By John Gibb

Most fly fishermen take the sport very seriously. Going beyond the fact that it is a way to catch fish and also to enjoy the outdoors, fly fishermen think of what they do as an art, and rightly so. Fly fishing is much more involved than regular fishing, and it takes practice and dedication to learn the intricacies of the sport. Most fly fishermen will tell you, however, that it is definitely worth it.

When learning how to fly fish, or if you have already been doing it for a while, having the right fly fishing rod is essential. There are several types of fly fishing rods on the market, and which one you choose to use is a matter of personal preference, your fly fishing style, and what you are most comfortable with.

Bamboo fly fishing rods – Talk to many fly fishing enthusiasts and you will hear a lot of good things about bamboo fly fishing rods. Many fly fishermen swear by them, saying they are the best type of fly fishing rod that you can use. Although this is obviously a matter of opinion, there are a lot of positive features in a bamboo fly fishing rod. Bamboo fly fishing rods were one of the first fly fishing rods used, and it is a tribute to their popularity that they are still being made today. These fishing rods are light, flexible, and they have a nice slow action that means they are ideal for those who practice a more refined method of fly fishing. Making bamboo fly fishing rods is a delicate and exact process, and for this reason they tend to be the most expensive fly fishing rods that you can buy.

Graphite fly fishing rods – Fly fishing rods made of graphite tend to be quite stiff, but this doesn’t mean that they are not effective. This type of fly fishing rod is very strong, although the strength can vary depending on the quality. Fly fishermen like the performance and durability that they get from graphite fly fishing rods. They can vary in price and design, so if you are a beginner at fly fishing, you should bring along someone who can help you pick out just the right graphite rod for you.

Fiberglass fly fishing rods – These days, a large number of fishing rods, whether they are for fly fishing or “regular” fishing, are made from fiberglass. Fiberglass is strong, durable, and flexible, making it perfect as a material for fishing rods. The drawback to fiberglass fishing rods is that, compared to bamboo and graphite rods, they are relatively heavier. This means that fly fishermen who are using fiberglass fishing rods may find that their arms feel a little more tired and achy at the end of the day. All in all, though, their strength and their ability to take a lot of punishment make them a popular choice.

By John Gibb

With its unusual name, many people might not think of a fishing rod when they hear about the Ugly Stick…but that is what it is. It’s not ugly, either, it’s is quite a handsome looking fishing rod, and one of the most popular on the market. Its popularity comes from its strength and durability, and its relatively low price for the quality that you get. Avid fishermen can’t ask for more than that!

It is the color of this fishing rod that gave it its unusual name; clear along the tip end, and a gray color on the rest of the rod. Most people think that the Ugly Stick fishing rod looks just fine, however - even attractive - but nevertheless the name has remained the same for many years.

Created by a company called Shakespeare, which has been in business since 1897, the Ugly Stick fishing rod became popular in a very short amount of time. Quality craftsmanship and reasonable pricing made it a formidable contender in the fishing rod market, and many fishermen, although at first skeptical, switched to using this fishing rod after they tried one for themselves. Catchy advertising these days, such as “Fish Ugly”, has made the Ugly Stick fishing rod even more of a unique item to own. The Ugly Stick fishing rod was a big seller soon after it first came on the market, and today it is the largest selling fishing rod of all time.

Shakespeare makes several different types of Ugly Stick fishing rods, for different types of fishing. There are Ugly Stick catfish rods, Ugly Stick crappie rods and poles, and Ugly Stick striper rods, to name a few. Some people may think that it doesn’t matter what type of fishing pole you use when you are freshwater fishing, as long as it is light enough to be comfortable, but experienced fishermen know that this is not true. Ugly Stick enthusiasts very rarely have one type of Ugly Stick fishing rod – most have several. Even those rods that are for a specific kind of fishing come in different styles, to make sure that fishermen have the right rod for what type of water they are fishing in and what type of fishing they are doing.

For big water and deep water fishing, Shakespeare makes a version of the Ugly Stick called the “Wicked Stick”, a longer and wider pole built for being able to tackle big ocean fish such as tuna and shark. Wicked Sticks actually come in different colors, unlike their “Ugly Stick” counterparts.

Fishermen who are looking for a good fishing rod, no matter what type of fishing they will be doing, would do well to check out the Ugly Stick first – they may not feel the need to look any further!

By Mike Singh

When you think of fishing, there is perhaps no piece of equipment more recognized than fishing lures. There are countless thousands of lures on the market, and there is something for just about every species of fish to mistake for a good meal. Fishing lures today come in just about every conceivable color and shape, from bright neon minnows, to larger rubber frogs and crawfish. Finding the right lures for the days on the lake sometimes can be tricky, as during different seasons a lake fish such as a bass or trout change their diet to accommodate the various temperatures and water conditions.

While many people enjoy using a good old worm to land a fish on the docks every now and again, it is the lures that tend to offer the best strikes from the larger fish. Species such as bass, pike, and walleye tend to go after larger quick moving bait, when it comes to mealtime. This is not to say that a larger predatory fish will not enjoy a worm every once and a while, it just means that lures are more apt to look like what they are accustomed to hunting in regards to prey.

When it comes to lures there are a great number of benefits when fishing, allowing the angler many options when it comes to choice being the most obvious. There are however some disadvantages as well when it comes to lures. Easily the biggest disadvantage that lures possess, would have to be the snag factor. Sometimes when casting lures in tight areas that may include weeds or water logged driftwood, fishing lures may become snagged and unable to release. There are good possibilities at this point that you can loose that prized lure, as you will be unable to get it free from the object. This could easily become a rather costly day on the lake, should you loose 3-5 lures while trying to get your cast in tight where a school may be in staging.

Sometimes a smart fish may not go after even some of the best fishing lures, as it still may be skeptical of the lures movements and deem it non-edible. Matching the right fishing lures with the right species and season, can make all the difference in the world when it comes to being successful on the lake. Trying to catch a small lake trout with lures that are primarily designed for large mouth bass, will only show you just how smart a fish can really be. For this very reason lures are designed around the breed themselves, and are diligently worked on to improve their success rate when used. Perhaps one of the best ways to ensure some level of success with lures, would be to do some research on the species themselves.

By studying their natural habitat, their feeding preferences, and there behaviors, you will be able to get a better understanding of this particular breeds traits. From this point you will be more suited to make an educated guess on which fishing lures will work best for what you are after.

By Mike Singh

When it comes to fishing and parts for your rod, few names stand on top of the quality list like Diawa reel parts. Diawa has long been noted for quality and excellent craftsmanship, whether it is for fly-fishing equipment or bait casting reel and rod combos. Virtually every big outdoors sporting good store carry the name Diawa, and the company even have a very healthy online ordering site to service all of your fishing needs that may arise.

Regardless of the quality of Diawa everything can break under the right conditions, for this reason Diawa parts are very easy to find and even easier to replace when needed. With so many different brands on the market, and even many different models of each brand, it would be understandable for someone to become quite overwhelmed when it comes to parts replacement for their favorite reel. For this reason Diawa reel parts are made in such a way as to eliminate much of the confusion by making complete inter-changeable components. Albeit the fact that there are actually separate fly rod combos and regular casting reel/rod setups Diawa makes it very easy to distinguish what would be needed for your reel.

If you happen to be a new angler, and you are unsure what Diawa parts you may need the outdoors sports shops would be happy to help you if you brought your reel in to them. From there more than likely they will also install the parts right on the premises. Within an hour at best you could be back at the lake, as you have just gotten all of your required Diawa reel parts purchased and installed before you know it. Many people do not realize just how stressful to a reel fishing can be. From the constant wear on the bearings, to the stress on the winding mechanisms that you use very frequently to reel in your line Diawa parts will always be needed. Should you have a large catch on the line, the stress on the windings and return lever can be doubled or even tripled.

For these reasons Diawa parts have become a very popular choice among sports shops, when it comes to stocking their shelves. Having quality Diawa reel parts will ensure that you are not left on the shores come the big fishing event. Diawa parts come in just about every conceivable fashion, from reel handles to casings or bearings. If you are not close to an outdoors shop, you can always look Diawa reel parts online. You will get great service and exactly what you need, provided you know what it is you are looking for.

By Mike Singh

When buying fishing equipment for your fly fishing ventures, few can argue about the true quality and appeal of the Abel fly reel. This brand, introduced to the market by Steve Abel and Mel Krieger, offers their customers with so many wonderful aspects to this fine reel. What stands out among the most notable features with the brand’s reel is the amount of options you have. The options that this reel gives you make for greater inter-changeability and usefulness.

Many of the fly reel products are swappable, and meet all of the standard fittings from one fly rod to the next. For example, if you happen to have a fly rod from Abel, and wish to switch reels from the Large Arbor Super Series to the Big Game Series reel, you can easily do so. In fact, it will only be a quick switch. There are many different styles of reel available today, ranging from matte non-reflective finish to the elegant black high gloss coral. If you happen to be a little more distinctive in your style choices, this reel also comes in platinum, gold or specialty anodized finishes as well.

A truly great feature of this reel is the innovative arm. This arm moves the center of gravity slightly off the reel seat for a more balanced feel. With the fly reel and its arm engaged, you would notice a considerable amount of stress reduction and a better level of comfort. The new arm is a wonderful addition to any fly fishing setup and will allow for a more relaxed cast and reel-in movement. The arm and the fly reel combo are very light and durable, making the rod an easier tool to maneuver and carry around.

It does not matter if you happen to be left handed or right handed with the Abel fly reel, as it is completely convertible to accommodate both styles for all fishermen. When you face the situation where you are a left-handed cast, and the reel is set to right hand all have to do is flip the reel around and you are set to go. You can be sure you are buying quality when you buy an Abel reel. Look for a reputable dealer near you and see why people are raving about this product. Abel and the fine products that they produce are sure to fill all of your fly fishing needs, and will always do it in style.

By Mike Singh

With more and more great companies producing great fishing rods today, finding the right rod for you could easily be a daunting task to say the least. While you will have to take into account the type of fishing you plan on doing, there are many different rods that you can purchase to do the job. While we all know that ice fishing rods would not be practical for bass fishing on a lake in the spring or fall, so too would the impracticality of using a deep sea rod for a cold February day in an ice hut.

When it comes to fishing rods, the great thing is that you do not have to go to a special store to purchase them. What this means to the consumer is clear savings, when it comes to fishing equipment. There are some great rod/reel combos to be had from the likes of Walmart or virtually any other department store that would sell sporting goods in your area. There are of course the outdoors shops such as Cabela’s that specialize in the best of fishing equipment and they have a wide array of fishing rods, and fishing reels to suit just about any particular fishing trip.

Some of the more popular brands to look for when it comes to fishing rods include:

· Mitchell
· Abu Garcia
· Zebco
· Shakespeare
· Shimano

All of these fine fishing rods offer the latest and most productive manufacturing techniques when it comes to development and assembly. These rods are the best of the best and will give you years of great service on the lake of in the streams. When buying a new fishing rod, one of the first things you must keep in mind would have to be what exactly do you plan on catching, or what would be the species that you most likely will be fishing for on a regular basis. When you determine this, you will have a better picture as to what strength and flex you will need in the fishing rods.

Some of the more recent fishing rods released to date offer much in the way of flexibility and strength. When the rod is bent under great force of a fighting fish, the last you want is for the rod to snap and be faced with an expensive replacement of the rod and still not landing that big catch. Take your time and review fishing rods in a comparison chart and see what might be the weapon of your choice to tackle that big catch of the day.

By Mike Singh

Bellinger has long been associated with fine fly-fishing gear, and the Bellinger fly reels are no exception to this rule. Bellinger has been a forerunner in the field of reel seats, and they exhibit a level of quality that is second to none. Anglers alike have been raving about the Bellinger reels for sometime, and with the dedication and understanding of what an angler really needs and wants from their gear the tradition of this fine work will continue.

From one man’s passion for fly-fishing come the great Bellinger fly reels, only to compliment the already healthy lineup of fine products under this brand name. Bellinger prides itself on the fine materials used to create some of the most well crafted and innovative fly-fishing gear in the industry. Originally the fine wood spacers immediately recognized the Bellinger name that they employed on the Bellinger fly-fishing rods that they sold. From the introduction to the great wood spacers that they offered, they then moved on to hardware that was precision fit to the rod assembly to round out the perfect angling package.

What is perhaps the greatest thing about Bellinger and their full lineup of fly reels, is that they offer tools developed by the company to be sold to the market. What this means is that they will sell the tools of the trade to any customer that may be willing to try and make their own rod, rather than purchase one in a store. Most notable would be the tools that they sell for Bamboo rod making, as this seems to be a very popular material for fly rods. Many of the fly reels are convertible from right-handed to left-handed, making the Bellinger fly reels very convenient and easy to attach to your rod.

Bellinger fly reels are cast from some of the finest materials money can buy, including fine German Nickel/Silver combinations. Bronze, stainless steel and aluminum are all used for the Delrin, and the side plates that attach to the rod and reel itself. Bellinger fly reels could easily be considered the Cadillac of fly reels, and for good reason. Quality and a warranty that cannot be beat, makes for a very trusted and well-respected name in the fly fishing-industry. If you are interested in the fine line of Bellinger reels, check a location near you that sells them or check them out online, and see for yourself why Bellinger is a name you can trust.

By Mike Singh

When talking about fishing tackle, you should have a good heart to heart with the fish you’re looking to reel in. Ask them about their lifestyle, where they’re from, what kind of diet they’re into, and other aspects of their daily life. Of course, we aren’t talking literally about having this conversation! You can find out about all of this crucial information without even phoning a fish.

Why are all these questions important? It is because you won’t have any success at fishing unless you know what kind of prey you’re hunting, and know what kind of equipment you need to catch them. You see, fishing gear is very specific to the type of fish it’s meant to capture. Moreover, fishing gears and accessories would also require various lures specifically for various fish species. Just as fishing gears, there are also various types of lures to be used, depending on the type of fish to be captured - but that is another story.

There is different gear for fresh and saltwater fish. Equipment varies if you’re in still water, a slow moving river, or a class 5 rapids. Plus, you’ll need to know what season you’re fishing during, and what part of the world you’ll be in. And, yes, your gear needs to match the type of foods your fish like to eat.

Once you have this type of information for your next fishing trip, you can get down to buying the right fishing tackle. First, look for tackle that will balance your particular lures. For instance, heavy tackle with a light lure will prevent the lure from doing its job. The heavier your lure, the more weighty tackle you can use. A spinning tackle is recommended for beginners: it is easy to use, casts a mile, and drags excellently.

You can even consider using weights in some instances. In this case, be sure to keep them as distant from the lure as possible. And with the basic tackle rule mentioned above, try to avoid overweighing your lure with too many weights.

And of course, ask yourself a lot of questions when you’re on the market for new gear. Are you the kind of fishermen who likes to have all the finest gear, even if you won’t use it that much? Do you require a fishing tackle box that you’re proud to open in front of your friends? Lastly, what kind of diet are you into?

By Jeffrey Ryall

When fly fishing you need a calm temperament, be able to switch off and keep repeating the same technique without getting frustrated. This is half the battle, the other half is the right equipment. Of coarse you need sun glasses so you don’t have to squint from the sun and maybe a hat but most importantly the tackle makes all the difference.

When choosing a rod, should you go for a modern composite graphite rod or an old fashioned bamboo rod? Should you choose a rod for one particular water or setting or go with a multi purpose rod. All these factors will come into the equation when choosing a rod to cast your flies. Talking of flies, this is another area where choice is important. Do you go for a dry fly or go for an insect replica. The colour of the fly could also be important, is there a colour for morning and a different one for night.

Another thing to think about is weather you want to learn how to tie your own flies or are you better off buying them already done.

The choice of rod and fly could also affect the decision as to what line you will use. The type of line you use may be also be influenced by what fish you are fishing for, larger fish will need a heavier line as appose to smaller fish. You will have to decide on weather you want your line to float or sink, weather your fish feed on the surface or on the bottom.

Some anglers are quite happy to use a bomber or swim feeder, just cast their line out and relax on the riverbank and wait. Fly fishing on the other hand is much more a hands on approach; you need to be fully concentrated on the task ahead of you. Tackle decisions can make the difference between having a fantastic day and having a ordinary day.

Most fly fishermen take it very seriously; it takes patience, dedication and practice to become a good fly fisherman. Choosing the right rod can be very tricky, with lots of different people having different ideas. Below are a few choices to help you.

Fibreglass- A large number of rods these days are made from fibreglass, whether they are for fly fishing or regular fishing. The main downside of fibreglass rods is that they are heavier than graphite or bamboo rods which in turn could make your arm tired at the end of the day. Despite this they are able to take a lot of punishment which makes them a popular choice.

Bamboo- Many of the older fishermen will not here a bad word said about these rods. Of coarse this is just someone’s opinion, but they were one of the first rods to be made and are still being made today. There is a lot that goes into making a bamboo rod and for this reason they can tend to be one of the most expensive.

Graphite- These tend to be quite stiff but that doesn’t mean they are not effective. These rods give good flexibility and are quite strong. they give good performance and they can vary in price difference and quality.

Reels are another important piece of equipment, the abel fly reel is considered one of the best around. A lot of parts are interchangeable from one reel to another making this a good choice. Also it does not matter if you are left or right handed as they can be converted easily from one to another.

By Trevor Kugler

What are the ten things you have to have in your tackle box? To be truthful, it’s hard to narrow it down to ten. Have you seen the size of some of today’s tackle boxes? My God, a person could keep enough stuff in some of the tackle boxes I’ve seen to survive on Mount Everest for three days! In any case, I’m going to go ahead and give you my top 10 must haves, that will at least get you started and have you pointing in the right direction.

1) A pair of needle nosed pliers. Have you ever tried to get a #18 Rapala out of a big walleyes mouth without a decent pair of pliers? There are treble hooks everywhere! And I wouldn’t suggest trying to remove them with your bare hands. Can you say “A trip to the emergency room?”

2) A can of bug spray. If you’re ever fishing in Northern Ontario on a hot day, at around dusk it’s either a can of bug spray or getting eaten alive. It’s your choice. I’ve experienced both and I have to tell you, go with the bug spray!

3) A couple of extra spools of fishing line. Whatever type of line you use, have extra spools in your tackle box. You just never know when you may need to re-spool you fishing reel.

4) A cell phone. Normally I would think of having a cellular telephone with you would be the definition of vanity. I mean, you’re supposed to be out fishing to escape all that a cellular telephone represents, right? But it is a wonderful thing to have with you in case of an emergency.

5) An assortment of lures. And back-ups of your favorites. There are few things worse than catching fish on a certain lure, and then getting snagged and losing that lure. Only to find out that the fish won’t bite on any other lure that you have with you. As perplexing as this seems, I’ve had it happen and it’s a very bad situation to get mixed up in. Have an extra or three of your favorite lures in your tackle box, ready to go.

6) An assortment of sinkers. You’ll want to have various sizes of the following: Egg sinkers, split shot sinkers, bullet weights, and a few barrel weights.

7) An assortment of hooks. You’re going to want four or five different sized hooks at least. You never know exactly what you’ll need or be fishing for, for that matter. There have been times when I went walleye fishing, and ended up fishing for Bass because the walleye just weren’t cooperating. Many times different species of fish require different size hooks. So have an assortment with you.

8) Jig heads and twister tails. This old standby is always good to have with you when you’re fishing. A package of both 1/4 and 3/8 ounce jig heads in the colors of your choice will work. And then a couple of packages of twister tails in matching colors will be a good bet. You never know when you may want a jig.

9) A lighter or matches in a baggie. If you ever got stuck somewhere, you’ll be very glad you have a way to start a fire. Just take my word for it.

10) Spare spools for your reels. This is where to keep those spare spools. If you’re extra motivated, have them filled with line so they’re completely ready to go. If a spool happens to break when you’re out fishing and you don’t have an extra spool with you, shame on you. You’re tackle box is where the extra’s should be.

There is my top ten. Of course, there are many more things that will more than likely be in your tackle box, but these will at least get you started. Have fun and good fishing!