Archive for the ‘Fly Fishing Tips’ Category
Understanding Fly Fishing Targets On Flowing Water
Posted in Fly Fishing Tips on the July 5, 2007
When it comes to fly fishing, the jargon can get a bit overwhelming if you let it. Here’s the plain English scoop on some common terms used.
Understanding Fly Fishing Targets On Flowing Water
Fly fishing is many things to many people. For some, it is a zen like way to interact with nature. For others, it is test of skill in the act of competing with tricky little fish. For yet others, it is a ballet of artistic movements and techniques to obtain the perfect cast for the perfect fly placement that produces the perfect catch. For most, it is just good, clean fun. Whatever your preference, fly fishing has a definite language you will need to learn.
Traditionally, fly fishing takes place on flowing water such as a river or stream. There are variations for lake or ocean destinations, but they represent a minority. Given this fact, following is an explanation of some of the terms associated with traditional fly fishing.
A “riffle” is an area with fast moving water broken up over some solid structure, most often rocks. A rifle can be an excellent location to cast for a number of reasons. The riffle tends to be an area where insects congregate. Where there are insects, there are fish. In particular, try to cast to areas just downstream of blockages as your catch should be residing in such locations.
A “pool” is an area where fast flowing water enters a deeper pool of water. Often found just after riffles, a pool offers little in the way of prospecting in the interior. It does, however, offer excellent prospects in the areas where water flows in. More than a few species of fish feed at such locations as the water flowing into the pool brings food and nutrients with it.
“Dead water” refers to an area where there is little or no current. This tends to occur in odd geographic areas, large rivers or areas with flow problems. Dead water is rarely a good place to fish, so avoid it like the plague.
Although not a term per se, vegetation that grows out into the water and shady shoreline locations are often excellent places to fish. These locations offer the combination of shade and nutrients, which are popular with fish. When referring to shade, it is important to understand that fish are not generally worried about sunburns. Instead, they are worried about dive bombing birds such as Osprey. A fish that cruises along the top of a pool of water in direct sunlight tends to have a very short life span.
Obviously, the above represents a small sampling of terminology related to rivers and moving areas. Nonetheless, you will at least know why so many anglers talk about riffles.
About the Author
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of fly fishing journals. Visit us to read more articles about fly fishing.
Fly Fishing for Trout - Casting or Hunting
Posted in Fly Fishing Tips, Fly Fishing on the July 4, 2007
Fly casting is a skill that most fly fishermen would probably consider the most integral skill of fly fishing for trout. Certainly it is the most recognizable trait of fly fishing.
BUT, if catching fish is as important to you as a great looking cast is, then you may actually need to be careful just how much casting you do.
Fly fishing has far more in common with hunting than it does with other forms of fishing. This is because trout are such a timid creature and are so easily spooked. Although it is not such an issue if you are fishing deep in large bodies of water or in wide, fast flowing streams, it is still for this reason that casting can also be your worst enemy when trout fishing.
The classical Long cast, although a beautiful thing to behold, and even more beautiful to perform, does have its limitations. It was designed to deliver a lure to a timid quarry, who would be spooked by splashing sinkers or floats or any of the traditional fishing equipment and tackle generally used for other, less discerning species. The whole concept of doing this with a whip-like rod and line was indeed an ingenious one.
Trout, and particularly Brown Trout, see everything. And the bigger the trout, the more they see. The fly fisherman standing plain view false casting is an obvious predatory threat and will cause a fish to disappear into the depths, without you even knowing the trout was ever there.
To catch good, wild trout in smallish or still waters you must become an ambush predator and learn to think like a hunter. This, the element of surprise, is one of your greatest skills when fly fishing for trout. Believe it or not, even above good casting skills.
Dressing to be reasonably well camouflaged, keeping low and not making any fast or large movements, all play a role in not alerting a potential target trout to your presence. Even making sure you dont step heavily on the ground as you approach the fishing spot, keeps your footsteps from resonating through the water. Sound travels very well under water, particularly for a creature who has receptacles designed to hear within an aquatic environment.
Without a doubt, you will have to cast, and the better practised you are at casting with a fly rod, the less movement you must make to get your fly into the position you want it. So there is a good argument for spending time casting, just for casting sake. This is best done in an open place, preferably over water if you have the luxury, like a dam or lake, but anywhere that you are not going to catch any unwanted items will do to improve your skills.
If you want to be successful, dont just trudge up to the waters edge and start casting out into the middle of the lake or stream. The bulk of the aquatic life that the trout source as their food items are usually located towards the edges of the water, and near to the aquatic plant life also.
With this in mind, the trout will more likely be keeping as far out of reach of their own predators as possible, while maintaining a presence (cruising in still waters, on station in faster waters) close to their preferred food source. Larger fish preferring deeper water for security, and structures or irregularities for potential dietary supplies.
Wayne Smith author of the acclaimed Fly Fishing For Trout - A Quiet Revolution