8 Tips For The New Fly Fisher

Fishing is a sport that demands patience in all it's various forms. I find that some more specialist areas, such as carp fishing, can reap huge rewards given the size these fish can grow to, but require a lot of patience.

The majority of my fishing has been what I call "wander fishing".

This is because if I wasn't catching fish, I would just move along the river until I did! That way I was always moving and never bored or sitting still.

Fly fishing is really what it's all about, for me at least.

I had always avoided this branch of fishing, thinking it was beyond my financial means and difficult to master.

Tip 1. Fishing the fly is niether complicated or elitist.

I found that buying all the kit was no more expensive than if I wanted to take up general course fishing for example. Obviously one can spend a fortune in both forms of fishing, but for a good, solid kit to start wth I was surprised how inexpensive it was.

Tip 2. Don't buy everything separately.

Fly fishing combos are usually a set of rod, line and reel, often with a few flies as well, and these often represent the best value when buying your first fly fishing outfit.

Tip 3. Don't just buy the cheapest you can find.

Fly fishing combos come in a range from cheap to expensive. In fact most manufacturers at all price points offer some sort of combination at a discounted price.

The rod is very important, as it is key to good casting, perhaps more so than in the other branches of fishing. Investigate this area thoroughly before committing yourself to a purchase.

Tip 4. Keep it Simple.

After making your initial purpose of rod, reel and line, (and a few flies - a reasonable selection is often included), you will need a landing net, a priest, some monofilament and a pair of good quality nail clippers (for cutting lengths of monofilament). just about completes what you need.

Tip 5. Wear the correct clothing.

Most fisheries insist on wearing some form of eye protection, given that a fly is cast backwards as well as forwards, putting a passer by at risk from getting hooked. Buy polarised sun glasses as these also help you to spot fish. In addition a multi-pocket jacket or vest will allow you to dispense with carrying any sort of bag, useful when you are moving around and wanting to travel light.

Tip 6. Move Around.

Some people will fish in the same spot all day, even if they are not catching. With fly fishing, it's important to "cover" the water in front of you by fishing to the left, right and centre, and at different depths, (you do that by counting off in seconds to give the fly time to sink, unless you are dry fly fishing). but if after, say half an hour, you have had no response at all, move to a different area.

Tip 9. Don't worry if you find casting difficult.

Learning to cast is perhaps the most difficult thing to acheive in fly fishing. Most people naturally feel that the big fish lie as far as possible away from you, and that you therefore need a big cast, but this is not true. Over time, you will doubtless cast longer and longer distances, but some of the biggest fish lie where few people think to fish - right by the bank! Never ignore the margins!

Tip 8. Invest in some tuition.

I have watched many people getting into all sorts of problems casting. If you don't understand the principles and have someone show you how to do it properly, you may find that you get frustrated and give up. Casting a fly line is very satisfying - watching the line flow out effortlessly in front of you, but the line falling on the ground behind you, or getting in a tangle is very annoying. A couple of lessons is all it takes.