Fly Fishing Guidebook More than 2,000 years ago, fishermen noticed insects that were eaten by the fish near the water’s surface. They fashioned rough imitations of those insects on primitive hooks and began catching fish. That was the beginning of fly fishing as we know it today.

The Fly-fishing technique -

From finding fish hideouts to understanding the life cycles of the different insects they eat, along with the other complexities have fascinated fly fishers for thousands of years. To become proficient in the art, continual fine-tuning is required in addition to studying much about how to select your flies, how to adapt and blend the various materials used in the construction of a fly, how to construct a fly using defined rules in accordance with the state of the sky, the color of the water and the peculiar habits of the fish in different rivers.

You’ll find all the information you need to start fly fishing in ‘Fly Fishing for Beginners’, including getting professional pointers on finding the right stance, and information on the most common casting problems so you can avoid each one! What’s more, you’ll discover the basic equipment requirements for balancing, successful strategies for night fishing, ways to deal with weather constraints and changing water levels, plus strategies for successful lake selection.

‘Fly Fishing For Beginners’ also gives you step-by-step guidance on Tying your own flies, and shows you the tools and materials right down to the best manufacturers and proportions you need.

There is a whole chapter dedicated to hints and tips for all manner of fly fishing situations, as well a tour through some of America’s favourite fly fishing destinations (including
details of particular rivers, what fish you’ll find there and the flies to use).

In ‘Fly Fishing For Beginners’ You will learn:
* The exciting history behind fly-fishing
* Surprising beginner tips, tricks and techniques
* What fly-fishing is all about
* The necessary equipment you need – from flies to rods and accessories
* How to tie your own fly
* Types of casting and common problems to avoid
* The advantages and disadvantages of wet vs. dry fly-fishing
* The best time of day for fly-fishing – so you catch the most fish
* Fly-fishing techniques used specifically for boat or land casting
* The exhilarating practice of winter fly-fishing
* How to plan the perfect fly-fishing excursion
* The best fly-fishing locations – from coast to coast and abroad
* And More . . .

Fly-fishing is, thankfully, a life-long sport you will never outgrow. No, I do not mean that you have to wait years to catch fish! Actually, it may not even take weeks for that matter. It just takes a while to master all the elements. With a little practice, you will soon find yourself on the water hooking a fish!

6 Tips to Get You Started Fly Fishing For Salmon

I know that the river condition are not right for fly fishing for Salmon just yet but I thought that I would throw out some common tips to get you started on the right foot when the rivers do come in. I hope these help you in some way and that the rivers will straighten up soon until then here are the tips

Tip #1: Fly Fishing for Salmon – Mood Matters
Salmon can be an odd fish to catch since their mood often matters. If they are in a taking mood they will accept any lure and bait. However, if they are not in a taking mood they will ignore anything that you dangle in front of them.

Tip #2: Fly Fishing for Salmon – When Will they Strike?
When salmon are in the river they won’t be feeding. However, this doesn’t mean that they won’t be striking. For a salmon, striking is a natural behaviour. The Idea is to get a drift that will drop your offering in front of them suddenly so their natural reaction to strike takes over. You don’t want to drift it down to them where they are watching it drift down they normally will move away from your offering if the have time drift off to the side and just before it drifts past slowly pull it in front of them.

Tip #3: Fly Fishing for Salmon – Keep your Hooks Sharp
The salmon has a very thick jaw so you’ll want to keep your hooks as sharp as possible so that they can penetrate deep. Make sure you are using a heavy enough hook to stand up to the abuse a salmon is going to give it and is capable of penetrating their heavy jaws.

Tip #4: Fly Fishing for Salmon – Fishing with a Partner
Try fly fishing for salmon with a partner so that you can spot more fish. Take turns fly fishing. One partner will fish while the other one stands on the opposite bank or a higher advantage point where he can keep an eye on the behaviour of the salmon and exactly where they are. Make sure that you bring along your polarized glasses as getting your fly in front of them at just the right time is the trick in making them strike

Tip #5: Fly Fishing for Salmon – Find a Good Hole
Make the effort to find a hole that has plenty of salmon in it. These types of holes can be fished all day. Look for deep slow moving spots in the river channel and one that offers some type of cover weather it is from a downed log or some large boulders.

Tip #6: Fly Fishing for Salmon – Choose Low-Light Days – Cool Water
Salmon like days that have a low-light or cloud cover. On days that are sunny and bright you’ll most likely find salmon congregating away from the brightness in deep holes. It’s those cloudy days that will make the salmon more accessible to you.

Water temperature, and knowing what it is, can play a big role in the success or failure of salmon fishing. You’ll want to invest in a good thermometer so that you can keep track of water temperatures throughout the day. Make sure that you place the thermometer in the same place each time to a depth of anywhere from six inches to three feet below the surface. Water temperature that range from 50 to 55 degrees is what I believe to be Ideal .

Keep a notebook with a record of water temperatures, being sure to update whenever you can. After a few years of recording water temperature in your favourite fishing spot you’ll have a good idea of which patterns are occurring.

Salmon do much better in cooler water. When water temperatures start to rise, salmon go deeper. This is because there is more oxygen in cooler water and salmon need this oxygen to survive. Salmon will be more active in cooler water than warm water so they will be a little more difficult to catch as they fight harder to escape. You’ll want to find a happy medium in water temperature so that the fish aren’t too active but nor are they too hot.

Understanding the water temperature of the water that your fishing can play a big part in knowing what type of rod, reel, and line to use as well as what type of lures and baits you should be using.

Written on October 17th, 2008 , Fly Fishing Tags: Fly Fishing

Cahill Fly Tying Bench

Cahill Fly-Tying Bench

Organize your fly tying space without really trying.

This beautiful rock maple bench offers an organized work area that will increase your fly tying productivity by keeping all materials close at hand. The Cahill Bench is useful and handy for beginner and expert fly tiers. “Without question the finest fly tying desk on the market.

Beautifully handcrafted these lovely benches are made for the serious fly tier whether you are a novice or professional fly tier. The Cahill Fly Tying Bench will make your fly tying neater and more productive with everything right where you need it to be. Tying flies is an art and the Cahill Fly Tying Bench is an art of its own.

The Cahill Fly Tying Benches have proven to be the most stylish, resilient, and functional fly tying organizational bench I have found. Beautifully crafted and the design will please even the most organized minded fly tier. I’ve tied at a Cahill Fly Tying Bench for several months now and don’t know how I got by without one. This is a beautifully finished fly tying bench that will be accept in your house as a piece of furniture. The Cahill Bench has added a touch of class to my fly tying work space.

Bench top slides open to reveal divided storage area beneath so everything you want is organized and at your finger tips.

Fly tying work area includes a hook magnet know more digging and untangling hooks just grab another hook and you’re ready to start tying again. It also has a dish, and holders for tools and bottles. The bench is held together with Brass screws and hardware. This Cahill Fly tying bench measures 17″ x 11½” x 7½”.

Don’t take my word for it read this review from another proud owner!

“Excellent portable bench January 26, 2008
By: Rugby10
Bought this when I began tying, and paired it with a Griffin Montana Mongoose Vise. Clamped to the arm of the bench, the vise and bench are solid and easily maneuverable. The bottom storage is roomy and easily accessible, even while tying. I’ve frequently removed the top entirely and used the vise pedestal. I carry my materials and tools in the “drawers” when I take the bench out for fly tying nights with the guys. The only modification I had to make was to drill out some larger holes on the arm to accommodate my ceramic bobbins. Other than that, the bench is ergonomically well-thought out and very durable.”(Review from the Orvis website)

Cahill Fly-Tying Bench
.

Steelhead, Salmon and Trout Fishing has been a passion of mine since I was a young boy. Most of my free time was spent on lakes and streams here in the northwest, and I have picked up on some interesting facts about fishing for these species over the last 45 years. I would like to share them with you through articles and at my websites I hope you find them helpful and enjoyable. So please stop by check out some information or just stock up on your fishing gear. Hope to see you on the river!

Written on October 16th, 2008 , Fly Tying Tags: Fly Tying

Fly Rod Selection Tips

Selecting Your Fly Rod:

A lot of fly fishermen take the sport of Fly Fishing very seriously. Going past the fact that it is a way to catch fish and also to enjoy the outdoors, fly fishermen think of what they do as a work of art. The talent and Skill that fly fishing requires is deserving of this status. Fly fishing is a great deal more involved than regular fishing, and it takes practice and dedication to become efficient at the sport of fly fishing. The majority of fly fishermen will tell you, nonetheless, that it is positively worth the time and effort that is required. Once you have the fortune of having a fish hit your fly just before it reaches the end of a drift you will be hooked too! While gaining experience and knowledge on how to fly fish, or even if you have tried fly fishing for some time, having the appropriate fly fishing rod is key to your success and enjoyment. There are a number of fly fishing rod types on the market, bamboo, graphite, fiberglass are the most popular, and which one you decide to use should be based on what type of fishing your intending to do. The right rod will be one that is comfortable to use, matches your fly fishing techniques, and the types of waters you intend to fish.

Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods

Bamboo fly fishing rods were one of the first fly fishing rods Built and used, their popularity for this reason is understandable and explains while they are still being made. Bamboo fishing rods are light and flexible they have a smooth slow action making them popular with those who practice a more polished method of fly fishing. Many fly fishing enthusiasts will tell you a lot of good things about bamboo fly fishing rods. A lot of fly fishermen swear by them they feel they are the best type of fly fishing rod made. Bamboo fly fishing rods do have a lot of positive features and this may lead many to believe that they are the best type out there, just remember this is their personal opinion base on their fishing style. The making of a bamboo fly fishing rod is a complicated and exact process; this reason tends to make them the one of the more expensive fly fishing rods out there.

Graphite Fly Fishing Rods

Fly fishing rods made of graphite seem to be a little stiffer, but this does not mean that they are any less valuable. The graphite fly fishing rod is a very strong fly fishing rod, (“strength can vary depending on its quality”). The graphite rods have good performance and resilience and are able to take more abuse then the bamboo rods. Graphite rods vary in price and design, so picking out the right graphite rod for you will be a matter of your personal choice and your budget.

Fiberglass Fishing Rods

Many fishing rods made today are made of fiberglass weather they are used for (regular) fishing or (fly) fishing. Fiberglass is a perfect material for fishing rods as it is strong, durable, and flexible, the one draw back to fiberglass rods is that the tend to be a little heavier. This could mean that when your done fishing for the day that your arm may be tired and sore. I believe that especially for the beginner the fiberglass rod is an excellent choice due to its strength and being able to take a lot more punishment from the inexperienced fly fisherman. The fiberglass rod is a popular choice for many fly fishermen due to these facts and is one of the more affordable choices on the market today.

Fly Fishing for Beginners

A great resource that provides you with some great Fly Fishing Tips and Techniques. This resource will have you catching more fish because “whether you’ve been fishing since they invented hooks, or just starting out, you’ll be surprised at what you can still learn about fly fishing from these two dedicated fly fishing anglers that have since past! Thankfully for us, they put this resource together for us to learn in days what took them a lifetime to find out.

In Fly Fishing for BeginnersYou will learn:

* The exciting history behind fly-fishing
* Surprising beginner tips, tricks and techniques
* What fly-fishing is all about
* The necessary equipment you need – from flies to rods and accessories
* How to tie your own flies
* Types of casting and common problems to avoid
* The advantages and disadvantages of wet vs. dry fly-fishing
* The best time of day for fly-fishing so you catch the most fish
* Fly-fishing techniques used specifically for boat or land casting
* The exhilarating practice of winter fly-fishing
* How to plan the perfect fly-fishing excursion
* The best fly-fishing locations from coast to coast, and abroad
* Along with much, much, More!
Pick up a copy today by clicking the link above.

Written on October 14th, 2008 , Fly Fishing Rods Tags: fly rod

Want to Start Tying Flies Here’s the tools need!

So your thinking of tying your own flies well you are just steps away from what I feel is one of the most rewarding hobbies around today. Tying your own flies is not only relaxing and rewarding, it can be a very productive way of putting more fish on the end of your fly line.

To get started you will need some basic fly tying tools and like most hobbies as your interest grows so will the supplies and tools you use. For now we will just talk about the basic tools you will need to get started. The following is a list of the basic items you will need to get started.

Fly Tying Vise
Hackle Pliers
Hair Stacker
Fly Tying Scissors
Thread Bobbin
Bodkin and
Whip Finisher
+ Tags

The Fly Tying Vise
One of the most important parts of your tool kit will be the fly vise when choosing your vise it is imperative that you have a vise that is easy to use and even more importantly that it holds your fly hook securely. Purchasing your fly vise is no where to try and save on your budget I recommend buying a vise of high quality remember you get what you pay for.

Hackle Pliers
Good hackle pliers will hold the feather firmly without breaking off the tips of the hackle. English hackle pliers are quite reasonably priced They are a good choice for starting to collect your tying tools. Some of they more expensive hackle pliers have revolving handles, a lot like those found on whip-finishers. Pliers with a revolving handle helps prevent the hackle from becoming twisted while wrapping the hackle around the hook.

Hair Stacker
Tying the bucktail streamers you will find a hair stacker is essential. A good hair stacker will have some weight to it selecting a brass hair stacker makes good since for this reason, as it will allow you to use less energy when straitening the hair. This is just my personal preference however.

Fly Tying Scissors
Make sure you purchase scissors that are made for fly tying and watch out for cheap scissors nothing can be more frustrating then trying to trim up your fly while having to fight a pair of scissors that will not cut the delicate materials that you will be using. You can usually purchase a good quality pair of scissors for around $10 to $12 dollars.

Thread Bobbin
The thread bobbin is a great tool for holding your thread and makes the wind of the thread around the hook a lot simpler then fighting the thread strait off the bobbin itself. Make sure when purchasing your thread bobbin that the barrel which the thread goes through does not have any sharp edges as this is not a good thing when winding your thread around the hook.

The bodkin
The bodkin is basically a large needle mounted on to a handle this tool become very useful for separating fine strands of material that you will want to add to your fly, cleaning, arranging and adding drops of cement. You will soon appreciate having this tool once you start fly tying.

Whip Finisher
This tool helps tie half hitch knots and for wrapping and finishing your fly once you get use to using this tool you will wonder how you ever did without it. If you are just starting out or if you have tied flies before flies you will appreciate this tool.

One of the best ways of getting started tying flies is to buy a kit just make sure that it has at least the above mentioned items.

Written on October 14th, 2008 , Fly Tying Tags: Fly Tying

Orvis Shooting Star 149-4 Sprey Rod

Written on October 13th, 2008 , Fly Fishing Rods Tags: Fly Fishing Rods

Get Organized With A Fly Tying Bench

Have you been tying flies and working or at least trying to work off the kitchen table or maybe even a card table in the back room. Let us get organized and make our fly tying more enjoyable and productive. There are several ways to do this but one of the fastest and easiest ways of accomplishing this task would be to pick your self up a fly tying bench. Think of having everything you need at you fingertips. Having a bench or a workstation where all your materials are organized and within easy reach will allow you to enjoy your fly tying even more. It is a fact that you will be able to produce more flies in less time once you are organized.Investing in a fly tying bench does not have to be expensive either. You can go with a simple yet affective platform like the Pedestal Base Fly Tying Station A great addition to any fly tiers collection. This extremely functional compact fly tying base is designed with everything you’ll need to organize frequently used tools and materials.

There are a number of holes in variety of sizes located around your work surface for tools, and routed trays designed to keep hooks and beads from falling to the floor. Perfect for use at home or on the road, the tray is compatible with any standard vise.

You may want to go with something a little more sophisticated like the Oasis Fly Factory Bench which is a beautiful hand-crafted tying bench made of solid oak with a clear lacquer finish. Unlike some cheaper benches, Oasis uses plenty of screws and glue no nails or staples to ensure years of dependable use.

It has ten-brass spool rods hold up to 20 spools of thread. There are thirty-one holes of various sizes, including a half-inch swing-lamp hole. These holes will allow you to place your tool out where you can see them yet keep them out of your way. The clear plastic trays are set against a white background that makes locating small beads and hooks a snap. This unit will also accommodate any standard vise.

Another bonus is the fact that it is made here in the USA.

You may want to go up one more step with the Cahill Fly-Tying Bench it will organize your fly tying space without you really trying. This is a beautiful rock maple bench offers an organized work area to keep all materials and tools nearby. It will increase your fly tying productivity by saving you from having to search for tools or material. The bench top slides open to reveal a convenient divided storage area.

For those of you looking for the supreme fly tying bench there is the Willow Run Fly Tying Desk The Willow Run Desk provides you with an organized space to tie the perfect fly from storage drawers to ample working space. This piece also makes a great writing desk. Made from birch and finished with cherry veneer and cast bronze drawer pulls, it folds down to become a rustic piece of furniture that will suit any room. This desk is constructed of solid Pine Wood and will last for generations.

Find your Fly Tying Bench Now!

Written on October 10th, 2008 , Fly Tying Tags: Fly Tying

Newer Entries >>

Steelhead Salmon and Trout Fishing is proudly powered by WordPress and the Theme Adventure by Eric Schwarz
Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS).

Categories

Pages