Newbie, interested in fly fishing but don't know how it works?

[martin2023]

Any fly fishers? what techniques do you use for fly fishing

[onthefly]

You might get better response if you ask specific questions about fly fishing. Like " what is a good beginner outfit for bass fishing" or explain steps of a fly cast. First you should ask yourself " why do I want to start fly fishing" in saltwater generally you will not catch bigger or more fish from day to day. I first got interested in FF when I was 16 my buddy and I for years were catching trout on minnows and worms. So many it got boring. I saw an episode of American sportsman with curt Gowdy. It looked like a higher level of fishing and ask the parents for a fly rod for Christmas that year. That was more than 40 years ago. If you insist on moving forward in your pursuit there are plenty of YouTube videos for beginners on gear selection, casting etc. Learn a little there then come back to the site with specific questions and you can get more information. Also find a mentor or join a club like trout unlimited they will be happy to help.good luck in your pursuit. 

Edited January 16 by onthefly
Spelling

[hunter123]

This ^^^. Also if you can get you tube , there's a lot of info . Also read books from the library.

[MikeK]

Start by taking some casting lessons and maybe a couple of guided trips in your area if you can afford to do so.  The casting lessons will teach you the correct way to cast.  The guide will significantly shorten the learning curve for fishing.

 

Many reputable shops can set you up with both casting lessons and trips.

 

Also, I believe Orvis offers a beginners class.

 

Good luck and enjoy the journey.

[HL]

martin,

Techniques:

There are two handed rods and single handed rods.

One can fish on the surface or down deep depending on the fly line used.

One can "swing" a fly in the current with any line depending on depth and current.

  Most swing flies with floating lines.

There are flies that float.sliders, gurglers. 

Theer are flies that sink. i.e. Clousers.

Fly lines come in various sink rates from floating to 8" per second sinking.

One can fish distances up to 100'.  But most at 30-80'.

One may wade up to the waist - or - stand on dry sand and cast.

One can fish the surf.

Generally one uses a "stripping Basket" to deposit line into while retrieving the fly.

Lots of fly fishing takes place on a boat.

 

What will your fishery be?
Herb

[theshadow]

6 hours ago, martin2023 said:

Any fly fishers? what techniques do you use for fly fishing

The internet is the place to see and get most all info you need.Just ask. Like fly fishing rivers,lakes,saltwater,Beginners casting,knots,leaders,etc,etc.Seek and you will find.

 Ask a more direct question here and you'll get a load of direct answers.

Edited January 16 by theshadow

[C. Regalis]

On YouTube there are a couple of pretty good "start from Zero" series.

You might like Peter Charles "hooked4life flyfishing",  for a number of topics and there are other good "how to get started" or "fly fishing 101" videos.

 

Tom Rosenbauer (sp?) From Orvis has a good series too.

Edited January 26 by C. Regalis

[Philly]

I would second the suggestion to try and find a fly fishing club, fly shop or a local Trout Unlimited and see if they offer basic fly fishing lessons, particular on casting.  Anything you can catch with spinning or bait casting tackle you can catch with a fly rod.

I started out fly fishing for trout, because that's what the members of the club I joined used the fly rod for.  Over the years that's changed.  They offered casting lessons and fly tying classes.  I spent a couple of years only fly fishing for trout, then discovered warm water fly fishing and then into salt water fly fishing.  These days I mainly fish warm water and I prefer fishing top water.

If you decide to pursue fly fishing.  Try and take some classes.  Skip the trout, they can finicky and often you need to use small flies.  Start with warm water fishing, panfish will pretty take any type of fly that they can get into their mouths.  It will help you build confidence that you can catch fish with a fly rod.  Once you get comfortable then, if you want to, move on to salt water fly fishing.

[oneeyewilly]

All great advice, I will add , if you are within a reasonable distance to Edison N.J. , this weekend the Fly Fishing Show is being held at the Exhibition Centre. It could be a bit overwhelming, however, there is nothing better than being able to actually talk to those involved in flyfishing from all prospectives , as well as seeing, handling the mind boggling array of gear involved. This site has always been a good source of info with many knowledgeable & quick to share folks who have a passion for and a desire to promote flyfishing. Good Luck ! 

[theshadow]

31 mins ago, oneeyewilly said:

All great advice, I will add , if you are within a reasonable distance to Edison N.J. , this weekend the Fly Fishing Show is being held at the Exhibition Centre. It could be a bit overwhelming, however, there is nothing better than being able to actually talk to those involved in flyfishing from all prospectives , as well as seeing, handling the mind boggling array of gear involved. This site has always been a good source of info with many knowledgeable & quick to share folks who have a passion for and a desire to promote flyfishing. Good Luck ! 

YES!!!!! and you can get a bit of a lesson from the rod makers I'll bet as you can "test cast" a rod or two!!!  I wish I lived much closer.This IS the flyshow in the N/E.

[Pojar]

Definitely take a few casting lessons. You Tube is also full of helpful info.

[Capt.Castafly]

On ‎1‎/‎16‎/‎2023 at 5:16 AM, martin2023 said:

Any fly fishers? what techniques do you use for fly fishing

Your question is so vague, it's hard to know what answers your looking for, as others have noted.

I'm not sure how strong your interest are in fly fishing.

Your last and only post was January 16th, some ten days ago.

You haven't answered anyone else thoughtful replies?

[FlyFinaticLou]

LOT’s of good advice here.   Such a General open-ended question though !?. 

I however do not recommend starting with $$$ Fly Casting Lessons . . . Unless of course you have the $$$ to “frit-away” !?.   Save it for some “decent to good” Rod, reel and Line(s).   Unless your a complete “spaz” I believe that after intently watching and mimicking some of the U-tube “fly casting” instructional videos, 1st by using whatever rod you do have (just to get the “feel” of the Act of casting a FLY Rod, YOU should relatively quickly get the BASICs going !   Please don’t scold me for ANY words taken out of context, NO implication that YOU are “a spaz,” (smilie face). 

 

It’s IMPORTANT to first UnderStand the Concepts of WHAT a FLY Rod IS vs. a conventional rod.   The FACT that what your CASTING for each is Completely Different.   Conventional, with mono or braid CASTS some sort of LURE.   FLY, with a FLY Line CASTS the LINE,  which is why it is SO IMPORTANT to get the Correct (not necessarily the “best/$$$”) FLY Line(s) for Your Rod/Reel of choice.   

CHOICE implies What SPECIES your hunting !   MUCH of this “learning” CAN be had via the “TUBE” or by dvd or even vhs IF your of my age, haha !   

 

NOW it is ALL up to YOU . . . Just how “INTERESTED” are you ?   And then the rest should follow along quite intently, and oh,  once (Your) Hooked, the searching for More and More knowledge will sometimes drive you crazy (in a good way) ha ha ! 

 

I speak from 40+ years of experience, and NOW that i’m just recently (in process) of relocating to Florida, MY Saltwater Fly Fishing has been Re-Ignited . . . Full Speed ahead !   

The photo is of my Navy days . . . Here using a Sage RPLXi 10wt rod. I’m standing ON the USS KIDD of the coast of Panama (the one on the West Coast of The America’s) ha.

 

[Bad Hop]

Just wanted to echo some advice that others have shared here. If I had to do it all over again, I would absolutely do two things as a newbie fly angler:

 

1. Join a group like Trout Unlimited or other local angling club

2. Get casting lessons

 

I fumbled around for over a year trying to learn on my own. It sucked. Then I met some guys from a local TU chapter while fishing one weekend. I joined the chapter and started fishing with those guys regularly. They taught me how to fly fish and GREATLY shortened my learning curve. Shortly after that, I took a few casting lessons from an instructor at a local fly shop. Again, HUGE leap in learning. Fly fishing is much more enjoyable once you get over those first few learning humps.  Sure, there are youtube videos and books out there to help you, but nothing beats hands-on instruction. Nothing. We've all been there. Stick with it. It's worth it. 

[poopdeck]

My technique is to cast a fly into the water, pull out a fish and repeat. I never took a casting lesson because I don’t need somebody complicating the process and telling me I’m doing it all wrong. Finding out my cast sucks would be devastating. 

Edited January 27 by poopdeck