On the Fly
F
ly fishing takes much more skill than your
average day on the water. Of course, each method requires a certain basic knowledge and overall
experience, but when we get into casting, proper
waders, reel clutches, and larger weight lines, we
are talking some serious know-how.
If you are into fly casting, and you consider
yourself experienced, you can probably still
remember the feeling of embarrassment whilst
trying to tie your knots and back your reels.
Giggling from the other casters surely vibrated
the water around you, and your cheeks may
have surfaced a crimson glow. Nevertheless,
the horror is over and now you are an experienced fly fisherman. It’s your turn to laugh
at the rookies, right? Wrong! Be helpful. You
know how hard it was to learn.
If you are just starting out, be prepared to get
laughed it. You will look ridiculous for a while,
but once you get the hang of it, you’ll never
want a regular rod again. Fly fishing is all about
the gear; the trick to casting comes with practice. If you don’t have the proper reels and
Photo by: George Veazey
weight lines, you are going to come up empty-handed or
with broken equipment every time. Start by asking questions
as to what you are going to need for the specific fish and
area. For example, you need to invest in a saltwater-proof
reel if you are taking it to the coast. Regular reels will not
hold up in saltwater, and will corrode easily, even if you are
careful about rinsing it. Also, if you are planning on fly fishing in saltwater, you are going to need a heavier line because
the fish you’ll be catching will be larger in size than your normal trout or bass.
Looking to get all-in-one fly gear for a variety of fish? That’s
a tough one. We suggest buying a heavier rod. While you
may not need a heavy rod for trout or bass or even smaller
salmon, you will need a heavier rod for saltwater fishing. You
can always cast a lower weight line on a heavier rod, but you
cannot cast a heavier line on a lighter rod. You’ll find a good
8-10 weight rod (with 8-10 weight line ideally) for around
$300-$500. Saltwater-proof reels are available for $100-$300.
Is it that important? In short, yes. There is no point in using
a regular reel because you will end up spending more money
replacing it each time, rather than just spending the money
all at once to get a product that you know will last a while.
Another thing to consider is waders. Every fisherman should
own a decent pair of waders anyhow, but if you are planning
on doing a lot of fly fishing, you are going to need a step
above the standard, as you will be in the water the entire
time you are fishing. We suggest sticking with the 5mm or
better neoprene waders, with insulated legs, and a good pair
of rubber water boots. The best sets go for about $150-$200 a
pair. Overall, yes, the gear to go fly fishing with costs a pretty
penny, but these are all things that will last for a long time
and are multi-purpose items.
46 Summer 2016 Adventure Outdoors