When you watch videos of fly fishing and casting they make it look so smooth and graceful, almost like a dance. And watching those experts at work has 2 effects: you want to get out there and do it yourself, but you’re afraid to try because you just know you’d never be able to pull it off. Well, it’s not as hard as you might think. Here are some fly fishing and casting tips to help you get started.

Be Patient

The key to fly fishing is patience. It’s going to take some practice to learn how to do it right. But even after you’ve gained some skill you’ll still need to be patient when you’re out there on the water. Many a fish has been lost because the angler pulled the fly just a second too soon.

You’ll Need To Practice

Few people are born knowing how to fly fish. It’s a skill you have to learn and practice makes perfect. The good news is – you can practice anywhere, you don’t need to be anywhere near water to learn. In fact, one of the best places to practice is your own backyard. So don’t wait until you ‘have the time.’ Just do it!

Learn One Technique

If you have a collection of videos or websites you’re using to learn casting – STOP! Pick just one. It doesn’t even matter which one you choose. Pick one and practice that technique until you’ve got it down pat. You know the old saying about too many cooks spoiling the brothall The same holds true when you’re learning to cast.

Timing Is Everything

Fly fishing and casting looks like a dance because, just like a good waltz, timing is everything. Your casts have to be smooth and properly timed. Back cast, forward cast, release – these are the steps of your dance. Your transitions, or timing, will vary depending on the length and angle of your cast but each step has to move smoothly into the next. If you’re having trouble with your cast then, typically, it’s because your timing is off.

Think Like A Fly

The one mistake most beginners make is to aim their strike into the water. But you’re using a fly as bait and flies land on the water, not in it. Aim at a spot above the water where you want the fly to land to it can lend gently on the surface, like a real fly would. Sending your fly into the water just scares the fish away.

Find A Good Teacher

Of course, the best way to learn fly fishing and casting is to find a good teacher. There’s a lot more to fly fishing then just knowing how to cast and even the most experienced anglers learn something new every time they go out on the water. Start by learning the basics from someone who really knows what they’re doing and you’ll have a lot more fun.

Colorado has some of the best fly fishing in the west. Within 2 hours of Denver, world class rivers are right at your fingertips. The many tailwaters are unique to Colorado. Tailwaters are formed when constant water is released from the bottom of a reservoir. These tailwaters allow for trout to grow large and live comfortably year around. Some of these tailwaters are world famous, such as the Frying Pan River, Taylor River, Dream Stream and Cheesman Canyon. These rivers are known for holding giant trout who are willing to take a fly.

Within 2 hours of Denver, Colorado you have so many fly fishing opportunities. The main areas are the South Platte River Basin and the Colorado River Basin. Within the South Platte River Basin, there is access to Deckers, Dream Stream, Eleven Mile, Cheesman Canyon, Tomahawk, Antero Reservoir, Spinney Reservoir and Elevenmile Reservoir. All of these fisheries are full of gigantic trout and are within 1-2 hours of Denver. These sections of the South Platte are gold medal water, which means they are “special” due to the amount of trout per mile.

The Colorado Basin is home to the mighty Colorado River, in which there are many sections you can publicly access and fly fish. There are many other rivers within this Basin that you can fly fish. The Blue River, Williams Fork River, Eagle River and Frasier River are all within 2 hours of Downtown Denver. The Frying Pan and Roaring Fork River are also included in the Colorado River Basin, but are a bit further away. The Colorado River offers the ability to fish from a drift boat, which is a very exciting way to fish. The drift boat floats down the river and the fly fisher fishes out of the side of the boat. A truly relaxing and enjoyable way to fly fish.

Although Colorado does not have a fishing season, some months are better than others. The weather begins to warm in April and by June the fishing is well under way. July, August and September are peak season for fly fishers in Colorado, but do not underestimate the fall. If you are in search of a large fish and fewer crowds, then fall is the time for you. October and November is some of the best fishing in Colorado. The weather can be unpredictable, but if you are willing to brave the elements, then you will be rewarded. The fall brown trout migration begins in the fall and fishing is incredible!

To fish in Colorado for the first time, it is a good idea to take a Guided Fly Fishing Trip. This way you will have someone familiar with the water and what flies to use.

The Rod

In fly fishing a fly fisherman’s tackle will comprise of a rod, reel, line, leader and a variety of artificial flies to tempt that illusive fish. The purpose of this tackle is to gently yet accurately place the artificial fly or lure on the water with minimum disturbance. To achieve this result, fly fishing tackle utilizes a uniquely manufacture tapered line with an engineered light weight rod. Traditionally trout fishing and salmon fishing fly rods were manufactured out of bamboo cane with the hexagonal split cane rod being the mostly widely used from 1900 to the 1950′s. From 1950 onwards the glass fiber rod started to dominate due to the lower manufacturing costs. In the late 1970′s carbon fiber was invented and the weight of fly rod’s plummeted, this made line weight a critical factor in the performance of the rod.

Throughout the world the trout fly rods vary quite a bit although they will usually comprise of two or three sections which can be dismantled and stored safely in a rod tube. Trout and Salmon Fly rods are said to have a tip action or a through action. Tip Action – This refers to the tip of the fly fishing rod being worked to about halfway through its length with the lower end closest to the reel doing minimal work.

Through Action – In contrast to the tip action fly fishing rod, the through action fly fishing rod will work through its entire length. The best way to find out which fly fishing rod suits you best is to go to your local retailers or trout fishing retail event where you can try the different fly fishing rods with line and leaders to determine which best suits your style of casting. The type of trout fishing water together with the species of fish being sought impacts on the required length of a rod. For example, a fisherman trying to tempt a wily Salmon will usually use a rod of between 12 and 14 feet. A lake fisherman looking for a crafty trout will usually use a rod of some 9 feet in length. The same angler if fishing a small stream could use a rod as small as 6 feet in length. Obviously the length of a rod impacts greatly on the weight of the rod. Long length Salmon rods will tend to be close to 1 lb in weight while the smaller stream rods may only way a couple of ounces. The average weight of a lake rod w ill be in the region of 4-5 ounces or perhaps as low as 1 ¾ ounces for the higher end of the market rods.

When using a Salmon fishing rod they are fished with both hands and the longer length allows for much greater control of the line. If you were attempt to use this kind of rod on a lake after a couple of hours you would begin to feel tired therefore, lake rods are generally much lighter allowing for longer fishing sessions.

Shorter rods are usually used on small streams for trout fishing where the cover of foliage restricts the cast somewhat. In addition to this, over shorter distances a small rod is a great deal more accurate. In summary then, choosing the correct fly rod is essential and what suits one person does not suit another’s style. A fast action rod is harder for someone just starting out in fly fishing to use as the time between the forward cast and the back cast is much shorter. The longer salmon fishing rods weigh much more than the trout fly fishing rods. There are of course variations in the types of rods and the best way to find out which suits your style is to try casting.

Fly fishing is often received something pressing past in the sense that many people consider it to be elitist. There is some truth in that, especially when it comes to fly fishing for salmon, but in general terms fishing the fly and especially fishing for trout is genuinely open to all. In fact people are enjoying fly fishing for catching what have in the past been considered the preserve of the course fishermen, for example Pike. There is also growing market in saltwater fly fishing.

Before I took up fly fishing I had been a regular course fishing guy for as long as I can remember. I still enjoy sitting by the riverbank either watching afloat or waiting for my bite indicator tell me that I’m into a fish.

However, I also enjoyed the prospect of stalking fish, where one keeps low to the bank to prevent being seen by one’s quarry. This is partly because I do get rather impatient sitting in one place, and like to actively search out the fish. Whilst one can do this using traditional course fishing methods, there comes a time where one carries such a vast amount of tackle and bait that moving around becomes a chore. On the other hand, with a decent fly fishing vest, one can carry most of one’s gear and travel light, making it very easy to move around in search of fish.

One of the things I like best about fly fishing is that one is continually busy. One does not need a degree in entomology but a small knowledge of insect life can be useful. This is because with so many different types of fly available it can be helpful to know what sort of insect the fish are taking on any particular day, so that one can try and match one’s fly accordingly.

For me, the early and late part of the season represent the most exciting times. This is when one fishes the dry fly. This is quite simply a fly which floats on top of the water. There is nothing like the excitement of seeing the water boiling as a trout moves in to take your fly!

The most difficult but important thing to learn is the cast. I have known several people give up on fly fishing having been unable to master the technique. However this is a terrible shame, because it isn’t in fact that difficult to learn, but it’s very different to any other form of casting in angling.

I would therefore say that for anyone thinking of taking up the sport, the two most important things are spend some money on lessons, and buying a good quality fly rod. You probably only need a couple of lessons, because even if you don’t fully master the technique under instruction, you will at least know what it is you should be doing and can therefore practice developing the correct technique.

Because it is the Rod that does most of the work on the cast, it is often true that the better quality rod will be easier to cast and cast further. In fact, most manufacturers have what we call fishing combos, where they will sell you a rod, reel and line, and often throw in a good selection of flies as well, at a discount. The great thing about the sordid deals, particularly from quality manufacturer, is that you are buying equipment that has been matched correctly.

If you have ever done any fly fishing before then you understand how important it is in choosing the best fly fishing rod. Anyone who enjoys this sport does not want to get stuck in the water with a fish on one end of the pole and rod and you do not have the proper equipment to be able to reel it in. Nothing is more frustrating that losing a fish because you settled on a rod that can not perform the way you want it to. This article on fly fishing – choosing the best fly fishing rod; because we want you to consider the following before you purchase your next fishing rod.

The first thing people take into consideration is cost; after all no one wants to pay a fortune just to continue their favorite sport. Anyone who loves to fish understands that all the fishing equipment can be very expensive. However whenever you find a site that offers discounts and clearance sales; this is the best time to purchase your fishing equipment. The most popular or common fishing rod that is suitable for any angler is the St. Croix Fly fishing rod. Yes you can purchase several other brands and models, however most likely you will be spending more money than you would like.

Comfort is another important factor; you never want to get one because you like the way it looks. Make sure that you are comfortable with it before you spend your money on it. I usually stick with the brands that I am familiar with; because I know from past experience how it feels and how it performs in the water. You can venture out and try new things if you like; however be familiar with what you are purchasing. There is nothing that can ruin a fishing trip than to have a fishing rod that you are unfamiliar with or have never used before.

Know what the rod is going to be used for; what kind of fish are you going to be fishing forall If you can answer that question; chances are you will know what type of fly fishing rod you will need. It will vary depending on what type of fish you are looking to catch. The general maxim is to equate the weight of the fish to the weight of the fishing rod. For most of the common fish you will want to remember that you will want to use a light to medium heavy quality of fishing gear.

If you are planning your next fishing trip and found this article on fly fishing – choosing the best fly fishing rod helpful; visit our site below. It is filled with valuable information on bass fishing, fly fishing and other types of fishing. You will also be able to find all the discount prices on all the fly fishing rods or other outdoor equipment that you will need for your trip! Don’t be stuck without the proper fishing gear!

Finding the best fishing tackle is essential to the sport. There are various styles of fishing that will use different fishing tackle. If you are fishing in the sea or fly fishing, you will need much different gear than you could if you were fresh water fishing. To get the maximum benefits out of your fishing holiday, you need to buy the proper equipment for the type of fishing you will be taking part in. Make sure that you have the correct baits and lures for your trip as well as the right style of rod and reel.

As with any type of activity or hobby, there are a lot of different makes and style of fishing equipment with a range of prices. If you are on a budget, do not stress. You will be able to find what you need at the best price by doing a bit of exploring. When you are going into a big fishing competition, you will have to ensure that your reel is checked for that type of use. Deep sea fishing will require a bigger type of reel. This is due to the fact that commercial fishing will put at least double the wear and tear or break your fishing equipment. With all of these fore mentioned factors in check, a good place to begin on acquiring the best equipment is finding a good reel. Focus your reel choice by your price range and what type of fishing you are undertaking. You can always ask a fishing shop worker for any extra help you may require.

Your fishing rod is the next crucial step. According to where your fishing weekend is taking you will decide what type of rod you require. Because there are many various reels, there are also many special rods. All these different rods will be at a separate range in your budget, so pick accordingly. You will also want to base your choice on the state of the water. Take note if the sea is rough or calm, deep or shallow. This will make a huge difference on which reel you will need. There are also many rods for different fishing, so spend time to figure out what you will need. Most will require a rod that can take all the wear and tear you will be placing on it. For instance, if you are trying to catch a larger catch and you have not got the right line to securely take the weight you demand it to, you might be in a mess.

Fly fishing takes a bit more learning than usual river or sea fishing, however the fun is great and constant action. The fly angler uses a rod longer and lighter than those used for cast and spin fishing,a recent trend has been to lighter, shorter rods for fishing in smaller creeks and streams giving more control. So your first requirement is to go to your local fly fishing supplier and get some rods in your hands-feel the weight feel the whip, remember you will be holding this rod for a few hours so be comfortable with it.

Rods are matched to the fishing line according to weight, normally on a good rod there will be a note attached to the fly rod telling you the fly line weights designed for the rod. 1wt rods are the lightest increasing up to 16wt. 1wt to 2wt are great for small fish like Trout, 3wt to 4wt are for small creek fishing where the 5wt is the all rounder fly rod. 6wt to 7wt are good for large rivers and really fishing with streamers. For Bass or Salmon fishing in a medium river I like to use a 8wt or 9wt rod with a fairly large fly. The real heavy rods up to 16wt are used more when fishing from a boat.Most of the early fishing rods where made of Bamboo which take many hours to build and these days are really to expensive for the beginner. Most rods used today are made from Carbon fibre graphite are strong and much cheaper to buy with hardly any maintenance required.

Next we need a reel. There is a wide variety of fishing fly reels to store the line and also provide a braking device better known as (Drag) to fight heavy or quicker moving fish-prices must fit your budget, also again decide if you are going to use your right or left arm on the reel, however most good reels can be converted to left or right hand to pull in the line. Some reels have a fairly easy system for click drags, the idea being to let the line run through the palm when you have a fish running with the line and to lightly touch the palm on the side of the reel to slow the line output.Fly reels normally have a rating for the weight and type of fly line and strength. It is always a good idea to get a reel you can quickly change the spool so you can change the type of line used with ease. Try to buy a reel made in aluminum and spools being stainless steel with sealed bearings to stop salt water rusting the mechanism and bearings. My future articles will be on Fly Lines and Flies and lures. Please visit my on line store below.

Are you wanting to know more about fly fishing reelsall Here is some basic information on reels that is sure to satisfy you until your next “casting call.”

Is heavier better?

No, not necessarily. In fact, oftentimes, light fly reels are more expensive and of higher quality. If two reels are the same in all other respects, go with the lighter one. That said, when choosing your fly fishing reel line weight, the most important thing to consider is the weight of your rod and of your line.

These three weights (reel, rod, and line) should be equal and balanced. When you are considering the “weight” of your fly reel, you are not considering how heavy it is, but how well balanced it would be with your rod and reel. When shopping for a good fly fishing set-up, first consider what sort of fish you will be fishing for, find the right weight line to catch them, and then but a rod and reel to match.

Does size really matter?

The larger your spool, the faster your line retrieval can be and the better line handling you will have. Also, you want your fly fishing reel to fit your hand comfortably.

Single and ready to mingle?

Single action fly fishing reels are the most common and also the simplest. For every crank of the handle, you will get one turn of the spool. Single action reels are very easy to maintain. Multiplier fly fishing reels, on the other hand, can retrieve your line faster because for every turn of the handle, you will get two or more turns of the spool. An automatic fly fishing reel is the easiest to use but the hardest to maintain. You simply need to flick a lever to retrieve your line.

Fly fishing is not a drag!

There are a few different types of drag systems that you can choose for your fly fishing reels. Why do you want drag? Because drag applies friction to the spool, helping you in your casting and landing of fish

Spring-and-pawl drag systems is very simple and very affordable. This is a good system for lighter fishing. Look for a spring-and-pawl system with a knob that can increase or decrease your drag tension.

Caliper drag systems are a little bit more expensive. A caliper pad pushes against the braking surface of the spool, creating drag, slowing the spool spin. Be sure that your caliper drag system comes with an exposes palming rim.

Disc drag systems. If you are wanting one of the best and most expensive types of fly fishing reels, then you can go with a disc drag system. With the disc drag, you get increased control and much efficiency. Most agree that if you are fishing for large, powerful, fighting fish, a drag system is best. It will give you the most control and the most consistent drag pressure.

Do you love fishingall Have you heard of the Kenai River in Alaska? Kenai River fishing is an angler’s dream come true, truly the mother lode of salmon fishing. The river runs a spectacular 82 miles, from Kenai Lake in southern Alaska to the Pacific Ocean, at Cook’s Inlet.

From early May, until somtime in mid-October, the Kenai Peninsula, a reasonable three hours south of Anchorage, provides fly fishing adventures you may never forget.

The salmon varieties that can be found here include the King, Sockeye, Silver and Red, each with two runs a year. And, as if that wasn’t enough to keep you busy, Kenai River fishing offers Steelhead, Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.

If you are truly addicted to fly fishing, the Kenai River peninsula is heaven on earth. The largest salmon ever caught in the world was a 97-pound King Salmon, in 1985. Enthusiastic fishermen flock to the Kenai Peninsula, hoping to best this record. A typical catch is forty pounds! It doesn’t get much better than that.

The following is a brief unofficial schedule of the Kenai River fishing season, to help you plan your vacation!

Around the middle of June, there’s one run of the Red Blueback salmon, followed by another in the middle of July. If you like smoked salmon, you’ll want to be fishing now, as the Red variety is the king of smoked salmon. Reds are also highly prized for the grill, as well as canning.

Also running in mid-June and mid-July are the King salmon. While other rivers in Alaska yield more fish, the King salmon of the Kenai river are known for their great size. A typical catch in the second run is 40-50 pounds. Don’t be surprised to net a King of a larger size!

Kenai River fishing offers two runs of Silver salmon, one in early August and another in late September. The larger catches are usually found in the September run.

If all of this isn’t enough to whet your appetite, the Kenai River yields trophy sized Dolly Varden and Rainbow trout.

If time permits, your vacation plans should include a visit to Cook’s Inlet. Here you will want to take time for a deep-sea excursion of Kachemak and Resurrection Bays, where the giant bottom-dwelling halibut live. An Alaskan record-sized halibut of 466 pounds was caught in Kachemak Bay!

Add to that a little drive just 30 miles from Kenai to Clam Gulch, a popular destination for clamming. Razor clams are abundant here. As the name implies, their shells are sharp, so be careful! Best digging times are when the tide is at minus two feet or lower. Check with the Department of Fish and Game for local limits.

As you might guess, accommodations are plentiful in the area along the Kenai River. You’ll find fully furnished cabins all along the river, with excellent guided fishing tours. Travelers come from all over the world to experience a Kenai River fishing vacation. Be sure you book ahead! It’s an experience you won’t forget. Bon Appetit!

Basic fly fishing equipment consists of three items, fishing rod, reel and fly line. The most important piece of your fly fishing equipment to select is the fly rod. There are many different fish species to target and many different types of water to fish, each having their own set of criteria to meet. This can range in species such as trout, bass, tarpon, salmon large sea fish and even marlin.

Fishing conditions range from small streams, ponds and dams, lakes, large rivers, back-country trout to the open sea. Many serious fly fishermen or women will have up to six or more rods in their collection. However as complicated as it may seem you can narrow down your choice of rod to one or two depending on what type of fishing you intend doing.

Fly fishing can be a precise sport that usually requires the fly to be presented to a fish with accurate casting, for this reason the fly rod requires qualities that can preform the way the fisher intends. The rod needs to not only present a fly in a way that imitates its prey but also handle the impending battle, especially large fish in heavy flowing waters.

Choosing Your Fly Rod.

Long gone are the days of bamboo rods and to a certain extent fiber-glass rods. Technology advances now gives us access to an abundance of choices with the main type of rod construction being graphite. These rods offer power, accuracy and the strength to land big fish in all fishing situations.

Determine Your Fish Type.

Most people know what fish species they need their fly fishing equipment for, most popular are bass and trout, a large mouth bass behaves differently in its pursuit of its prey than does a rainbow trout. They also fight differently and are found in different environments.

Determine Your Waterways.

As a general rule the type of water you fish will dictate the type of rod you choose. Fly fishing equipment comes in different “weights” from 1 through to 12. Where low weight numbers such as a 4 are for light delicate casts that you would use in a small stream or pond, and heavy weights such as a 9 or 10 would be used in large fast moving rivers. The lighter weights require more skill as you are aiming for precise, gentle, shorter casts, usually to fish that are visible and feeding, and using very light lines, tippets and flies. The heavy weight rods are also used to target visible feeding fish but also fishing blind in lakes and rivers. The larger weight fly fishing gear gives long casts and allows the use of large fishing flies.

Another consideration in choosing fly fishing rods is the action of the rod or flex, full flex rods are sensitive and gives a better feel for the fish, but are short on casting distance, a stiffer rod will allow longer distance casts but will sacrifice the sensitivity. In situations of heavy wind, fast flowing rivers and sea fishing a fast action stiff fly rod is your best bet.

Although these two extremes of 4 weight and 9 weight require two complete sets of fly fishing equipment, there is a middle ground that can cover most fly fishing situations. Using a weight 7 rod, reel and line will enable you to fish smaller streams, lakes and medium size rivers, this is a very versatile weight and in a medium action ideal for beginners and experienced fishermen alike. small four to six piece rods in a 6-7 weight is an ideal setup for the traveling fisherman.