People who are new to fly fishing usually know how to fish in other ways. A lot of people start fishing with a simple rod and reel in a pond or at the shore. As their interest in fishing grows, moving on to a fly fishing setup makes sense. Fly fishing differs greatly from bait fishing, even though you are still after the same species.
How to Select The Right Rod?
The most popular way to set up fly fishing rods depends on where you will fish and the fish you want to catch. What weight rod you should use will depend on the type of fish you want to catch, its size, and the size of the flies you plan to use. Lighter rods are ideal for small trout and panfish, while heavier rods are better for larger species like salmon or bass. Always match your rod, line, and flies to the specific fishing conditions for the best results.
Rod Weight
A weighing method is used to rate fly fishing rods. This is how much the rod and fly line weigh. There are fly rods with 2 weights all the way up to 15 weights. The fly rod and fly line are heavy as the number goes up. More weight on the fly fishing rod and fly line means you can throw bigger flies and catch and land bigger fish.
Most anglers will find that a fly fishing rod combo weighing six is an excellent choice for their first fly fishing rod. The 6-weight walks a narrow line between being well suited for trout and being excellent for throwing small and medium-sized bass poppers to warm-water species as well. Overall, the 6 weight is really versatile.
The 6-weight fly rod mix is great for fishing for small freshwater fish with small bass poppers and streamers because it can cast slightly bigger flies than a 5-weight fly rod. Creeks and ponds are great places to go fly fishing with fishing rods. You can use small crayfish patterns, deer hair poppers, and small terrestrial flies. The 6-weight fishing rod is so versatile that it can even be used to catch carp!
Rod Length
Fly fishermen can delicately present dry flies or fish a heavier nymph rig with an indicator on a 9-foot fly rod. The longer rod also makes fly line repair easier and distances you from the fish. Mending involves retrieving your line from the water to prevent additional “micro” currents from dragging your fly. Longer rods give anglers more control over the line.
Fly rod lengths range from 6’6″ to 12′. Shorter rods are best when fishing small spring creeks or wilderness streams with limited overhead fly casting space. They can also help keep flies out of bushes and trees.
Most “European” or “Euro” nymphing uses fly rods over 9 feet in the 10-12 foot range. European nymphing uses heavy-weighted flies without strike indicators—short-line nymphing. Line rarely extends more than a few feet from a fly rod. This fishing originated from competitive fly fishing. Fast, deep fly entry into the striking zone is the target. Longer fly rods allow anglers to be farther from fish and improve line control during short-line nymphing.
How to Assemble a Fly Rod?
Putting together a four-piece fly rod is easy. Each part has matching dots. Connect each piece of the rod so that the alignment dots line up with each other. Hold the rod by its grip and look down to ensure all the guides are lined up correctly with the reel.
If your fly rod doesn’t have alignment dots, just put each part back together and spin it slowly so the rod guides line up straight with the reel.
When you put a fly fishing reel on a fly rod correctly, the handle should always face your less-used hand. So, if you are right-handed, the reel handle will be facing left so that you can hold it with your left hand while your right-hand holds the line. The fly line will be in your left hand, and you will throw with your right hand.
The reel should be on the fly rod now. Pull out about a foot of the fly line. Most reels have a bridge that goes from one side to the other. The fly line should go under this ‘bridge’ instead of over it. This will make it easier to get to your fly line and keep it from getting tangled or slipping during a fight.
Conclusion
Fly fishing is a great way to relieve stress and take you to beautiful, faraway places you might not have visited otherwise. Get on board and enjoy the ride. There’s always something new to learn, a new river to see, and a new friend to meet. And now that you know the basics of setting up fishing rods and a fly rod, you can truly enjoy the artistic fervor of fly fishing. The rhythmic casting and connection with nature offer a unique, meditative experience. Plus, fly fishing is an excellent way to improve your patience and focus.
