Techniques

In the world of fly fishing for trout, dry flies rule. Every fly angler out there, from the foam-chucking rookie to the size-24-on-8x-tippet-loving veterans, dream of rising trout sipping drifting bugs off the surface. Dry flies are iconic and have shaped fly fishing culture by creating their own sect of “dry or die” obsessive anglers that twitch and...

Question: We're planning a beach vacation to either the Gulf or East Coast this August. Any tips on surf fly fishing along these  coasts? Where are the top fishing/family beaches? What gear should I bring, and how can I involve the family without boring them? Answer: You're ankle-deep in warm surf, the sun barely peeking over the horizon, a fly rod in...

Question: I'm still getting the hang of fly fishing for trout, and I'm confused about leader and tippet lengths. How do I know what length to use in different situations? I've heard conflicting advice and I'm not sure where to start. Answer: While there is definitely some science behind it, choosing the right leader and tippet length is also an exercise in...

Most anglers think of matching the hatch as simply identifying a certain insect and then choosing a corresponding fly. Of course, many of these anglers will drift their matched fly over a trout’s head only to watch the fish rise to the surface, ignore the fly, and then drop back to the bottom while throwing a finny middle finger. Many anglers don’t...

Question: Why is 9 feet the standard length for fly rods? Why would I need a longer or shorter rod? Answer: Fly rod design has come a long way since the early days of the sport. Initially, rods were often much longer, sometimes reaching 14 feet or more. These lengthy rods were cumbersome and difficult to control, especially in tight quarters or when...

Question: What’s the origin of the weight system for fly lines and rods? How is it determined that this rod and line is a 5-weight while this rod and line is a 4-weight? Answer: Few changes have been as hugely impactful to the fly fishing universe as the standardization of fly line and rod weights. And this system, now taken for granted, has a rich and...

Question: What are some of the best bass flies when using a 7- or 8-weight fly rod? ~ Rex from North Carolina Answer: For starters, the 7/8wt rod is in the sweet spot for bass, specifically largemouth and those football-shaped lake-dwelling smallmouth. A quality 6-weight would also be a fine addition for tossing smaller flies in creeks, clear waters, or...

There’s nothing more rewarding than watching a trout rise up to sip a dry fly. It’s the most iconic moment in fly fishing, and one we all chase. For new fly anglers, catching that first trout on a dry fly is like reaching the final boss to beat the game. Yet, as they quickly find out, getting a trout to rise is often a lot more challenging than figuring...

Question: Why doesn't someone make a pocket-size hatch chart with the name and a photo of the insect along with a name and photo of the fly you should use? It would be such a help to those of us new to fly fishing. ~ Terry Answer: A well-designed chart that includes images and names of the most effective flies for specific hatches would indeed be a valuable...

Question: Do wildlife agencies and some conservation nonprofits truly prioritize non-native trout over native fish species including native trout? If this is really happening, why? ~ Bob Answer: In the sphere of aquatic conservation, there's an elephant in the room: the preferential treatment of trout over native fish species. Wildlife agencies and...