New Frontier (for me)

[Shmogley]

Hey all!
I've been wanting to try this for years now (watching with envy) and have only had the time recently to pursue the art, if that makes sense.
so not a lot of time to do any hands on, and I trust you guys over what ill find on google or utube.
Hoping to be out and learning first hand in the spring

I'm most interested in topwater. dry flies I guess for trout species..

wrote this topic before opening my eyes and seeing the newbie fly fisher sticky post.. DOh!

What do you guys think I should know before starting out?

 

[GuitarBuildingAngler]

If you are interested in top water, dry flies then there is much to know hahahaha.
I find it some of the most difficult fly fishing but the most rewarding.

Matching the hatch is pretty paramount. I have fished a well known dry all day with no results but when I switched to a mosquito pattern, started catching fish. Knowing how to properly present the fly is important, as well as understanding buoyancy and how your line acts in different water speeds. Making a fly drift naturally can make a huge difference between catching fish and not.

 

[Jacklake]

I second many of the comments of GBA, and probably RobH will chime in with some good advice. Being older, I definitely believe that a good book on the topic will prove much more valuable than trolling the internet. Sorry I don't have a good reference at the moment, except maybe Ring of the Rise by Vince Marinaro. However there are some factors which cannot be denied, even in point form. You must:

• use a fly which represents the predominant food available - emergers (half- sunk flies) work better than high floaters IMO.
• cast to a point above where you think the fish lies or where you last saw a rise.
• place/bring your fly to a position above the fish so that when it drifts down the fish does not have to move sideways to intercept it.
• use as fine and as long a tippet as possible under the circumstances (like 18" of 5X or even 6X).
• mend your line to avoid any drag (even dreaded micro-drag - unless you are fishing downstream in which case a micro-twitch is optional).
• use a smaller fly than you think is correct if the 'correct' size provides no results.

I believe you have to think like a fish and think like a fly at the same time to succeed - and REALLY pay attention to line control.
Topwater hits are very satisfying - and when it doesn't happen it is very frustrating - but the true pleasure for me is that I have to pay 100% attention and I am in a place with no time clock.

 

[GuitarBuildingAngler]

I completely agree.

As well, if you are not paying attention, you just missed the take.

When you have presentation dead on, good on you. Now you have to work on reflexes and hook sets. Now THAT is difficult to get great at.

 

[Bow Man]

I second many of the comments of GBA, and probably RobH will chime in with some good advice. Being older, I definitely believe that a good book on the topic will prove much more valuable than trolling the internet. Sorry I don't have a good reference at the moment, except maybe Ring of the Rise by Vince Marinaro. However there are some factors which cannot be denied, even in point form. You must:

• use a fly which represents the predominant food available - emergers (half- sunk flies) work better than high floaters IMO.
• cast to a point above where you think the fish lies or where you last saw a rise.
• place/bring your fly to a position above the fish so that when it drifts down the fish does not have to move sideways to intercept it.
• use as fine and as long a tippet as possible under the circumstances (like 18" of 5X or even 6X).
• mend your line to avoid any drag (even dreaded micro-drag - unless you are fishing downstream in which case a micro-twitch is optional).
• use a smaller fly than you think is correct if the 'correct' size provides no results.

I believe you have to think like a fish and think like a fly at the same time to succeed - and REALLY pay attention to line control.
Topwater hits are very satisfying - and when it doesn't happen it is very frustrating - but the true pleasure for me is that I have to pay 100% attention and I am in a place with no time clock.

Sorry for jumping in on this but, I am a fly noob and that is great advice! Would also like to know some good books for a noob.

 

[RobH]

Don't limit yourself to dry fishing. It is very technical and tends to come along as one evolves. If you are going to be targeting trout streams right off the bat, learn to cast 30 to 40ft and arm yourself with some nice little soft hackle wets. You can search with them, target rising fish and fish them deep. Everything else will come along but what will happen here is that you will hook a good number of fish with this method (eventually as nothing happens over night) and get a feel for hooking and fighting fish on a fly rod but it is relatively easy and is great casting practice.
Books are great but there is no substitute for putting yourself on the river and learning through trial and error. Learn fish behavior and insect behavior and you will be off to a great start.

 

[AKnook]

All great advice here. I would add with my experience with dry flies is that sometimes a little bigger than the "match" will catch more fish. This is proved for my when going after arctic grayling with dries. Size 14 and 16 Blue dunns is what would match the hatch for them when I fish in July but they seem to hammer the flies in size 12 a lot more readily. Just mix it up, nothing is set in stone. Experimenting is not only fun but can lead to some pretty impressive discoveries.

 

[GuitarBuildingAngler]

All great advice here. I would add with my experience with dry flies is that sometimes a little bigger than the "match" will catch more fish. This is proved for my when going after arctic grayling with dries. Size 14 and 16 Blue dunns is what would match the hatch for them when I fish in July but they seem to hammer the flies in size 12 a lot more readily. Just mix it up, nothing is set in stone. Experimenting is not only fun but can lead to some pretty impressive discoveries.

I agree with AKnook.
For instance, MadocFlyGuy and myself have made up some pretty wacky ways of catching still water Rainbow trout from a boat and it has worked.
Even if you think it is ridiculous, try it anyways.

 

[Cody309]

I agree with AKnook.
For instance, MadocFlyGuy and myself have made up some pretty wacky ways of catching still water Rainbow trout from a boat and it has worked.
Even if you think it is ridiculous, try it anyways.

We've come up with some unorthodox methods for sure. Don't be afraid to try a technique just because its not the "norm". Welcome to life on the fly!

 

[Shmogley]

Some awesome advice here, thanks everyone!

now to find some of these books to relax with until the time comes


yea experimenting is always good, you learn something either way and might find something special in the process.. win win situation

 

[FisherGirl]

Some awesome advice here, thanks everyone!

now to find some of these books to relax with until the time comes


yea experimenting is always good, you learn something either way and might find something special in the process.. win win situation

https://db.tt/Oue6RhFB

Amazing book for a noob like myself. I highlighted the dedication page because I thought it was absolutely beautiful