by Chad Venturanza
Fly Fishing for Dummies Clueless about fly fishing?
Me too!
I have
been really curious
about this sport for
some time now. I've seen
it done countless of
times.
Tried it.
Failed.
As I have
always said to people
who have endlessly and
tirelessly, with their
utmost patience and
understanding have tried
to rub off some fly
fishing skills on me -
but to no avail.
I
have resorted to
reading, for now. I
decided that whatever I
can't do, I might as
well LEARN - even just
in theory. It helps. I
think of my self right
now as "A work in
progress".
Let's
all learn the basics.
DEFINITION OF TERMS!
A brief definition about
some terms I need to
know about fly fishing.
What is Fly Fishing?
Fly fishing is an
ancient and distinct
angling method,
developed primarily for
salmonids (trout and
salmon, mostly) and now
extended to other
species such as pike,
bass, and carp, as well
as a wide range of
marine species.
Fly casting is
gripping or holding a
fly rod correctly and to
adopt the correct stance
to maintain comfort and
balance.
Angler. (Does that have
anything to do with
Math? I hate Math!)
That would be YOU silly!
Someday, IF you learn
how to fly fish, you
will be called an
angler. A person
catching fish or
shellfish with no intent
to sell, this includes
people releasing the
catch or people that
practice the "Catch
and Release" method.
(highly recommended).
The essentials - If you
don't have a complete
list of these, you're
NOT Fly Fishing!
Fly Fishing rods are
long, thin, flexible
rods sometimes made of
bamboo, but more
recently from man-made
materials. Fly rods tend
to have large diameter
eyes (or guides) spaced
along the rod to help
control the movement of
relatively thick fly
line. To aid in the
freedom of movement
required to skillfully
cast with a fly rod,
there is usually little
to no butt (handle)
extending below the
fishing reel.
Fishing Reel is a
device used for the
recreational and sport
of angling for the
deployment and retrieval
of fishing line using a
spool mounted on an
axle. They are most
often used in
conjunction with a
fishing rod, though some
specialized reels are
mounted directly on to
boats. Fishing
line is any cord
made for fishing.
Important parameters of
a fishing line are its
length, material, and
weight (thicker,
sturdier lines are more
visible to fish). The
refractive index is also
important--lines with a
refractive index similar
to water are almost
invisible to fish. The
most important parameter
in deciding what line to
use is its strength.
This is the amount of
weight the line can hold
before snapping. One
must balance the
trade-off between
strength and visibility.
Flies as Bait? Are you
kidding? Flies or
Artificial flies are
constructed -- "tied"
onto a hook with thread,
fur, feathers and other
materials -- in sizes
and colors to match
naturally occurring food
or simply to excite a
fish.
You will
be considered
responsible and a good
fly fisher if you would
bring waders, wading
vest, wading boots, net,
sunglasses to protect
your eyes, a hat for the
harsh sun, sun block and
bug dope (bug repellant)
- if you don't want to
be eaten alive by bugs
before you even catch a
fish!
Armed with
the stuff I read, I went
about to experience Fly
Fishing without even
going near a body of
water.
Wondering
how?
I took the
Fly Fishing Quiz at
Let's Fly Fish guess
what's my score. The
nearest thing I got to
Fly Fishing was to play
the fly fishing game I
downloaded from
Fly Sim If you
want to learn more Fly
Fishing terminologies
(if you can still handle
some)
Riversmallies
Interpatagonia A
site that sells fly
fishing products - with
pretty pictures too! -
Riverbum.com
About the Author She is a webmaster for Riverbum.com.
Riverbum.com sells fly
fishing flies, gears,
and accessories on-line.
They constantly innovate
themselves to give their
customers the best
products they can offer
for unreasonably low
prices. They love fly
fishing, and it shows!
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