Fly fishing is one of the oldest forms of fishing, with records dating back to 16th century Europe. It has become more popular as people learn about its benefits and watch it on TV. Fly fishing is best for expert fishermen because they can cast a fly from miles away without getting tangled in weeds or snagged on rocks.
The main benefit of fly fishing is that it is more environmentally friendly than other forms of fishing. Fly fishermen use fly rods and fly-tying equipment instead of heavy tackle to catch fish, so they can select their bait or lure appropriately for the situation from a wide variety and are less likely to cause harm to the environment as they reel in prey.
Fly fishers also have an intimate connection with nature that allows them to relax more in their surroundings, making fly fishing a great stress-busting and meditative activity.
The top five things you need to know before you go fly fishing:
1. Use the countdown method
One of the keys to successful fly fishing is determining what depth the fish are holding. The best way to know this varies throughout the day, depending on things like water temperature, weather conditions, and insect hatchings.
Cast your flies and wait for a pull, or until the bait has sunk. To find where they’re holding, measure five countdowns before you start to retrieve your line. Each time you cast with no luck, add an extra 5 on to the next attempt.
When you're fly-fishing, start casting near the surface and work your way down until you catch anything. The five second rule is usually a good baseline which means that after waiting for 5 seconds without any action, try 10 seconds,
2. Point Down
If your rod is raised too high, it will be out of range and the fish will not feel any movement on their end of the line and will likely never take the bait.
Be sure to point your pole tip down toward the water and watch for any movement in your line. Next, lift the rod in order to hook your catch.
3. Fish deeper in sunny weather
When it comes to fly fishing with trout, they have several unique qualities that set them apart from other animals. They can't squint like many other creatures and their pupils don't constrict as easily, making fly fishing even more challenging for an expert fisherman.
Trout are especially sensitive to light levels and will retreat during the day. During sunny days, change your fishing patterns to go deeper in order to find them.
4. Observe the fly life on the banks
It helps to see what's hatching on the banks of the river and adjust your fly accordingly. If you see small, recently hatched flies, then do try switching to smaller patterns.
When catching trout with a fly, any flies that most resemble natural invertebrates will work best - but they should be fished close to the tops of streams to intercept feeding fish.
5. Be Quiet!
Although not everyone appreciates fly fishers exploring the quiet banks of a stillwater—where trout are close to their home and as sensitive to movement from above as humans are—that doesn't stop many anglers from stomping along the shoreline, dropping heavy gear by the bank without considering what that does to trout.
When the angler is trying to catch fish, they should try and do so without startling them.
In conclusion, you should make sure you have the right equipment and enjoy yourself!