Unveiling the Art of Fly Fishing: Is It Really Hard?

Fly fishing, often romanticized for its elegance and connection with nature, is a pursuit that has captivated anglers for centuries. Yet, for many aspiring anglers, the question lingers: Is fly fishing hard? Lets unravel the complexities and demystify the art of fly fishing to provide a comprehensive answer to this common query.

Fly fishing does come with a learning curve, and mastering the technique requires a blend of skill, practice, and patience. Unlike traditional spin or bait casting, fly casting involves a unique set of motions that can initially be challenging to grasp. The angler needs to learn the art of loading the rod and casting the line with finesse, which may feel awkward at first.

It's important to note that the learning curve is part of the journey, and many find the process enjoyable. Numerous resources, including books, videos, online courses and fly fishing classes, are available to help newcomers navigate the initial challenges and build a solid foundation.

While fly fishing requires specialized gear, it doesn't necessarily mean it is more difficult than other forms of fishing. Understanding the basics of fly fishing equipment, such as the rod, reel, line, and various types of flies, is essential. However, as with any hobby, familiarity comes with time and experience.

Furthermore, the sheer variety of fly fishing techniques allows anglers to tailor their approach to different environments and fish species. From dry fly fishing on tranquil streams to nymphing in fast-flowing rivers, there's a technique suited for every angler's preference and skill level. Start simple to avoid becoming overwhelmed. 

In conclusion, the difficulty of fly fishing is subjective and largely depends on individual perspectives and experiences. While there may be an initial learning curve, the rewards of mastering this art are plentiful. The challenges encountered in fly fishing contribute to the sense of achievement, fostering a deeper connection with nature and a unique appreciation for the sport.

Ultimately, the difficulty of fly fishing is part of what makes it a cherished pursuit for many anglers. With dedication, practice, and a willingness to embrace the learning process, even those new to the art can find joy in the rhythmic dance of line and fly on the water. So, is fly fishing hard? Perhaps. But the journey is undeniably enriching, making the pursuit well worth the effort.

Tight Lines!

A HEAD START: 3 SUGGESTIONS

As you could imagine, it is very difficult to try and take something as complex as fly fishing and cram it into 3 simple tips. There are so many different nuances and intricacies to consider if you want to be successful with a fly rod. I can vividly remember when I first got into fly fishing over 10 years ago, despite being unable to remember what I did last Tuesday. I was excited to learn. I watched YouTube videos and read articles that I felt would help me. The feeling that stands out was simply my desire to catch fish. I wasn’t focused on technique and learning the different methods of fly fishing - I just wanted to put a bend in the rod. I was riding that new fly fisher pink cloud, so to speak. Only once I became competent with the basics of casting and retrieving did I start exploring different methods as a way to challenge myself and to expand my skills. These suggestions are geared towards the angler who has recently taken up fly fishing, and is simply looking to get a head start while catching fish. Although, suggestion number two might help some more seasoned anglers as well.

1. KEEP IT SIMPLE. The plethora of available information about fly fishing is an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn. However, the downside is that most of this information is not necessary when getting started. Euro nymphing, dry dropper rigs, double taper fly lines, skagit lines, you name it—there’s an article about it. They all have their place but the common goal when we start out is to simply catch a fish on a fly rod. Presuming you have the necessary gear (rod, reel, line, leader etc) and you know of a good local spot that holds fish, here’s my suggestion. Grab a few bead head Woolly Buggers - olive, black and white are the colors I never go without. Tie one on, and chuck it out there. Experiment with different retrieves. Try moving it slowly, or super fast. Get creative. Sometimes simply flipping it out there and imparting action with the rod alone is enough to get a strike. Woolly buggers imitate everything and nothing at the same time, making them an excellent searching pattern which by default makes them an excellent starter fly.

2. STOP TRYING TO CATCH A FISH. Yes, I said it. Instead of casting your fly out and putting your entire focus on catching a fish, try this: Ask yourself “if I was a small baitfish and I was fleeing for my life, how would I behave?” Then proceed to do your best to replicate that answer with your fly. Bottom line is that flies alone don’t catch fish (usually.) It is the action or presentation of a fly that we, the angler, create that convinces a fish to take a bite. To put it simply, if you’re focused on making that fly look like food, catching a fish is the result of that. If you’re focused on catching a fish but aren’t considering HOW what you’re doing will aid in that, then you’re just casting mindlessly into the water—although sometimes this can work. You do not have to be a professional to watch your fly in the water and experiment with giving it life - I do it all the time with clients.

3. Move those feet. My experience has shown that if a fish is going to eat your streamer, it will likely do so in the first few casts. If you cast into an area that’s holding fish, and you don’t see at least some indication that a fish is interested (i.e. a swipe, follow or roll of a fish towards your fly) the chances that a fish will hammer that same exact fly on the 34th cast in the same area is fairly slim. The simple remedy for this is to move. Go hop down to the next fishy looking spot, and fish that. An hour later when you return to the first pool don’t be surprised when that same fly gets whacked on your first cast. If you’re able to see fish that won’t bite and that voice in your head is screaming “Bryan is delusional, why would I move from this spot.” Fair point - But I’d suggest changing your fly, or at the very least the color of your fly.

If you take these 3 tips and combine them, I can promise your chances of hooking up will increase dramatically. As I mentioned above, there are endless opportunities for exploration and learning when it comes to fly fishing. Despite being over a decade into this adventure I still find myself trying and learning new things regularly. With time, and confidence (through catching fish) you will know when it’s appropriate to dive deeper into the varying methods used to catch fish with a fly rod. I hope these tips aid in your success and wish you the best of luck on the water. 

Follow along on Instagram @originoutfittersmaine where we share our adventures as well as other tips.

"YOU ONLY NEED TO CAST FOURTY FEET"

Every season there are more and more individuals getting into the sport of fly fishing. Living on the coast, the idea of stripers on the fly is understandably enticing. I mean, who wouldn’t want to catch a 30” fish on a fly rod? It really is one of the most exciting things someone can experience. A seasoned fisherman or not, I can guarantee that anyone holding a fly rod with a 30” striped bass on the other end will be grinning ear to ear. 

When beginning out as a saltwater fly caster, many of us turn to the internet. Youtube videos, and fishing articles are plentiful and offer just about everything we anglers need to know to get started. They all tell us a general sense of what to get—8 or 9 weight fly rod, clousers, stripping basket and extensive practice double hauling. These are all of the things that I was told, and these are all of the things that I did. Through frustration and patience, I saw improvement. After a while, I had absorbed everything I had read and seen—I had the basics down, and my only option left was to continue leaving the spinning rod home and spend more time on the water.

I recently spoke to a friend who is interested in getting more into fly fishing. I asked if he had started teaching himself to double haul. He sort of shrugged and said “I mean, I can get it out there.” His response indicated a mindset that implied he was unaware of how becoming a better fly caster could be beneficial. Whether you’re a chronically obsessed fly guy like myself or someone who simply enjoys casting a fly from time to time, there is enormous benefit to improving your ability to cast. 

Anyone learning to fly fish is often encouraged to stop worrying about how far they can cast. This is true in just about every respect and I absolutely agree with this teaching method. Mega long-bomb casts aren’t going to make you a “better” fisherman. There are far more important things that go into being successful on the water. That said, over the years I have had many experiences, that have proven the benefit of being able to make those long casts. I often think about one experience in particular. My goal here is to encourage those who have the basics down—don’t stop there! Taking the extra time and having the patience to become a proficient double hauler is worth it in more ways that I could list here, I promise. 

I had an experience a few years ago that was both frustrating but eye opening. I brought a buddy out to a spot where I had been catching fish very tight to shore. He was new to fly fishing but could consistently get the fly out at least 50-60 feet. My confidence was high as I knew the fish would be within his reach. We arrived and started fishing. I made a cast and began my usual retrieve. As I neared the end of my line, I lifted my rod to cast again and hooked a fish right in front of us.  I made another cast, and hooked another fish no more than 40 feet away. It was non-stop action. My buddy was using the same everything—same fly, same line, same spot, standing in the same spot, fishing the same area. The only difference was how far we were casting. He couldn’t seem to get a bite. He would cast to where I had gotten a bite over and over but just couldn’t seem to hook up. 

That’s when I had this epiphany and related it to the many times I’d heard (and told others) that “you only need to cast 40 feet.” My buddy was casting 40 or 50 feet. But the fish were not sitting 40 feet away. They were hanging out in the center of the channel, and following my fly throughout the retrieve. They were seemingly only convinced to bite as my fly made its way up the drop off. It became clear—my buddy was unable to get the fly in front of the school of fish, therefore could not get their attention to entice a strike. I’ve been in his shoes, and can honestly say it’s incredibly frustrating. This is a prime example of how a 90 foot cast can catch fish, when a 50 foot cast may not. 

It’s true that most of the time a long cast is not necessary. Also, I absolutely support the intention behind telling people “You don’t need to cast more than 40 feet”—we don’t want to discourage anyone. That said, it’s a skill that shouldn’t be regarded as unnecessary or not worth taking the time to learn.

My point is: don’t limit yourself with statements such as “my cast is good enough". Even if fly fishing is simply a hobby and not something you obsess about, you will benefit so much from taking that time to nail down a good double haul. It can be very frustrating at times, but trust me when I say it is worth it.

A new fishing friend that I just met a few days ago said something that rings true and is very fitting considering the experience I just shared —“the essence of the sport…there is no perfect or best fly fisherman - we're all out there to get a little bit better than we were the morning, day or week before.”

-Tight lines!

THREE TIPS FOR WINTER TROUT

As winter approaches, people typically start cleaning their fly fishing gear and storing it for the winter season, only to then live vicariously through facebook groups and youtube videos of those living down in the warmer states. Then there are those, like myself, that never put it away.  When I tell people that I willingly stand in a 34 degree river in January to fish for trout, people often ask “You still catch them?”, “Don’t you get cold?”, “That sounds miserable!” I personally find it peaceful and productive. But yes—it is cold. 

Many of us associate fly fishing with hatches, or bugs. We all know that the trout need a food source, and there is nothing that boosts an angler’s confidence more than seeing bugs zipping out of the water, or better yet, trout feeding on the surface. While it’s possible for hatches on the warmer days of winter, it’s not the most common. The rivers often appear lifeless—keyword being appear.

Snowboarding, snowmobiling and all other winter festivities have taken a back seat to fly fishing for me. In fact, I have had my most successful day of trout fishing in December 2017. Hopefully these tips can help you do the same.

1. FISH SLOW (OR DEAD) WATER. Often times when we look at a river we search for the most “fishy” looking riffles and runs. This is my go-to 75% of the time. In the winter, my perception of the river and its flow has to change in order to be successful. The slower water directly next to a run, eddies, and slow pools are a better bet. I’ve found myself standing in runs that would be full of trout in April, just to cast to the eddy adjacent to it in January. These areas may look like a churning boil of water, but underneath the surface is often a calmer area for the trout to sit waiting for a snack to drift by. In cold water, trout will position themselves in a position to use the least amount of energy, but still have food brought to them via the current which is exactly what makes these areas perfect places to target.

2. FISH BIG STREAMERS. If you google winter fly patterns, you will likely see an array of tiny midges and stoneflies for nymphing. Proper nymphing techniques are an absolute must for fooling winter trout. That being said, big streamers work too, and at times, better. I use what I call the “strip-hang-drift” technique. Throw a big streamer across slow moving current and give it an aggressive 2-4 foot strip, and then let it hang in the current for 1-5 seconds. After the hang, slowly bring your rod tip downstream allowing the fly to dead drift downstream. The aggressive strip can trigger a trout’s predatory instinct. As soon as they see that huge leech pattern pause, the fish sees the opportunity to strike and takes it.  This technique is best used in a slow stretch of water with minimal current. It is commonly said that trout do not move far for food in the winter which can be true, however my experience with big streamers says otherwise.

3. DO NOTHING. Yes, you read that right. One of the most productive methods I’ve employed to catch winter trout is to cast into a small pool or dead water next to a run. Once the fly hits the water, I do nothing. Keeping my rod tip high, I will hold the fly in an eddy next to a run and let it hang. Even if you don’t get a bite, you may see a curious fish swim up and inspect your fly. Another way to “do nothing” is to cast directly downstream and just hold your rod tip about 1 foot off the top of the water letting the fly dangle in the current. This is slightly different than swinging flies, in that you don’t cast across current and wait for the flies to reach the bottom of your swing, but instead cast to where the end of the swing would be and leave it. Doing this requires a lot of moving around, otherwise you will start swinging your flies—although that can work as well! 

There are certainly more things to keep in mind while trying to fool winter trout, such as fishing during the middle of the day, and watching your shadow with the lower sun. These are just some of the things I wish I knew years ago when I began my quest to fool winter trout. Using these three tips, as well as the other great resources available online, I am confident you will increase your success while fishing in the winter.  Always remember to check your local regulations for which waters are open to fishing, as well as bag limits if you intend to keep some for dinner. Tight lines!

A healthy February Brown.