A Couple of Facts on Fly Rods

Fly Fishing Rods vary greatly and normally comes packaged in sections from 2 up to 6 pieces. This makes it easier for the fisherman to store before and after his fishing trip. Each rod is designed to accept a fly line of a particular weight known as it's AFTM rating.

Fly Rods get picked and bought for the specific condition or situation, action of the rod and type of fish which the fisherman intends to fish for. The easiest way to obtain right fly fishing outfit is to buy a beginner fly fishing combo that includes the rod, reel and matching fly line.

Here are how to select the Fly Fishing rod suitable for your circumstances. You need to get the correct gear right from the start in order to

Preference for a rod depends entirely on the following:

•  The fisherman's style of casting.
•  Rod action - fast, medium(intermediate) and slow action.
•  Weather conditions - if it's a windy day a rod with a stiff action is preferred.
•  Location - stream, river, dam, lake or saltwater - short or long rod.
•  Type of fish - trout, pike, barbell, sailfish etc.

Looking at the Fly Fishing Rods available today.

You have got a choice between Graphite, Glass fiber, Bamboo(Split cane) and Boron in different lengths ranging from 6 feet to 9 feet or more. Your Fly rod of choice depends on the location, conditions and the type of fish you want to catch.

Most rods these days are made of graphite (which tends to be lighter and more specialized) then there are fiberglass (very cheap rods) or even bamboo rods(which may be a little heavier and very expensive - more for the connoisseur fisherman, these rods do give a more precise presentation over short distances)
Buying a Fly Rod

When you decided on the length of the rod you want you've got to consider the following if you want a good rod:

•  The material used in the manufacturing of the rod.
•  The action of the rod.
•  The finish on the rod.
•  The fittings, dampening and the price you can afford.

Fly Fishing Rod Parts

The fly rod transfers energy from the fly fisher to the line, leader and then the fly. Rod length, taper and action are specifically designed for this specific purpose.

The fly rod must be balanced with the correct fly-line weight for optimum performance in fly casting and the presentation or landing of the fly on the water in the target area. Most modern fly rods have the correct line-balance information printed on them just forward of the handle and hookkeeper.

There are six parts that make up the modern fly rod:

•  Handle - The handle( cork grip) includes the butt cap, the reel-lock seat for attaching and securing the fly reel in place, and the handle check cap.
•  Butt - The butt section, the first part of the rod, includes the area from the handle to the first ferrule.
•  Ferrule - The ferrule is the connection between sections of a fly rod. Ferrules are installed so a rod can be disassembled in smaller pieces and conveniently be carried and stored.
•  Tip - This is the section from the last ferrule to the tip of the rod, or the smallest guide on the end of the rod.
•  Hookkeeper - The hookkeeper is a little ring that holds the fly' s hook safely in place when the outfit is rigged but the fly fisher is not fishing.
•  Guides - The Fly line feeds through these guides and control the line on the rod during casting. These guides includes the stripper guide, which is the first guide up the rod from the rod handle. These guides (also called snake guides) hold the fly line close to the rod during casting.

Rod Action

Fly-rod performance, especially during casting but also whilst fishing and fighting the fish, is termed as the action of the rod. Action is influenced by the rod's material, taper design, length and other fittings such as the ferrules and guides.

There are 3 main categories of fly-rod actions:

3 Different Fly Rod Actions

1. Slow Action - The rod feels heavy and unflexes in a slow, willowy manner after loading.
2. Intermediate (Medium) Action - The rod is slightly heavy when flexed and unflexes smoothly when loaded.
3. A medium-action, progressively loading fly rod is the best rod with which to learn the sport. Medium action is the best rod for beginners and are the most adaptable to a angler's individual timing and reflexes.

The beginner's rod should be 8 to 8 1/2 feet long, and it should be designed to cast a 6- or 7-weight line. This combination is light, it provides enough power to cast 20 to 60 feet, and it can control most of the flies used to fish for trout and bass and other inland fish.

Fast Action - The rod feels very stiff when flexed and unflexes rapidly when loaded or flexed by the line in casting. This is normally the rod of choice for experienced casters.

Fly Fishing Advantage

People always ask me what the advantages of fly fishing versus other types of fishing and I say it is a matter of personal preference. To the uninformed, fly fishing limits the species available to the fisherman, and the waters fished. Most people think fly fishing is for trout, and salmon in rivers or streams. While fly fishermen are happy to confine themselves to these waters, they are not limited to them.

Fly fishing in North America for rainbow, brown, and brook trout, gives one cause to be satisfied with the species available. Catching Coho Salmon or Steelhead is no disappointment either. Much of the fly fishing in Europe is also done for nice trout on slow moving rivers and streams. Lastly did you know that South Africa have some excellent trout waters as well? It stretches from the northeast of the country down to the southern part of this beautiful country. Trout fishing is exceptional good especially in the region of the Drakensberg mountains were brown and rainbow trout can be found.

Limiting fly fishing in this manner however can cause you to miss some great opportunities to catch many other species in many different waters. Saltwater fly fishing in quite good in warm coastal waters. Tarpon are great targets in many areas such as Mexico and Puerto Rico. Coastal areas of the U.K. and Ireland hold bass, mainly where fresh water runs into the sea.

Just about any type of fish that can be caught can be caught with a rod and reel, can be caught with a fly. The tackle may be a little sturdier and more corrosion resistant for saltwater fly fishing. Venturing from rivers and streams, fly fishing is done in lakes, farm ponds, and ocean coasts with success.

Bass, Catfish, Tarpon, Pollack, Mackerel some of the species rarely fished for with flies, but commonly caught on them. The single biggest advantage for fly fishermen in the U.S. and Canada is the exclusivity of fly fishing only sections of streams. Some of the very best sections of Gold Medal trout streams are restricted to fly fishing only, a really nice advantage to enjoy.

Fly Casting Lessons with Howell Morgan

Fly Fishing Accessories

In Fly fishing you will find a seemingly endless array of Fly Fishing accessories. The most important pieces of gear that you normally should find in your Fly Fishing kit will include a fly fishing rod, reel, line, leader, flies, waders, net, vest, clippers and polaroid sunglasses.

The leader is a clear, monofilament line that attaches to the end of the fly fishing line. The fly is tied onto the end of the leader. The leader is tapered down to a very narrow diameter at the forward end. The leader looks a lot like traditional fishing line.

Fishing Flies are available in a wide assortment of styles and designs. Dry flies are designed to float on top of the water, wet flies and nymphs are designed to be submerged, and other flies are designed to be partially submerged. Flies may also be categorized as imitative or attractive. Imitative flies are designed to imitate or look like a particular insect. Attractive flies are designed to attract the fist without looking like any particular natural food source.

Waders may be optional if you are fishing in warm water and need to wade a lot. However, many anglers fly fish in cold water streams and find waders absolutely essential. Popular wader styles today include neoprene waders and waders with a waterproof lining. Neoprene waders work well in cold water and serve to keep the angler warm. Waders with a waterproof lining are breathable and convenient when hiking alongside a stream.

A fishing net is another essential piece of fly fishing equipment. Since fly fishing is usually done while standing in the water it can be very difficult to land a fish without a good net. Nets frequently have a hook or a magnet attached so that the net can be hooked onto the anglers waders or vest. A net is also particularly important if the angler is practicing catch and release fishing.

Since fly fishing is usually done in the water a fishing vest is a near-essential piece of equipment. Vests allow you to keep essential tools and gear neat and handy for when you need it.
Clippers are very useful for clipping line when changing flies. You will rarely see a fly fisherman without clippers in their vest or pocket.

Polarized Sunglasses are one piece of personal gear you will not want to forget. Sunglasses keep the sun out of your eyes as well as protecting your eyes from stray fishing hooks. Good quality, polarized sunglasses ( Snowbee Fly fishing sunglasses are excellent and comes at a good price as well) will also help you see much better while out on the stream. Many anglers would also add a hat and sunscreen to the list of essential personal gear.

There are many more fly fishing accessories that are available for the fly fisherman. These items are perhaps the most essential for a successful fishing outing though.

Fly Fishing in Salt Water

Fly Fishing in Salt Water has grown in popularity over the past half century as many fisherman experience the thrill and excitement of the sport. Salt water Fly Fisherman prefer to use a small boat as they explore shallow fishing areas, and still others opt for the adventure of deep sea fly fishing. With ideal fishing spots especially near islands where numerous varieties of blue water fish hold, salt water fly fishing has given those who enjoy salt water fly fishing an unlimited number of places to fish.

Understanding the flow of the tides is essential for any salt water fly fisherman. Tides affect the water's temperature and its clarity two of the factors that have an effect on the movement of the fish in the area. If you are fly fishing near an inland bay or a lagoon, the tides will play a major role in choosing the best area f to fish. For example, if the body of water is tide-drained through a narrow creek, fish will be feeding on the smaller fish that have been swept through it. The best place to fish is down side of the mouth of the creek.

On both the Atlantic and Pacific coats the tide rises and falls twice within a twenty-four-hour period. In the Gulf of Mexico, there are some places where the tide rises only once a day. There are thousands of miles of coastline in the United States which offer an almost unlimited number of locations for fly fishing.

Most salt water fly fishing is done in relatively shallow waters, or very close to the shore. This is called inshore fishing, and includes fly fishing done from the shore or from a small boat in shallow waters. Many varieties of fish can be taken while inshore fishing including striped bass, channel bass, bluefish, bonefish, flounder, bonito, barracuda, rockfish, cobia, halibut, jack crevalle, jewfish, ladyfish, mackerel, pollack, pompano, shark, snapper, snook, rooster fish, tarpon, and weakfish.

Deep water fly fishing can be extremely exciting and challenging to a salt water fly fisherman. This type of fishing is done in water more than twelve feet deep from a boat that can range in size from a ten foot skiff to a 50 foot oceangoing vessel. Deep water fly fishing is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to fish.

Deep water fish sought by fly fishermen are roughly divided into to categories, roamers and homebodies. Roamers are mostly pelagic and move great distances in a short time. Some of the varieties of roamers that can be caught while fly fishing include albacore, dolphin, marlin, wahoo, sailfish, yellowtail, and tuna. Homebodies sometimes appear in schools, but it is not unusual to find a solitary one. Homebodies include African pompano, Great barracuda, rockfish, grouper, amerjack, and snapper. These are only a few of the many vanities that are available to fly fishermen that fish the deep ocean waters.

Whether you decide to fish inshore or deep sea, salt water fly fishing will provide an exciting, challenging and memorable experience.

Stream Fly Fishing for Trout

Know Where to find Trout in Streams.

When fishing for trout it is of critical importance to understand the various types of trout lies. Trout normally take up their positionslies)based on a set of three of their basic needs when they live in streams or rivers. The reason being that they need shelter from a constant current, protection from predators, and the need for adequate food.

Swimming against a strong current can be very tiring for a trout. Therefore, they look for shelter from the current which is their first need. Sometimes the trout rest behind objects in the water, such as a large rock, which breaks the current. But most of the time trout stay in holding lies that are close to the current. They want to be able to dash out and grab any food that the current brings their way.

The second need that the trout have is protection from predators. They generally prefer water that is deep enough, or rough enough, that they cannot be seen on the bottom by predatory birds such as kingfishers or osprey. The trout usually hold where there is some type of cover to protect them. They look for cover, such as a log, a deep pool, or an undercut bank to keep safe. At times while fly fishing, you might see small or medium sized trout feeding in the shallows far from any type of shelter. However, it is very unusual to see large trout feeding in the shallows, unless there is some type of cover nearby.

The third need, which often overrides the other two, is the need for adequate food. It seems trout live by a basic formula - the food it eats must give it more energy then they expend getting it. A trout will fight against a strong current if hatching, migrating, or drifting insects appear. To the trout the amount of food that the insects offer justifies the extra energy needed to fight the current. Often, during a heavy hatch, trout may hold near the surface of a pool, or flat, putting themselves in danger from predators while they greedily feed.

In fly fishing, knowing the three basic needs of trout which cause them to hold in certain types of water, while avoiding others, is an invaluable piece of strategic fishing information. Knowing the spots of the water that meets one, two, or three of the trout's basic needs, is knowing where the fish are holding, and make for a succesful day out on the water.

Trout have three types of holding lies. Deep holes which look like dark areas in the streambed are often used to escape from the current. The best deep holes have boulders or logs for cover. Eddies below points, such as the edge of a boulder, create a slack water pool, and sometimes a reverse current pool, that often hold many trout. Upwelling springs appear as light spots of bubbling sand where the silt has been washed away. Many trout are drawn to these springs in the summer and the winter because they have a stable temperature.

Successful fly fishing depends on knowing as much as possible about the habits and habitats of the fish you are hoping to catch.

Fly Fishing Show

When you are an avid fly fisherman, attending a fly fishing show can be an integral part of your mastery in the sport. Fly fishing shows offer so much valuable information, attending one is virtually required if you want to improve your skills and stay up to date on the latest equipment and techniques.

One of the biggest traveling shows is “The Fly Fishing Show”. This show annually travels to some of the most popular fly fishing destinations like Bellevue, Washington, Denver, Colorado, and Charlotte, North Carolina, among others. This show boasts several exhibitors offering new equipment for sale as well as seminars and symposiums about how to improve your fly fishing skills.

The Fly Fishing Show offers classes on fly tying and much, much more. They have casting demonstrations along with the opportunity to win some amazing door prizes including fly fishing trips, equipment, and gear. You will also be able to talk with other people who share your love of fly fishing.

Another huge show is “Fly Fishing Retailer” which is held annually in Denver, Colorado. Again, this show will provide exhibitors with their wares for sale, but Fly Fishing Retailer also offers you the chance to hob-nob with fly fishing experts, ask them questions, and partake of their expertise.

With the growing popularity of fly fishing as a sport, there are shows held all over the country for the avid fisherman. Admittance is usually free, and attendance is almost always heavy. Keep an eye out in your favorite fly fishing magazine or local newspaper for fly fishing shows that are coming near where you live.

Often, people will travel long distances to these shows because they certainly do have so much to offer. You can find a quality fly fishing show nearly anyplace in the United States. Do a quick Internet search for “fly fishing shows” and pick from the various locations that you will find are hosting fly fishing shows.

The best part about attending a fly fishing show is the vast amount of information you will learn. Because almost all these shows offer various classes that pertain to fly fishing, when you sit in on the seminars, you will gain knowledge you didn’t know before. Even if you have been fly fishing for years, a little refresher course never hurts!

There’s no doubt that a quality fly fishing show can not only help you with your fly fishing skills, but you can also be introduced to new technology in fly rods and reels as well as helpful items that can make your fly fishing more productive than it has ever been. Find a show near you and share your love of fly fishing from those in the know!

Tying Flies for Fly Fishing

One of the most enjoyable parts of fly fishing could be tying your own flies. While they are readily available for sale pre-made in many stores, when you take the time to tie your own, you can make the fly fishing flies look even more realistic than those you can buy in a store.

Fly tying isn’t as difficult as it might first seem. You need to have some basic tools such as a fly vice, scissors, pliers, and thread. The equipment you use can make all the difference in quality work and shoddy work. The goal is to make your flies look as identical to a fish’s food source as is humanly possible.

You can find supplies for tying in various places. Besides the vice, scissors, and pliers, you will want to have on hand the following items:
* Hooks of various shapes and sizes
* Different colors and gauges of thread
* Fur from animals such as mink or fox
* Feathers from pheasants and peacocks
* Craft cement

Precision is the key to accurate fly tying. You should start out with a picture of the fly you are trying to replicate. You can find pictures of may flies, caddis flies, and other natural food sources in many places on the Internet. Once you have a picture, just get materials that will mimic the look and try to duplicate it.

Start out by wrapping thread around your hook and then add fur and feathers as you go securely tying them to the hook. As you go, you will continue to add materials until you achieve the look you are going for. Of course, there’s a little more to it than that, but that is the general idea.

You can take classes on how to tie your own flies and you can even find instructional videos online. When you start taking an interest in fly fishing, it’s best to stick with the pre-made flies, but as you gain more experience, you will want to start experimenting around with different lures to bring the fish to your line.

Fly Rods for Stillwater Fly Fishing

My preferred Fly Fishing outfits for fishing stillwaters especially with a dry fly on a floating line are the Thomas & Thomas 9ft 5Weight (AFTM5) and the old Sage RPL 6Weight (AFTM 6). You need a fly rod with a fast tip action and this rod will be suitable for most fly fishers under most conditions.

I mostly use the 5 weight in windless conditions and change over to the 6 weight when the waters get choppy in order to reach the edge of the ripple on the water. If you do fish with a dry fly you need to be very accurate in your casting, since the fly got to land near to where the rising fish are rising.

Also make sure that you use a good reel, a multiplyer type comes in very handy here as stillwater conditions demand a lot of reeling in and casting out, especially if you do some distance casting...more information can be found here fly fishing books, gifts and videos.