ARTICLE 15

Many people who want outdoor fun and nature adventure are getting into the art and sport of fly fishing. To be serious in the sport, one needs to know the basic equipment and techniques used in fly fishing.

Fly fishing, compared to other forms of fishing which are Bait Fishing, Spin Fishing, Trolling and Ice Fishing, is more challenging.

Basically, fly fishing uses artificial baits to lure fish. These baits are made from hairs and features and made to look like insects and small animals as attractants to fish.

Flies are categories into five: dry fly, wet fly, terrestrial fly, streamer fly and nymph fly.

The dry fly is made to look like small insects and small animals on the water. The wet fly tries to imitate insects under the surface of the water. The terrestrial fly mimics land insects like crickets, butterflies and grasshoppers that have fallen into the water. The streamer fly is a bait that resembles an injured fish. The nymph fly resembles insect larvae.

The basic equipment for fly fishing includes the line, rod and reel.

The fly line comes in many forms and must be carefully chosen according to appropriate kinds of fly and target fish catch. A fly line may either sink or float. Fly lines should also be chosen according to the kind of environment where fly fishing is to take place: fresh water, salt water, cold or hot climate and other considerations.

The fly rod is used to cast the fly line and should match the weight of the fly line to optimize performance. The rod usually indicates the fly line size. Using a very heavy line on a rod will warp the rod. The choice of rod is also determined if it is used on fresh water or salt water. Salt water rods normally have anti-corrosion fittings.

The fly reel is a mechanical device that holds the fly line so it doesn’t get tacked while fishing and helps drag the caught fish. Basically, there are three kinds of fly reels: single action, multiplier and automatic.

Another thing to consider is fly fishing is casting. Serious fly fishers know the appropriate cast depending on the situation. In forward casting, the fly is whisked by the angler into the air, then back over the shoulder and the forward. Other type of casting are false casting, roll casting, truck casting, single and double haul casting and curve casting.

It is important to buy the appropriate gear for fishing. Shorts and sandals are great for outdoor fishing. Wearing sun glasses is a great protection for the eyes specially when fishing in summer. A good amount of sun block should also be brought.

There are many books on fly fishing available as well as thousands of articles online. Joining fly fishing clubs can be a good way to learn techniques from the pros and other enthusiasts. Online forums are also a good place to learn about fly fishing. Many holiday packages include fly fishing activities for beginners.