Learn to Fly Fish
If you have been reading my blog for some time you know that I am not a fly-fishing purist. I love to fish for a variety of species of fish and my philosophy is to use whatever gear, whatever tool, is the right one for the job. I spend a lot of time with a variety of spinning rods and casting rods in my hand, but I will tell you that there are times when a fly rod is absolutely the best tool for the job! Yes, I am suggesting that you should learn to fly-fish and I am not talking about just fly-fishing for trout. The fly rod at times can be absolutely THE BEST TOOL for a variety of other species including bluegills, crappies, other panfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, pike, muskie, carp and even channel catfish!
There is a mystic, mythical aura around fly-fishing, a belief that there is some magic or special Zen-like skill that must be mastered in order to fly-fish. Baloney. With some basic equipment, knowledge and just a little bit of coordination (and I am talking about a level of coordination that everyone possesses) anyone can learn to fly-fish.
Recently, I received a new Orvis catalog in the mail (see, I fly-fish enough that Orvis sends me catalogs! Actually, I should say that I buy enough fly-fishing equipment that Orvis sends me catalogs, Ha), and I noticed on one page an advertisement for their FREE, online, learn-to-fly-fish resource, http://howtoflyfish.orvis.com/ . I got on my computer, checked out that resource, and WOW! It is excellent. I would highly recommend you click on that link!
If you check it out, you will find a series of “chapters”, each of which has a number of relatively short instructional videos. There are chapters on “Fly Fishing Basics”, “Bass and Panfish”, “Pike and Muskies”, and “Stream Fishing Basics”. There are more chapters being developed. Also you will find quizzes and flash cards, pod casts and on-line articles and a glossary. It is all there, check it out, http://howtoflyfish.orvis.com/ . I will guarantee you will learn something (even if you are a non-believing, non-fly-fisher)!
Got to include a fly-fishing photo here. This is one of my favorites that proves that I can catch fish on a fly-rod! That brownie was caught on the Big Horn River in Montana, holy water!
I fly fish a fair amount, and like you, I, also, use various tackle. I second checking out the website. I learn something new on it all the time. I suggest getting on Rosenbauer’s podcast. There is learning to do if your a newbie, somewhere in the middle or a seasoned angler or guide. The thing I love about it is that he doesn’t come off like a fishing god. He is very easy to listen to. Check it out!
On of my buddies got me hooked on fly fishing. It has been my main hobby for the past 5 years. I agree checking out the website is a must. There are so many things to learn on that site. I just got a new supplier for my equipment and http://www.caddisflyshop.com/sage-one-spey-rods.html is where I got my new sage one spey rod. It’s a sweet rod and can’t wait to get out on the water with it.