The most common mistake I’ve performed throughout my years fly fishing resulted from my uncontrollable will to step foot in the water.  My fishing never officially began until I was submerged waist deep and throwing a fly.  Looking back at my early days of fly fishing, I now realize that this urge has kept me from catching numerous potential trout.  Fly fishing is most definitely a patience game, and today I realize the more patience I have equates to a greater amount of fish on the end of my line.  Here are a few tips I have learned which have helped me become a more pro-active fisherman.

Tip #1: Avoid the vehicle.

Although attaching a fly or two to your leader at the vehicle may be the most convenient time to do so, in the long-run it can create hours of unsuccessful fishing.  Based on my previous experience/ trial and error, choosing a fly before examining the river creates several dilemmas.  Most of us are thrilled when we arrive at our fishing destination and will often fish with whatever fly is connected to our line.  The desire to step foot in the water and glide the fly line through the air is usually the first objective for most fly fishermen, then catching a fish quickly works its way up on the priority list.  Commonly, the first few casts of the day will be the most successful if time is taken to observe the water, the hatch, and fish activity.  Examining the water for emerging insects and feeding fish will point you in the right direction to appropriate fly selection and the preferable water location.

Tip #2: Observe the water:

Once you arrive at your desired location, take plenty of time to observe the water.  Today, I usually observe several different locations on the body of water I choose to fish and take up to ten minutes per section to locate specific hatches and feeding fish.  It is important to note that a major hatch could be happening forty yards upstream and a completely different hatch could be beginning forty yards downstream from your favorite fishing hole.  This is because most rivers offer a variety of water types such as riffles, pools and eddies, which all hold specific aquatic insects that prefer these different living conditions.  Polarized glasses will increase your chances of spotting fish throughout the river in different conditions such as deep pools or fast riffles.

Tip #3: Locating Fish

Locating fish can be chore for most novice fly fishermen.  Experience and time on the water will help develop these sighting skills, but to increase your odds follow these simple steps.

First: Observe the water from a distance, looking for a mouth to penetrate the waters surface, often causing a ripple.  A dorsal or tail fin may also be spotted as well as air bubbles on the water surface created by the fish after consuming an adult insect.

Second: Beneath the waters surface, look for any movement as well as white flashes that are producedby the reflection of light off of their scales.  These flashes are often seen when fish are actively feeding on aquatic insects and can be easily spotted in slower moving water.  The white inside of a trout’s mouth can also be seen during peak feeding times, but the fish usually has to be large in size for this to be noticed easily.

Third: Position yourself on the river to obtain the best sunlight advantage.  Throughout the day, sunlight will reflect off of the water at different angles and create glare which will significantly reduce your ability to see beneath the waters surface. Try changing your position on the river if you experience this glare for it will cause you to lose sight of your fly and the fish you are after.

Following these simple tips will increase your odds of catching fish and will help you observe vital fish behavior that is critical to successful fly fishing.  Remember, patience is key and the most successful fishermen are the ones who take time to evaluate the conditions they are fishing before stepping foot in the water.

Fly-fishing an active hatch can be the thrill of a lifetime, especially if the opportunity to dry fly arises. Hundreds, or even thousands of aquatic insects emerge from the waters depths in attempt to breed before the abrupt end of their short-lived terrestrial lives. Us fly fishermen, as well as the fish we pursue, view these varieties of life cycles as an opportunistic event.  The aquatic insects emerge spontaneously, fish feed aggressively and fishermen attempt to “match the hatch”.  Excitement and anticipation often arise when a fisherman witnesses such an incredible event, but fishing a hatch is not always a piece of cake.

The first patterns many today consider as Classic Salmon Flies were introduced in the late 1700's. The flies were called the Peacock Fly and the Dragon Fly. In the nineteenth century what we today call works of art were made strictly for utilitarian purposes; they were tied to be fished. They were not tied to be mounted in a glass dome showcase or framed and hung on the office wall.

Written on the rod blank or handle is a code number which indicates the line that the rod manufacturer suggests is best for most customers; i.e., #AFTM 6. To most fly anglers, this means that they should use nothing but a 6 weight line with this rod. But to get the full potential from different fishing situations, you may want to consider using several line sizes on your rod - perhaps varying as much as two line sizes from the one suggested on the rod.