The Best Fly Fishing Rods

Sunday, January 1st, 2006

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.

John Gibb is the owner of fishing rod guidesFor more information on fishing rods check out http://www.fishingrod-sources.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Gibb

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Fly Fishing and The Right Equipment!

Sunday, January 1st, 2006

By Jeffrey Ryall Platinum Quality Author

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.

Jeff Ryall runs a sports website that focuses on information about sport and sport related products. You can enjoy reading tips, tricks and techniques about golf at his site at http://www.fishermansfriend1.blogspot.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Ryall

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Tying Trout Flies - Should I Tie Or Buy?

Sunday, January 1st, 2006

By Mike Singh Platinum Quality Author

When it comes to fly-fishing clearly it is all about the flies, tying trout flies can indeed be a laborious task should you elect to try. When it comes to tying, you need a steady hand and a good idea what the trout will most likely be willing to hit. This is usually where some research comes into play, knowing what the trout’s main diet is will only further your understanding of what would be the best bait to land that prized trout.

The art of tying trout flies has been regarded as a true test in the realm of fishing. It is one thing to go out and purchase a great spinner or spoon for your collection, it is completely another to consider making your own lures. There are actually many hours involved to get the fly looking just right, should the fly not look realistic chances are the fish will not be fooled into hitting it. Should you feel so inclined to try it, there are many things that you will need to learn as well as have at your disposal.

Tying trout flies is anything but easy of quick, one fly could easily take you several hours to complete and this does not even guarantee that you will get strikes from it. For this reason many people turn to the pros to make their great bug like replicas as they know the ins and outs of this delicate process. So which route would you go? Would you look in a catalog or fishing shop to find the right piece for your collection? Or will you try your hand at tying for yourself?

You could easily spend several hundreds of dollars in materials, if you wish to try tying. While it may be true that once you have the hang of it, you will be able to make many flies and save a bundle. Some find this whole process tedious to say the least, and would easily go out and buy a batch of flies already made from their local tackle shop. Basically it all comes down to whether or not you feel you have the time and the patience to tackle what many feel is a very frustrating task. Tying trout flies is a great way to get a better understanding of the fish you seek, yet sometimes it may be easier to allow the professionals to do it for you.

Check out http://www.1-stop-fishing.com/ for more articles on ontario fishing vacation and fishing lodge in canada.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Singh

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Double Trouble: Fly Fishing with a Dry Fly and a Dropper

Sunday, January 1st, 2006

By Ryan O Kelly

Using dropper flies is nothing new in the fly fishing world. The oldest reference I know dates all the way back to the 1930’s. To many novice fly fishermen it can be an eye opening technique. There is no other technique I use more over the course of the year and none more effective. Using two flies can double your chances, but it offers much more than that. In situations when fish can be spooky, a dry fly used as an indicator can avoid scaring the fish. Bright colored indicators are easy for fishermen to see. They are also easy for fish to see. Also something as simple as the shape of the indicator can spook a fish. Oft times when the fish are spooky I like to use a long leader to the dry fly as well as a long dropper to the nymph. Many days I change from using a traditional strike indicator to a dry/dropper and it makes all the difference. I do not change the nymph, just the indicator. Here are some easy steps when fishing dry/dropper.

1. Use a Dry fly buoyant enough to hold up the dropper. Here is a common mistake. I have watched a lot of people use a dry that constantly sinks. It’s hard to catch fish when your constantly casting because your fly keeps sinking. It also creates a mentality that your fly is being drug under by the dropper and not being taken under by a fish. You want to have the mentality that every time your dry fly goes under it is a fish and you should set it! I like to use foam terrestrials such as chernobyl ants or hoppers.

2. Tie your dropper to the bend of the hook. I prefer to tie my droppers to the bend of the hook rather than through the eye. It allows for better casting and easier knot attachment.

3. Observe the fish and structure to determine the length of your dropper. There is a big misconception that the length of the dropper should be 1-2 feet. I fish my droppers from from six inches to five feet. Any dropper over five feet becomes difficult to cast. I call the Green River my home water and it is crystal clear. If you take a few minutes from a good vantage point you can see the depth at which the fish are feeding. In mid-summer and fall the fish tend to be at 4-5 feet. In the spring during the blue wing hatch the fish are at 1-2 feet. Let the fish tell you how deep you should go. If there are not any visible fish look at the depth of the water you are fishing. If the fish are not visible the are holding close to the bottom or in structure. Make sure you get your fly in front of the fish.

4. Observe what the fish are eating.This should be the first thing you do when selecting a fly no matter the technique you are using. If bugs are not visible, look under rocks, on trees, or consult a fly shop.

5. Use a weighted dropper that will keep the dropper line tot. If there is slack between the dry fly and the dropper you will miss most of the fish that eat your dropper.

6. Fish with slack in the fly line. This will give you a better dead drift. If your not looking for a dead drift then disregard this step.

Finally, dropper lines, especially longer ones, can be difficult to cast. The key is making sure you load the rod. It will take longer to load the rod than it would if you were fishing a single dry fly. Pause longer on your back cast and you will avoid the tangles that discourage fishermen from fishing this effective method.

The author is a fly fishing guide on Utah’s Green River. He works with Flaming Gorge Resort and is owner and writer of Green River Flyfisher.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_O_Kelly

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Archive for the 'Fly Fishing' Category

The Best Fly Fishing Rods

Fly Fishing and The Right Equipment!

Tying Trout Flies - Should I Tie Or Buy?

Double Trouble: Fly Fishing with a Dry Fly and a Dropper

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