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.
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.
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.
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.
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