Archive for the ‘Fly Fishing’ Category

An important piece of apparel you can have when you take up fly-fishing is a quality fishing vest. You have many choices when looking at fly-fishing vests, so you will want to choose carefully. It is important that your vest meet your needs, so consider your options before you run out and buy a fly-fishing vest.

All fly-fishing vests come with a variety of pockets in different shapes and sizes. You do not want one with so many pockets that your vest becomes overloaded. You will want enough pockets so you can carry the needed gear and yet still remain comfortable.

The vest should fit comfortably and you should have plenty of room to move around. The pockets should close with Velcro so you can have easy access to your supplies. When you choose your vest, make sure that you are able to wear layers underneath it and can still move around easily.

The fly-fishing vest should have a short waist because you will be wading in water. You do not want it to get wet, so if it falls just above your waist, it will stay dry and comfortable.

Consider what weather conditions will be like when you are fly-fishing. If you will be fishing mostly in the summertime, you may want to consider a mesh vest these well-ventilated fly-fishing vest help keep you cool in the summer heat. Cold weather fishing will require you to wear layers underneath, so pick one large enough to allow you to move about easily.

Vests come in a variety of colors. Many fly anglers choose a neutral brown, but you can also pick vests in colors like blue and orange. Because you will be out in the wilds, blending in is important. However if you are going to be fly-fishing while others may be hunting, keep in mind your safety. You will want to be visible to other anglers as well as hunters without scaring away the fish in the process.

Some vests come with a built-in life preserver. This may be something to consider if you will be fishing rough waters with strong currents. You never know when an accident will happen. A built-in floatation device may just save your life.

As a fly-fishing angler you will soon realize, your fly rod is the second most important pieces of equipment.  The first most important piece of the puzzle is the gaining and storing of knowledge in the art of fly-fishing of course.  Selecting the right fly rod can be puzzling.  I hope this article will give you some direction into which fly rod is right for you. 

Fly rods come in various shapes and sizes, and which one you choose depends mainly on the type of fishing you plan on doing.

Fly fishing rods come rated in terms of the net weight they can handle (designated by nwt or just wt).  This means that if you are fishing waters for fish up to eight pounds, you should use an eight nwt rod.  Therefore, the higher the number, the bigger fish the rod is capable of handling.

Some rods are multi-rated like 8-10 nwt.  multi-rated rods are good because they can handle a variety of situations.  The trade off is you will give up some performance in the fly rod.  A multi-rated fly rod is good for the beginning fly anglers because of its ability to adapt to various fishing scenarios.

Fly Rods are made of three different materials:  fiberglass, graphite, and bamboo.  Each type of material will give the fly rod certain handling characteristics and benefits.  

The length of your fly rod makes a difference as well depending on the type of fishing conditions you are fishing.  Fly rods less than 8 feet long are good for tight, narrow places and areas with overhanging trees.  Eight to nine foot rods are ideal for trout and bass fishing in open areas.  These longer rods will provide you with better casting distance.  Anything nine feet and over is for wide-open waters and those long distance casts.  The nine feet and above rods, work well for fishing from a float tube or drift boat.

Put some thought into your selection of a fly fishing rod.  While your fly rod is not the only piece of gear that matters it is the one piece of gear that can help you bring in a trophy fish or just another fish.  Think about what you want to accomplish on your fishing excursion and choose a rod that you help you attain your goal.