Things to know about Fly Fishing

[chris kowaleski]

So i'm still real new to fly fishing, and i'm to cast a little bit and sometimes catch some small ones, but I feel like there is some more technical things that i do not know but should know. 

-differences between tapered and non tapered leaders/ making your own leaders/tippetts

-the correct size flies for correct size leaders/tippetts

There is more stuff i've been wondering about but can't remember off the top of my head, but any other helpful tips and hints would be greatly appreciated!

[Leo Nguyen]

"Wind Knot Master"...LOL If you're a master at wind knotting, I think I have a gremlin living on my shoulders just to make a big joke out of my life, either fly or reel rodding.

[Greg McWilliams]

Chris, My fly line of choice is an INTERMEDIATE SINKING LINE!!!!! Clear and sinks at a rate of 1.5" to 2" per second!!!!! With that set up I use about 3', 14 to 17 lb monofilament line for a leader and attach 4 lb. test for tippet!!!!! Attached with a loop end to the leader!!!!! This rolls the fly over just fine!!!!!!! I Like to get close to bottom this allows me to get there either with a count down to the depth or start with a fast retrieve and slowing down til I get to where the fish are or bump bottom!!!!

[Leo Nguyen]

One thing I hate about having no spare spools when the bites migrates from top to bottom for a good new reels. Always account for a spare spool of sinking line in addition to the floating. Nothing like searching for those fighters near the bottom when the surface bites go south.

[Stan Wright]

LOL...  me to, nothing like a surface strike.  We have a guy from Japan that fishes with us every few years and he only uses top waters.  He says if it's not caught on a top water, it's not worth catching.  LOL

[JBplusThuy]

Japan is where I first fly-fished, in the late nineties. My first time out, I managed to catch two BG in Kawaguchi-ko. Some Japanese fiy fishers I knew said that was amazing, nobody catches a fish their first time out - and considering what a poor fly caster I was then and am now, it was amazing :-)

It wasn't top water, but the lake is very clear, and I could see the BG about 20 feet from my rental rowboat.  As my dry fly became wet and sank, they picked it up on the drop 3 or 4 feet down; because I could see them do it, I was able to hook a couple of them.

Due to an unfortunate incident involving a bucket spill back on shore, the descendants of those two BG are probably swimming around Kawaguchi-ko even to this day :p

[Lee]

 Lots of great info here and as somebody mentioned don't get caught up in "What you have to use" Lines/leaders and tippets vary greatly depending on conditions and the fish your after.

 Some of my favorite lakes here in Florida are shallow clear water lakes unless the bream or Bass are in a really picky mood a 7 1/2'  8lb Bass Taper leader works fine for normal sized bugs. Scientific Anglers and Rio's are my leaders of choice.

 I like knotless leaders because they don't pick up debris in the water but they can get pricey. An inexpensive knotted tapered leader works just as well and can be tied up quick and easy 3' of 25lb 3' of 15lb and 2-3' of 8lb mono works great. Use a good mono.

 One other thing about leaders if possible try to keep them less than the length rod that way when your landing a fish you don't have to worry about the leader knot getting hung in the rod guides. you get the knot inside the guides with a larger fish and he takes a run right at the boat you can very easily loose a good fish or break a flyrod.

 

 Most of all Have Fun!