Many ask how does fly fishing work, and it is a great quesion.Fly fishing is an art that is steadily becoming more popular among people of all ages. Even young kids are leaving their iPads at home and getting in on the fun.
If you’re wondering why it’s so enjoyable, the answer is simple. It’s a very easy hobby to pick up, and once you get the hang of it, you’re hooked!
So, how does fly fishing work?
Anglers (fishermen/ fisherwomen) use a simple rod fitted with a weighted line and an artificial bait (which looks like an insect) attached to the end. They use a simpler technique than the one used in traditional fishing to cast the line.
The fish then swims up to the surface and bites the floating bait, and that’s fly fishing in a nutshell.
Let’s take a closer look at this exciting hobby below.
What Is Fly Fishing?
Fly fishing is a method of fishing in which the angler uses a long rod and weighted line to cast a lightweight, artificial bait into the water.
The casting technique is quite different from traditional fishing techniques. Instead of throwing the line forward in one single motion and then holding it still, fly anglers usually make a few false casts in a whipping motion before finally letting the line rest on the water.
Their goal is to cast the line as flat and straight onto the water as possible without making a big overhead arch or splash.
Some of the most common types of fish that anglers catch using this method are trout, bass, and salmon.
How Did Fly Fishing Start?
Fly fishing has been around for thousands of years and is one of the oldest-known forms of angling. Different countries and regions have their own accounts of early fly fishing.
One of the best-known is England, whose anglers produced several published tutorials for beginners. European immigrants took the practice to North America in the 15th and 16th centuries, where they developed new fly fishing techniques and improved the tackle.
These new innovations included bamboo rods, new types of flies, and new tying techniques.
The simple yet rewarding nature of fly fishing makes it easy for anyone to get into.
Let’s take a closer look at the components that make up fly fishing.
Fly Fishing Tools
Fly Rod
Most fly rods on the market today are made of graphite, fiberglass, or carbon fiber. These materials are light, durable, flexible, and rust-proof, which makes them great for fishing rods.
Length
Fly rods typically range from 7′ to 10′ in length but can go up to 14′ or more.
When choosing a rod, a couple of things to consider are where you’ll be fishing and the main species of fish you want to catch.
If you’re freshwater fishing in a small area where there are quite a lot of bush and trees around, you’d be better off with a shorter rod. Short rods are also ideal for catching smaller fish and for traveling with.
Pieces/ Sections
You might also want to pay attention to the number of pieces or sections that your rod has (4pc, 5 pc., etc.), as this tells you how easily and efficiently your rod can be dismantled.
Weight
Now, let’s talk about weight. You may see something like ‘6wt.’ on a fly rod, but this is not the actual weight of the rod. This number represents the size or power of the rod. Weights typically range from 2 to 12 and above.
The lightest fly rods (1 – 5 wt.) are used for freshwater fishing in small, calm bodies of water. They can handle smaller types of fish like panfish, stream trout, and small-mouth bass.
Medium-weight rods (6 – 8 wt.) are better for catching regular-sized bass, pike, and trout.
Lastly, heavier rods (8 wt. +) are ideal for fishing in more open, rippling bodies of water, like saltwater areas. Heavy rods can handle larger and more aggressive fish species like salmon and tarpon.
Line
In fly fishing, the line acts as the weight instead of the lure, like in bottom fishing. This is why the bait can literally be as light as a feather.
Fly lines come in different weights that correspond with the weights of the rod and fly reel.
A fly line can float (dry fly fishing) or sink (nymphing), depending on where you’re fishing and how far down in the water your potential catch hangs out. It is more common for fly lines to float.
You retrieve your catch by pulling in the line with your hand instead of reeling it in.
Lure and Bait
Fly anglers use lightweight artificial lures that are made to look and move like flies and other insects. The fact that they float tricks the fish into believing that these types of bait are real insects, so they try to eat them.
Not all types of flies used in fly fishing float though. In the ‘nymphing’ fishing technique, anglers use weights or a heavy fly to catch fish that feed lower down.
As you may know, the traditional form of fishing uses bait that is typically held down by a sinker or heavy lure.
Artificial flies are usually made by hand by anglers or fly-tiers and consist of materials like feathers, foam, and plastic.
Weights
As we mentioned above, nymphing is a fly technique that incorporates weights in the line or the fly itself.
These weights are typically made from metals like lead, brass, and tungsten and come in different forms. Among these are split shot weights that you can easily attach to the fly line using a pair of pliers, and tungsten putty weights, which you can mould with your hands.
Weighted types of flies include bead head nymphs and the woolly worm.
Getting Ready to Fish
So, how does fly fishing work? Here’s how to get started.
Tip 1:
Set up your rod properly.
Tip 2:
Before you wade out to find a good fishing spot, you should first observe the water from a distance. Notice the flow and movement of the water, and check to see if there are any fish near the surface.
Tip 3:
Next, if you’re fishing from shore or in shallow water, you’ll want to approach your fishing spot slowly and calmly, especially if you see fish nearer to the surface of the water. This way, you are less likely to spook the fish near the water’s edge.
Tips for Casting Your Line
Tip 1:
Make sure that the drag on your reel is not loose, otherwise, you might end up with a tangled mess of a spool before you even get a bite. Adjust the drag so that it is just tight enough.
Tip 2:
Don’t be a scrappy fisher! Tidy up that rod by reeling in excess line before you move on to your next fishing spot.
Tip 3:
Something as simple as checking your hooks can make a big difference in whether you catch any fish or not. Ensure that your hooks are sharp before you cast your line.
This doesn’t mean that you have to buy new hooks all the time, but you should probably look into getting a hook sharpener if you’re fishing regularly.
Tip 4:
Let’s say you want to cast 40 or more feet of line into the water. Your first thought might be to pull 40 feet of line out so that it extends from the tip of your rod.
Well, that’s the clumsy way to do it. Instead of having all that excess line out, you can pull some line from the spool and simply let it hang under the reel.
Then hold on to the line and let it slide through your hand when you cast your line. This is known as the ‘shooting line’.
Using this technique will allow you to cast that 40-foot line more cleanly and easily.
Tip 5:
You don’t need to overdo it with false casting. A couple of false casts is usually enough.
Is Fly Fishing a Popular Hobby for Women?
When people hear the word ‘fishing’, they usually picture a man in a wide brim hat standing in a river and throwing a line. But did you know that women make up a large percentage of the fly fishing community?
What’s even better is that number is steadily growing. There are many skilled female fly fishing guides and competitive anglers in America and around the world.
In fact, women like Helen Shaw and Mary Orvis Marbury made significant contributions to the sport and moulded it into what it is today.
Conclusion
So, how does fly fishing work?
To recap, this form of fishing uses a weighted line and artificial bait that resembles an insect.
Anglers use floating bait for dry fly fishing and sinking bait for wet fly fishing (nymphing). It is pretty easy to learn, more so than traditional fishing, so don’t be afraid to give it a go!
