Fly Fishing 101: Gear Up for Success with Ashconfish

I will slowly solve some of the most frequently encountered problems from the perspective of beginners so that friends who have just started fly fishing will gradually move towards success.

1. How do we choose the right fishing rod?

Take the one-handed rod as an example. In the current market, we can find many fly rods of different lengths and materials. These rods are also divided into hard, medium-hard and soft. Among the many types of fishing rods, which one is right for you?

We can first start with the length of the fishing rod according to the fishing spot situation. For example, in some small streams, hawthorns or small fishing spots with a width of 1 to 8 meters, I usually use the medium-hard rod which is about 6-8 feet long because there is no need for long-distance casting in this fishing field, and the target fishes here are generally not large, especially in the mountain stream. At this time, short rods will be more helpful.

This kind of fishing ground with more obstacles around is not suitable for fishing with long rods.

Some rod, from #2 - #4, in the market has only about 10 feet. How do we use these rods? This kind of fishing rods are designed for the Czech Nymph fishing method (Sink larvae/nymph). They are not designed for throwing, but for a perpendicular-like fishing method. Use a fishing line that is one and a half times longer than the rod. Throw the fly lure to the upstream direction, then lift the fishing rod to make the fishing line slightly tight. At this time, the fly lure swings in a fan shape with the fishing rod and keeps going down until the fishing line is completely straightened. Then throw again.

For fishing on narrow fishing grounds, there is basically no need for long-range casting, so consider using the small number fly fishing rod

When fishing in large rivers or reservoirs or lakes with wide water surface, the most commonly used fishing rod is about 9 feet. Because there is a relatively large fishing space, we need a wider range of search, that is, the long casting of the lure to farther punctuation has become a problem we must solve.

In summary, when choosing a fishing rod, in addition to the size of the target fish and the size of the hook, it is also necessary to carefully select the appropriate length of the fishing rod according to different fishing environment and fishing methods, instead of blindly obeying others’ opinions. 

2,Selecting the right fishing line and reel is crucial for any fly fishing enthusiast

Whether you're quietly searching for the elusive trout in serene streams or challenging yourself in vast lakes hunting for heavyweight tuna, the correct combination of fishing line and reel can significantly enhance your fishing efficiency and enjoyment. The right fishing line ensures accurate bait placement and provides enough strength and control during the fight with the fish. Similarly, choosing the right reel is equally important; it must perfectly match the fishing line to ensure smooth line operation and maximum durability. Therefore, whether you're a novice to fly fishing or an experienced angler, understanding how to choose the most suitable fishing line and reel based on different fishing environments and target fish species is key to your success.

3, Very annoyed! When I arrived at the fishing ground, which one should I use for fishing?

I believe every fisherman who has just started fly fishing must have this question. After arriving at the fishing spot, you look at a whole box of different styles of flies, without knowing which one to use. Some newbies often think of the style of the lure that "other people used and caught fishes", and then they flipped through their own hook boxes until they found a similar one. There are only 1 results for this: There is nearly no fish all day long and none of them bite your lure; Second, is to change the whole box of hooks

OK, I will tell you how I think and how I solve this problem. I hope this will inspire you.

A small fish with beautiful stripe

First of all, you have to ask yourself, why do you choose fly fishing? To catch a lot of fish to show off or to calm your mind and enjoy what nature gives by fly fishing? If it is the first one, I still advise lure fishing because it's a better way to get what you want. But if the answer is the second one, then you must first learn about the food chain species in the entire water system. You can start by collecting some Information. Check the bottom of the rock in the water and the plants around the water to see what kind of aquatic or terrestrial insects living there. Pay attention to their sizes. See if there are spider webs nearby, and what insects are caught in different seasons. These are all effective ways to understand the food chain of the fishing spot.

There are also fishes even in the rushing water

The next step is to observe which fish species are there in your fishing spot, and what their predation habits are. You might want to take a notebook to make some records, and use your mobile to take pictures of the fishing ground for later research. After a more detailed data collection, you will have a better understanding of the fishing spot and narrow down the fly lure list and choose the right one for your fishing trip.

Even a small fish will bring a lot of fun. That's the magic of fly fishing