Trout on the fly
Due to the popularity of the film " A river runs through it", directed by Robert Redford, interest in fly fishing has increased. The sight of a fly fisher wading through a stream, casually casting into prospective swims is majestic but can also appear a little intimidating, especially to young anglers. As with most fishing styles, practice is the key. Ideally, take lessons from a qualified instructor. If that is not possible, friends and relatives, who are experienced in fly fishing can give you useful tips. Equipped with the basics, hours of selective practice will help you cast accurately to distance without damaging equipment or causing yourself physical harm. Once confident in your skills, it is time to take your first fish. The feeling produced by the direct contact to the fish is amazing. Unlike other fishing styles, the contact is not disturbed by float or sinker. Other effective sources of learning the basics of fly casting are videos, DVDs and factual literature. Using these means can take somewhat longer and are generally speaking not as effective as professional tuition. An instructor can correct any mistakes (eg. stance), which could later prove difficult to rectify.
The equipment required for novices is actually not all that complicated. AFTMA classifications show the strength of the equipment available. These classifications are matched to the varying fly fishing styles. The most frequent classes used begin with '0' and end with '15'. '0' is appropriate for the finer fly fishing forms used for roach, rudd, small grayling and small trout. '15' can be used for fishing for shark and billfish. A good AFTMA class for novices is '5-6'. This class contains medium strength rods, with plenty of flexibility, for trout fishing. After gaining experience with this classification, and perhaps practicing in other classes, novices are then in a better position to select a rod and reel, that most suits their needs.
An important factor in all styles of fishing is the choice of line. Under normal circumstances, rod, reel and line should be matched. For novices, this means AFTMA class '5-6'. There are 3 main types of line: floating, half sinking and sinking. It is recommendable that novices use floating line due to its light weight. Sinking line is heavier and can increase the difficult in initial casting practice. Line characteristics and form are also important. We will deal here with WF lines and DT lines. WF or Weight Forward line is thicker and heavier in the first third of its length. It is designed to enable longer casts. DT or Double Taper line is thicker in the middle section and tapers off to both ends. This middle section although thicker, has a constant diameter. This line is ideal for casting to shorter distance with precise fly presentation. A conically tapered leader (trace) between 2.40 and 3.00 m in length is the most effective leader. It is the perfect connector from main line to fly. Nearly all fly fishers use tippets, a short section of leader that is added to the end of your tapered leader. If you need to cut off a fly or snag in a tree, your leader becomes shorter each time, until you need to replace the whole leader. It is simpler and cheaper to add a tippet each time. The extremely lightweight floating, hovering and intermediate models allow gentle presentation and the choice of five additional sinking densities opens up a variety of techniques. The tippet should be strong, slightly stiffer than normal monofilament, and of a low visibility.
Whilst practicing, a small piece of wool can be used to replace the fly. On the subject of flies, another interesting aspect of fly fishing is fly tying. Many fly fishers lack the knowledge or time to tie flies and buy their flies from dealers. This can prove costly for novices, as it is entirely possible that during one day of intensive practice, they lose 20 to 30 flies. A cost effective alternative is fly tying. Starting out in fly tying is not difficult; factual literature, videos, DVDs and friends can help. Fly tying starter sets are usually not expensive and are ideally suited to gaining experience.
Certain waters need special lures/flies, others can be fished with three different flies all season. Ask the bailiff and or other anglers to share their experiences, and most importantly study nature.
We wish you a lot of success and you entire the charming world of fly fishing!
Your Askari Team!
Kogha Crownlake Fly
An extraordinary fly rod series with carbon blanks. AFTMA 5-6.
http://shop.askari-fishing.co.uk/85982.85.585
Kogha Legend Fly
The perfect fly rod; suitable for use on a large variety of waters for a wide range of fish species.
http://shop.askari-fishing.co.uk/90583.85.585
Kogha Carbofly
A great reel with modified "large arbor" spool hub.
http://shop.askari-fishing.co.uk/90536.85.585
Kogha Excellence
A reel series for more experienced fly fishers.
http://shop.askari-fishing.co.uk/96909.85.585
Fly Line, floating
Excellent floating shooting line, particularly well suited to novice fly fishers.
http://shop.askari-fishing.co.uk/85768.85.585
Silverman Fly Fishing Set
Starting out in fly fishing was never so affordable. This great set is as well suited to experienced anglers as it is to novices.
http://shop.askari-fishing.co.uk/90355.02.585
Wooden Frame Fly Net
This wooden frame fly net is incredibly light and stable. Length: 56 cm. Net material: 100 % cotton.
http://shop.askari-fishing.co.uk/84681.85.585
Perca Fly Wicker Basket
A robust, reliable wicker basket with a securely sealing lid. The weave is of an incredibly stable design.
http://shop.askari-fishing.co.uk/90459.85.585
Neoprene Booted Bib and Braces
Comfortable, functional, non-restricting, warming and absolutely waterproof. These are the qualities you need when wading in cold water.
http://shop.askari-fishing.co.uk/67833.85.585-44
Further fly fishing products can be found here.