Three Fly Fishing Tips For Beginners

Fly Fishing

Sep 22

Fair Warning

It's only fair that I warn you that this is a hopelessly addicting sport that took hold of me in a big way. And that could happen to you, too. But if you're determined to learn, I'll give you three of my best tips in this episode that might help you along.

In this video, I am fishing with my trusty Redington Classic Trout 4wt, and I will be exclusively using one fly: the x-caddis. If you want more info on gear, watch my fly fishing gear video and then come back.

Tip One

I just suggested watching a gear video, but ironically, my first tip is not to let gear distract you from the fishing. You obviously need some basics, which I outlined in the other video, but beyond those, it's just noise. If you're anything like me when I was starting out, you've probably done a lot of research on gear but spent only a fraction of that time studying fish behavior or river systems. So, get your basics, and then stop thinking about gear. Pick up your state regulation book, find a local river, and turn it into your project. Fish it as often as possible and try to cover as much water as you can. Use a GPS app to mark good spots.

Tip Two

Becoming obsessed with trout species, behavior, habitat, and food sources is crucial for excelling in fishing.

I was out on a river with my partner a few years ago. I was just starting out, making big casts, changing flies frequently, and splashing around in the water, wondering why I wasn't catching anything. My partner, a keen observer, noticed a fish rise and asked to try. She walked up to a perfect spot, effortlessly placed the fly into a back eddy, and pulled out a 12-inch rainbow trout. Then she looked at me and said, "I don't think you're doing it right." I was frustrated.

The point is, it's easy to get caught up in techniques and gear and forget the most important part: the fish, their food, and their habitat. Next time you're out, take a moment to observe before wading in. Sit on the bank, look for fish rising, note the types of bugs around, consider the time of day and weather, and if you have success, jot down these details.

Tip Three

My final tip is to use less lines and minimize false casting. While casting is fun and looks cool, it's usually not the best approach. When I was learning, for whatever reason, I always tried to cast across the entire river, ignoring what was literally in front of my feet.

There are a few negatives to this approach.

You are creating more opportunities for tangles, increasing your odds of getting hung up in the trees. Your drift (the way the fly floats) is probably not as good, and setting the hook is harder.

I advise keeping a short line and fishing the bank closest to you.

A Request

If you enjoyed this one, I want you to be a good river steward. Never leave trash; pick it up when you see it. Respect the quarry and the habitat, and just do the right thing so we can all continue to enjoy these beautiful places.

If you have any questions about fly fishing, Let me know in the comments.

This video is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission. So thank you!