Man wearing a brimmed cap uses a fly rod to cast a line into a creek.
FISHING

Hooked on Fly Fishing: Fly Fishing for Beginners

Reel in the fun, learn to fly fish
BY: NANCY BOUCHARD
You’ve likely watched Brad Pitt wade through Montana’s best trout streams in A River Runs Through It or enjoyed other epic films that capture how fly fishing can transform a chaotic world into a Zen-like retreat. Fly fishing combines technique with tranquility, making it a special activity for people of all ages and skill levels.

 Picture yourself on the bank of a crystal-clear river, casting a line through the morning mist as it rises off the water. The fly lands softly on the surface, mimicking nature’s own insect smorgasbord. The thrill of finding that perfect spot, executing a flawless cast, and playing hide and seek with these beautiful but elusive creatures is exhilarating, but it’s not just about catching fish. It’s a meditative practice, a rhythmic dance with nature. 

 Fly fishing is a pursuit you can pick up for a season, or a lifetime. It's versatile. Fish are biting year-round; no matter what season, you can fish. You can fish solo, with a pal, or in a group—just make sure you know the local fishing regulations and have the proper license. You can fish locally or use the sport as a springboard to travel--no matter where you go, chances are you'll find a stream, river, lake or ocean where you can drop a line. And if you are exploring a new area, consider hiring a guide—they are experts in helping you master technique, pick the right gear for the task at hand, and always know where the fish are hiding. 

 Fly fishing gets you up close and personal with nature and provides the thrill of a sport that comes with failure and success. The beauty of fly fishing is that even if the fish aren’t biting, it's still fun to be out on the water. And it’s an inclusive activity; there are no grades or judgements, and it is accessible for people of all ages, skill levels, and individuals who live with disabilities. Remember that even the world’s best fly fishing pros started as a beginner. There are plenty of fly-fishing clubs and organizations that provide lessons, gear, and most importantly, community. You can frequently borrow free gear from a club; if not, renting for your first few forays is a good idea, as you’ll get a feel for the gear that you prefer.

While It is impossible to teach fly fishing in a single article, here are a few things to get you started. 
A woman on a grassy river bank demonstrates perfect fly casting technique.

What is fly fishing? 

 Fly fishing uses an artificial fly to imitate insects or mimic smaller creatures like mice and insects. The fly is cast using a lightweight rod, reel and line that are designed to stealthily place the fly in in the exact place you think the fish will be biting. 

Casting a fly rod differs from casting a traditional fishing rod. With a traditional rod, the weighted lure helps guide the cast into the water. In contrast, a fly rod uses a very light fly, so the weight of the line and leader, along with the flex of the rod, directs the cast to the water.

The most popular targets for fly fishing are trout, salmon, and grayling. However, you can use a fly rod for many other types of freshwater fish, such as bass, pike, carp, and panfish, as well as a variety of saltwater fish, such as redfish, tarpon, and snook.

Choosing the right rod

The most versatile fly-fishing rod is a 9-foot rod with a 5-weight line. It’s a good starter set up for fishing in a variety of water types, including lakes, rivers, and creeks. Essentially, the smaller the waterway, the shorter the rod and lighter the line. The most popular setup for saltwater fly fishing is a 9-foot rod with an 8-weight line.

Picking a reel that complements your rod

When selecting a fly-fishing reel, the most important factor is that it can hold the appropriate amount of line and backing for the weight of your rod. For example, if you have a 5-weight rod, you’ll need a reel that can accommodate a 4- to 6-weight line.
A bearded man wearing a ball cap focuses on attaching a feathery yellow fly to his line.

Fly lines, leaders, and tippets: The basics of assembling your line

When choosing your fly-fishing line, it comes down to matching the weight of the line with the weight of the rod you’ve chosen. For example, a 5-weight line pairs with a 5-weight rod.
Leaders and tippets are also designed to match the weight of the rod and line you’ve chosen.
  • Fly Lines are the weighted lines used to deliver the fly, or lure, into the water to attract fish. Fly lines come in several varieties based on the desired level of float, sink and overall weight. 
  • Leaders are the lengths of heavier, more transparent line attached to the end of the main fly line that provide greater control over the fly and deceive the fish into believing the bait is safe to catch and consume
  • Tippets attach to the end of the leader and provide an almost invisible extension to the fly line and leader that ultimately attach to the fly at the end. Tippets are typically made of a durable material that is lighter than the leader and even more transparent as it attaches to the bait itself. 

Where to get flies

You can buy flies which are specifically designed to attract the local fish. Head to your local fly shop; you’ll get way more than your money’s worth when it comes to good advice. These local experts can also provide tips on local fishing destination, fishing permits, fly tying classes and group lessons.

Dry flies versus wet flies

There are two main types of flies in fly fishing:
  • Dry Flies: These are designed to float. They mimic insects that rest on the water's surface. Chances are that a dry fly will be most effective during summer, on cloudy days, and around sunrise and sunset, when hatched flies are emerging and resting on or just above the surface.
  • Wet Flies: These are meant to sink and imitate insects that exist below the surface. They work well in winter, on windy days, and during bright afternoons as they target flies that are hatching but not yet able to rise above the water.

  • For organization, use a fly box with separate compartments. Wet flies should be sorted by weight to help you select the right one for the desired depth, while dry flies are best organized by size or target species.
    A man wearing sunglasses and a ball cap looks closely at a white fly. In the background is his fishing net.

    Mastering the cast: Techniques and tips

    There are three main steps to casting a fly rod. Remember, this takes practice!
    1. Back cast: Place the tip of the rod close to the water, with no more than 3 to 6 feet of line emerging from the tip of the rod. Bring the rod up slowly at first, then speed up and stop suddenly near your ear.
    2. Pause: Pause the cast and let the line unwind behind you. It should straighten out, ideally in mid-air. If you are standing in the water, it’s OK if it hits the water behind you.
    3. Forward cast: Once the line is straight out behind you, pull the rod back to the front of you, increasing your speed and stop once the tip of your rod is pointing toward where you want the fly to land.
    If you are fishing in an area where it isn’t possible to make a back cast, the Roll cast is your best option. Start with the line on the water in front of you. Lift the rod tip and point it toward the sky to create a “D” shape with the line, then perform a forward cast as you would with a standard overhead cast.
    Some of the most common mistakes people make when learning to cast are as follows:
  • Stopping too slowly at the end of the back cast
  • Not starting the cast quickly enough after the pause
  • Not allowing enough time for the line to straighten out behind you at the pause
  • Using too much wrist motion
  • Setting the hook and playing the fish

    For beginning fly fishers, it’s often a mystery as to whether you have hooked a fish or a log or rock. Watch the tip of your floating line or leader. If it dips below the surface, there’s a good chance you have a bite. To make sure the fish is still attached to your fly, quickly pull your rod in a downstream direction while keeping your arm parallel to the water’s surface. To land the fish as efficiently as possible, here are some techniques used by the experts.
  • Side Pressure: Pull the rod away from the direction the fish is swimming, keeping it parallel to the water.
  • Top Pressure: When the fish is near the tip of the rod, pull up to bring it to the surface.
  • Pointed Pressure: If the fish thrashes and tries to throw the hook, point the rod at the fish and give it some line to allow it to jump and pull away.

  • The bottom line with fly fishing is to get out and have fun. Get some coaching from a friend or club. There are also some great YouTube videos and plenty of great fishing shows designed to educate and inspire.
    Prepare for your first fly fishing adventure; check out Columbia’s PFG Fishing Apparel.
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