Confused about what knots to use to put your gear together ... or when to use which? This article can help with that. After all, there are knots that you only use once in a great while ... like when you first put your outfit together ad have to connect the backing to the reel and then the fly line to the backing.

Then there are the knots that you will use every time you go fishing ... to add more tippet to your leader, or, even more often, to tie on a fly.

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Flyfishers like to considered any body of water as having three different ZONES in which we can catch fish. 

There's the SURFACE on which we casn float dry flies that imitate insects that are hatching out of the water and other insects that have fallen onto the water or other critters that are, maybe swimming on the surface. Those are the most fun for flyfishers to catch because you get to see the fish "take" the fly ... boy, is that ever exciting!

Then there's the MIDDLE in which drift bugs and worms and in which swim baitfish and other bugs and some critters like crayfish. Hooking fish using imitations of these is more difficult ... because you often can't see that take ... and more often then not, you may not feel the take either. 

Lastly, there's the BOTTOM of the lake or stream ... and that area is just plain crawling with all sorts of edible life. Of course, if you are fishing imitations ON the bottom, there's a good chance you're losing a lot of thpse flies or lures because the bottom's also pretty crowded with structure. If it weren't ... the fish wouldn't be there.

Learn more about the fish's environment ... and you will catch more fish. Click on the icon below to get more information.

          One of the concerns of many potential fly fishers is the perceived difficulty of learning the art of fly casting.  Although most fly fishers continue to work on this skill for much of their life and seek to achieve the heights as seen by the fly casters in the movie "A River Runs Through," it is not a pre-requisite.  With the correct coaching anyone can pick up the skills quickly enough to start fly fishing within a week.  This article from Fly Fisherman's Magazine gives the reader sufficient information to beginning learning this skill.   Click on the icon to read this article.                    

           Learn to use this versatile category of fly that emulates anything a variety of prey like minnows and insects that are especially attractive to large fish.  Streamers work in either streams or still water under any water conditions.  They seem to work when other flies don't.  Click on the icon to read more.

Fly fishing is NOT ...

Only for TROUT and ONLY DONE in mountain streams ... you can catch ANY species of fish as long as they are in or near the top six feet or so of water.

DIFFICULT TO LEARN ... It is DIFFERENT ... you cast the line, not the fly. The fly doesn't weigh enough to pull line off of a conventional tackle reel (spin or bait-caster), so YOU pull the line off the reel and then cast that line with the tip of the rod. The fly is attached to the line by a monofilament leader ... the weight of the line drags the fly along with it.

NECESSARILY EXPENSIVE ... Oh, it CAN be ... if you let it. There are a lot of businesses out there that have a vested interest in selling you a whole bunch of stuff. But you don't HAVE to buy into that way of thinking (sorry about the pun). An outfit that is perfectly suited to fishing around our locale (an 8-foot, 5-weight rod, with reel, line, backing and leader) can cost as low as $50. For about twice that you can have a really nice, reliable outfit.

Do you know the difference between a fly rod and a spinning rod?   Do you know the essential difference between the form and function of fly line and the form and function of spin or casting line?  This article will answer those and many other questions to assist you in learning about fly fishing. Click on the icon below and read all about it.

          A basic tenent of society is that there are rules and ethics, both spoken and unspoken,  that govern our interaction in particular social situations.  Fly fishing has its own set of rules and ethics that contribute to the strength of this sport.  This article from Fling and Puterbaugh's "Fly Fisherman's Primer" lays out basic streamside etiquette. 

          Another concept is that of sustaining the fisheries by practicing Catch & Release. We're not promoting this as the ONLY way to flyfish but it is a viable option. Face it, fish taste good ... when properly cooked ... and fresh-caught fish taste best. So you decide if you want to keep a fish or two (as long as they hit the size and limit restrictions), you're good to go. Or, put everything you catch back so the rest of us can enjoy catching them later. 

Click on the icon to read the article.

Ok, you’ve gone out and purchased fly rod outfit now what?

Don’t just put it in the closet and forget about it… Learn how to use it.. Here are several ways to get started.

Option 1. Spend some more money and take lessons from a certified casting instructor.

Most fly shops offer lessons or can recommend someone. Try to get one on one lessons as opposed to group lessons. You’ll probably spend about $100 for lessons but it’ll get you started quickly and correctly. This will cut down on lots of frustration and the inclination to give up and put the rod back in the closet… Don’t have a friend show you how to cast…this will likely end the friendship and set you back years on the learning curve.

Option 2. Join a fly fishing club.

There are fly fishing clubs wherever you live, google fly fishing clubs in your hometown or state to find them. Most clubs usually offer free classes to members, plus you can meet experienced casters that will be happy to help you out.. When asked, most fly fishers will gladly offer their suggestions, the problem will be getting them to stop!

Option 3. Don’t want to spend the money on lessons or cant find a club to join then buy a beginning casting DVD.

There’s tons of them out there. I like the one by Doug Swisher on beginning casting by 3M. Here’s my advice, watch the video one time beginning to end. Then go back and watch 1 or 2 casting techniques before going outside and practice what you just watched. Practice this technique over several days until you can do it. Then, watch the next technique and practice it until you’re proficient. Continue this process until you watched and practiced the whole video.

Practice for 15-20 minutes each day for 10 days and you’ll be a better caster than most people who call themselves fly fishers. You’ll find that it’s a great tension reliever from the stresses of work… you’ll actually look forward to getting home, watching the video and going out in the yard to practice…

You’ll hit a grand slam if you do all 3 of the options… nothing more frustrating than not being able to make an good accurate cast to where you know a fish is hiding.. More important information on casting practice is in the next article.

Till next time ... Joe Flyrod.