An Old Alarm Clock and Fly Fishing

I suppose it was inevitable that I would do the research and write an article on the history of fly fishing.  I grew up wanting to know what makes things tick and quite literally I made my first discovered at the age of eight.  It was to my great delight, when I became the rightful owner of a large alarm clock that ‘‘ticked ‘and obtained the permission to dissect it to discover where the ticking sound came from.  If you are a Baby Boomer like me, then you know I'm referring to a time prior to the digital age, when clocks had all those moving parts and a wonderful ‘‘tick tock'‘ sound.

Now if you are an avid fan of fly fishing like me, you know there is no better thrill than wading out into a body of water and pitting you're casting skills in snaring a beautiful fish in their own natural habitat!  I suppose man has been fishing in some way or another since the beginning of time, however it's the sport of fly fishing that captures the imagination and there is nothing quite as popular as the art of fly fishing.  A quick search of Google reveals over thirty three million inquiries on the subject, so like the old alarm clock; I decided to see where all the ‘‘ticking'‘ comes from.

‘‘They fasten red (crimson red) wool around a hook, and fix onto the wool two feathers which grow under a cock's wattles, and which in color are like wax.  Their rod is six feet long, and their line is the same length.  Then they throw their snare, and the fish, attracted and maddened by the color, comes straight at it, thinking from the pretty sight to gain a dainty mouthful; when, however, it opens its jaws, it is caught by the hook, and enjoys a bitter repast, a captive.'‘ Translated from a piece of literature dating back to 1558 the above is a reference to a Macedonian fly that was observed to hover over water and when it landed on the water, it floated there long enough for a fish to take it.  As far as we know this is the earliest reference to the observance of a type of fly that could be used to catch fish.

Around Medieval Times a text was found referring to the catching of trout and grayling using a '‘feathered hook'‘.  Other texts identify fly fishing as the chosen method of commoners from 1360 onwards.

The earliest rods were about six feet in length. This was a rod that was ideal for fishing on overgrown rivers where there is no clear back-cast, but the main reason for was that six feet is about the maximum length of straight hazel shoot, which was the basic material available at that time.

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It wasn't until the eighteenth century that silk lines appeared. Up until silk was available, early anglers fished with knotted from horsehair lines.  These lines would have been about the same length as their rods, and most likely the fly was tied directly onto the end of the horsehair.  The fly would float at first, and then sink to a depth of a few centimeters.  A reference to casting a fly was made in 1620 in the form of footnotes to a poem, ‘‘… a line twice your rod's length of three hairs' thickness,  in open water free from trees on a dark windy afternoon,  and if you have learned the cast of the fly,'‘  The concept of the ‘‘dry fly'‘and the ‘‘wet fly'‘were centuries in to the future.

Rings first appeared on rods towards the end of the seventeenth century. The invention gave anglers much more control over the line while a fish was being played, however it had little effect on casting distances.

Jointed rods were becoming more common by the latter half of the eighteenth century. These were often made of wood, sometimes reinforced with brass, and were terribly unreliable.  Trout fly rods were still much longer in these early years and were as much as fourteen to seventeen feet.  The majority of them were shorter rods.  A typical rod might have measure twelve foot long for fishing with lines that terminated in two hairs or more; nine feet for fishing with single hairs ‘‘for the small fly'‘, and seventeen feet long for salmon.  An experienced angler might reckon to throw twelve yards of line with one hand, and or seventeen with both, while using a sixteen foot rod.

The tackle trade had become well established by the eighteenth century, and sold every conceivable item a fly fisher would have needed, as well as many that they didn't need.  In the last half of the century, the multiplying reel was developed. The multiplying reel gave the angler a much higher rate of retrieve, but most designs had brass gears, which ground to shreds under any kind of strain, leaving the fisherman in a horrible state of affair for much of that period.

In the early days anglers had had to twist their own fly lines, generally out of horsehair. During the industrial revolution a variety of tapered manufactured lines became available which could be cast with greater accuracy. By 1850, tapered reel lines were pretty much standard issue and it was pretty much a routine for anglers to reverse a fly line when one end had worn out.

The years 1851 to 1900 were a time of great change in the world of fly fishing.  The false cast was discovered, the dry fly technique emerged, split cane rods were perfected, and ‘‘modern'‘ reels were developed.  The winds of change began to blow in 1857, when Stewart, a young Scotsman, suggested upstream wet fly fishing with for 'a light stiff, single-handed rod of about ten feet long.  The discovery of the false-cast and the beginnings of dry fly fishing began the trend towards shorter trout rods that led to the split-cane rods of Halford's generation.

With Aluminum came a brief practice for using of all sorts of exotic materials. Rubber was in popular use for fly-reel construction between the years 1851 (when Goodyear put in his first patent for rubber processing), to around 1925.  American indigenous reels had almost completely replaced imported products by 1845.

The 1850s marked the beginning of the end of long double-handed trout rods, although they didn't totally fall from favor for at least another forty years.  At the turn of the century the hexagonal split-cane rod was the dominant design, with single, double and steel-centered builds available on request.

In the 1890s, the development of wet trout fly fishing effectively stalled, and dry fly fishing was to drive the technology of the next century.

Glass-fiber rods first appeared in the late 1940's, but it took a while for the new material to be adopted. In 1949, polyvinyl chloride became available, and the first nylon fly line appeared.  In 1952, the discovery of a method of altering the thickness of the PVC coat on the new lines allowed the taper on these lines to be controlled to a precise amount, and the invention of ways to alter the specific gravity of the PVC coating produced a line with greater flexibility than anyone had ever dreamed of in a fly line.

The early years of the twentieth century were a time of great innovation, and the design of the fly reel was greatly improved. At long last, technology was up to the job, and the designers were free to experiment.

Today you can't pick up a fly rod without taking part in history, so next time you cast your line and flick your fly into the future you are part of the ever developing and exciting history of fly fishing!

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Montana Trout Fly Fishing Guide ? Things to Know Before Going Fly Fishing for Trout in Montana

Montana Trout Fly Fishing Guide – Things to Know Before Going Fly Fishing for Trout in Montana

Montana is home to some of the best trout fly fishing in the United States.  People come from all over the world to fish its legendary waters.  Some fly fishermen seek the expertise of a Montana trout fly fishing guide while others are determined to go at it alone.  Regardless of how you do it there are certain things that you must be prepared for.  This is a quick guide to Montana trout fly fishing that is aimed at helping ensure a successful trip to one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Even if a person was to fly fish Montana for a year and never catch a fish, the trip would still be a success.  You cannot believe the sheer beauty of this place until you have been there.  The wildlife alone is enough to get people coming back for more; throw a few 20 inch trout into the mix and you are in for one of the best trips of your life.  To make this trip as successful as possible, there are items that you will not want to leave behind and situations that you will want to be ready for.  Read on to get a general idea of what you need to be ready for, the essential items that you need to bring, and ideas on how to make this a great trip, and hopefully a successful one at that.

Where to Fly Fish in Montana

Montana is one of the biggest states in the U.S. and is home to the Rocky Mountains and other massive mountain ranges that feed thousands of rivers, streams and lakes.  With all of this water, it can be a daunting task to pick a particular body of water to fish.  I have had to decide where to fish on several occasions, and I'll tell you, it is not easy.  For the most part, all you have to do is find some cold clear water and you can bet there are trout in it, probably big trout.  From the northwest to the southeast corners, and everywhere in between, fly fishing for trout can be good.   A good portion of the Montana is not so mountainous and more so desert, but even in this 2/3 of the state, an experienced fly fisherman can find big trout if he or she knows where to look.  This is an area where a Montana trout fly fishing guide can come in handy.

Southwest Montana is by far the most popular part of the state for fly fishing.  It is home to some incredible rivers that are fed from the numerous mountain ranges that can be seen in all directions.  This area is unique in that a person can fish many different bodies of water in a short trip.  From one blue ribbon trout river you can drive over a mountain pass and be fishing in another blue ribbon river in an hour or two.  Here is a quick list of the rivers that you have to choose from in SW Montana:

Madison

Big Hole

Bitterroot

Ruby

Rock Creek

Beaverhead

Jefferson

Yellowstone

Gallatin

Missouri

All of these rivers hold a large number of big trout, but are just a few of the bigger named rivers that Montana has to offer.  It takes many trips to Montana to really determine a favorite river.  A person could fish Montana for a lifetime and still have new rivers to fish.

When to Fly Fish Montana

I have been to Montana and experienced both great and not so great fly fishing.  Whenever the conditions are right though, the fishing has consistently been on the great side.  A good way to better your chances of experiencing good fishing is to time your vacation around both weather and insect hatches.  Most of the hatches are dependent on weather though, so if you come during the time of year that weather is most predicable (summer), your chances of having a successful trip will increase.

Here is a quick break down on each season and what can be expected.

Winter: Cold!  This is the time of year to book a trip to do some tropical fishing.   Many of the rivers in Montana freeze all the way across or are made up of big dangerous ice shelves.  There is some fishing in some tail waters near the dams, but unless you are a local, the fishing is not worth going out of you war to be freezing.  If you do come this time of year, bring your skis, the skiing is better than the fishing.

Spring: The fish this time of year are less fearful than they get once they have had a few hooks in their mouth a little later in the year, so great fishing can happen.  The problem becomes the water flow and clarity.  There is usually a small time frame when the snow and ice clear in the valleys, but remains in the mountains, making for clear water.  This is a good time to fish but the window of opportunity is very small.  If you can get away with short notice, as soon as you here the fishing is good, you'd better get on it because as soon as the snow starts melting and the spring rains start coming down, the rivers will rise and clarity will drop.

Summer:  This is the most popular time to be fly fishing Montana's trout rivers.  The temperatures are comfortable and the river levels drop and become clear.  The Salmon Fly hatch is the first hatch to really start off the season.  It happens usually after June 10th.  This is a busy time of year for a Montana trout fly fishing guide, but the trout love to eat these significantly sized insects.  From the middle of June and throughout the rest of the summer, there will be hatches of either caddis, mayflies, hoppers and many more.

Fall: After the summer crowds leave, the fall gives way to cooler temperatures and less crowded rivers. This is a favorite time of year for many hardcore fly fishermen.  The fish are ready to fatten up for the winter and some big insects begin hatching.  The main attraction this time of year is the Fall Caddis hatch.  These supersized caddis are a trout's main entree and can be taken with ease off the top with large floating flies such as stimulators and caddis in size 6 – 10.

Being Your Own Montana Trout Fly Fishing Guide

For an experienced fly fisherman, Montana can be effectively fished without the help of a guide.  This will certainly cut down on the budget, but is only advised for those that are proficient at casting and working flies.  There is a huge learning curve in fly fishing and if you are not over that curve, then it will be beneficial to have someone to help you out, either a friend or a guide.  Before you go, you will want to know what you will need as for as gear and fly patterns.  At the link at the end of this article there is an insect hatch chart for Montana that can help you decide what flies to take.  Another good way is to stop at a fly shop on the river you will be fishing and ask.  Most of these people spend a lot of time on the river and will be able to steer you in the right direction.  You may also want to ask them if they have any guides available as sometimes you can book a trip last minute for a discounted price if the guide has nothing else to do.  If you are going to fly fish Montana on your own, then make sure you read the gear guide below to make sure you have all you will need.

Hiring a Montana Trout Fly Fishing Guide

One of the best ways to ensure a successful fly fishing trip to Montana is to hire a Montana Trout Fly Fishing Guide.  It is amazing how much knowledge most of these guys have after putting fly fisherman on trout every day.

Here is a list of the benefits that a fly fishing guide can offer:

Knowing the insect hatches:  Yes, Montana is full of big trout, but the way these trout get so big is because they are smart.  They know which insects are hatching, the color and size they are, and how they float in or on the water.  Knowing these key features is exactly what a guide is paid to do, so he or she had better be good at it or they will not make it in this business.  When fishing these smart trout, you need to have everything perfect; a guide can definitely help to make this happen.

Where to Fish: Trout have certain conditions that they prefer.  Fishing in the right spot is a crucial factor to success on any trout water.  Insects and other organisms that trout feed on collect in certain areas and this is where you will find big trout.  A good Montana trout fly fishing guide will be able to put you in the right place at the right time

Access: Getting to the trout waters is sometimes half the battle.  Much of Montana's trout fishing is best accessed by a boat or by walking through private property.  Not everybody has a boat and even if you do, it may not be feasible or possible to bring it.  A guide will get you where you need to be one way or another.

Equipment: Most guides will have a high quality fly fishing rod, reel and line set up for you to use that is designed to cast the flies you will be using and fight the fish you will be fishing for.  It is very important that you use the right equipment as this will greatly improve you fly fishing efficiency.

Knowledge: A Montana trout fly fishing guide will be able to offer clients so much more than just fishing advice.  A good guide also knows the history, geology, anthropology, and stories that make this part of the world so interesting and beautiful.

Gear to Bring:

Montana is a demanding place, both in fly fishing gear and clothing alike.  To make this the best trip possible it is advised that you come prepared for anything that Montana can throw at you.  I have seen it snow in July, and I've lost several fish due to size that I was not expecting.  Let's go over some items that you should not come to Montana without.

1. Fly Fishing Gear: Things you will need if not hiring a Montana Trout Fly Fishing Guide

Fly Fishing Rod: It is very important that you bring a fly rod that is of high quality.  The Wal-Mart combo set is not recommended and will lead to headaches and a far less successful trip.  A well made fly rod is much easier to cast, more accurate, and stronger leaving you much less likely to break it.  Two rules of thumb are: 1. Buy the best rod you can afford.  2. Only consider rods that offer a lifetime warranty.  For more information on buying a fly rod and all other fly fishing gear mentioned here, click the link at the end of this article.

Fly Fishing Line:  Fly lines are a close second to the importance of a fly fishing set up right behind a quality fly rod.  With fly fishing, you are casting the line which delivers the fly to where you want it.  This means the line has to work with the rod.  This is why it is advised to use a high quality line in addition to a nice rod.  Also, you will want to be able to fish many different situations as the fish are not always willing to take an insect on the top.  You may need to use a sink tip to get bait fish imitations to the fish so it is also wise to go with a line that has interchangeable tips of different sink rates from floating to fast sink.

Fly Fishing Reel: a fly reel is less important and receives far less use than the line and rod, but a smooth drag system is very helpful if you hook into any trout 16 inches or more.  It is not a good experience to lose a fish of a lifetime over a cheap piece of equipment.  Again, it is suggested to buy the best reel you can afford, but if you must skimp on either a rod, reel, or line, this is the place to do it.

Waders and Boots: These are an essential.  Most Montana fly fishing is done at elevations well over 6000 feet making for cool mornings and cold water even in August.  Having owned a couple pairs of cheap waders in my early fly fishing days, I can tell you how important a quality pair can be.  Although they may cost twice as much, a quality pair can last 3 times as long before they start leaking in the seams and cutting in to your fun.  Also, a good pair of wading boots is a must on the slippery rocks of almost all Montana Rivers.  Good support and traction are what you should be after.  There are many types of soles to choose from.  A big push in Montana is rubber soles as opposed to felt in an effort cut down on transporting invasive aquatic organisms that can live in a felt sole that does not have time to dry out before using them in a second river system.  Nearly all quality wading boot manufactures have come out with rubber soles designed to grip slippery rocks and many have removable cleats that can add a lot of stick to your traction.  Check out the gear guide link at the end of this article to help you decide on all equipment you will need.

Flies, leaders, tippets, floatant, and line cutters: These are all necessary if you are going to be your own Montana trout fly fishing guide.  It is important to know how to tie all this together and what types of flies are effective during the time of your adventure.  One would think a trout would take any fly that it sees, but even the small fish are smart and will mostly only take flies that match the insects that are hatching at the time.

2.  Things to bring guide or not:

Hiring a Montana trout fly fishing guide will definitely cut down on the amount of gear you will need to pack as far as fly fishing equipment.  Still there are several items that you will not want to leave home without that your guide will not provide, especially if you are not hiring one.  Here is a quick list of items that should not be left home.

Rain proof coat: have it ready too.  The weather in these mountains can change in an instant from sunny and warm to cloudy, rainy, and sometimes even snow.

Binoculars: the areas are home to some incredible wildlife and you never know what you are going to see.  Deer, elk, big horn sheep, moose, wolf, coyote, bear, and many more species are all possible.

Camera: Make sure you have one handy when you real in that fish of a life time.  The surroundings are picture perfect as well.

Sun Screen: The sun is intense at these altitudes and the rays will reflect off the water.

Sun Glasses: Sunglasses are very helpful when spending all day on the river.  Polarized sun glasses are recommended as they cut down on the glare coming off the water and enable a person to see through the water much better than with just regular sun glasses.

Handling of Montana Trout

All trout are very delicate.  It is best not to touch them at all, but if you do need to take a picture, wet your hands before touching, take a quick photo, and get it back in the water.  It is best to let it swim away as soon as it has the power to do so.  Please do not caress it and rub its belly like you see them do on fishing shows.  Get the trout out of your hand as soon as possible.  Most of Montana requires Barbless hooks, but do it because it is the right thing to do as it is so much easier to remove the hook this way.  Barbless hooks get a bad rap for loosing fish.  I think it is more of an excuse.  Many times that hook is going to come out barb or not, the key is to keeping the line tight.  Many experienced fly fishermen including many Montana Trout fly fishing guides will agree that the barb actually makes it harder to get a good hook set on a fish because it has a wider shank to seat it firmly in the mouth tissue.  The final argument against barbed hooks is the fact that it is not smart to have a barbed hook flying around your head, or any part of your body for that matter.  A barbed hook in your eye is not a pretty sight.  Just hope there is still have sight from that eye when you get back from the hospital.

Conclusion

No matter how many big Montana Trout you do or don't catch, you are sure to have a good time.  Like I said before, the scenery alone is worth making a trip here. Typically my drive home to Idaho is spent planning out the next trip to Montana.  Every time I make the trek to these legendary waters I am faced with not having enough time to fish all the water I would like to.  That is because a lifetime is not enough time to fish all of this state.  On the drive to Montana it always seems like I have more than enough time to be fishing, but before I know it, it is time to pack up and head for home.  I guess time flies when you are having fun, luckily there are many more trips to come if I have things my way.  I hope to see you all there, and please be respectful of the fish so we all can enjoy fly fishing Montana together for years to come.

Take the Right Gear

To make sure you are properly equipped with the right gear for fly fishing Montana, go to this gear guide where you will find advice on fly rods, lines, reels, waders, and all necessary gear related to fly fishing: http://onlineflyfishingguide.com/onlineflyfishinggearguide.html and click on the gear guide. For more information on hatches, river flows, and other important articles about fly fishing, click on this link: Montana Trout Fly Fishing Guide.

Question by fencer: what is a good beginner fly fishing reel?
I have a fenwick ff80-3 that my dad gave to me and im looking for a good beginner reel to go with it so i can try fly fishing in about 2 weeks from now, maybe a kit that has some flys with it as well and the string that goes with it. Does anyone know of a good beginner set up i can use.

Thanks alot.

Best answer:

Answer by trunorth
One important thing to remember about most fly reels (the exception is hard core saltwater reels) is that it is simply a place to keep your line.

I would recommend the Pflueger reels, I have two of them and they work well.

http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/products/products.php?p=33

Add your own answer in the comments!

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The Best Fly Rod For Trout

Fly Rods come in all different sizes depending on the type of fish you are after as well as the tactics you plan to deploy.   Trout pose a reel problem when it comes to picking out the perfect fly rod, as they come in all sizes, and can be fished with many different tactics.  So, unfortunately there is not one best fly rod for trout that will be superb for all trout situations.  Luckily, when an angler goes fly fishing for trout, he or she has an idea of the average size of fish and the method of fly fishing they will most likely be using.  With this information we can choose the best fly rod for trout with regards to your situation.

First, we need to look at the size of trout you will be after.  For most situations, a 4wt-6wt will be sufficient.  While a 4wt is pretty light for a fish that is over about 22 inches, it will deliver a very light presentation for a dry top water fly, and it is this natural presentation that will persuade a 20+ inch fish to take it.  With a 6wt rod, you will have plenty of back bone for bigger fish and longer casts, but you will sacrifice a little of the light presentation.  With that being said, some people elect to split the difference if they only want to buy one rod and purchase a 5wt.  A 5wt will get you somewhere in the middle and perform well in most trout fly fishing situations. 

Second, we need to look at the type of fishing you will most likely be doing.  There are three preferred methods of fly fishing for trout that vary with the way one presents their fly.  They are Dry Fly, Nymph, and Wet Fly presentations, with variations of each.  Here is a list of what rods work best for each method:

·         Dry Fly: It is hard to beat a 4wt for a light natural presentation, which is the #1 concern in dry fly fishing.

·         Nymphs:  Requires more back bone to cast a nymph set up because it typically requires a strike indicator or dry fly to best present a nymph making for a challenging cast even for a seasoned fly angler.  A light presentation is not crucial, but a natural one is.  A 6wt rod will be a good choice for nymphing and will be better suited for the larger fish associated with this technique.

·         Wet Fly:  Typically used to present a fly that sinks and looks like a bait fish.  Mostly requires a sinking line to get it deep and a "swinging" technique.  Sinking line is tougher to cast than floating line and is easier with a heavier rod.  A 6wt or even an 8wt is well suited for this situation.  Also a heavier rod is nice as this method has a possibility to catch big fish if executed properly.

Third, we need to think about quality and price.  All fly fishermen and women have different budgets they are willing and able to spend on a fly fishing setup.  The rod is only a third of the main setup.  The line and the reel make up the rest.  So keep that in mind when you decide how much to spend on a rod.  With price, comes quality and warranty.  I would suggest making this a long term investment and buying a rod that comes with a lifetime, unconditional warranty; you will not regret spending a little more on a better rod.  Fly rods do a lot of work and you will feel the difference between a cheap rod and a well built one.  Fly rods for trout with a warranty will start out at nearly 0.00 for a value priced rod and go up from there to over 00.00 for a custom bamboo rod.  The value priced rods are great beginner's rods and will perform effectively everything you will need them to do.  With the high end rods you will get a nicer feel and more comfortability, and maybe slightly better line control and presentation.  Like so many other things in life, it is best to go with the best fly fishing rod that you can afford as long as it come with the lifetime warranty, because we all break a rod sooner or later whether it be on a huge fish or your truck door; I have done both.

Choosing the perfect fly rod for trout or any other fish is not a simple decision.  There are numerous brands, sizes and styles to choose form.  I can only go over so much information in one article, but more info such as particular rods, brands and sizes are available at www.flyfishinggeararsenal.com.   Before you make this important decision make sure you visit this site by clicking here where you will also find great places to purchase fly rods of all sizes, as well other equipment and gear.

Shakespeare Two-Piece Fly Action Ugly Stik Fly Line Rod, 7-Feet
Ugly Stik Lite Two-piece 7'0" Fly line rod...

Wild Water Fly Fishing AX34-090-4 Fly Rod
You get our fantastic AX34-090-4 Series 4 piece fly rod with a rod sock and Wild Water's LIFETIME WARRANTY. This rod is designed f...

Eagle Claw 8'6" Fly Rod & Reel Mega Combo 7/8 - w/Creel & 55 Flies w/case!
Eagle Claw 8'6" Fly Rod & Reel Mega Combo - w/Creel & 55 Flies w/case! 2 Pc. fiberglass rod. 7/8 line weight. Eagle Claw FEC-10 Fl...

Okuma F-904-8 Infusion Fly Fishing Combo (8wt, 9-Feet)
Infusion factory matched fly combos, are fitted with the proper line, reel, and rod, for a perfect ready to fish fly outfit....

Redington Crosswater 9062 Combo Fly Rod-2 pc Outfit with Reel 6wt. 9ft.
The Redington Crosswater Series is a favorite for every level of angler, it was completely redesigned in 2007! Whether you're poli...

Berkley Cherrywood 2 Piece Fly Rod (7'6", 6 Guide, 4-5 lb. Line Wt.)
Berkley Cherrywood Fly Rod Graphite Technology, Remarkable Value Lightweight, responsive graphite blank construction delivers exce...

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Fly Fishing For Trout

Fly Fishing for Trout

Fly fishing for trout is the most popular form of fly fishing. Most fly fishing techniques were developed for fly fishing for trout.

Approximately 90% of the trout feed on the bottom of a river/stream or lake; and only come to the surface when there is something large enough to eat. During the summer months, anglers should always be prepared with the right flies to match any circumstance.

Dry Fly Fishing is done with the line and flies that float, using a tapered leader, which is placed between the fly at the end of the leader next to the line. Even though most of the trout feed on the bottom, the number of trout that come to the surface is still enough to keep most anglers very busy. This type of Fly Fishing is considered to be the purest form of fishing.

In some situations anglers wade into the water to fish giving them a better chance. During these months nymph fishing may be more productive. The inactivity of surface insects is less, sending the trout to go deeper to find food. Therefore, nymph flies can be weight at the leader.

When river fishing, trout tend to face upstream in order to watch for food as it gets washed downstream. They tend to stay under trees when there by the bank. When fishing a river start upstream moving very slowly; allowing the fly to drift down stream for a couple of casts. Trout usually shelter behind underwater features out of the current waiting for food.

In cooler water, trout tend to bunch together and may be lured to bite on a streamer fly. Anglers should use a technique of casting out and slowly moving the line from left to right, back and forth to give the fly a more enticing action.

Trout not only like to stay around rocks; they also like weed beds and drop-offs. If the angler should see anything such as these, they should cast ahead of the trout and slowly pull the fly back into the trout's area.

Fly Fishing for trout, is different from cast fishing, where the line on the cast rod is usually already tight; with fly rods there is always some extra line between the index finger, the thumb, and the reel.

So the angler is actually catching the trout while holding the line in their hands, until the trout hits the fly and the angler pulls on the line with the hand that is holding the extra line, to sink the fly hook, at the same time letting the extra line go.

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To learn how to fly fish for trout go to http://www.flyfishing-for-beginners.com

Fly Fishing For Trout