January 16th, 2008
To a beginner, fly fishing terminology might be confusing, so in this section, we’ll present you with some new terms and what those terms mean so that when we use them later in this book, you’ll know what we’re talking about.
Back cast – The portion of any fly cast that extends beyond the person doing the casting.
Bass Bug - Name used to describe a large number of surface bass flies usually tied with hollow hair (such as deer hair).
Bass Bug Taper - A special weight forward floating fly line with a short front taper so that the generally wind-resistant bass bugs can turn over
Blood Knot - The most widely used knot for tying two pieces of monofilament with similar diameters together; the best knot for construction of a knotted tapered leader; also called the barrel knot.
Breaking Strength - Amount of effort required to break a single strand of unknotted monofilament or braided line, usually stated in pounds (example: 6 lb. test).
Caddis - One of the three most important aquatic insects imitated by fly fishermen; found world wide in all freshwater habitats; adult resembles a moth when in flight; at rest the wings are folded in a tent shape down the back; the most important aquatic state of the caddis is the pupa, which is its emerging stage
Casting Arc - The path that the fly rod follows during a complete cast, usually related to the face of a clock.
Clinch Knot - Universally used knot for attaching a hook, lure, swivel, or fly to the leader or line; a slight variation results in the improved clinch knot, which is an even stronger knot for the above uses.
Co-Polymers – These are mixtures of various nylons and plastics along with anti-UV chemicals that have resulted in the exceptionally high breaking strength of modern tippet material. This is certainly one of the biggest advancements in fly fishing in the last 50 years. It allows you to use very fine tippets with breaking strengths two to four times as strong as regular nylon monofilament. Co-polymers are not as abrasion resistant as regular nylon monofilament.
Damping - Reducing excess vibrations in the rod blank when unloading the rod during a cast. This causes fewer waves in your fly line resulting in more power & distance for less effort.
Dead Drift - A perfect float meaning the fly is traveling at the same pace as the current; used in both dry fly and nymph fishing
Double Taper (DT) - A standard fly line design in which both ends of the line are tapered, while the greater portion or “belly” of the line is level; excellent line for short to moderate length casts, and for roll casting; not as well suited for distance casts; commonly available in floating, or sinking styles.
Drag - (1) Term used to describe an unnatural motion of the fly caused by the effect of the current on line and leader. Drag is usually detrimental, though at times useful such as when imitating the actions of the adult caddis. (2) Resistance applied to the reel spool to prevent it from turning faster than the line leaving the spool which is used in playing larger fish.
Dry Fly - Any fly fished upon the surface of the water; usually constructed of non-water-absorbent materials; most commonly used to imitate the adult stage of aquatic insects.
Dry Fly Floatant – This is a chemical preparation that is applied to a dry fly before use to waterproof it; may be a paste, liquid, or aerosol.
No Rating
Share and Enjoy:
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Posted in Fly Fishing | 1 Comment »
January 7th, 2008
Fly fishing for steelhead fish can be a challenging and rewarding experience. These amazing fish share their heritage with the Atlantic and Pacific salmon. Although they are native to the West Coast of the United States as well as in Russia, they can also be found in the tributaries of the Great Lakes. This is because they were planted in the lakes many times in the 1800’s.
There are numerous places you can go when fly fishing for steelhead. As we’ve already said, they are most plentiful in the Western United States. You can find plenty of steelhead in the rivers of Northern California, Oregon, and Washington state.
Steelhead are cousins of the rainbow trout and have a decidedly chrome-like coloring. They are amazingly acrobatic and can provide any fly fisherman with a fulfilling challenge when trying to catch them.
Most of the fly fishing techniques used to catch steelhead are based on those historically developed to catch Atlantic salmon. Flies are cast downstream from the angler on a floating or sinking line. The take, which can sometimes be quite violent, usually occurs towards the end of the swing. You can also use nymphing methods usually used by trout anglers.
Winter steelheads are often considered the “hard core” of fly fishers, sometimes enduring hours of repeated casting in cold water and freezing conditions for that one tug that can occur when you least expect it. Many fly fishers will spend a lot of time trying to land that prized steelhead only to be frustrated near the end.
The main thing to keep in mind when fishing for steelhead is to practice a lot of patience. For people who fly fish for steelhead regularly, the success of a day consists of one good hook. You will not see big numbers of catches like you will on trout rivers. Keep a positive attitude and watch what the fish are doing.
Most steelhead pockets are found downstream, but other anglers know this as well. Steelhead are most plentiful in the cold, winter months, but you can often find several other fly fishers trying to fish the same spot in hopes of landing their fish. As you can imagine, this is not especially good for the fish or the fisherman. Practice appropriate etiquette when on the river fly fishing for steelhead.
You will probably need a 9 foot single hand rod or a 12-15 foot double handed rod for best results. Line weights should range from 7 to 9. The best flies to use when trying to land a steelhead include the Wooly Bugger, the Conehead Zuddler, and the Black Bear Green Butt.
Fly fishing for steelhead can be an amazingly gratifying experience when you are patient and wise when it comes to the natural patterns of these fish. When you are able to land one, you will be surprised at how much fun it is to reel it in!
No Rating
Share and Enjoy:
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Posted in Fly Fishing | No Comments »
December 30th, 2007
 Fish any time of day! The Stren Microfuse is a thermally-fused braided fishing line. During the day, it glows Hi Vis Fluorescent Blue. At night, it glows Hi-Vis Neon Blue (when under a black light). This visibility helps you control your catches.
Stren Microfuse Fishing Line:
* Glows Hi-Vis Fluorescent Blue during the day
* Glows Hi-Vis Neon Blue at night
* Near-zero stretch for incredible sensitivity
* Super-smooth surface for incredible casting distance
*Stren Microfuse Fishing Line
No Rating
Share and Enjoy:
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Posted in Fishing Rods | 1 Comment »
December 28th, 2007
The Sage company has been producing quality fly fishing gear for many years. They offer quality, top of the line fly fishing rods, reels, and lines to the beginning and experienced fly fisher. They take pride in the quality of their equipment producing rods and reels that many fly fishermen use exclusively.
They design and test their hand built gear with one thought in mind: maximum fishability. That term was coined by the company to represent the type of performance that will help you cast better, fish more effectively, and have more fun while fly fishing.
Their company offers the fly fisherman all sorts of advice and tips on how to select the right rod for you and what is important to look for in your fly fishing equipment. Sage rods and reels have long been the choice of many fly fishermen all over the world.
When you are just beginning to get interested in fly fishing, it’s easy to get frustrated at the amount of information you need to know. However, those same frustrations are also felt by experienced fly fishers that provides them with the challenge and excitement that makes the sport so compelling.
As we’ve said, Sage rods are hand built which makes them quality products. They manufacture nine different series of rods in a variety of models and sizes for every fishing situation. They have medium to ultra fast action rods to suit many types of fly fishers.
Their website, which can be found at www.sageflyfish.com also boasts many new product lines and accessories that all fly fishermen can use. They carry hats, t-shirts, rod and reel cases, fly lines, and much, much more.
Their new Z-Axis series of rods has breakthrough technology that is significantly stronger, lighter, and easier to cast. That makes this new line of rods great for beginners, and also experienced fly fishermen. They implement their exclusive Generation 5 technology that makes their rods unique and high end.
When you buy a Sage fly fishing rod, you are getting a quality piece of fishing gear. But that quality doesn’t come cheap. Rods range in price from $400 to $700, but they do come with a guarantee. Plus, if anything happens to your rod, they offer a rod repair service.
Many sporting goods stores and specialty fishing shops carry Sage fly fishing rods as do many online retailers. You can go to their website and click on the “Buy” link to find a retailer near you that carries their equipment.
Sage fly fishing equipment is well known in the fly fishing world as a trusted manufacturer of valuable fly fishing gear. Check them out for the best in the sport!
No Rating
Share and Enjoy:
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Posted in Fly Fishing Equipment | 4 Comments »
December 24th, 2007
“An angler, sir, uses the finest tackle, and catches his fish scientifically - trout for instance - with the artificial fly, and he is mostly a quiet, well behaved gentlemen. A fisherman, sir, uses any kind of ‘ooks and lines, and catches them any way; so he gets them it’s all one to ‘im, and he is generally a noisy fellah, sir, something like a gunner.”- Dr. George Washington Bethune
Fly fishing takes specialized equipment, and what type of fly fishing equipment you buy depends on what you will be fishing for, and where you will be fishing. If you are planning to do a lot of fly fishing, in several different types of areas, then it is best to buy varied equipment.
Though you do not have to buy a lot of equipment at once, it is nice to be prepared for a last-minute fly fishing trip. Many sporting goods stores or specialty fishing stores will have what you are looking for when it comes to fly fishing equipment, but it is best to know what you want before you go shopping so that you will not be talked into buying something that you don’t necessarily need.
Here is a list of some fly fishing equipment that you should have on hand:
Rods – Although fly fishing rods used to be made from bamboo, today’s fly fishing rods are usually made of graphite and fiberglass. Fly fishing rods tend to be longer that most standard fishing rods, although salt water fly fishing rods are shorter than fresh water fly fishing rods. The type of rod that you use when fly fishing usually comes down to personal preference, and after you’ve been fly fishing for a while you usually decide on a favorite type of rod. As long as the rods are quality-made, there is no one rod that is really better than another – it is just a matter of what you decide works best for you.
Reels – Fly fishing reels come in three types: Single action fly reels , multiplying fly reels, and automatic fly reels.
Single action fly reels tend to be very popular, as they have a simple design and are easy to use. They consist of very few parts, therefore they tend to last longer, and the spool is easily turned by the handle, with one turn of the handle equaling one turn of the spool. Many veteran fly anglers prefer this type of reel, and it is definitely the best type of reel for those who are just learning.
Multiplying fly reels have different gears, and are therefore a little harder to master than single action fly reels. Though the gears on multiplying fly reels allow the line to be reeled in more quickly, the fact that the reels have more complicated parts means that they can be harder to maintain. Despite the drawbacks, many fly anglers prefer multiplying fly reels.
Automatic fly reels work with a trigger instead of a handle. Instead of manually reeling in the fishing line, with an automatic fly reel an angler pushes the trigger and the line is automatically retrieved. Though some fly anglers like the convenience of an automatic fly reel, others stay away from them because they can break easily, and are expensive to replace.
Line – Flying fishing line is heavier than regular fishing line, because in fly fishing it is the weight of the line that takes the fly out into the water when casting, and not a regular fishing weight. Fly fishing line comes in different weights and styles, depending on what you are fishing for or what type of fly fishing you will be doing. Some fly fishing line is very light throughout, and some is weighted on the end for more casting length. Once again, the kind of fly fishing line you use depends on what you will be fishing for, and where you will be fishing.
Waders – Waders are boots that fly angler use, because fly fishing is usually done from out in the water instead of from the shore - unless you are fly fishing from a boat, or salt water fly fishing. Waders usually go up to the top of the thigh so angler can wade far out into the water without getting their clothes wet. Although waders do not help you catch fish, they are a necessary part of the fly fishing ensemble.
Flies – You certainly cannot go fly fishing without flies! There are hundreds of different types of flies, and hundreds of different types of ways to use them. Some flies are very light for floating, and some flies are made heavier so that they will go slightly under the surface of the water. Many anglers like to tie their own flies, but this is an art that takes some time to learn. When you are ready to buy some flies, it is best to take someone along who is a veteran fly angler. He or she may be able to give you some good tips on the different types of flies that you may need.
Though not necessary for fly fishing, it can be beneficial to buy a fishing jacket and a tackle box for your fly fishing trips. In addition, since fly anglers are usually not fishing in the shade, a hat can save you from a nasty sunburn.
No Rating
Share and Enjoy:
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Posted in Fly Fishing Equipment | 2 Comments »
December 24th, 2007
“Fly-fishing is the most fun you can have standing up.” -Arnold Gingrich
Fly fishing is a fun sport but for someone who has never participated it is a bit different from traditional fishing. With fly fishing, the fisherman is more concerned with his line than someone who sits atop a boat and drops a hook into the water would be. The reason is that with fly fishing there is no weight on the line to hold the hook beneath the water. In fact, in fly fishing your objective should be to keep the hook on the water’s surface. You need to rely on how the line is cast. Where you cast it is where the hook or in this case fly will land.
There are several things you need to consider when you are choosing a fly fishing line:
1 The type of line: There are two general types of fly fishing line. One type floats on the water’s surface while the other sinks beneath the water. The latter is much more difficult to use. It is harder to cast and should only be considered if the angler is planning to cast his line into deep water. Therefore, you will need to pick a durable line that will float.
2 The shape of the line: There are also two shapes to fly fishing line. One type of line has more weight towards the lead of the line. The other has more weight in the middle of the line. The main difference between the two is that the latter version is easier to roll and to cast. It is the best choice for beginners and even veteran fly anglers will still use it regularly.
3 The color of the line: Clear fishing line is still a very popular choice but many people prefer a line that has a color to it. The reason is that once it has been cast they can follow where it is. The lines come in several different colors and it is really a matter of personal preference. Once you have decided on a line you may think that is all you need to do, but actually, there are several other things to consider.
The line should be cleaned regularly. Cleaning the line is very simple and when you are purchasing your line, you can ask the salesperson if they have a line cleaning kit. This kit is designed to remove any dirt that may adhere to the line as it sits in the water. Cleaning the line is important because you want it to roll
easily as well as cast effectively and in order to do that it needs to be free of film or dirt. Once you know which line is right for you, you will be able to purchase it from anywhere when you need it. Fly fishing line can have a long life span if it is taken care of properly. However, eventually it will need to be replaced. You
might want to consider buying the line from the retailer you initially purchased it from or you can research the price online.
Many online websites cater to the fly angler and offer discounted rates on gear. This is not advisable for someone just beginning the sport but if you know your line, consider it an option.
No Rating
Share and Enjoy:
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Posted in Fly Fishing Equipment | No Comments »
December 24th, 2007
Bass fishing is one of the best sports around, and more and more, you will find that many people are joining the bandwagon. If you are one of these people, you might have already found yourself buying out the various fishing and tackle shops in an effort to make your fishing trips more enjoyable. And most likely you have also probably been eyeing some of the used bass boats for sale.
However, as a beginning fisherman, this is probably the last thing that you want to do. Getting your very own bass boat might seem like a lot of fun, and worth your while, but there are some things that you should look into first before looking at either new or used bass boats for sale.
And the very first thing that you need to look at is whether you will really continue with the sport of bass fishing. Sure, it’s fun for now, and sure the idea of being able to pilot your own boat and go where you like sounds appealing, but you know that you can still have all of that with a rented boat, right?
Alright, say that you go ahead, give in and decide to buy a boat, are you going to go for the newer bass boats for sale, or are you going to exercise a little caution and instead go with one of the used bass boats for sale. This is something that you will have to decide early on before going down to get yourself a boat.
There are two ways to think of it, and the first one goes along the lines that although a newer bass boat might cost you more out of pocket, it will also be easier to sell if ever you need to.
If you go for the older, used bass boats for sale, you will definitely be heavier in the pocket, but you will also have an older bass boat model on your hands, which might not be as easy to get off your hands.
One of the main things that you need to look at, even above that of costing, is where you will store it. Yes, you’ll definitely use it to go bass fishing, but what will you do with it when you’re not fishing?
Where will you store it? And let’s not forget about the winter months when you will need to store it against harsh weather conditions, maybe for weeks or months on end.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg. There’s no need to let these cautionary words rain on your bassin’ parade, but it doesn’t hurt to be practical while you’re having fun.
No Rating
Share and Enjoy:
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Posted in Fishing Boats | 1 Comment »
December 22nd, 2007
Orvis is one of the most well-known names in the sport of fly fishing. They are the oldest mail order company in the United States and have been catering to their customers since 1856! Orvis does have other products beside fly fishing equipment, but all of their products do cater to people who have a love of the outdoors.
The biggest product line at Orvis is fly fishing gear and clothing. Their extensive collection of fly rods puts any other company to shame. They carry virtually everything a fly fisher needs from fly tying supplies to pre-made flies to vests and lines.
When you visit their website at www.orvis.com, you will find almost everything you could ever imagine for fly fishing supplies. If you’re interested in accessories, they’ve got it all. They even carry specialty sunglasses designed especially for fly fishers.
Orvis has a popular and well-known fishing school. Classes are conducted all over the United States in some of the most popular fly fishing spots. You learn all types of fishing techniques as well as casting and how to find the most fish in the waters you are fishing.
Orvis also offers some great fly fishing trips all over the world for people who visit their website. They are such a big name in the fly fishing industry, they take the time to research various destinations and lodges to give them their endorsement as worthy of their quality. You can trust Orvis when they suggest you stay in a specific lodge.
But Orvis also offers you much more. Their website has instructional articles that can help any fly fisher – both the novice and the experienced. They give a glossary of terms for beginners; tell you how to choose a fly line, and other helpful information like how to sharpen a hook.
You can even watch instructional videos on their website. These videos highlight everything from their product lines to endorsed guides and outfitters. You can learn about various fly rods, different types of waders, and tips on the best lines to choose.
Want to learn how to tie different knots? Orvis offers animated instruction in their fly fishing store that will guide you step by step. You can even post a question for their fly fishing experts.
Orvis is truly a full-service fly fishing company with a lot to offer. You’ll find so many products and so much information when you both go to their website and order their catalog. They are very trusted in the fly fishing industry. When you get fly fishing supplies from Orvis, you can be assured you are getting quality equipment from a company you can rely on.
No Rating
Share and Enjoy:
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Posted in Fly Fishing | No Comments »
December 22nd, 2007
One of the best ways to learn about fly fishing is by reading about it. You don’t have to buy hundreds of books, though. There are many magazines dedicated to fly fishing, and most of them can give you a lot of great information.
The leading magazine, and probably the most popular, is Fly Fisherman. This magazine gives lots of great tips and tricks you can try, and it brings you some of the most up-to-date news about streams and rivers that are popular with fly fishermen. You can get reviews of lodges and destinations as well as reports as to where the fish are biting the best. Subscription rates are $24 per year, and you can also check them online at www.flyfisherman.com.
Fly Rod and Reel is another popular magazine among experienced fly fishers. They touch on fishing etiquette, fly tying, and human interest stories from other fishermen. Recent issues have focused on conservation efforts along with ways to preserve the areas you will be fishing so others can enjoy the same waters. It is published six times per year and subscription rates are $19.97 for one full year. Online, they are located at www.flyrodreel.com.
Fly Fish America is an excellent magazine that brings you very comprehensive information on fly fishing. They do reviews of various fly fishing gear, give instructions on how to tie different flies as well as provide fishing reports. This magazine is also online at www.flyfishamerica.com. A yearly subscription for the paper form of the magazine for 7 issues is just $15.95.
When you subscribe to American Angler magazine, you will find practical information on the tactics, techniques, tackle, and flies that will bring you more success in your fly fishing endeavors. Recent issues have focused on the advantages to using wet flies as well as a south Alaska fly fishing expedition. It is also published six times a year with a subscription rate of $19.95 per year.
A specialty magazine called Fly Tyer is the only magazine dedicated exclusively to the art of tying your own flies. Publishing quarterly, Fly Tyer has all sorts of articles on the history, tradition, and innovations in the art of fly tying. For four issues, which is a year’s subscription, it will cost you $19.95.
There are many, many more fly fishing magazines that are published. Most will offer you some excellent information along with tips and techniques that you can put to use on your next fly fishing trip. Find one that you like and take in all that it has to offer. That’s how great fishermen are made!
No Rating
Share and Enjoy:
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Posted in Fly Fishing | 2 Comments »
December 22nd, 2007
There are numerous people who like to go fishing. Among the fish that they hunt for you ill find that Bass is a popular catch. If you are a novice to this art form then you will need to look for places where you can get the information that you need. One such place where you can get this information is from the online site called Bass Boat Central.
Here you will be able to find links which will take you to locations where you can get the information that you are looking for with regards to bass fishing. By looking at this information you will see that there are many interesting links for items like bait, fishing boats and even dealers who sell these bass boats.
On this site of Bass Boat Central you will see that there is a forum also. This forum is the perfect place for new boat owners to see information regarding different makes of bass fishing boats. For instance you will find information about boats like the latest Champion bass boats.
For the ardent bass angler Bass Boat Central also provides links to find boat shows, places where you can buy new boats and interestingly enough a club that is dedicated to the bass anglers of the world. These are not the only services that you will find when you look at this site.
When you look at the Bass Boat Central site you might become confused with all of the information which is displayed. To help clarify matters the homepage of this site has an explanation about the main links. This information can be found towards the bottom of the page.
For bass advertisers Bass Boat Central is one of the best places to advertise their wares. This is because this site is open to anyone who is interested in bass fishing. The fact that you can add a colorful picture to help show your products is an added bonus.
There is one interesting item that you will find on this Bass Boat Central page. This is the list of bass boats which various owners have. While these boats themselves are not for sale, you will be given the full specifications of each boat. By looking at these details you can decide if such a bass boat is one that can be of service to you in your bass fishing trips.
No Rating
Share and Enjoy:
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Posted in Fishing Boats | 1 Comment »
|
|