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Fishing with a rod and line, and an artificial lightweight lure made to imitate fish prey \u2014 that is, fly fishing \u2014 was first recorded around the year 200. And while modern innovation has improved the quality and durability of the materials, the basics of the sport and pastime have remained largely the same. Attach a lure (or \u201cfly\u201d) to a line, cast it in the water, and see what happens. <\/span><\/p>\n Growing up, I fished in a boat with my uncle every now and then, but didn\u2019t take it up on my own beyond that. Ever since moving to Colorado 5 years ago, though, I\u2019ve been intrigued by fly fishing. You see fishermen in nearly every stream you pass by, and our family often encounters them on the trails we traverse. It seems like such an elegant way to pass the time and <\/span>settle your mind<\/span><\/a>, while also fulfilling the ancient role of Provider<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n So over Labor Day, <\/span>I finally decided to hire a guide<\/span> and learn the ropes. Below, I\u2019ll share those ropes with you: why you\u2019d choose fly fishing over other methods, gear to look for, fly and casting basics, and finally some concrete tips on actually getting yourself started with this age-old pursuit. Keep in mind this is a guide for folks who have either never fly fished, or have only done so a small handful of times and with little knowledge. It\u2019s for men who\u2019ve wanted to get into fly fishing, but haven\u2019t known where to begin.<\/span><\/p>\n If that\u2019s you, I hope this guide can point you in the right direction.<\/span><\/p>\n “To go fishing is the chance to wash one’s soul with pure air, with the rush of the brook, or with the shimmer of sun on blue water. It brings meekness and inspiration from the decency of nature, charity toward tackle-makers, patience toward fish, a mockery of profits and egos, a quieting of hate, a rejoicing that you do not have to decide a darned thing until next week. And it is discipline in the equality of men \u2014 for all men are equal before fish.” \u2014Herbert Hoover, avid fly fishermen<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n While spin casting with a spinning reel is a great introduction to fishing, many anglers would argue fly fishing elevates this pastime into a real art.<\/span><\/p>\n Why is this? What are the differences?<\/span><\/p>\n When it comes to the practicalities, the differences are many. To name just a few, in fly fishing:<\/span> Beyond the practical differences, fly fishing is often labeled as the purer form. It requires craftsmanship and true skill to cast your line, the flies themselves are works of art, and as we\u2019ll see, you become a true master of the environment. When I asked my guide why fly fish, he grinned like the answer was obvious and said, \u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n With spinning reel fishing, the goal is often a combination of relaxation and volume \u2014 catching as many fish as you can while having a nice outing on a boat or sitting in a chair on the shoreline. It\u2019s just easier. <\/span><\/p>\n With fly fishing, it\u2019s more of a challenge. Can you trick the fish into biting onto your fly\/hook? Not only that, can you successfully get the fish hooked at the right moment, and tease it into your hands\/net? Can you navigate the stream, and know exactly where to place (or \u201cpresent\u201d) your fly, so the fish are most likely to bite?<\/span><\/p>\n All of this is why you see romantic stories (<\/span>and even philosophy books!<\/span><\/a>) about fly fishing; it\u2019s just a more poetic and artful form of the sport. <\/span><\/p>\n Now that we know the \u201cwhy,\u201d let\u2019s get more into the \u201chow.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n While you don’t need everything pictured above when you’re first starting with fly fishing, this gives you a general overview of the kinds of things you’ll likely eventually acquire and take with you as you get more into it. For a full description of each item pictured, click here<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n When you think of fishing, and especially getting started with it, you likely think of all the stuff you\u2019ll need to be successful. When I first got to the fly fishing shop and my guide was walking through all the gear we\u2019d be taking advantage of, I was a little bit intimidated. There were multiple types and weights of line used, a case full of flies (ranging in size from a pinky nail to finger-length), gel to coat and waterproof the fly, tools and cutters for knot-tying and knot-untangling, not to mention waders, vests, and other clothing essentials. <\/span><\/p>\n I think my guide saw my wide eyes, because he then said, \u201cReally, you don\u2019t need this much stuff to start. Grab a pole, some line, and some flies, throw it in the water, and see what happens.\u201d He then told me the story of a kid in town he knew who would tie some line to a stick, tie on a fly, and drop it in the water \u2014 and he\u2019d catch some fish to boot. Like with anything, when you embrace fly fishing you\u2019ll likely end up with plenty of specialized gear, but you don\u2019t need all that when you\u2019re first starting out.<\/span><\/p>\n Fly fishing gets its name from the bait that is used: artificial \u201cflies\u201d made to imitate what the fish are eating \u2014 bugs usually (like various types of . . . you guessed it, flies!), but sometimes even small rodents and other creatures. <\/span><\/p>\n There are numerous types and sizes of flies \u2014 dry flies, nymphs, streamers \u2014 and what you use will depend on the fish you\u2019re trying to catch and your setting. If the fish aren\u2019t biting, you\u2019ll often change out a fly and try to intuit what they might be after that day or season. This is why fly fishermen are often amateur ichthyologists (fish scientists) and entomologists (insect scientists). They know types of fish, what those fish eat in what season, what the bugs look like at different times of the year, etc. My guide\u2019s biological knowledge after years of fishing was truly astounding. <\/span><\/p>\n Once you can determine the right fly to use, there are a couple different acceptable knots for attaching that fly to your line, but the \u201cimproved clinch knot\u201d seems to a favorite among a lot of experts. <\/span>Check out this guide to not only that knot, but a couple of others used in fishing as well<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n A great closeup of a homemade fly. You can see the colored thread carefully wrapped about the hook, with feathers and hairs attached to create that bug-like look.<\/p><\/div>\n Once you explore fly fishing, you\u2019ll likely hear about folks who are \u201cfly tying.\u201d This is not a term for tying your fly to your line (as I initially and very naively thought), but rather a term for making your own flies rather than buying them. You\u2019d do this to possibly save money (flies are easy to lose in trees or to rowdy fish), but also for the art of it. Flies truly are works of art, created with various materials like beads, foams, animal hairs, and much more. The beginner angler will not be fly tying; there are literally books written on the craft, and it requires a whole other set of tools and skills. This is something to look into after you\u2019ve gotten the hang of the fishing itself. <\/span><\/p>\n Once you have your gear and fly all set, it\u2019s time to cast. When you watch seasoned fly fishermen in action on the stream, it\u2019s like seeing art in motion. The way the arm moves, followed by the line and fly, so delicately placed on the water exactly where it\u2019s wanted. Let me tell ya, that\u2019s not what it looks like for the rank beginner. <\/span><\/p>\n So here\u2019s the scoop on fly casting: find someone to teach you. That\u2019s truly the key. I could try to describe in text and illustrations how it happens, but that\u2019s just not going to work. For this article, I actually researched the viability of putting together an illustrated guide on casting. But when I saw other guides that were out there and folks trying to describe it, I actually got more confused than when I was with my guide and trying it out with a rod in hand. <\/span><\/p>\n There are too many types of casting, too many subtle motions and arm movements, and too many ways to make mistakes for me to try to relate that all to you here on a website. Of all the projects and skills I\u2019ve written about for the Art of Manliness, this is the one that most needs to be learned in the flesh, either from a friend or family member who fishes, or from an expert who you\u2019ve paid to help guide you along. <\/span><\/p>\n The same goes for hooking and ultimately catching the fish. There\u2019s a whole terminology that goes into casting and catching:<\/span><\/p>\n And this is just a small sample. You don\u2019t want to be wading into those waters on your own \u2014 literally or metaphorically. <\/span><\/p>\n So, how does the beginner actually go about getting started? Let\u2019s take a look at that next. <\/span><\/p>\n Take a class.<\/b> Chances are high that no matter where you live, some outfitter is offering a class on fly fishing. Be it a sporting goods store, a dedicated fly fishing shop, or even a community college, there are a lot of places putting on free (or low-cost) classes to learn the art. <\/span>Orvis is a great place to look \u2014 they offer free classes in 43 states.<\/span><\/a> They tend to start with a lecture portion on what I\u2019ve covered above (but more in-depth), followed by hands-on instruction about lines, knots, flies, and casting. Depending on the shop, they\u2019ll also have next-level classes, which sometimes include practicing in a stocked pond. <\/span><\/p>\n Casting a line into the East River near Crested Butte, CO. It’s one of the premier areas of the country for fly fishing.<\/p><\/div>\n Hire a guide.<\/b> After you\u2019ve taken a class or two, hire yourself a guide to take you on a half-day or full-day outing on the water. (If, that is, you don\u2019t have an experienced friend or family member willing to take you and show you the ropes.) You can only learn so much in a classroom setting, even if there is some hands-on instruction involved. There\u2019s nothing like being in the stream and seeing what a seasoned vet does in regards to which flies to use, where to cast, how he troubleshoots things, etc. <\/span><\/p>\n I would recommend going in that order of taking a class first before hiring a guide. I did not do that, and about half of our half-day together was spent teaching me the ropes and practicing in a pond, which likely could have all been accomplished beforehand. <\/span><\/p>\n A guide can be expensive \u2014 look to spend $150-$500 depending on your location, and whether you\u2019re doing a full-day or half-day outing. Makes for a great gift to save up for if that\u2019s a little out of reach. <\/span><\/p>\n Practice tying your knots and casting. <\/b>While not on the water, you can practice a few things at home. First, work on your knots; lines and flies (which are often tiny) need tying together, and it\u2019s only with plenty of practice that you can do so deftly and efficiently. My guide could rig up a fly in less than 30 seconds, while I was fumbling with what felt like sausage fingers for a couple minutes before getting it just right. That doesn\u2019t seem like much time, but when you\u2019re out in the river, it adds up. Plus, if you\u2019re fumbling with your fly in the water, dropping it means losing a couple bucks right then and there.<\/span><\/p>\nWhy Fly Fish? What Distinguishes It From Other Types of Fishing?<\/h3>\n
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What Kind of Gear Do You Need?<\/h3>\n
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Flies<\/h3>\n
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Casting and Catching<\/h3>\n
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Tips for Getting Started: A Linear Progression<\/h3>\n
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