Fly Fishing Nets

Your Questions About Fly Fishing Flies For Bass

flyfishingnets.org — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:40:33 +0000

Robert asks…

What is the basic setup for saltwater fly fishing?

I've have some experience fly casting in freshwater for trout but want to transition into shore line fly fishing for striped bass. I was wondering what number WT Rod I need & size reel. Also what kind of backing & wt line either sinking or floating. I'm looking for a basic setup since I'm on a budget. Any recommendation will do & also what kind of fly lure do people recommend. If possible let me know what your current setup so I can get a general idea what to shop for. Thanks

flyfishingnets.org answers:

I would use my 10wt Sage RPLXi with an intermediate line (Cortland Little Tuny) and 200 yards of 25lb dacron backing. Another option is to use a shooting head with 30lb mono as running line. My rod was $780, reel $200, line $65, and backing $30 but if you dont want to drop a grand on your setup you could get an entry-level Sage rod on Sierra Trading Post for about 400 hundred bucks: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,3105M_Sage-VT2-Fly-Fishing-Rod-Fighting-Butt-7-10wt-4-Piece-.html Lefty's Deceivers work well… Get some poppers too. Ck out these cheap streamers for stripers or bluefish: http://mmrf.us.com/stripersaltwatercollection.aspx

Steven asks…

I want to get my boyfriend a fly fishing rod and reel for Christmas…Any suggestions?

I've been looking for a fly fishing set for my boyfriend but don't really know what I'm looking for. I want something with excellent quality but that I'm not gonna spend a fortune for and preferrably something I won't have to order online (I'm right near a Bass Pro that has a good stock). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! And Merry Christmas!

flyfishingnets.org answers:

OK, your not going to like me for saying this, but you aren't going to easily find a high quality fly rod and reel for a small budget. How much were you considering spending? With this information i might be able to suggest a suitable outfit that will be practical and still of reasonable quality. Sadly fly fishing isn't a cheap sport, which i think puts a lot of people off but if you suggest a budget i will do my best to find a suitable outfit, also information on what he fishes for and where would be very useful. Failing this your best option would be to get him a gift certificate from bass pro for the amount you intended to spend, that way he gets exactly what he wants. *Update* Fisher_King, Merry Christmas, decided to come back to yahoo after most of my rivers have frozen over lol .

Laura asks…

What are the best baits for fast water smallmouth bass?(Fishing the James River Richmond Va)?

Looking for the best setup to cath smallmouth bass on fast moving shallow river water. other than fly fish too

flyfishingnets.org answers:

Artificial Crawfish or Hellgrimites. I prefer the Hellgrimites. Just cast upstream and let the artificial drift back, on the bottom.

Michael asks…

Best route to get into fly fishing???

I am interested in getting into fly fishing because I have a vacation home close to the white river and I was wondering what do I need to do? What is a good entry level rod and reel combo? I have seen one by White River Fly Shop at bass pro for under a $100…. Also how could I learn? Books, DVDs, or Lessons??

flyfishingnets.org answers:

Well let me say its great you want to start fly fishing, there are lots of OK fly rods and reels combos for the price you listed, its a great method of catching trout and your lucky to have the white river to fish, lets see how i can help you, firstly combos that i recommend, this is a little over budget but well worth it, it should see you good and happy fishing for a long time. Http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_96767_175001003_175000000_175001000_175-1-3 If you find out the area of the river your fishing you can figure the line weight, for small wild browns and small dries a 3wt or 4wt would be ideal. If your hitting the bigger rainbow trout then anything up to a 6-7 wt would be ideal, if you decide to look for a rod your self you need a medium to fast action, not a tip action as you're just starting out. The rods mentioned by your self aren't ad rods but if i were you and you can afford to go with the TFO rod. If you really don't mind spending allot and want the best combo for a beginner then the sage launch is the way to go, i gave my son one of these to start with and it has a good tip action that will cope with an in-experienced caster. Http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_90951_175001003_175000000_175001000_175-1-3 Its easy to start fly fishing, buy your self a combo you cana fford and it will take off from there, this site is VERY helpful, read through the WHOLE of it and you will be started in no-time http://www.sexyloops.com/beginners/index.shtml You may also want to look at flies to use, you can get lots of info here, and if you want join the blog where you can ask angler in your local community how the fishing is going and what to catch them on at the white river. Http://www.virtualflybox.com/ You will need a fly line, a floating line will cover you for 99% of the time and you may want to move onto intermediates, sink tips, slime lines, DT, fast sinking etc later on. When you buy a fly line make sure its WF=weight forward, it will be easy for you to cast. One last thing i will say even if you only spend a little amount on a fly rod, buy a quality fly line, they may be expensive but you can tell the difference, after all its the fly line that takes out your fly and leader. Quality lines are RIO, Airflo, Sage, Orvis. This was taken from a question i answered on the fly and tippet and leader, its important and you can learn allot from this, reading is the key to learning about fly fishing! You might also like to look at this, taken from another fly fishing question very similar to yours. From the end of the fly line down to the fly, follow these steps and you should catch. For tippet material you have a large choice because first there are leaders then there are tippets for general fishing tippet i use fluorocarbon as its invisible in all water and suitable for saltwater too, for makes i always go for airflo sight free g3 which i generally buy from cabelas, second are leaders these are tapered towards the tip and help yo achieve a better turnover (cast and presentation) these i don't often use but when i do i use Cortland fine trout leaders in clear, these are good for a beginner such as your self as the dont often need changeing and help you cast further than before with a neat presentation what i will say is dont use flourocarbon for dry flies as it will make them sink, you can use it so long as you put a floatant on your dry such as gherkes gink or loon, aquel i buy lots of my gear from cabelas and bass pro and here at http://flyfishingnets.org

Your Questions About Fly Fishing Rods

flyfishingnets.org — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:37:12 +0000

Betty asks…

Best fly fishing rod to buy for trout flyfishing?

My boyfriend is a huge fisher, and just lost his flyrod! since he does so much, i thought this would be a nice time to give him an upgrade from his "walmart" purchased flyrod. Any ideas?

flyfishingnets.org answers:

Without knowing his skill level this could be hard, also what kind of budget do you have for him? I really would suggest a sage z-axsis but i don't think you will be willing to pay for that, i do suggest however the sage launch, it has a fast action, but yet its forgiving if his casting still has faults, i recently bought one for my son and he loves it, and because its from sage you get the life time warranty plus a very good quality rod blank, plus its light in weight. Please add more details as to where he fishes and what for and i can give you the line rating he needs if he fishes lakes i would recommend a 6/7 wt rod in about 9"6 if its rivers about a 4/5wt and for smaller streams any thing from a 0 wt to a 4wt http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat600591_TGP&id=0029862318396a&navCount=2&podId=0029862&parentId=cat600591&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat600591&hasJS=true These rods are also worth a try, they arent the best, but for the price they are ok http://www.orvis.com/store/product_directory_chart.asp?dir%5Fid=758&group%5Fid=759&cat%5Fid=14816&subcat%5Fid=7015 These arent my choice of rod, but i do know others who love them, they have been around for a while now and have a nice tip action http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat20463&id=0011194315880a&navCount=5&podId=0011194&parentId=cat20463&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=8IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20463&hasJS=true please post more info about where he fishes and i can help you select a better rod/ AFTM rating.

Ruth asks…

Which fly fishing rod casts the longest distance?

Is the 10ft rod better than the 9ft 6" rod for making long distance casts in reservoir fishing? Or does the rod action make the difference? Is the faster action better? Or is it the make/quality of the rod the deciding factor? (Assuming I am a perfect caster of course..lol)

flyfishingnets.org answers:

There's nothing much more to add to what kevin has already said, but i can add a little, firstly yes a 10ft rod will give you a better cast, mainly because both the distance you will have to move your rod on the forward and back cast will be reduced, a tip action rod ensures this, a 10ft rod also has lots of power further down in the blank which is why its used so often on reservoirs; on boats in the UK, also they have enough power to easily handle a DT line or in-fact those with a extra large factory fitted shooting head like the rio outbound or the airflo 40+ they also cope allot better in windy conditions at throwing out even your biggest streamer/lure. The last advantage is simple the length, they allow a longer leader and team of lies to be used but with the ease of netting the fish kept the same as that if you where using a shorter leader.

Jenny asks…

Best kind of fly fishing rod?

I'm looking to buy a fly fishing rod for my husband. I know NOTHING about fly fishing rods, except that I want one with only 2 pieces if possible. I want either a G.Loomis or Orvis or Stcroix… Can you please find me one that will be a good entry level rod but will still last? Thanks! Live in VA, river/creek fishing, and 200$ or less

flyfishingnets.org answers:

Try the fly rod selector at Orvis.com: http://www.orvis.com/store/search_wizard.asp?keyword=&refine=34&refine=31&refine=35&refine=32&refine=4&refine=33&nav=50360&sort=0&feature_id=900&Group_ID=759&dir_id=758 There is also a phone number where you can speak with a tech who will guide you to the right rod in your price range. The Orvis Clearwater rods are an excellent value and come with a 25 year breakage warranty with a price starting around $160: http://www.orvis.com/store/product_directory_chart.aspx?dir_id=758&Group_ID=759&cat_id=14816&subcat_id=7015

Daniel asks…

I have been having trouble casting with a fly fishing rod?

When I cast the line it doesnt land in a straight line and doesn't go far enough. I have motion down but I just cant seem to get the line straight or far enough. This is for the upcoming trout season. please help.

flyfishingnets.org answers:

MR T and fishstellhead, thanks for the compliments, now lets get this sorted out shall we, firstly it sounds as though you are going wrong on your back cast and possibly on your forward cast too, if you are attempting double haul, then don't if your just starting out, release only on the forward cast, it also sounds as though your action of holding the rod and angle of cast is wrong, to put it simply think of the back and forward cast like the face of a clock go from 10 to 10 and 10 past 2, don't exceed this also take your time, practice makes perfect, if you follow this you shouldn't go too wrong, also i suggest you use a WF line as this will help you to "shoot" the line further, when it comes to fishing use a tapered leader to help your casts and if your still having problems i suggest you get some casting lessons which WILL help you improve. This will help you, just i ignore the first part listen to the casting part. Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcTt1JzYcY8 Also http://www.sexyloops.com/flycasting/contents.shtml One last thing, what type of rod are you using, it needs to be a medium to fast action to get the most out of your casts to start with a 7wt line is the best to start with, dont use double taper yet. Go for a rod length above 9feet to start aswell.

Your Questions About Fly Fishing

flyfishingnets.org — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:04:47 +0000

Mary asks…

Where is the best place to go fly fishing in the US?

I am planning a luxury fly fishing retreat for 10 key customers. These people have the money to do whatever they want so we need to impress. I am very unfamiliar with fly fishing so would like some recommendations on the best locations to fish that have the most high end, luxury accommodations as well as engaging people to take the group out to fish. In addition, I would like to find a location that has a full service, high end spa for those who do not want to fish. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

flyfishingnets.org answers:

If you want the very best fishing in the U.S. And most of the world than it is def. Alaska.Five species of salmon,monster rainbows(up to 20 lbs + in the rivers) halibut,grayling and much more.Getting to fish next to bears, take scenic flights to view wildlife volcanoes and so much more. If you want the best, Alaska is def. The best in the U.S., no second thoughts about it. Just look online at Bristol Bay lodges.

Betty asks…

How do you determine the winner of a fly fishing competition?

Sorry for the weird question, but even after much googling, I can't seem to find any details regarding how to determine the winner of a fly fishing competition and thus, I would appreciate if someone can re-direct me or tell me more information about it.

flyfishingnets.org answers:

If it's a "boating" tournament with live-wells, it would be like any tourney- bring your largest catch back to the ramp to be weighed. Heaviest WEIGHT wins….. If it's a "walking/kayak/float-tube" tourney, typically, at the beginning of the tournament, they will distribute disposable digital camera's and waterproof measuring tape to all fishermen. You take a picture with your catch next to the tape. LONGEST fish wins….. Hope this helps you?

Mark asks…

What Are Any Good Fly Fishing Spots In Washington?

Somewhere near Tacoma, Lacy, Olympia, or Seattle. It needs to be a place that can be fished all year round. Im a begginer so i dont know much about fly fishing. And it needs to be a place that has fish like rainbow trout.

flyfishingnets.org answers:

Http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/ go to this web site

Richard asks…

What should I use while fly fishing in upstate new york?

I recently started fly fishing and I am heading out with a couple friends to a river. I don't know what type of fly I should use because alone I have had no luck. My father fishing with a spincaster and is catching browns, walleye, a northern, and weve seen trout. I don't care which Icatch I just want to know what flys I should use/ what line!

flyfishingnets.org answers:

You might be getting a little ahead of yourself. There is no one fly to use when fly fishing, and it will be difficult for someone who is not familiar with the water you're fishing to tell you what fly to use. In fly fishing, you have to read the situation and then decide what to use "on the fly" so to speak. You base your approach on the conditions, and the conditions may change within the course of a single day. The trick is to know and constantly observe the water, fish, weather, etc. The best thing you can do is to observe feeding fish and either see what they are eating or try to figure it out. There are lots of ways to do this — look at the surface of the water for one thing. If you see lots of the same kind of insect floating or moving on the water's surface, and you see fish rising to them, find a fly that looks like that insect and cast it to rising fish. You can also get down in the water, kick over some rocks, and see what kinds of critters scatter — might be little shrimp/scuds, caddis larvae, or pollywogs. You might observe minnows or other small fish in the water — if there are little shoals of minnows skittering around near the banks, you can bet that the fish are picking some of them off, so imitate them. A big part of fishing is knowing your gear, your lures, your tackle, but another part of fishing is knowing the fish and the water. What do they eat? When do they eat? What kinds of food are in the river? Where is food available? How do conditions change throughout the year? To be good at fly fishing you have to figure all that stuff out. The bad news is… It might take the rest of your life to figure it out. The good news is… It might take the rest of your life to figure it out. Heh heh. A little fishing humor there. Oh, and I almost forgot — ask the locals. If you see fly anglers fishing, politely approach them and ask for advice. They might not tell you everything they know, but any decent angler will help you out. Fly shops and sporting good stores can also be good sources of information — fly shop clerks are usually pretty good anglers who don't get to fish as much as they'd like, so they'll at least talk to you about fishing… In this situation, because I don't know what what you're fishing (and I've never fly fished in New York State, anyway) the best I can do is give you very general advice on what to fish. I know that mayflies are still hatching in the east, so you can try those. Baetis and quill patterns will work almost anywhere east of the Mississippi. However, if you don't see fish feeding from the surface, dry mayflies might not do you any good. You could also try mayfly nymphs and emergers — these patterns often work better than dry patterns. Aside from those, you might try the usual arsenal of attractors and all-purpose patterns, such as minnows, Woolly Buggers, leaches, scuds, Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail, Wullf's, Adams, and Humpy's. In general, the smaller, dead-drift type flies (like mayflies or small nymphs) are more likely to attract the the trouts, while bigger, more actively fished flies will get the attention of the walleye and pike. However, your mileage may vary. Good luck to you. Catch a few for Y!A.

Your Questions About Fly Fishing Rods And Reels Combo

flyfishingnets.org — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:44:00 +0000

Paul asks…

Getting a new fly rod?

I have been fly fishing for a few years now and i was thinking about getting a new fly rod. I have a hobbs creek combo from bass pro and has worked just fine..i wanted to get a White River 270 rod w/ a Lamson Guru reel for my new setup(this would end up coming out around $340). I was just wondering if the differences between the two setups could be appreciated considering the price difference, meaning basicly is it worth the money? I mostly fish largemouth bass, bluegill, and every once in a while i get a chance to catch some trout. east coast

flyfishingnets.org answers:

I have 2 hobbs creek rods & a friend, has 2 white rivers & i can't any noticeable difference in them, other than the price. If you feel that you need to spend the big bucks, go for a custom rod, don';t stop with a factory ready made.

Mark asks…

What fly rod/reel combo should I get?

Looking on Sierra trading post and cabela's. There is a redington crosswater combo I'm considering. Looking at most likely going with a 5wt and a pole length of 7 1/2 to 8 ft if possible…going to be fishing small to large streams…mainly while backpacking. Fishing for a food source, not trophies. I need a four piece rod…fishing trout, walleye, and whatever else bites. Something utilitarian and functional.

flyfishingnets.org answers:

If you're "fishing for a food source", you don't want to do it by fly fishing… You run the risk of starving that way. By that, I mean losing too many trout. If you're playin' for keeps, you're better off using a medium-action spinning outfit and a shiny spinner with a treble hook… But, whatever…

Laura asks…

fly fishing help please?

ok….i live in the higher elevations of NC and I am trying to buy my little cousin a small stream fly rod and reel combo…..it has to be cheap…nothing expensive…hes only 12…..$30.00 tops….thx!

flyfishingnets.org answers:

Yeah, try Wal Mart of Big 5, some place like that. Good luck. $30 is a very small budget. The average fly line costs around $60. I know in years past I've seen all inclusive kits but I don't know if they can still be found at a price that low. Once again, good luck.

Carol asks…

Braided leader loop or nail knot?

When attaching your fluorocarbon leader to your fly line, which do you prefer? I've just bought a fly fishing rod/reel combo and I would like to go with the nail knot, however I am rubbish at knots. The only knot that I can tie with any confidence is the uni knot, so does anyone know a good website that explains in idiot proof simple terms how to tie a nail knot?

flyfishingnets.org answers:

Nail knot… Http://www.animatedknots.com/nailknot/index.php?Categ=fishing&LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

Your Questions About Fly Fishing Flies For Bass

flyfishingnets.org — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:30:57 +0000

Betty asks…

what are the best type of fly's for bass fishing?

thanks David for the links. i should have added bass fishing in irish waters. don't know if it makes a difference

flyfishingnets.org answers:

I assume you mean saltwater bass? Well there are a number of flies you can use, the best place i have found them at is a uk bsed company called fastmail.com (dont know any irish ones) but for a rough guide you can use surface poppers ona 9wt fly rod, fished off most rocky areas, also try the clouser minnow fished on a floating line with 15lb leader. If that still doesnt catch move onto a spinning rod with a dexter wedge or a jointed rapala. Http://www.fastmailtackle.co.uk/product.html?catid=1047&subcatid=13211

John asks…

if i am just fly fishing for rainbow trout, some bass maybe, what sized leader/tippet should i use, i have x2?

just trout about 15-20in. trout

flyfishingnets.org answers:

Those are two totally different fish, trout and bass, different in how they take flies. For trout, 2X is a little excessive and trout tend to be more leader shy. If you want to stay heavy on the leader, then maybe try a 4X. That is around the 5 to 6 pound range, depending on the brand of leader. 5X is a very common size for most trout. However, it also depends on what type of flies you will be casting. If you are chucking out big heavy streamers, then you want a heavy leader. I have caught many trout in the 16 to 19 inch range on 5X and 4X leaders, just don't horse them too much. Bass, either smallmouth or largemouth, are very heavy aggressive hitters and with largemouth you have to get them out into the open fast, get them away from their protected space. That requires a heavy leader, not to mention you may be casting really large and heavy streamers. Bass also tend to not be as leader shy as trout. I do recommend using fluorocarbon tippet for the last 18 inches of your leader. It hides very well in water and if you want to, you can go up a size since it is harder for the fish to see. Good luck fishing. Larry

Mary asks…

What are some good tips for a long time bass angler starting to fly fish for trout?

I have been a long time tournament angler for black bass. But starting out (as of last week) fly fishing for trout, casting is ok, but it seems that is one thing that will always need improvement. Would love some tips on books, vids, what flies to use when, ect. I live in MT and have acess to great fishing, so any clues to a good beginner spot would be a plus, and let me know if you want to go fishing!

flyfishingnets.org answers:

The internet is full of resources. Coming from a bass background, you may find the most similar and most forgiving set of flies to use are streamers like wooly buggers and clousers because nymphs and dries require more experience to drift without any drag. You can use a heavier tippet like 4x and tie on a lightly weighted bugger, then just work it like you would a jerk bait, jig or plastic worm – up down or across they all work. Try stripping line at different speeds or just letting the fly hang in the current when it gets below you and slowly strip it back. Use a short leader and tippet no more than 8 feet until you get comfortable. Even 6 feet can catch fish if you have trouble getting the cast down with a longer leader. Pay special attention to areas under riffles and it's hard to go wrong. Use these in larger water if you can (2 feet deep is getting into good streamer water), then once you become more comfortable with casting a fly rod you might hook up with a fishing buddy to show you how to drift a dry fly. At that point you'll just need to slow down your cast and watch how others fish – there is little substitute for direct observation. Nymphs are probably the most difficult because if you use an indicator you'll get a lot more wind knots at first, and without one you really have to be familiar with presenting blind, drag-free drifts.

Nancy asks…

fly fishing..just started. I need a bit of help?

Ok, well I just bought a 5/6 weight rod 8' and a 5/6 weight fly reel. I added a 5 lb fly line to the reel. Ok, what exactly is this set up for? What can I cast? are they meant for something heavy? what size hooks/flies can I use on a 5lb line? size 12? size 20? whats even the difference? I live in south florida, so I mostly fish blue gill, bass, and some other fish of small breed. I am just pretty confused on what to use, what they are for. I bought some minnows out of hair thats about 2in long, since with reg. fishing I catch bass with minnows. Can I use the fly minnow I bought on a 5lb fly line? what is the differnece between 6 7 8 9 lb fly line? do they cast farther?

flyfishingnets.org answers:

You'll find it helpful to add backing to the reel (20lb) before the fly line (50-100yrds, whatever you can fit on the reel with the fly line) you'll find it helpful if you get a lively fish on that likes to run or is larger than you are targeting, it gives you extra length if you run out of fly line, but it's not completely necessary. Your using 5 weight fly line not 5 lbs, the rod is designed to cast a 5 weight or 6 weight, the heavier weight lines (6 and up) will cast further yes and will cast better in the wind but will not be as accurate at close range and will not cast smaller lighter flys as well and you do want cast a line much more than what your rod is designed for, one over or one under is ok. You'll want leaders in the 3x to 7x range, smaller numbers are heavier (rated for more weight) 3x will be about 7lbs, for light fish in clear water you'll want 5x to 7x, shorter while you learning to cast and longer as you get better. With leaders it's the same as with the line, the heavier leader will not give a good presentation with the lighter flys and the lighter leader will not have the backbone to roll the heavier flys over causing tangles. The larger the hook number the smaller the fly, a size 20 is very small a size 8 is pretty large. A 5 weight with 5x leader should cast the size 8 to size 20 flys well enough, below and above that you'll start to have problems. Yes you can use the minnows but once again go talk to the fly shop and fisherman, you need to learn what the fish are feeding on and how to present it, you can't just drag it through the water any old way and expect to catch fish. Presentation is one of the most important skills to develop if you want to be successful. I can't really recommend any flys for you as I fish for different kinds of fish but your best bet is to go into a fly shop and ask. You'll want a good collection of different flys, I carry about 200+ flys, 50+ different patterns. Your in to a whole new ball game here so you've got a lot to learn, spend some time with a guide and talk to other fly fisherman on the water, you'll learn a lot. There is a lot more to this but that's the basics. Good luck. Chad should come along at some point and add some good advice. Good luck.

Your Questions About Fly Fishing Colorado

flyfishingnets.org — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:56:19 +0000

Sandy asks…

Where can I go guided fly fish in Wyoming, Colorado, or Montana?

I am making a road trip out west in mid May and really want to do some fly fishing. I know very little about fly fishing and would like to go with a knowledgeable and affordable guide.

flyfishingnets.org answers:

I don't know what they charge for guided trips but I Buy my flies and get my fishing reports from Kirk's Fly shop in Estes Park when I fish in Rocky Mountain National Park. May might be a little early to fish up in the park but I know they have access to some private waters on the Big Thompson. Http://www.kirksflyshop.com/

John asks…

When would be the best time to take a fishing trip to colorado?

My family wants to take a trip to colorado for trout and a salmon run after school lets out. June 20 something. Thanks fly fishing for some good fihs?

flyfishingnets.org answers:

You'll be good after June 20th and through July and August before school starts in Colorado. Breckenridge is a good place to look into staying as it is a good jumping off point to the Blue River, the Colorado River, and others. If you're looking into guided trips, there are lots of good shops in town that can get you set up with all your gear and guide. Plus, Breckenridge has all the town amenities you'll need to make a vacation out of it (shopping, dining, lodging, off-season mountain activity). Here's a link to my blog for all things Breck-related: http://www.breckenridge-lodging.org/blog-new/wordpress/ Have fun!

Linda asks…

Should I Become a Fly Fishing Guide?

Hello all, I am 19 years old, living in Colorado.. I am a college student in Western Colorado. I Love fly fishing an consider my self fairly experienced.. I spend my summers working at a guest ranch in the mountains, and fly fish the Big Thompson almost everyday after work ( during the summer) anyway, I have always thought working for a fly shop, and becoming a guide sounds like the life.. -any tips for someone looking to get started? -what are some pros and cons? – and what does it take to be a successful guide? Thanks guys!

flyfishingnets.org answers:

Here's some tips: NUMBER 1- Don't quit your day job! Do guiding on the side for (at least) 2-3 years. Most guides live off of repeat business. Allow yourself time to accrue clients….. #2. Know the streams, inside and out- Contact a local guide in your area and tell him you'll work for free doing any choirs or guiding he needs doing if he will help you "learn the water". Surely you don't think you know the water's better than some old "crusty" 50-60 year old guide who's been fishing/guiding these waters all his life? Be humble, honest, and LEARN! Understand, you will be in direct competition with other guides; EXPERIENCED guide. Better to work for free and learn than to try to shaft the local guide out of his/her clients- which would be a loosing battle for you anyway….. #3. Know the hatch- Keep a log of what hatched when and where and at what time. #4. Purchase quality equipment and outfits- A client that pays top dollar is NOT always expected to bring his own rod/reel, waders and general tackle. You need to be able to fully outfit a client, (or 3) with top quality gear, (if need be). Do you have any idea how much that will cost? It's not cheap……. 5. "Catching" isn't always the most important aspect of guiding. Being very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna, is. Having a good attitude, is. Being able to cook a "gourmet" shore lunch is. LISTENING to your client, is. SMILING, is. (you get the picture) Fly-fishermen don't expect to load up their creel with fish every time they go. If you can offer a fun "experience" along with the "catching" you'll be off to a good start. Attitude is EVERYTHING. If you tend to not get along with people, then don't even start. A good idea is to go to night-school or college for a biology degree. You may even want to take a few buisness classes. ADVERTISE! EXPECT to be poorer than dirt for at least the first 3 years you guide full time. Pray for fish.

Sandra asks…

What are best spot to go fishing in colorado springs.?

I'm trying to go fishing, both fly fish and fishing for some big fish is what I want. At least the biggest out here just not small stuff. Thanks

flyfishingnets.org answers:

South and west of Colorado Springs are some great places to fish: I’d especially recommend five. There are minimal entrance fees for all of these recreational areas (typically $7 or less per day). 1)Eleven Mile Reservoir 2)Spinney Mountain Reservoir 3)Antero Reservoir 4)The South Platte below Spinney Mountain Reservoir 5)Pueblo Reservoir http://www.charteryachtdubai.com/dubai-fishing.html

Your Questions About Fly Fishing Rods

flyfishingnets.org — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:00:12 +0000

Donna asks…

What fly fishing rod to buy for a beginner?

I am planning to buy a fly fishing rod and i have never used them before. I am looking for a strong and easy to use rod. i am willing to spend $50. what do you prefer should i get another spinning rod or should i try fly fishing

flyfishingnets.org answers:

Fly fishing can get very expensive & unless your willing to invest alot of $, then I'd go w/a spinning rod

Steven asks…

can someone help me chose a fly fishing rod and reel?

I Like to fish a fairly small river the Powell River to be specific for smallmouth and the clinch for fairly large trout. I'd like to keep it fairly cheap any ideas?

flyfishingnets.org answers:

Have to agree with the other posters- a 6wt would suit you best, depending on the size of the bass a 7wt would also suit, without being too heavy handed. Another point i must agree with, you can spend a small sum on a rod, but what you really need to do is buy a quality WF line-to match the rod, in this case a 6wt, a floating line is all you need to start with. As for rods, well i wouldn't normally recommend TFO(temple for outfitters) but recently i cast one and for the price it wasn't all that bad. They have enough power in the blank to handle harder fighting fish, i also recommend a model with a fighting butt, for ease of use. Redington is also a brand i would suggest looking into, if you don't want to spend too much.

Nancy asks…

I just go a fly-fishing rod, any tips for fishing for trout?

Yea, well i just want some tips for fishing trout, like what flies to use, i know how to cast and how to fight a fish, so, please help.

flyfishingnets.org answers:

First, you need to what kind and what size of trout you have in your area, then the type of water you're fishing. If you're fishing a creek full of stocked rainbows, they'll hit about anything. If some tiny limestone creek with real picky browns, you'll need a 9' leader with a super fine tippet and match the hatch very closely. All that said, use a size 8 muddler minnow. Work it either dry or wet. Almost anything eats them. They resemble lots of different forage.

David asks…

Where can I buy A good Fly Fishing Rod and Reels Outfits?

Looking for Fly Fishing Rod and Reels Outfits with good qualty . Help!!!

flyfishingnets.org answers:

Get a glance at http://flyfishingnets.org and buy Fly Fishing Rod and Reels Outfits to an unforgettable fishing experience in low price, high quality excellent varieties of rods. Check it out , its really a good one.

Your Questions About Fly Fishing For Bass

flyfishingnets.org — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:39:27 +0000

Sharon asks…

whats better for catching big large mouth bass, normal fishing or fly fishing, and also bait?

what bait will be good also? i tried shrimp, bread, and corn. is there something im doing wrong?

flyfishingnets.org answers:

I`ve never tried to bass fish with a fly….. But normal- i know they`ll bite that! Try this rig out: 1st: get about a 12lb test line, 2nd: get a bullet weight, (you know, the ones that slide up and down) It doesn`t really matter what size, just as long as it`s not giant. 3rd: put a hook on that`s a size one with a Sproat bend. This works really well. 4th: Tie a carolina knot. (I use this knot all the time, it works great for almost any kind of fishing, especially bass fishing because you don`t have to use very heavy line, especially when you`re used to 80-100 lb line offshore saltwater!) http://www.bassfishingusa.com/Rigging/rigging2.html 5th: Bait This is where you choose. There are so many different types of bait! Experiment! My favorite is any type of plastic worm. Just try anything. Or even ask your locals! -most of all, hope this helped and have fun fishing!!!!

Charles asks…

I need a good fly for fishing bass

its on a shallow, weedy lake and i hope to catch some bass and maybe a northern or two. any help would be great. ill be casting over some weed lines and rock piles about 4 to 6 feet deep.

flyfishingnets.org answers:

If you haven't tried one yet, give the Dahlberg Diver (also called the "Diving Bug") a shot. What Larry Dahlberg did was reconfigure the shape of the spun hair head on the standard "bass hair bug" so that the fly dives when the line is pulled sharply. Following the short dive, the fly then rises in the surface column (when fished with a sinking line) or floats back to the surface itself (when fished with a floater). This action works very well for attracting bass and other predatory gamefish. Dahlberg's new design is now known in forms other than the original Diving Bug. Using a similarly spun and shaped hair head, you will find the Diving Minnow, Mega-Diver, and Strip-Diver as well as the Swimming Baitfish and Swimming Frog. The concept of all these designs is the same, with variations in color and tail length/materials. If I had to blindly choose one fly type to use on the shallow, weedy water you describe, it would be one of these. Period. And remember the design only adds to their usefulness; for fish that might be spooked by the erratic diving movement, you can simply fish it as a traditional hair bug (on floating line) by giving a few, slight twitches rather than hard pulls. You can google for the various Dahlberg designs available through different sources.

Linda asks…

what kind of fly fishing fly should i use for bass?

I fish a lot but not fly fish. what kind of surface fly should I use for bass?

flyfishingnets.org answers:

Any fly that is a streamer or popper. I will post a link so you will get an idea. This link has the name of the flies you can click on them to see them. This link also has an area called related reading that explains some things that may help you. I will also tell you that you may want to use a rod that is 8 weight with a line that can handle throwing bulky flies. What I just said it should be in that related reading on that webpage I gave a link for.

Your Questions About Fly Fishing Rods And Reels Combo

flyfishingnets.org — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:59:59 +0000

Chris asks…

FLY FISHING HELP! PLEASE!?

Ive been fishing for ages, but I recently I bought a Redington RS4 combo with the rise reel, 6 weight. I just came home from fishing the Green river where the pinks are running, and had no luck catching them whatsoever. Everyone else was using their spinning set ups (I have one too but wanted to fly fish), but does spinning work better? Or do I just need to be patient with my fly rod? Any fly fishing advice would be amazing. I feel like I just wasted 300$ and that I will never catch a fish on my fly rod.

flyfishingnets.org answers:

It's easy and not uncommon to get frustrated when you first start fly fishing. First of all you have to have a decent arsenal of different flies for the picky and stubborn fish. Secondly you should learn different techniques of presenting your fly. Heres a good method of presenting a streamer. It's called "Quartering Downstream": -Stand at a 90 deg. Angle to the river, upstream a bit from your intended target hole. – Lets say straight ahead of you is Noon. – Cast to a 1 to 2 o'clock position ahead of where the fish are laying. – "Swing" your fly through the area where you think, or can see, that the fish are. – Once your fly has completed it's swing…let it sit in the current for a few seconds and just flutter. Then strip it in at different speeds. I use this method for Steelhead here in Ohio and it draws some vicious strikes. I don't see why pinks wouldn't act the same. One more thing…make sure your fly is weighted enough to stay close to the bottom. The fish can be fussy about coming up for a fly so try yo swing it right past their nose. Good Luck and don't get discouraged, it'll happen. Trust me.

Thomas asks…

im new at flyfishing i just now got a rod and reel combo i would like some help?

i live near Thomson IL about an hour and a half east and i want to now wat kind of flies i should get before spring comes so i can go out and hit some of the spots i fish…. we dont have very clear fast moving waters for trout so i would like to go for carp,bass,and panfish please help.

flyfishingnets.org answers:

At Cabela's, you can buy a package of flies that include fourteen of the most popular carp flies, along with a book entitled "Carp on the fly", which is all about fly-fishing for these freshwater bonefish. This will cost $40, but without the book, it costs $30. I'd opt to get the book as it will help you catch many more fish than without it. Bass Pro Shops also carries packs of carp flies for $25. Here's the link to Cabela's carp flies — http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0037197319326a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all_NYR&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&sort=all&Go.y=0&_D%3AhasJS=+&Nty=1&hasJS=true&nyr=1&Ne=2510&Ntt=carp&N=3530&_D%3Asort=+&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=0 Cabela's also sells bass flies in packs like the carp ones. These are less expensive than carp flies, but they'll run you anywhere from $15 to $30 for a 9-pack. Here is the link to one of the packages — http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0044485314166a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntt=bass+flies&Ntk=Products&sort=all&Go.y=0&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&_D%3Asort=+&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=0&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1 Here's a kit from Bass Pro Shops for panfish — http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_53805____SearchResults Good luck fly-fishing on the idea!

Sandra asks…

Tips for trout fishing in central PA??

I am going to be in central PA towards the end of August and would love to hook into a trout while I'm there. I will not be fly fishing to accomplish because that's something I've never done. What would be some lures or baits that would give me a good chance at hooking one? Any other tips would be great as well. I plan on using a micro reel and rod combo but if something else would work better please give feedback. Thanks.

flyfishingnets.org answers:

1. Bait fishing: 4lb line, 2-4lb leader, split shot, bobber, 18 treble hook….salmon eggs, or earth worm or even dough baits. 2. In-line spinners like panther martins , roster tails and mepps. 4lb line.

Your Questions About Fly Fishing Rods

flyfishingnets.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:00:02 +0000

Charles asks…

What fly fishing rod and reel would you recommend for survival situations?

All good answers and yes Im waiting on Airflo

flyfishingnets.org answers:

Skip all the prettiness…..you want a pack rod so it's easy to travel. ( Orvis Frequent Flyer) in an 8 wt. Why an 8 wt. ? Because this isn't about sport…it's about survival, get the fish in ASAP. Reel would be a Lamson ULA Force because of its durability and SEALED drag. You don't want to have to worry about sand or grit when you're trying to reel in dinner. Now where's that damned AIRFLOW ?

James asks…

is there anywhere that i could buy a decent fly fishing rod for under 50 pound?

I love to fish and would like a new rod but not got much coin spare to spend hundreds of pounds on a top brand rod.

flyfishingnets.org answers:

Try craigs list in states where trout are abundant

John asks…

Fly Fishing?

im thinking of starting fly fishing and trying to find a fly rod and reel and line but i dnt get the launguage they are speaking like what the hell is FW+EH handel and AFTM #2/3 and whats backing line?

flyfishingnets.org answers:

The guys who have already answered explain all that stuff. My 2 cents is that you should try a fairly cheep first fly rod. I bought one of the beginer kits at Gander mtn. But even Walmart carries them. The reason I say this is that Fly fishing is not for everyone. My cousin and I both bought $20 rods and tried them out a few times. His has been sitting in the bottom of the trunk of his car for almost 2 yrs now and I have been upgrading all of my equipment in that time. He just didn't get into it. I now have a few hundred invested, He has spent his money on spin rods. Just a thought.