My First Trout On The Fly
Something was lacking in my life. I had always been a keen course fisherman, but whilst I still wanted to catch fish, I was getting bored.
Fly fishing had always interested me, but I (wrongly) considered that it was a rich man’s game and that I couldn’t afford it. However, on visiting a local trout fishery which consists of two lakes, I found this was not the case.
I also found the lakes to be stunningly beautiful, and this, I believe, is important and the basis for my first tip:
1. Fish somewhere pleasant.
Starting fly fishing can be frustrating at first as you master casting and the various types of flies etc. It may take a few visits before you make your first catch, but if you actually enjoy the venue it makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable, even if you spend some of your time untangling your line!
When it comes to casting practice, it’s an excellent idea to:
Tip 2. Get yourself some lessons in casting.
Just a couple of hours of tuition are sufficient to show you how casting should be done - and even if you don’t master it properly in those two hours, at least you know what you should be doing!
My casting was coming on fine, but I had yet to catch a fish. This brings me to my third tip:
Tip 3. Chat to other fishers.
Don’t be afraid to talk to the other fishers, particularly when you see someone taking a fish. Their advice is invaluable and you will learn a lot from them. Don’t ever adopt a “know it all” demeanour, no matter how long you have fished for. There is always something new to learn!
It is often by asking questions from experienced fishers our knowledge increases and we learn more about our sport.
One thing you must never do though is:
Tip 4. Admit defeat and pack up fishing altogether.
Never do this. No matter how many tangles and how many times you get caught in a tree behind you, just enjoy the day and keep at it. As you improve these things, whilst they will always happen, will not happen so often!
By trying different things, changing fly, fishing depth or presentation, we increase our chances of catching, so:
Tip 5. Try something different.
If you are like me, you will go out and buy all sorts of books about your new sport and try and learn everything you can. This is absolutely the right thing to do, but don’t be afraid to go against the perceived wisdom at times.
The perceived wisdom of fly fishing is not always appropriate. This is particularly true when fishing a lake for example, where the fish have probably seen a million flies in their time, and mostly cast out as far as possible - so try fishing the margins, close in where no one else ever fishes!
Doing things a little differently can often pay off big time!
You do not need huge amounts of equipment and kit to start fly fishing, but you want to buy the best you can afford. A good way to save money is to have a look at fly fishing combos, where you can by the basics together at a reduced price. Visit www.flyfishingcombosdeals.com. Free reprint avaialable from: My First Trout On The Fly.
Tags: angling, Fish, fishing, Fly Fishing, trout, trout fishing