There are many reasons why fly fishing in one of the most relaxing and fun sports in the world. For one thing, fly fishing is meditative – there is something about being waist deep in the water and in nature waiting for something to catch your line that is very stress reducing. Moreover, fly fishing requires a sense of strategy, which can really exercise your cognitive skills. To be a truly great fly fisherman, you need to have smarts, guts and you need to know what tools to use. Moreover, the slightest flick of your wrist when you are sending out the line will determine how many fish you catch. Not only that, but you need to know what flies to use. During some parts of the year, you may not want to use certain flies for certain fish. For instance, some trout varieties, like brown trout, need protein in the winter, so they go for bigger minnows and not small water flies that are hovering over the river. Here are five helpful fly fishing tips and techniques.

  1. Get your reel movement down – when you are sending out your line, you want to get far enough so that your line catches the current of the water. Once it catches, it will stay in place and it will maximize your chances for a big catch. It may take a while to perfect your pitch, but practice makes perfect.
  2. Find the ideal reel – you want a reel that is not too light, but not too heavy. There is no science behind this strategy – you simply want to find a fishing supply shop, likeDelta Net & Twine, and feel out different reels. You will know if you have found the right reel. If it feels too heavy or light, you want to keep looking. If the reel is too heavy, it may be difficult to operate when you are in the water and your arms will get tired.
  3. Know your fly – when it comes down to it, fish are smarter than they seem. If you use the wrong fly, you won’t catch a single fish. Indeed, it will take doing some research, but before you head out on your fishing expedition, you want to bring along a few different flies. You may wind up only using one, but you want to have options – just in case.
  4. Bring the right waterproof boots – you want to make sure that no water gets inside your clothes. It is critical to stay dry throughout the day. Indeed, you may be getting pretty deep inside the water during some times of the year – particularly the spring – so you want to be sure that you have a suit that can keep you completely dry, or else you won’t have fun.
  5. Book your accommodations close to where you will be fishing – if you are too far away, it will be difficult to really enjoy your trip. If you are thinking about your hour-long drive during your fishing trip, it will really put a damper on things. In the end, you want to book your accommodations within walking distance from the river where you are staying – or you may simply want to pitch a tent.