Fly Fishing - Fly Rods & Line: Matching Line Weight To Fly Rods?

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

The last post on "Fly Fishing Pet Peeves" was a lot of fun ... and some of the best kind of content on these forums and the content that lends itself to providing the most value .. seems to be content that is a collection of many people input. So, here is another topic that everyone can relate to. Seems there is no end to "How To" fly fishing content. And, for good reason .. because there are lots of styles of fly fishing, lots of species to fish for and and often many possible ways to do the same thing. So, in all your experiences fly fishing what are some of the top "How To" type tips that you share with friends? Could be anything ... there is no "right or wrong" ... I'll start with a couple tips that someone shared with me at somepoint, and that I tend to pass on to friends ..

1. Nymphing: Never underestimate the importance of find the PERFECT amount of weight when nymphing. Too much weight = hung up on bottom all the time. Too little weight = burning through the drifts too fast.

2. Saltwater Fly Fishing: Get the fly there with 1 cast. Limit any false casting when fly fishing in the saltwater. Let's say a pod of albies is off the front of the boat and you are on the bow. Time is of the essence and effeciency is important. Be able to make 1 far and accurate cast with limited, if any, false casting.

3. Dry Fly Fishing: The goal always seems to be the same. Get the longest drag free drift possible. I have often found that a 9 foot leader is simply way to short to get the kind of long, drag free drifts that I love to get. So, its not uncommon for me to fish 12-14 foot leaders, especially on big rivers with wild picky trout ... or fast moving rivers. Give it a shot next time you're dry fly fishing .. you might be surprised how many more hook ups you get and how much better of a presentation you can make with a really long leader.

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

Don't use tippet that is too light for your fly size. There are many situations where small tippet is necessary to get fish to eat your fly, but more important is a drag free drift. There is one situation in particular where small tippet actually is a disadvantage, when fishing large dry flies. If you fish too light of a tippet, the fly spins in the air and when it lands your fly spins on the surface and your tippet gets all coiled up making it weaker and likelier to knot up and easier for the fish to see.

rustayy · Location: Islamorada,FL

Here are a few more tips....
1. Always run our fly line through your rod hand. This in my opinion is the first thing you should do after making a cast. There is nothing worse than seeing someone with their line in their left hand three feet away from their rod hand. Now when the fish runs your first move is to drop (thus losing tension) the to re-grab the fly line higher up in order to strip. All of this can be avoided by getting you line to your rod hand immediately.

2. When roll casting make sure that you let the rod do the work for you. Start the roll cast with your rod behind your head making a big D Loop from the rod tip to your fly line. Starting the roll cast from 12o"clock is no bueno! From the right position the roll cast is nothing more than the froward casting stroke.

3. Work the angles. If you make a presentation to a rising fish with the same cast 3 or 4 times and he doesn't eat your fly then change you angle. Either cast into a different lane, reach cast further, or sometimes change your position. Never pound the same drift at a fish without making adjustments. There is some reason for that fish not eating your fly.....try change up your angle

chromefinder · Location: Southeast PA

1) when nymphing - set the hook, set the hook, set the hook. When you think set the hook, when you blink set the hook, when your done setting the hook, set the hook. A ton of fish get missed while anglers are nymphing because they miss the take. SET THE HOOK... 5x more each drift and you'll catch many more fish. No this is not an endorsement to snag or floss fish.

2)Stop fly casting and start fly fishing - I see many anglers spending way too much of their valuable on water time fly casting instead of fly fishing. If your fly isn't on or in the water your not fishing. Fish don't care about tight loops, generation X graphite or the angular velocity the latest snakeskin voodoo tonic coated fly line. What really matters is that the fly needs to be on or in the water - make it happen and stop false casting so much.

JeremyK · Location: Montana

A guide buddy of mine gives these three tips to his clients while reading the water on trout fishing trips:

-Grass kicks ass

-Wood is good

-Foam is home

Pretty much sums it up!

72Twenty · Location: Wyoming

have FUN and enjoy your surroundings!

Wink