• Fly-fishing can be a fun way to fish for the first time or it can present a new challenge to a spin- or bait-casting angler.
• Fly-casting is a skill that brings great satisfaction when mastered. Some people find the activity of casting relaxing—others find it an effective method for finding fish.
• Fly-fishing is adaptable to many situations and species of fish. Walk a remote stream for trout. Wade a rocky river for smallmouth bass. Fish bluegills from the banks of a park pond. You can cast along a weed line from a boat for largemouth bass. Experience the thrill of a feisty pike on the end of a long rod.
Equipment
Basic fly-fishing equipment includes a rod, reel, and fly line. Instead of baits or lures, fly-anglers use flies. Flies are small, lightweight artificial lures that are too light to cast with spinning tackle. To try to cast a fly with a spinning reel—imagine throwing a leaf!
Fly line is heavier and thicker than monofilament line. It’s covered with plastic so that it floats on the water. The weight of the fly line propels the fly forward during the cast.
A piece of clear monofilament line called a leader connects the fly line to the fly. The leader is less visible to fish than the fly line. And, because it’s lighter, it splashes less on the water.
The leader is tapered, thicker where it attaches to the fly line and thinner where it connects to the fly. The thinner end of the leader is called the tippet. As you tie on new flies the tippet gets shorter. When this happens you can tie on new tippet material.
Buying Equipment
Start with a mid-weight (5 or 6 weight) fly rod, fly line of the same weight, and fly reel. Look for a beginner’s package with a rod, reel, weight-forward floating line, and leader. Kits are available at sporting goods stores and can work well. Specialty fly shops offer beginner setups in a range of prices and provide helpful advice.
Basics:
• Mid-weight fly rod (5 or 6 weight) and fly line to match
• Reel
• Leader
• Extra tippet
• Flies
• Nippers or fingernail clippers to cut line
• Glasses or sunglasses—polarized sunglasses will help you see underwater
• Hat with brim
Extras:
• Fly boxes to store flies
• Vest or fanny pack for gear
• Waders
• Forceps or needle-nose pliers to unhook fish
• Landing net
• Fly floatant (paste, oil, or spray) to keep dry flies afloat
• Strike indicators—like a small bobber
• Small split shot to squeeze on leader to sink flies deeper
• Steel leader
• Knot-tying guide or card
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Adopted From Minessota Fly Fishing Basic