How to Fly Fish: 13 Best Tips

4. You will get Skunked

Getting skunked in fly fishing means not catching a single fish, and sometimes, not even getting a chance to set the hook. Many anglers, including experienced ones, have faced this challenge.

I recently questioned women in the United Women on the Fly Facebook group about their experiences. Amy Williams Ray shared that it took her four trips to finally land her first trout, making it a special achievement.

Shandy Danford recounted three hard fishing months before her first catch, emphasizing the importance of learning the basics.

The key takeaway from these stories is that getting defeated is part of the journey, but the message is clear: don’t give up.

5. Understand Your Bugs

When fly fishing, understanding the bugs is crucial. Keep it simple and have the right flies on hand. Trout primarily feed on bugs underwater, so knowing the basics of what they eat is essential.

Different bug hatches occur in healthy waters throughout the seasons, offering opportunities for successful fishing.

6. Don’t Overthink Extra Gear

When it comes to gear, simplicity is key. You don’t need to invest in high-end equipment right away. Start with the basics and upgrade as needed. Fishewear, a female-owned company, offers a recommended sling for beginners.

Organizing your gear is crucial, and there are multiple options such as vests, front pouches, lanyards, and slings to choose from. Enjoy the journey, create your narrative, embrace mistakes, and find your words of encouragement.

The primary focus is to relish the experience and have fun.

7. Don’t feel overwhelmed by Advice

When I started fly fishing, simple questions often led to overwhelming responses. Now, with my own experience, my advice is to take it step by step.

In fly fishing, the key is to cast and present your fly so convincingly that a trout mistakes it for an actual bug and takes the bait. Once that happens, you have a brief moment before the trout realizes it’s not a natural bug, and you must set your tiny hook in its mouth.

But wait, you’re not done! Now, you must net the fish with just enough tension. It’s a beautiful dance; you’ll be hooked forever once mastered.

There are many right and wrong ways to do things, but you will genuinely learn once you experience it. 

For instance, I took the Orvis Fly Fishing 101 class, which provided a great foundation. You can also read some informative books on fishing to get more advice.

8. Understand the Fish

Now, here’s the juicy bit – understanding fish behavior. Fish aren’t just underwater blobs; they’ve got habits. Different species have different cravings and dining preferences. Dive into the world of aquatic cuisine, learn about the insects and other delights fish fancy, and then pick flies that look like their favorite snacks.

9. Practice Your Casting

So, watch a few videos, take a lesson, and head to your local park or backyard. Casting is like an art form; it’s beautiful when it all comes together. But here’s the deal – it takes practice. I’ve never met someone who immediately picked up a fly rod and nailed it.

So, if you’re struggling, you’re not alone. Just spend some time off the water and focus on those basics, and soon enough, casting will be second nature.

The key here is to practice casting away from the water. You want to catch fish when you’re out fishing. Removing that distraction lets you focus on getting the basics of fly casting down. And trust me, after a while, it becomes second nature.

10. Learn how to read the water

Fish hang out in all sorts of spots in rivers and lakes, and knowing where to find them is critical. If you need clarification on these places, you might save time in spots with no fish. It’s all about understanding how your fly drifts and figuring out where fish like to chill.

Every river and lake is different – some have specific spots where fish love to wait for their next meal. Learning to read the water can seriously level up your fly fishing game. Spend some time on it – it’s worth it.

11. Learn basic entomology

I am not an entomology expert, but knowing the basics is a game-changer in fly fishing. It doesn’t matter if you’re fishing in rivers or lakes. If you struggle, flip over a few rocks and need help to pick the right fly. With some basic entomology knowledge, you can match your flies to what’s buzzing around.

And it’s not just about nymph fishing – insects go through different stages, and understanding these stages helps you pick the right flies. It’s like having the insider info to catch more fish.

12. Learn to nymph fish

So, there’s nothing like seeing a trout rise to take your fly gently from the surface – it’s unforgettable. But here’s the thing: around 80-90% of a trout’s feeding happens underwater. So, if you want to catch more fish, you’ve got to get down there with them.

When I started learning the basics of fly fishing, nymph fishing scared the heck out of me. I felt lost – I wasn’t sure if I was deep enough or if the fish even noticed my fly. I missed a bunch of catches and honestly thought I just sucked at it. But you know what they say – practice makes perfect.

I’ve spent years figuring out nymph fishing. I still try different nymphing techniques because it pays off big time. My catch rates shot up once I got the hang of it. Now, it’s one of the most fun things about fly fishing for me, and it pays off when you’re aiming to catch some fish.

13. Where To Fish

The success of your fly fishing adventure hinges on this choice. Seek out places with crystal-clear water, a decent flow, and fish aplenty is essential. Need recommendations? You can find many states for fly fishing. Also, you can fly fish in ponds to spot fish easily.

If not, then hit the internet or chat up the local pros. And hey, always play by the rules – be aware of any regulations or restrictions in the area.