Art Of Fly Fishing Essay, Research Paper
There are six main elements of fly fishing; a fly rod (usually around
9 feet long), a fly reel (a round shaped real with a 1:1 relative
ratio), a fly line (around 90 feet long), fly lining backing
(fills up the reel and is spare line in case the fish takes a
long run), a tippet to tie to the front end of the fly line so
it does not scare the fish (around 9 feet of clear line), and a few
flies (lures made from winding furs, feathers, glitter and various
other things around a hook). Picking the “right fly” in itself can be
made into an art. In fact interested enthusiasts often choose to tie
their own flies in order to obtain the “perfect fly”. Aside from that,
like almost any aspect of fishing, fly tying is a hobby. As I stated
before fly-fishing differs greatly from lure fishing. One of the
biggest differences, and adjustments to fishing style, is that it is
not the sinker of the lure that provides the fisherman with the weight
to cast, but rather that the fly line itself provides the angler with
the weight necessary to cast. The easiest cast on a fly line to learn
to cast on is a weight forward line. This means that most of the
weight in the line is in the first ten or twenty five feet. This cast
allows the fisherman to make short and accurate casts. This method has
been proven very effective in clear water streams where you sight a
desired fish to catch. Once you have obtained all the necessary
equipment you need to locate a good fishing hole. (Even if you are
with an experienced angler who has a favorite fishing hole it is a
good idea to know how to read the river, because with time the rivers
change, and if you are relying on a favorite fishing spot to always
be there you may be in for a big surprise with the change of the
seasons.) You have to remember that you are attempting to imitate
food for a feeding fish. In order to do this you have to do two
things, choose a fly, and choose a fishing spot. When choosing a fly
look around in your environment to see which bugs the fish are feeding
on. If you have trouble-locating insects shake a bush or a branch and
note what flies out. Next you should observe your environment in order
to see where the fish are feeding. If you are fishing in slow or still
water it may be easy to see surfacing fish, however in faster water
the ripples often make it difficult to see where the fish are seeking
refuge. A good rule of thumb is to find a spot where the fish will be
forced to excerpt as little energy as possible. This often means
finding a rock and floating a fly right by it, or finding an eddy
where the current is detoured and slowed. Now you are ready to fish!
The first thing that you have to do when casting a fly rod is to get
a nice firm grip on the handle. Hold the rod with fingers wrapped
around the handle and thumb facing forward, like you would grip a golf
club. Run about ten to fifteen feet of line out of the reel and let it
fall to your feet. Make sure there is nothing for the line to get
caught on or around. Now flick the line out through the rod with
small flicks of your wrist so the ten or fifteen feet of line are
lying out in front of you. Now raise the rod and swing it back to
about one o’clock, using your forearm and not your wrist. In about
two seconds you should feel the line tighten behind you and the tip
of your rod should bend back slightly. When you feel such resistance,
push the rod forward and give a small flick of the wrist so that the
rod ends up at about ten o’clock. The line should speed out in front
of you and lay flat on the ground. (Be careful not to hook yourself
or others nearby.) You will soon find yourself performing trick casts
around trees and mangroves. Remember the right way to fly fish is
what ever way works. Fly-fishing is as a practice of modification.
Most importantly remember to have fun, if you are not catching anything
don’t get frustrated, grab a book or a bite to eat and enjoy life and
the outdoors!