Fly Fishing

Fly fishing is most often done for the various species of trout that exist in the waters and streams of the Western United States.  For example, a fly fishing trip to Colorado will find you catching mostly rainbow trout, but if you are fishing the Great Lakes region, you will be looking at more bass fishing than trout.

The best places for trout fishing, besides in Colorado, include North Carolina, Ontario, Northern California, and Washington.  Trout prefer smooth, clear running streams and rivers that can be found in the mountains, so you’ll get some great scenery while you are fishing.

Rainbow trout can be wild and explosive fish to hook.  Expect it to take some work when you land your rainbow when trying to reel it in.  These fish have very colorful markings, and are a favorite food fish for many people. 

Rainbows thrive in cool, clear streams and rivers.  They prefer a water temperature ranging from 55 to 60 degrees.  The best time to catch rainbows is in the spring and fall before spawning.  They respond well to a variety of flies including spinners, streamers, and nymphs.

Brown trout don’t fight as hard as rainbows, but they are much more cunning than their cousins.  They can be a challenge to hook in the first place, so use some patience if catching brown trout is your goal.  They are timid fish who are very aware of their surroundings as well as any predators including you! 

The ideal home for brown trout is a slow flowing stream containing lots of minnows.  They like warmer water in the 60 – 70 degree range.  For the larger fish, you will want to fish during darker light.  They can be caught with dry flies, streamers, and stonefly nymphs

The brook trout has brilliant coloring and are smaller than their other trout relatives.  They can be quite wild when hooked, so expect a bit of a fight with brook trout.  They are not as plentiful as rainbows or browns, but they can be found.  They prefer colder water from 40 to 50 degrees.

If you are lucky enough to hook a brook trout, you will be rewarded.  The fish travel in schools, and once action begins, it can be overwhelming.  In the summer, use a spinner and cast into shallow bottoms.  You can also use bucktail on a sinking line to try and land one of these beauties.

Fly fishing for trout is an exciting experience for any fly fisherman.  When you have a rainbow hooked and have to fight for your own leverage, the challenge can be enormous, but when you pull that baby out of the water, you will be satisfied with your performance.  Seek them out and enjoy the experience of fly fishing for trout.

Of course, you’ll need a rod and reel. What type of rod you choose depends on the type of fish you will be angling for.  Fly rods are ranked according to their net weight capabilities (nwt).  The nwt number will tell you what type of fish you will be able to catch.  Fish that weigh 8 pounds will require at least an 8 nwt rod, etc.   The larger the nwt number, the larger fish you can catch.

Some rods are multi-rated (e.g. 7-9 nwt).  These rods are good to use because they can accommodate a variety of fish, but multi-rated rods tend to be less flexible than single rated rods.

Just as with any other sport, the equipment you use when fly fishing can be very important. There are various types of equipment that you need when you undertake fly fishing, and be prepared because some of it can get quite expensive!

Rods are made of fiberglass, graphite, or bamboo. Fiberglass rods are durable and less expensive. Fiberglass rods are best for beginning fly fishermen because they can be used in a variety of situations. Graphite rods are lighter and will give you more fighting weight when it comes to landing a fish. Bamboo rods can be expensive, but they are extremely strong and are suited to a more laid-back casting style.

Your fly line will need to match the nwt of your rod. If you have an 8 nwt rod, you’ll need to use an 8 nwt line. It is acceptable to go one or two sizes above or below your rod weight (i.e. 9 nwt or 7 nwt). Buy line that is strong and durable. Some lines are specially designed for freshwater, saltwater, etc.

You will also need to have a durable net that you can carry with you. After the fish has lost its will to fight, a good net is used to scoop them out of the water. This can be a big part of your fly fishing equipment because without a good net, you won’t be able to get your fish out of the water!

Having the right fly fishing equipment is important for both the beginner as well as the experienced angler. As you get better and better at the sport, you will begin to see how important having good equipment can be. You can always upgrade, so it’s good to start out small and work your way up to the more expensive stuff. Your fly fishing equipment can make a world of difference between landing that big fish.

The Sage company has been producing quality fly fishing gear for many years.  They offer quality, top of the line fly fishing rods, reels, and lines to the beginning and experienced fly fisher.  They take pride in the quality of their equipment producing rods and reels that many fly fishermen use exclusively.

They design and test their hand built gear with one thought in mind:  maximum fishability.  That term was coined by the company to represent the type of performance that will help you cast better, fish more effectively, and have more fun while fly fishing.

Their company offers the fly fisherman all sorts of advice and tips on how to select the right rod for you and what is important to look for in your fly fishing equipment.  Sage rods and reels have long been the choice of many fly fishermen all over the world.

When you are just beginning to get interested in fly fishing, it’s easy to get frustrated at the amount of information you need to know.  However, those same frustrations are also felt by experienced fly fishers that provides them with the challenge and excitement that makes the sport so compelling.

As we’ve said, Sage rods are hand built which makes them quality products.  They manufacture nine different series of rods in a variety of models and sizes for every fishing situation.  They have medium to ultra fast action rods to suit many types of fly fishers.

Their website, which can be found at www.sageflyfish.com also boasts many new product lines and accessories that all fly fishermen can use.  They carry hats, t-shirts, rod and reel cases, fly lines, and much, much more. 

Their new Z-Axis series of rods has breakthrough technology that is significantly stronger, lighter, and easier to cast.  That makes this new line of rods great for beginners, and also experienced fly fishermen.  They implement their exclusive Generation 5 technology that makes their rods unique and high end.

When you buy a Sage fly fishing rod, you are getting a quality piece of fishing gear.  But that quality doesn’t come cheap.  Rods range in price from $400 to $700, but they do come with a guarantee.  Plus, if anything happens to your rod, they offer a rod repair service.

Many sporting goods stores and specialty fishing shops carry Sage fly fishing rods as do many online retailers.  You can go to their website and click on the “Buy” link to find a retailer near you that carries their equipment.

Sage fly fishing equipment is well known in the fly fishing world as a trusted manufacturer of valuable fly fishing gear.  Check them out for the best in the sport!

When you are fly fishing, tying the right knots can make a world of difference in your success or failure.  It’s important to not only select the right knot for the situation but also to tie it properly.  Poorly tied knots will mean lost fish and frustration for you, so knowing about the right knots and how to tie them can be a huge part of the fly fishing experience.

Before you tighten a knot, moisten it with saliva or with water you are fishing on.  This will help the knot slide and seat properly.  Lubrication also decreases excessive heat which can weaken the monofilament.  Heat is generated by friction created when the knots are drawn up tight.  Moistening the knot will reduce this heat and allow you to have good, strong knots.

Tighten knots with a steady, continuous pull.  This is called seating the knot.  Make sure the knot is tight and secure.  To check this, pull on the line and leader to be sure it holds.  It’s better to test its strength before you cast rather than to have it break once you get a hook.

There are plenty of books available that give step-by-step instructions on how to properly tie specific knots.  You can also find many tutorials online that can show you how to tie specific knots.

You will need to know how to secure your line to the reel.  This is called “Backing to the fly reel” and there is a specific knot as to how to achieve that.  When you are backing to the fly line, you should use either an Albright Knot or a Nail Knot.  The Nail Knot is also good for using when tying the fly line to the leader.

When securing the leader to the tippet, good knot choices include the Surgeon’s Knot or the Barrel Knot.  Securing the tippet to the fly can be achieved easily with a Clinch Knot or a Duncan’s Loop.

It has been said that the weakest part of a fly fisherman’s equipment is his knots.  A fighting fish will test every link in between the angler and itself.  If one of these link is lacking, the line will break and the fish will be lost.  Unless you’re really eager to share a “the one that got away” story, learning to tie knots can be the most important part of your fly fishing experience.

Some fly fishing knots are simple to do – others are a little more complicated.  Practice tying knots before you get on the water.  Become proficient at it and be sure you can do it in low light in case you have a broken line.  There is no one knot best for any specific situation – the choice is personal.  But when you are fly fishing, you need to depend on your knots and it’s worth taking the time to learn properly.