rods line and flys

[codman40]

i have a fly rod and reel filled with yellow floating line and have bought a few flys mainly black drys any advice would be good im brand new to fresh water ?

[<(Andy2009)>]

You sound a bit like me mate. I was given a fly rod and reel and have loads of flys and line.

The main aim first is to learn to cast a fly rod. Its a bit wierd when you first start but once I got the hang of it, it becomes gradually easier. Distance snt uch of an isssue (I've been told). As long as you can get the fly at least 5m in front of you then fish can be caught. At a lake (like Sharply Springs) its easy as your already casting into deep water, but on a river or sloping lake, you may need too learn to cast further.

I need to do this as I'm going to purchase a sea fly rod and reel to fish for mackerel, bass, pollock, coalies, etc, in the summer...

[d-a]

flys

i was new to fly fishing a few weeks ago i have been out 4 times and had 22 rainbow i put my catch rate (good for a beginer) down to getting casting lessons and asking questions when fishing. every fly fishing man i have talked to has been very helpfull

[Kev1n]

Learn to cast by practicing over grass first; tie a few feet of nylon to the end of your fly line then tie a tuft of wool to the end of that. You should aim to flick the line out with the same action as flicking an apple off the end of a stick or paint off a paint brush.

Once you’re fishing for real, keep casting to a minimum, even if a cast goes out in the wrong direction, too short or too wriggly just fish it out without lifting off and trying again.

If you can see fish moving near the surface of the water try a fly there. If they’re not showing try deeper with a weighted fly until you find the depth the fish are at.
Try starting with just one fly, more flies lead to more tangles.

[fish fingers]

stick to the still watewrs as well as you have much more chance of a hook up regardless of which fly you have on then when you get better try the bigger waters which is bit more of a challenge having to cast into the wind but they do,nt get over crowed and not every1 is fighting 4 the same fish preferebly week days

[rich666]

Beginners tips:
1. cast with your arm not your wrist, hold your rod in your favoured hand bend your wrist so the rod is like an extension of your arm, Don't be tempted to try and flick the rod or you'll lose accuracy and distance.
2. Get into a rhythm, count in your head slowly to three on the backcast and let your line straighten out. look over your shoulder to check it's straightening out properly.
3. Practise on on grass as has been already said. I used used to sacrifice a cheap bought fly and chop the hook end off, that way you can see where and how it lands.
4. RELAX! - don't tense up when casting you'll only mess up.
5. If you can fish from a boat try it - if you do mess the backcast up it'll only hit the water and it's not too much hassle to sort.
6. Get out and fish! - Try still waters and open rivers/lakes to start where there is nothing to impede your backcast. Derwent, Sharpley, Hury, and Higham lakes are all good places to start depending on where you live.

Oh and finally... Tight Lines

[codman40]

lisenes

stupidy i went to the river blyth right at the hair pin bend didnt have a rod liscence and the fishery bailiff cought me gave me a ticket , i explained i was new to it he said not to worry to much .....

[mick dunn]

tough luck with the bailiff. But it is important to have the right sort of licence.

I am into my third or fourth season of fly fishing and never paid for a lesson,i think its just down to me being stubborn.

Saying that Brian one of the rangers at the Derwent has spent time with me helping me with my casting etc.

Its defo an art and worth a few quid for a couple of lessons.

Mick.

[Alfie]

I would say with fly fishing more than any other type of fishing, a good rod and line makes all the difference. Nothing more frustrating than trying to perfect your casting whilst using a crap rod and line. I know i've been there.