cast, but this is not true. Over time, you will doubtless cast longer and longer distances, but some of the biggest fish lie where few people think to fish – right by the bank! Never ignore the margins!
Tip 8. Invest in some tuition.
This may be the most important thing you can do. So many people don\’t understand the most effective way to cast a fly line. It is very easy, but technique is crucial, and lessons should be taken to enjoy your fly fishing from day 1.
If you get quality kit, it will help you in becoming a better fly fisher. But you don\’t have to spend a lot of money if you investigate fly fishing combos. These provide the basic kit for a discounted price. Visit www.flyfishingcombosdeals.com.. Also published at Starting Fly Fishing? – 8 Tips.
