Fly Fishing for Beginners || 5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started!
Fly Fishing for Beginners || 5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started!
These are 5 things I wish I knew when I started Fly Fishing for Trout in the US!!
Before we get started my intent with this video is to have something that new fly anglers can use for years to come. So if you’re someone who’s been fly fishing for a while leave a comment and let people know what’s something you wish you knew when you started fly fishing… and then like a few comments that you think were interesting / important. That way new anglers can read through the comments and learn things even beyond this video.
1. There are 3 types of flies… streamers, dry flies, and nymphs. Jig streamers and wooly buggers you can work exactly how you’d work a jig for any other species of fish and are easy to pick up as a beginner. If you have a stimulator, caddis, and a parachute Adams you’re set for dry flies (at least out east). And for out west having a Griffith’s gnat is always handy. There are a few basic nymphs, pheasant tail, hares ear, prince nymph, and rainbow warrior, that catch fish anywhere in the world. Fly sizes are simple, the smaller the number the bigger the fly. For example a size 12 fly is much bigger than a size 18, and so on. The most “normal” sizes for flies range from around six 12 to size 20, with any number lower than 12 being really big, and any number higher than 20 being really small.
2. Fly selection isn’t that important. Everybody talks about fly choice but its such a small piece of the equation. It is far more important for you to get your fly down in front of the fish than it is for you to have exactly matched what they’re eating. For example, if you don’t see any fish rising don’t throw a dry fly and expect to have a killer day on the water. There are obviously exceptions to everything, but generally if you have the flies I mentioned in the flies section in the beginning of the video, you can and will catch fish almost anywhere, regardless of what is hatching and what isn’t. And if you’re struggling and feel like you did need to match the hatch, flip over a rock and match your flies with what you see crawling around, or stand for a second and look at what bugs are flying around the river.
3. Trash flies aren’t trash, people just don’t like how well they work. “Trash flies” are flies like a squirmy worm, mop fly, greenie weenie, or an egg. If you don’t have trash flies in your box then you’re missing out on some of the best fishing you can have on the water. These flies just flat out catch fish, and when you’re knew that’s important. The lesson for section 3 is just have fun and catch some fish. There is no right or wrong way to fly fish and catching fish as a new fly fisherman is the most important thing you need to learn if you’re ever going to stick with it.
4. If you’re new, use an indicator rig or a jig streamer. Indicators are just a fancy way of saying bobber, and if you drop a squirmy below an indicator you’re essentially bobber fishing with a worm. If you drop another fly down there then you’ll have double the chance of hooking up. This isn’t the coolest way to catch a trout, BUT it’s a great way to Catch a few fish and get the hang of casting out, fighting a fish, and landing it. Jig streamers are another great way to get started just because they’re so similar to jigging for any other species of fish. Once you’ve caught some fish and get the hang of fly fishing you can start trying new rigs and getting more particular with how you catch fish (if you want to).
5. What you should and shouldn’t spend money one… for example Tippet is just thinner diameter fishing line and It’s slightly overrated. Let me explain: Tippet is theoretically designed so that you can throw higher pound test on smaller diameter line and spook less fish. The sizing looks complicated but it’s not that bad, I’ll throw up a general tippet to pound test conversion on the screen. Generally when you’re fly fishing you will use 3x to 6x depending on the day, with the most common being 4x-5x. But if you’re throwing a streamer you have no reason to use tippet, and honestly in a lot of nymphing / dry fly fishing scenarios tippet isn’t needed. For years, I used regular florocarbin fishing line for streamers and had 4 pound test monofiliment in my bag for nymphing and dry fly fishing. It’s so much cheaper to use regular fishing line and in most areas it doesn’t make a difference
SO that’s my 5 things I wish I knew when I started fly fishing. These are fly fishing specific, in other words I didn’t go into the ins and outs of how to catch trout because when I started fly fishing I already had been trout fishing for years. If you want more specific videos like this one, let me know in the comments below. Thanks for watching!
#trout #troutfishing #outdoors #flyfishing
Video was super helpful just getting into fly fishing. Only suggestion is wish you would’ve thrown some photos of some of the flys your using or describing.
Its about time someone mentions the proper way of handling firsh for catch & release.
So many times they drag there fish on land or on there boat, handle the fish with dry bare hands, yank it by the jaw and just tossed it back in the water.
Thanks for this vid. I know you are an epic fly angler, fishing across this country so your advice is serious and appreciated. I’ve been engaged in this past time for only 6 months and I’m already seeing what you say here is on point. Thank you!
What Else Fly. Size 12 wet hook. 6 strands of red or gray squirrel tail with iridescent tips from the base of the tail for a tail, half the body length. Stripped peacock hearl body. 6 strands of the same squirrel tied back and over the body.
i caught a trout using a fly and a bobber on my spinning rod, the bobber allowed me to cast the fly.
Your work is truly a labor of love.
I wish I knew how easy it can be so I wasn’t too intimidated to commit when I was young
Thanks for the introduction to fly fishing class. Never knew you could use a "bobber" fly fishing. It makes me nervous to see all those rocks when you’re trying to land these delicate fish.
😂 I’m seriously lost with the vernacular being used here. Can you make a video where you break down what you’re even saying further ??? I’m using ChatGPT like a crack addict trying to keep up
Great video, man. Why not reel in your line when you catch a fish? That way, it’s not hanging by your feet. Beginner question.
Tippet is actually also used to spare your leader. Instead of cutting your leader during each fly change you cut the tippet, therefore your leader lasts longer.
I have been fly fishing for 12-13 years now. I started when I was 15 or 16, I’m 28 now.
If I could impart some advice is if you have a friend or know somebody who fly fishes, ask to go with them and teach you. I am self taught and I’m sure I have some bad habits and many experienced fly anglers would have some judgements about my casting or setups. Just know there’s no one way of fly fishing and appealing to the fish. If it works, then you’re doing something right and just improve from there.
I just got into the "weekend warrior" class of anglers. The two things I cant stress enough are practicing your casts and asking questions. When I started there where so many fish I didn’t catch because I learned how to do an alright 20 foot cast but I kept practicing and I started getting more fish. Also asking questions in person to someone at a fly shop or wherever you are fishing is in my opinion crucial. You gain local knowledge along with learning about different tools and techniques. It took me a month to learn what tippet was because I was too embarrassed to ask the guy at my local tackle shop and too busy watching fishing films to look it up. Don’t be embarrassed, everyone was once a beginner too.
Two tips I knew when I started: 1. Be aware of your surrounding, and continue to monitor especially behind you so as not to get tangled in high grass or tree. 2. Work your way up stream. Less chance of spooking fish.
What size/wt rod were you using in this video?
READ ! There are some great books on flyfishing that will help you immensely. Orvis hatch guide was very useful to me as a beginner. Using nondescript flies work in some situations but not all. For trout, you do need to match the hatch during hatches but the match doesn’t need to be exact. The trout flies I’ve had the most success with are Griffiths gnat, comparadun, beetle, pheasant tail nymph all in sizes smaller than #10. Today there are cheap rods that will be fine in 6wt or smaller. Reels should be cheap and bought used. Buy quality line, I like Cortland. I prefer home made knotted tippets for more delicate presentations. Starting with flyfishing on a lake for panfish and bass is a great way to start.
you are spot on. when i first started i spent 300 for rod/ reel(to me that was alot of money then and now) thought that was what it took. many many dollars spent i now realize you can catch just as many fish with less expensive gear. and you dont have to treat it like its a family heirloom. It does not have to be the rich man;s sport i thought it was but then again orvis might go out of business. not knocking orvis mind you they make great stuff but so does cabelas. The ones that look down their noses at you miss the point of flyfishing, just have fun and enjoy what God put out there for us to enjoy. good video wish i had watched it 30 yrs ago
I tied my own leaders when I started fly fishing. It will help improve knot tying skills so when on the water, adding or replacing tippet sections is not a problem. If you rely on friends to fix your line or replace your flies, spend some time tying leaders at home. Time on the stream is precious and knot tying skills are essential. The sierra knot tying tool has instructions and you only need one process (one knot skill) to cover everything for trout fishing.
This was great for a brand newbie like me. Where was this filmed?
Great video and thank you! I’m a Surfer 🏄♂️ of 48yrs and a waterfowl hunter of 30yrs. I’m new to fly fishing 😎🤙🌊
Make sure you know the regulations for the stream,river or lake you are fishing in. In Canada there are many regulations for freshwater fishing. Barbless hooks are mandatory in most areas. Single flies no droppers in some areas. Be aware.
Setting a hook on a fly rod looks so much more fun than a normal rod, and that’s why I just picked one up on Facebook marketplace for 50 bucks lol
As Kelly Galloup said, nowadays every fly reel has good drag, even the cheapest ones too. I use a lot of Asian brands like Maxcatch, Aventik, etc… Their stuff are top quality. They sell affordable quality fly fishing gear. Best proof of their quality is that picture about my friend with an 8 feet arapaima that he caught with a Maxcatch Predator 12wt rod. On Maxcatch website you guys can see that picture. So they make good rods and reels and very good quality fly lines too. Millions use their products and catch big fish with them too. And you don’t pay hundreds for a good rod… In America you pay hundreds because American made stuff are freaking overpriced. Every material and work are more expensive there than in Asia. But in the end you’ll get the same. Of course better quality stuff are more expensive in Asia too, but not that expensive as in the USA or in some part of Europe. It’s just fact.
You don’t need 20 false casts. Am I trying to catch a tree or a fish? I like a small creek 5-15 feet wide and a dry fly to start. It simplifies everything. Fish location, dry flies, short casts, teaches you to sneak up on fish. I like a low maintenance foam body fly like a flying ant.
I love trash flies! Been fly fishing for 10+ years and catch most of my fish (500+; no exaggeraration!) on "trash flies." Sqwirmy worms, mop flies, sucker spawn eggs.
i have used real worms on my fly rod, only thing is you have to just drop your line in the water and strip out your line.
Great video. Just getting back I to fly fishing. Having trouble with my cast. I keep tangling my tippet. I’m fishing remote ish smaller mountain lakes
I appreciate the video! I have been wanting to get into fly fishing for a few years but hadn’t made the move. I do a lot of hiking and other outdoor adventures and I think adding fly fishing to the mix will be a lot of fun. I recently bought a starter kit for fly fishing and I’m excited to get out on the water. This video has some excellent tips and even just watching you cast is super helpful. You’ve got a new subscriber. Thanks!
Great info what about wetflies ? Thanks
Isn’t one of he most important lessons that you can’t catch a fish that isn’t there. So you need to work out where the trout are before starting fishing.
What lake is that at 3:16 in the video?
BEAUTIFUL LAKES SUPER CLEAN WATER AND BEAUTIFUL TROUT COLORS ,PLEASE TELL THE NAME OF LOCATIONS ..❤
Still ‘lure lobbin’ and bait plunking too?? Shame shame !
After buying a beginner kit, and you have fished for awhile. Before you upgrade to a better rod, consider upgrading your line to a nicer fly line. The kits typically come with cheap line, and that simple change makes more difference than some would think.
Three thoughts: observe what is happening on the water before jumping in. Learn how to wade stealthily. Dont get hung up on specific patterns.
The green fly reel that you use in some of your videos. Can I ask what kind of reel it is? Brand etc.
The most important thing I wish I knew when I started fly fishing is that most artificial flies are meant to catch the eye’s and dollars of the fishermen and not the fish. Keep your patterns simple and somewhat generic and I believe you will catch more fish. Soft hackles are a great fly to start with. Good luck. TIGHTLINES.
What kind of rod you use here?
Wet flies and terrestrials also are their own category.
Hello. What landing net it is?
I’m very new to fly fishing, this might be the best advice I’ve got in the 20+ hours of videos and guided trip in Montana I took. Thanks
Trout are on the bottom most days, fish near the bottom with bead head flies and a tight line. You will catch fish
I just started flyfishing and used my dads old stuff and he has a lot of old tippet and leaders, but using 4-pound mono would also work? I use zebra midges and some basic streamers/green weenies. Thanks
I wish I neew how to by Flys.
I’d add good quality flies to the things to spend money on. The amazon fly kits have really bad hooks that break and the tying doesn’t last as long either so the perceived value of getting 30-100 flies in a kit is overrated.
wait so get normal leader like for bass fishing? i thought Tapered leader was a msut for trout but as a big time bass fisherman i have many types of normal leader thats not tapered it that ok to use?
The only thing to remember about Fly Fishing is that it is an excuse to get into and enjoy nature.
Outstanding beautiful creeks!
"Don’t lift your fish"…..
-Flings it over a rock 😂😂
Just kiddin’ good video!
Great job…. great video!