Fly Fishing Equipment 101

1
Fly Fishing Equipment 101

• Presented November 20, 2008 by Lew Ricker

2
Where To Begin

• A person new to the sport of fly fishing will
  need to answer the question What species of fish
  will I be targeting?
• Answering this question is the major step
  required to decide on the equipment required.
• Other factors are the size of flies, size of the
  water, and typical wind conditions
• Another factor is how you will be fishing such
  as from a float tube that usually requires a
  longer rod for easier casting

3
Fly Rods

• Sizes Usage
• Fly rods lines have a weighting system from 0wt
  up to 16wt (0wt being the lightest).
• Rods are typically matched to the line although
  some range can be tolerated ( or - 1wt)
  sometimes specified by the manufacturer (or other
  special needs).

4
Fly Rods A Rule of Thumb

• 0wt through 2wt (not common) would be in the
  class used for very small trout, and panfish on
  small streams
• 3wt and 4wt are popular for small-stream fishing
  because they are shorter (6-7.5ft)
• 5wt is often considered the all-around rod for
  trout is typically 9ft long
• 6wt and 7wt are used on large rivers and for
  fishing with heavy flies streamers for bass
  pike
• 8wt to 9wt might be used for steelhead or salmon
  in medium rivers, as well as for bass fishing
  with large flies and as lightweight salt water
  use

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Fly Rods A Rule of Thumb (2)

• 10-11wt rods and lines would be used for pursuing
  large salt water game fish under conditions of
  high wind or surf.
• The heaviest rods (1216wt) are mostly used for
  bluewater species (billfish, tuna) while fishing
  from a boat

6
Rod Action

• Rod action refers to the flexibility or stiffness
  of the rod
• Rod actions are described as extra-fast, fast,
  medium-fast, medium or slow
• Fast rods are somewhat stiff slow rods are
  quite flexible
• Medium-fast medium rod actions are good for
  most fly fishing
• If possible, try before you buy!

7
Fly Lines

• Fly lines are described by their weight,
  floatability and taper
• The line weight usually matches the rod weight
• Some fly lines float (F), some sink (S), and some
  have sinking tips (F/S)
• A floating line is versatile and can be used with
  both dry and wet flies on flowing still water.
  It is easier to cast manage than a sinking line
• Deeper fishing on lakes ponds requires a sink
  tip or full sinking line

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Fly Lines (2)

• Sinking lines come in different densities and
  thus sink at different rates. A clear
  intermediate sinking line is a good line to have
  for lake fishing
• Most fly lines in use have a taper - either
  weight forward, bug or bass taper or double taper
• Weight forward lines (WF) have the fattest part
  of the line nearer the front than the middle.
  They cast a bit farther than double tapered (DT)
  lines and are preferred for casting bigger flies
• Line care dont practice casting on pavement
  only on grass or preferably water

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Fly Reels

• A fly reel should match the weight of line rod
  because balance is important
• When fishing small fish, the reel is mostly a
  line storage device
• A fly reel should have an adjustable drag
• A fly reel should have available additional
  spools
• The reel plays a significant role when fishing
  for big fish, where the drag and line retrieval
  can mean landing that trophy or snapping your
  leader.

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Fly Reels (2)

• Avoid reels with inner plastic parts that can
  wear out
• Salt water ensure reel can take it and rinse
  well in fresh water
• A large arbour reel is recommended for big fish
• A reel can last a lifetime so its better to
  spend the extra for a good reel initially

11
Fly Leaders

• Leaders are tapered to ease their casting
• Leaders are typically 5, 7.5, 9 12 long
• A heavy butt section is attached to the fly line
  and it tapers down to a 18-24 section called
  the tippet where the fly is tied
• For leader-shy fish, leaders are made of
  fluorocarbon or a piece of fluorocarbon is tied
  on the end of the tapered leader

12
Fly Line Backing

• Fly lines are normally 90 long
• Large fish can easily run out this amount of line
  so backing is required under the line
• Backing is made of braided Dacron line
• Backing takes up space on the reel spool allowing
  the fly line to be reeled in more quickly
• The amount of backing depends on the reel (reel
  specs or line first then backing then reverse),
  the fly line and the type of fishing you are
  doing
• Big fish maximize your backing)